| Iceland is Europe's westernmost country, and | | | | houses from ferocious Arctic storms that |
| occupies a strategic location in the North | | | | batter this exposed part of the country. |
| Atlantic, straddling the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, | | | | |
| on the edge of the Arctic Circle. One of the | | | | You can relax for a day at Akureyri. From |
| coldest countries in the world, it is also | | | | here, it's easy to go inside the Arctic |
| one of the world's most volcanically active | | | | Circle to the island of Grimsey. The |
| hotspots. Iceland is known today for its mix | | | | country's biggest tourist attraction outside |
| of glaciers, bubbly hot springs, rugged | | | | Reykjavik is Lake Myvatn, one hour away to |
| fjords and fiery volcanoes. | | | | the east of Akureyri. Many species of duck |
| | | | and waterfowl nest in this lake, which is |
| Iceland can give you a truly unique diving | | | | surrounded by evidence of volcanic activity, |
| experience you can't get anywhere else: | | | | including long-dormant cinder cones and |
| diving between two tectonic plates, astride | | | | still-steaming lava fields. North of Myvatn |
| the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the fault line where | | | | is the small town of Husavik, the best place |
| two of the Earth's tectonic plates are | | | | for summer whale-watching cruises, while just |
| drifting apart. It is not only unique, but it | | | | inland to the east you can hike along deep |
| is also exclusive - only few people have | | | | river gorges of the Jokulsargljufur National |
| dared to try the experience. To get to the | | | | Park to the awesome Dettifoss, Europe's most |
| diving site, you first have to drive deep | | | | powerful waterfall. |
| into geo-thermal territory and tectonic plate | | | | |
| activity. If you're not yet thrilled enough, | | | | Iceland's most rewarding long-distance hiking |
| you can drive the next day to its glaciers in | | | | route is found near the glacial lagoon, |
| the south and race snowmobiles. | | | | Jokulsarlon. The Porsmork trail is one of the |
| | | | world's most exhilarating walking paths. In |
| The country is the most sparsely populated in | | | | the south coast, you can take a ferry to the |
| Europe, with just 283,000 people living in an | | | | Vestmannaeyjar (Westman islands) to survey |
| area the size of England or the US state of | | | | the world's largest puffin colonies and have |
| Kentucky. Over half of the population lives | | | | a look at Surtsey, the new island created by |
| down in its southwestern corner, around | | | | volcanic eruptions in the mid-1960s. |
| Reykjavik, the small but cosmopolitan | | | | |
| capital. The other decent-sized population | | | | When to Go |
| center is Akureyri, up on the north coast. | | | | |
| | | | Icelandic weather is notoriously |
| What Else to Do | | | | unpredictable. In summer, there's a fair |
| | | | chance of bright and sunny days. Many bus |
| All long-distance buses and domestic planes | | | | routes through the interior don't start until |
| begin their trips from Reykjavik. You can | | | | late June or early July when the snow finally |
| visit Geysir, the original geyser from which | | | | melts. The sun does not fully set during |
| all other gushing hot springs get their name, | | | | June, and though there's no true midnight |
| and the spectacular waterfalls at Gullfoss. | | | | sun, nights are light from mid-May to early |
| The country's only international airport at | | | | August across the country. Between September |
| Keflavik is on the Reykjanes Peninsula, an | | | | and January, the Aurora Borealis or Northern |
| area teeming with birdlife and whales. | | | | Lights can be seen. Hiking and camping are |
| | | | out of the question in winter. |
| Outside Reykjavik and the populated | | | | |
| southwestern corner, the wilder side of | | | | Planning Your Trip |
| Iceland meets your eye - wide-open spaces of | | | | |
| vivid green fringed with coastlines of red | | | | Most budget accommodations open only from |
| and black volcanic sands set against a | | | | late May to early September. In winter, |
| backdrop of brooding hills and mountains. On | | | | there's little chance of accommodations other |
| the west coast, in the towns of Borgarnes and | | | | than large hotels in Reykjavik and the main |
| Reykhold and the surrounding countryside, | | | | towns. Given the long distances involved to |
| every landscape feature you see will be | | | | reach Iceland, flying is the quickest and |
| associated with parts of the Icelandic sagas. | | | | cheapest option. The highest airfares are |
| | | | around June to August when the weather is |
| The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is the country's | | | | best. Fares drop September to November and |
| most accessible hiking destination. Arguably, | | | | April to June, and you get the best prices |
| Iceland's most dramatic scenery is in the far | | | | during the low season, November to March. The |
| northwest, the West Fjords, where you'll find | | | | most convenient flights from Europe and Asia |
| tiny fishing villages ensconced at the foot | | | | go through London; there are direct flights |
| of table-top mountains or tucked away in the | | | | from the US, but Canadian travelers need to |
| neck of narrow fjords which protect the | | | | go via the US. |