Iceland, the most sparsely populated country in Europe, is a great place to travel! The dramatic landscape is full of vibrant colors, stunning rivers that flow through glacial valleys, and volcanic eruptions that send floods of lava and melted ice to the sea. It’s awe-inspiring and humbling. Here are a few reasons to plan your next trip to the Land of Fire and Ice. 

Epic landscapes - Waterfalls, Glaciers & Fiords
No place in the world looks like Iceland. You'll find black-sand beaches, thundering waterfalls, lush fields of moss, and one of Europe’s largest glaciers. This small island makes an incredible destination for active travelers. The scenery is incredibly diverse, and with more than a third of the country’s population living in its capital city Reykjavik, the countryside is wide open and waiting to be explored. 

Unique wildlife - Puffins, Whales & Reindeer 
The volcanic valleys of rural Iceland are populated by a unique variety of local creatures, from the wild reindeer of the East Fjords to the cute puffins who populate the coastal regions. And with the humpback whales that call the northern waters their home and the shaggy, charming Icelandic horses that roam the country’s mossy plains, Iceland deserves a place high on the bucket list of any wildlife-lover. 

Natural Hot Springs 
On top of stunning landscapes and fascinating geology, Iceland’s volcanic roots give the country another incredible feature: the hot springs! From luxurious resorts to the natural hot springs, steaming fissures, and warm rivers, there’s no shortage of options for a soak here-and in summer, there’s nothing like a late-night visit to the springs to enjoy the water and bask in the light of the Midnight Sun. 

History - Volcanoes to Vikings 
Geologically, Iceland is one of the world’s youngest countries, created by the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates slowly separating. The drama of its birth is far from over, with recent events like the dramatic lava fountains of the Fagradalsfjall eruption bringing Iceland's volcanoes back into the news. And while you're here, you'll have no trouble finding locals willing to tell you about their country’s fascinating culture. 

The Northern Lights 
The Northern Lights are famously elusive- especially in summer when the Midnight Sun reduces the window of opportunity to only a few hours in the darkest night. Luckily, many Icelandic hotels offer wake-up calls when the Aurora comes to visit. A winter  Northern Lights Tours always offers your best shot of seeing this iconic phenomenon in person. 

Iceland Cruising – Circumnavigating The Land of Fire and Ice 
You can certainly explore over land; however, one of the most relaxed routes to Iceland's vast wilderness and port towns is by ship. Explore Iceland on a comprehensive itinerary that takes in every facet of one of the world’s most scenic destinations. There are several cruise lines that offer great Icelandic cruises. A few of our favorites are Seabourn, Windstar, and Viking Ocean. Abercrombie & Kent also offers a luxury Expedition Cruise that offers in-depth explorations of Iceland's wildlife, history, and culture led by an experienced Expedition Team.