Iceland

Iceland: the land of unpronounceable names and jaw-dropping beauty. One needs at least a long weekend to experience all this gorgeous country has to offer, from geothermal hot springs to glacial lagoons. I personally think it’s impossible to get bored here and cannot wait to return someday.

Reykjavik

The largest city in Iceland has quite a bit to offer, but to really experience Iceland, you should leave the city and go into the countryside. Reykjavik has some great restaurants and nightlife, but some can’t-miss sights are the Golden Circle, a day-long driving tour of geysers, waterfalls, and lakes that offer a nice introduction to Iceland and the Blue Lagoon, the famous geothermal pool halfway between the airport and Reykjavik town which is a good place to relax after a long flight.

The North Coast

The North Coast of Iceland is less visited by tourists but is still worth going to. Akyreri, the second-largest city in Iceland, is a good base for day trips to Husavik, a whale watching haven with some of the best seafood ever, Dettifoss, yet another gorgeous waterfall featured in the movie Prometheus, and the Lake Myvatn area, a geothermal playground that rivals Yellowstone National Park with amazing hot springs, geysers, and more. This part of Iceland can be accessed via the Ring Road or flight from Reykjavik.

The South Coast

The South Coast is my personal favorite part of Iceland because of the sheer variety of activities and sights to see here. First, along the ring road are all these waterfalls and short little hikes that you could just stop for a half hour and then continue on to the next one. Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss are two incredible ones. Then, there is Heimaey and the Westman Islands, the self-proclaimed puffin capital and just a short 30 minute ferry away. Near the town of Vik is Dyrholay and Reynifjara two beaches with incredible sunset views and amazing volcanic formations. Further along the ring road is Skaftafell, an amazing hike with rewarding waterfall views at the end within the Vatnajokull National Park. Also within Vatnajokull is one of the largest glaciers in Europe and a great opportunity to go snowmobiling. Finally, I cannot forget the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, a small bay just before the town of Hofn where the Vatnajokull glacier continuously spews ice into the North Atlantic Ocean and is a mystical boat ride experience.