Iceland Now! Here’s Why You Should Book That Trip

Lava Flow - Iceland


From time to time, a particular destination rises above the rest to become a hotspot for travelers around the globe. In recent years, Iceland has captured that coveted position. And for good reason. Here’s why this small but mighty Nordic island nation is a must-see destination today and well into next summer.

Year-Round Adventure:  Iceland

1. The natural wonders are spectacular – and they’re everywhere.

This visually stunning Land of Fire and Ice was formed by glaciers and volcanos over millions of years. Visitors can see and explore vast areas of untouched wilderness, including massive glaciers and wandering icebergs, steaming geysers, active volcanoes, fiery lava fields, sculpted mountains, healing hot springs, black sand beaches, and dramatic waterfalls. Some areas are accessible only by boat while others can be hiked. Intriguing animals also inspire and delight visitors, from the quirky orange-beaked puffins to the most majestic whales.

Travelers each seem to describe their experiences and the beauty of Iceland so differently.  Such as “I was exiting an ice cave on top of a glacier, and thinking I was on the moon — the wind was blowing and the sky was grey, and it was marvelous to see, but you would have had to have been there to appreciate it!  It was in January, which goes to show that you can go to Iceland even when it is freezing!”

Chase the Northern Lights

2. It’s one of the best places in the world to see the magical Northern Lights

Who isn’t captivated by the idea of seeing Mother Nature’s light show of the aurora borealis?  As one travel recounts: “I’ll never forget the first night I arrived and was awakened at 2 a.m. by people in the street exclaiming loudly about something … I opened my room curtains, and the Northern Lights were dancing right outside my window! I quickly put on my clothes and ran outside to enjoy them with the rest of the guests!”

We find that the most popular winter activities are those searching for the Northern Lights (October to March) and the ice caves.  Some of the best ice caves are in the Southeastern area. And the Northern Lights you can see from most regions — just get out of the city and take in the dancing sky.

The Blue Lagoon - Iceland

3. Iceland’s geothermal hot springs heal and rejuvenate

Soaking in the healing, geothermal hot springs while gazing at the captivating beauty of the landscape is a regular ritual for Icelanders – and it’s one that they’re happy to share with visitors. The famous Blue Lagoon maintains a temperature of 98-102 degrees year-round and offers spectacular views of snow-covered lava rocks in every direction. No wonder this is one of the most popular spots for soaking. It also happens to be located close to the main Keflavik International Airport. Just remember that there are other mineral-rich, healing waters all around the island.

Map of Iceland

4. It’s small but impressively diverse

We know that Iceland is a bucket-list destination for many travelers because of its uniqueness and diversity of climate, culture, and geography.   And for many there’s no other place quite like it in the U.S. or Europe.  Our travelers are continually intrigued by the combination of glaciers, volcanoes, lava fields, geysers, hot springs, and the cosmopolitan city of Reykjavik in one place.  

Some feel the diversification of Iceland has to do with the types of people who visit. We think it’s a destination any client can visit, it’s for all ages, and whether you enjoy adventure or want to be pampered, this island offers it.  For adventurous clients, we’ll give you GPS coordinates and help you rent a car and you’ll be on your way. 

Want to hike?  There are lots of ice fields, glaciers, and waterfalls to hike to, or possibly a volcano.  Or you can take a snowmobile tour out to the glaciers. A lot of the ice fields and glaciers are an easy day trip from Reykjavik. The geothermal waters are healing to both mind and body.  Many of these offer spa services to go with your time spent at their location. You will find most of these in the North and West areas of Iceland. And you definitely want to take in some wildlife and go in search of the puffins and whale watching.

Walk Behind Waterfall - Unique

5. Reykjavik doesn’t disappoint

Amidst all of the wilderness adventures of Iceland sits the cool, colorful, and cutting-edge cosmopolitan city of Reykjavik. Among its attractions are art galleries, museums, all types of dining (including fresh Nordic cuisine – even a couple of Michelin-starred restaurants!), a lively nightlife, concerts, sightseeing, shopping, and even more parks and soaking pools. Perhaps best of all, it is easy to navigate as a walkable city.

6. This island nation is a safe haven in a challenging world

Iceland was named the most peaceful country in the world by The Global Peace Safety Index, and it has held that position for over a decade. The study tracks factors like crime rate, political conflict, levels of militarization, natural disasters, and health risks. The people are also friendly and welcoming with open arms to visitors.

7. Iceland is easy to get to

It’s only five hours direct from New York and other eastern US  airports. Once you set foot in Iceland, it feels like you’ve traveled to a place far and away. But it’s a surprisingly short journey for Americans and Europeans. In fact, direct flights from New York airports only take about five hours. And the time difference is just four hours from Eastern Standard Time.

Seeing Iceland by Sea and by Land

One more tip about booking Iceland that we advise our LTA clients to do.  We love to start you out in Reykjavik for a couple of nights and then have you tour out into the countryside for a few more days exploring the further-flung beauty of this island.   You can explore this way for a quick four nights, or extend to the far regions over nine or ten nights.   Another option is an Iceland cruise.  Many cruise lines offer cruises that circle the island and are sometimes combined with Greenland, the British Isles, Denmark, or other nearby countries.  You can see a lot of the country this way, with far less windshield time, if that’s not your thing.  So, as you see, there’s much flexibility to touring here.  Iceland can definitely fit your schedule! See Iceland now!

  

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