Iceland has been one of the most popular travel destinations of 2017, and it’s easy to see why! The land of fire and ice has captured visitors’ imaginations with its plethora of natural wonders, from volcanoes to glaciers to lush green landscapes. Though many of these locations might be difficult to pronounce, they’re some of the most scenic places in the entire world. Book your flight and get your camera ready!
Blue Lagoon
If you’re weary from traveling, the Blue Lagoon should be at the top of your to-do list. The geothermal water is composed of silica, algae, and various minerals, which combine to give you a luxurious spa experience. Your skin will feel silky smooth after a dip in the water, and you’ll leave feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on the rest of what Iceland has to offer!
Seljalandsfoss
Among all the waterfalls in Iceland, this one is special. This stunning waterfall cascades 200 feet into a pool below, creating a beautiful misting effect around the surrounding green hills and if you’re lucky, a few rainbows as well. Bring a camera for some postcard-worthy pictures!
Vatnajökull National Park
Explore glaciers, ice caves, and volcanoes during your time at the most famous national park in Iceland. Vatnajökull, the park’s namesake, is the largest glacier in the world outside of the Arctic regions. While exploring, you’ll come to see why Iceland is known as the country of fire and ice: from huge glaciers sinking into black sands to hot steam pouring out from frozen banks, the mixture of glacier and volcano creates an unforgettable scene.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beaches
Vik is Iceland’s charming southernmost town, best known for its stunning black sand beaches. Reynisfjara is the most famous, and a must-see sight. The black sand is surrounded by cliffs of basalt columns that create a stepped pyramid design, which only adds to the otherworldly quality of the beach.
Kirkjufell
Over on the west side of Iceland is the isolated Kirkjufell mountain-- the most photographed mountain in Iceland! Its popularity is no wonder, given its landmark position, small waterfalls, and surrounding beaches. Kirkjufell also has some lovely light hiking trails for visitors to take in the native flora and fauna, making it the perfect place to spend an afternoon.
East Fjords
Traveling over to the other side of the country, you can’t miss out on touring the breathtaking East Fjords. You’ll be surrounded by beautiful landscapes, and may even have the opportunity to see the Northern Lights if the skies are clear at night. Not to mention, the East is the only place in Iceland where you can see herds of wild reindeer, and if you take a quick ferry ride over to the island of Papey you can even walk among wild puffin birds!
At a place where two continents quite literally brush up against each other, Iceland is a dynamic land of fire and ice. Get up close to natural wonders as you make your way through lava tubes, observe active volcanoes, and watch for whales off the coast. From geysers to glaciers, the elements are on full display in Iceland.
Looking to go visit Iceland but not sure when the best time to go is? Look no further for answers. There is never a bad time to enjoy the wonders of this beautiful country. Iceland is a place with so much variety of activities to do and places to see that no matter when you go, you will be sure to have the time of your life. Whether you are looking for a winter wonderland or a lush green dreamland, you can find either of these places if you choose the right time to go.
Have you ever had the desire to visit Iceland? Many have. But then comes the question: what should I do when I get there? If you like to have fun festivals and parties then you have come to the right place. Below are 10 of the best in Iceland you can go to when you are visiting.
Commonly referred to as the land of fire and ice, Iceland is a country that has an abundance of things to offer anyone who chooses to visit there. One thing that most may not have much information on is the Icelandic horses that call Iceland home. There is much more to these horses than may initially meet the eye, so here are some interesting facts that you should know about the incredible Icelandic horses before taking your next adventure to Iceland!
f there is one “must-do '' while in Iceland, it's visiting the hot springs. Since the settlement era, hot springs have been an intricate part of Icelandic culture. So much so, that many of their large cities are named after geothermal activity, such as reyk which translates to steam. There is definitely not a shortage of hot springs to choose from, so here’s a list that will help you decide.
Have you always been drawn to the mysterious atmosphere of Iceland, but are afraid of its foreign lifestyle? Making trips to foreign countries, especially ones so geographically unique like Iceland always takes some courage and planning. However, with Acanela’s help, your trip can be a lot easier and rewarding. First of all, Iceland isn’t as cold and exotic as you might think. Because of the North Atlantic Current, Iceland’s weather is mild (30 to 53) in terms of its altitude. Also, some of the foods Icelanders like to eat can be familiar to you.
If you follow any travel accounts on social media, chances are that your feed has been flooded by beautiful shots of Iceland’s pristine landscapes. From snow-capped mountains to sprawling glaciers, Iceland has drawn in millions of travelers who hope to see and experience its rugged and wild landscapes.
Iceland boasts some pretty spectacular views and activities throughout the year. However, the long summer days allow for some great explorations of this island full of vast and unworldly landscapes. To help you prepare for your journey to the land of ‘Fire and Ice’; here are 15 things to do in Iceland during the summer.
Calling all foodies! While everyone is already familiar with Iceland’s dramatic natural beauty, many are not familiar with all of the amazing Icelandic food the country has to offer. Get your tastebuds ready to eat your way through Iceland! We have come up with the top 8 dishes you must try during your next time in stunning Iceland:
Trying to plan a family getaway but not sure where to start? We know it can be difficult to travel with the whole family. After all, how do you find a destination that is appealing to both adults and kids of various ages? Luckily, we have done the work for you! Read below to discover five of the top family-friendly destinations in the world.
Take our word for it — Iceland should be on your bucket list! It’s a backpacker’s paradise, and best of all, it’s also family-friendly and safe for young adventurers. Reykjavik is the capital city with most of the country’s residents, and there are some amazing activities to do in the capital, but there are also great activities outside the city as well. Here are just a few of the top things to do in Iceland!
The Arctic, known for its climate, polar bears, and Northern Lights, is an absolutely beautiful place to visit. But it’s also home to unpredictable conditions and wildlife — so when it comes to Arctic travel, it’s important to take precautions. This guide will help you prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.
In these 10 locations, you’ll find some of the planet’s most otherworldly landscapes. From the salt flats of Bolivia to the sunken caves of the Yucatan Peninsula, you won’t want to skip a visit to these destinations!
Women love to travel. With incredible adventures, stunning scenery and delicious food around every corner, we have compiled a list of destinations that top the travel bucket lists of women around the globe. These places are culturally rich and generally easy to venture to as a woman- whether with your lady friends or flying solo!
Its hard to imagine travel, especially solo travel, before our beloved Instagram- so we put together this handy guide for your next trip to Iceland. Make all of your followers jealous with these unreal landscapes and spectacular views. I mean, if it’s not on the ‘gram did it even happen?
Curious about this Nordic island nation? Iceland is widely known as “The Land of Fire and Ice.” This country is home to some of the largest glaciers in Europe, and some of the world's most active volcanoes. Volcanoes and glaciers and no forest, oh my! This destination offers more eco-friendly activities. Iceland burns very few fossil fuels and instead uses geothermal heating! Here are 10 reasons why Iceland should be your next travel destination!
Contrary to its name, Iceland is home to not only some of the world’s largest glaciers, but also some of the most active volcanoes! The island has slowly heated up over time. 8000 years ago, Iceland was completely buried under ice. This isn’t the only contrast you’ll find throughout Iceland. Depending on your season of travel, Iceland offers long summer days with up to 24 hours of daylight and short winter days to the minimum of just a few hours of sun!
If you follow any avid travelers on Instagram, chances are that you have seen a LOT of photos of Iceland. A Nordic island nation, Iceland is defined by dramatic landscapes, black beaches, active volcanos, boiling geysers, and crystal blue hot springs, all of which make this country a true paradise for photographers and adventurers, alike. (Oh, and did I mention the amazing flight deals?!) So the only question you really need to ask yourself is, “When do I go?!?”
Whatever the season, Iceland is an adventure that can only be truly appreciated outdoors, so enjoy a front row seat at nature’s wonders but be prepared to spend the majority of your trip outside. And dress accordingly! Here’s an essential guide of what to pack for Iceland, no matter what time of year you choose to go.
In the most recent years, Iceland has become one of the most popular travel destinations on the map. Offering vast, out-of-this-world landscapes, rich Scandinavian culture, and affordable travel costs, it’s easy to figure out why Iceland has landed a spot at the top of everyone’s bucket list! So before booking your own getaway to the land of fire and ice, look into the benefits of choosing a fully developed and specially curated trip over the stress of planning and budgeting an experience of your own!
Earlier this year, I won a trip to Reykjavik, Iceland through the Acanela sweepstakes. I’ll first say, I’ve never entered into a sweepstakes before, let alone any contests. I’ve always been skeptical, thinking that no one actually ever won any trips. But two weeks later, I received an email confirming the trip. And 6 months after that, my boyfriend, Peter, and I finally set off in late October for a long weekend in Iceland.
There’s something incredibly special about traveling solo. For many, the idea of visiting a new country all alone is terrifying, but solo travel can be a priceless period of self-reflection, education, and growth. Facing your fears and putting yourself out there is so worth it, and it’s the best way to truly immerse yourself in a new culture. There’s nothing quite as rewarding as traveling solo—it’s an unforgettable adventure that everyone should experience at least once. Keep reading to learn the best countries for solo travel!
Visiting Iceland in August offers incredible wildlife-viewing opportunities (the Puffins migration & whale watching are at their peak), a myriad of festivals & cultural events, and absolutely beautiful weather. August marks the end of the summer, and therefore is one of the most temperate months to travel to Iceland with pleasant temperatures, little rainfall, and opportunities to experience both the Midnight Sun and the Northern Lights.
One of the best parts of traveling is trying new foods that are unique to the area you are visiting. Finding something delicious that you can’t get at home can be an adventure on its own. Here are ten sweet treats worth trying in different parts of the world.
Iceland’s Ring Road is one of the best ways to see the country. The 828-mile journey travels along the country’s perimeter via Route 1, giving travelers an in-depth look into its diverse beauty. From flat farmlands to rugged mountains and stunning waterfalls, there’s never-ending natural wonder at every turn. With so much to see, planning a trip can easily become overwhelming, but we've but together an itinerary taking you to the top highlights of Iceland’s Ring Road. Read on!
While Spring Break carries with it the connotation of warm destinations as the season transitions from Winter to Spring, there are plenty of destinations that can provide an equally good Spring Break experience. We’ve listed below our top 10 Spring Break Destinations for 2018!
In 1972, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization—UNESCO for short—created a program to protect culturally and historically significant sites across the globe. Today there are over 1,000 World Heritage Sites, from ancient ruins to natural wonders, and the possibilities for your next adventure are endless. Keep reading for the top 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites to visit in 2018!
We took a moment to catch up with our Iceland Sweepstakes Winner Katie, to discover the highlights of her trip. Read more about the Golden Circle, Gulfoss Waterfall, and Blue Lagoon.
Iceland has become one of the world’s top travel destinations, and with good reason. It’s a land of never-ending wonder. From milky, turquoise lagoons to bubbling geysers and rushing waterfalls to sprawling, grassy hills, the natural beauty is unmatched. If you’re planning a trip to this breathtaking country, or even a journey to Northern Scandinavia, packing can be overwhelming. Here’s a packing list of all the essentials you won’t want to forget on your next trip to Iceland!
Christmas—a time for family gatherings, festive cheer, and good food. More than 160 countries in the world celebrate Christmas, each with their own unique rituals and culinary traditions. From Peru to Italy, check out how these 8 countries like to feast on this special day!
Looking for the perfect country to take a road trip through? If Iceland isn’t the first country that pops into your mind, it should be. Between the majestic lava fields and snow-capped mountains, Iceland will leave you with your foot on the gas and not wanting to ever take it off as you explore the beautiful countryside. We have curated all of the ultimate DOs and DON’Ts for your upcoming road trip through Iceland. Happy travels: