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