Iceland
Iceland is one of my favorite countries I’ve traveled to, so much so that I immediately booked a second trip upon returning home from my first trip.
Iceland is all about dramatic landscapes and outdoor adventure. Start in Reykjavík, the country’s colorful and compact capital, before heading out to see waterfalls, glaciers, black-sand beaches, volcanoes, geothermal areas, and rugged coastlines.
The popular Golden Circle takes you to Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall, while the South Coast is home to highlights such as Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara Beach, and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
If you have more time, driving Iceland’s Ring Road takes you beyond the most visited areas and into remote landscapes, small fishing villages, fjords, and lesser-known waterfalls. In the north, Akureyri makes a good base for exploring Lake Mývatn, geothermal areas, and nearby waterfalls, while the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland packs mountains, lava fields, beaches, and dramatic coastal scenery into a relatively small area.
Iceland changes dramatically with the seasons. Summer brings long daylight hours that are ideal for road trips and hiking, while winter offers snowy landscapes and the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights.
It’s not a cheap destination—and the weather has a habit of ignoring your carefully made plans—but Iceland’s unusual landscapes make it one of those places where the journey itself is often just as memorable as the sights.
