ICELAND

Two extreme opposites, fire and ice, come together in this Nordic island just below the Arctic Circle. The result is a captivating landscape of volcanoes, geysers, lava fields, waterfalls and glaciers that look ethereal. Take in a bird’s eye view of the island from a helicopter before landing atop a glacier, where you can go hiking or even venture inside via ice tunnels. Or, explore the beautiful countryside on horseback, go on a road trip to the majestic Gullfoss Waterfall and other natural wonders along the famous Golden Circle and visit the filming locations of “Game of Thrones” and “Secret Life of Walter Mitty”.

For a splashing good time, go kayaking in fjords; dive into the Silfra Fissure, the only place in the world where you can swim between two tectonic plates; or hop aboard an expedition yacht and seek Arctic foxes. If your stomach is up for the challenge, discover a whole new realm of cuisine with exotic Icelandic offerings such as whale and puffin meat, or dig up some rye bread from the world’s only geothermal bakery after a relaxing soak in a hot spring.