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