Iceland sits on an active volcanic ridge at the edge of the Arctic Circle, its interior a wilderness of looming icecaps, solidified lava flows and black-sand deserts. Only birds and foxes inhabited the land when Scandinavian Vikings arrived in the 8th century to found the egalitarian Commonwealth of the heroic Saga Age. After 1262, when Norway and then Denmark ruled the country, Iceland fell into poverty, and it was not until the 18th century that towns were established. Today Iceland enjoys a hi-tech infrastructure and most of its 320,000 population live around the capital Reykjavik.
One is simply surrounded by natural beauty in Iceland.
Jokulsarlon is a broad lagoon on the southeastern coast. With the Vatnajokull Glacier, on the horizon, Jokulsarlon is an awe inspiring sight.
Closer to Reykjavik and not to be missed is Gullfoss. The powerful, two-tired waterfalls at Gullfoss on the Hvita present a stunning sight, whether part-frozen in winter, in full flood during the spring melt, or roaring away during the long summer twilight.
The Geysir Hot Springs area lies on the lower slopes of Bjarnafell, a very short distance from Gullfoss and comprises a dozen or more hot water blowholes, including Geysir, the spout that gives its name to the other geysers worldwide.
Reykjavik alone is well worth a visit. This lively buzzing city with its colourful painted houses and narrow streets is brimming with shops, restaurants, bars, museums and galleries.
The North of Iceland is dotted with fjords and bays, every one a little different and each with their own special atmosphere. In the northwest there is Hunafloi bay, the largest in the region, and the seal hotspot of Iceland. Next there is Skagafjordur, Iceland's horse capital. Few places beat Skagafjordur at the height of the summer, when the midnight sun sits on the horizon to the north.
Eyjafjordur, in the centre, is home to more than half the population in the region, thanks to Akureyri; a charming university town, with museums, restaurants and ski runs, it's the hub of the region. At the mouth of the fjord is the town of Siglufjordur, the alluring former herring capital of the world.
East of Eyjafjordur is Skjalfandi bay and Husavik, the whale watching capital of Iceland. Further east is Oxarfjordur fjord, a sheep-farming region with countless wonders of nature, like Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall.
Travelling inland from Akureyri towards Lake Myvatn is the beautiful waterfall of Godafoss.
Lake Myvatn is Iceland in a nutshell: volcanoes, bubbling earth and unique birdlife make the area one of the most geologically fascinating regions to visit. {mospagebreak}
And if that's not enough to entice, there is the island of Grimsey. Situated on the Arctic Circle, 41 kilometres off the North coast of Iceland. It is 5.3 square kilometres and 5.5 kilometres long. The island is formed by volcanic rock which in places creates beautiful basalt pillars. On the East side, the island rises to 105 metres above sea level but it is lower to the West side by the island's harbour and village. Grimsey has been inhabited since the Viking settlement of Iceland and today is home to a population of around 80. It is now possible to visit Grimsey island on the Arctic Circle straight from Akureyri Harbour, on a six hour boat tour, to experience breath-taking scenery through Eyjafjordur, whale watching, puffin watching, and a chance to disembark on the island and stand upon the 'Arctic Circle'.