Iceland is a country of untamed energy and raw beauty. Smack on the mid-Atlantic ridge, just south of the Arctic Circle, it is the land where fire meets ice. Glaciers and volcanoes, waterfalls and hot springs, geysers and Northern lights – nowhere else are Mother Earth’s displays of power so magnificent. 

Nature lovers will truly be smitten, whether they choose to hike, drive, cycle or even horseback ride all or part of the more than 1,000-km Ring Road around the island, across wind-blown lava fields and along rugged coastline.

The vast expanses of treeless, uninhabited land – so desolate, in fact, that NASA astronauts practiced for moon landings there – are an ideal place to view the aurorae borealis that grace the sky from September to March.

Bird watchers will not miss the chance to see the world’s largest bird cliff, Latrabjarg in the West Fjords, where colonies of Puffins, Arctic Terns, Eiders and many other species can be spotted. Other wildlife enthusiasts can go on whale sighting tours from May to September or have a go at salmon and trout fishing.

A more relaxing activity to be enjoyed after a day romping about icy mountains is a dip in the numerous hot springs and thermal pools, which are open year-round.

Another worthwhile immersion is one in the Viking heritage of the island, recreated via festivals and exhibitions. Isolated for centuries, Iceland has preserved a very unique culture. For instance, the language remains similar enough to Old Norse for Icelanders to be able to read ancient sagas in the original and traditional beliefs in elves and other supernatural powers are far from extinct.

A trip to Iceland is an easy one to organize: regular flights connect Keflavik airport with several major European cities in three hours and with New York in about five, there is excellent detailed transport and accommodation information available online, everyone speaks perfect English and the country is very safe. However, it is not a cheap destination. Prices for food and drink in particular are sky-high, even though the value of the Islandic krona tumbled with the 2008 financial crisis. Budget travelers can keep costs low by camping (in the summer, obviously) and hitchhiking around.

The highlights of Iceland are:

Reykjavik. The capital city hosts a vibrant nightlife, with live bands and music bars to dance those long winter nights away. The culinary scene is amazingly varied, with restaurants serving everything from mouth-watering game and mountain lamb to the freshest seafood and even the infamous hákarl (putrefied shark, only for the bravest).

The Blue Lagoon. Bathing in the milky blue waters of this unique geothermal pool, set in the middle of a barren lava field, is an otherworldly experience, to be enhanced with one of the many spa treatments on offer.

Geysers.  The Geysir field, from which the English word is derived, features a number of spouting springs, including Strokkur, which erupts every 10 minutes, and a number of bubbling pools.

Gulfoss. The most scenic waterfall in Iceland, the “golden falls” plunges down a double cascade into a deep gorge.

Vatnajökull National Park. Europe’s largest national park is home to Iceland’s largest glacier (Vatnajökull), highest mountain (Hvannadalshnúkur) and most powerful waterfall (Dettifoss).