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