This island may not be your typical holiday destination and certainly not chart-topping but nevertheless a place every person should strive to visit in their lifetime. The land of ice and fire has it’s myths embedded in Norse history and adds an exciting twist to an already intriguing and spectacular country.
- The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) This magical show of wandering lights in the sky should definitely be high in your agenda for things to do and see on your vacation in Iceland, viewing the natural phenomenon is an inspirational experience that will leave you gazing in amazement for a long period of time. Electrically charged particles high in the Earth’s atmosphere makes the air literally shine and the lights can be seen often from September to April on clear nights, leaving a traveller ample opportunity to see them for many months during the year.
- Blue Lagoon The country’s top tourist attraction is the famous geothermal pool located 47km away from the capital, Reykjavik, and is somewhere for all the family to have great fun. End your scenic drive through the rugged terrain by relaxing and sulking in the pleasant steaming water that has positive effects on the skin, and afterwards indulge yourself by taking a visit to the spa where you can unwind from all your stresses.
- Reykjavik This stylish capital is packed full of originality and amazing architecture, with the pinnacle being the Hallgrímskirkja church which rises high above the city’s landscape, a view which can be enjoyed and appreciated from the Perlan, a glass dome on five water tanks which provides a perfect sight over the whole of the city. Colourful houses and apartments line the streets of the capital along with prosperous cafes and welcoming pubs which combine to create a trendy, warm vibe that leaves a lot to be desired.
- Þingvellir A stunning national park located in south-western Iceland on the Reykjanes peninsula and mid-Atlantic ridge, alongside being a natural beauty with the adjacent Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest natural lake, this UNESCO World Heritage site is also historically and culturally important as this was where the world’s longest-running parliament was located and is where the European and North American tectonic plates meet, forming a rift valley. A great place to discover and explore while being exceptionally aesthetic on the eyes, do not forget your camera!
- Gullfoss Iceland’s largest waterfall is another top luring attraction that is close to Þingvellir national park and the geysers at Haukadalur, with the trio forming the ‘Golden Circle’, a day tour would be a great way to cover all three spectacular natural gifts. Situated in the canyon of the Hvítá river the waterfall has created a three-step ‘staircase’ which then plunges to a 105ft drop, after clicking away on the camera take a warm refreshing pit stop at the adjacent shop/café and escape the chilling cold outside!
Exploring this country with its wild and splendid landscape definitely deserves a place on your list of world destinations to visit, combine Norse myths with an icy, volcanic island and you have a winning combination.
