Stick a fork in January. It's done! But 2016 is just getting started and is shaping up to be a phenomenal year. Why not make one more resolution to have these 7 incredible experiences in Iceland before the year is through?
Venture inside a glacier!
It's one thing to venture on top of a glacier -- always under the supervision of an expert mountain guide, of course -- but did you ever think it would be possible to go INSIDE a glacier? Some intrepid Icelanders have burrowed an 800 meter long tunnel into Iceland's Langjökull glacier for glacier enthusiasts to experience the icy giant from the inside.
Once inside, you'll learn all about Langjökull -- Iceland's second largest glacier -- and see evidence in the ice of past volcanic eruptions and the growth of the glacier over time. Plus you'll get to tell all your friends and family back home that you went INTO a glacier! It doesn't get cooler than that!
Go Into the Glacier with Nordic Visitor's South & West Iceland Classic package!
Explore the rugged Westfjords
While there is a seemingly endless list of things to see and do along Iceland's famed Ring Road, which circles the country, so few travellers get to experience the magic and seclusion of the rugged Westfjords. This large peninsula jutting out from the island's North-West corner, the region is off the beaten path but so full of natural beauty and wondrous attractions that it's just a matter of time before it attracts the crowds.
From the ghost ship of Patreksfjörður, to the charming and artsy "capital of the Westfjords," Ísafjörður and the quaintly simple fishing village Drangnes and everything in between, exploring the Westfjords will find you truly alone and immersed in pristine nature. The Westfjords are also home to the gorgeous Dynjandi waterfall, a stunning cascade that measures 60 meters wide at its base after its made its way down an undulating mountainside.
Go off the beaten path on a Hidden Gems of Iceland tour.
Venture into Iceland's uninhabited highlands
While the Westfjords are sparsely inhabited, Iceland's untamed highland region is entirely uninhabited. The country's centre is inaccessible for much of the year and, when it is "open for business" travelling there requires the power of a 4x4 vehicle and an experienced driver to handle the harsh terrain and odd river crossing.
But the extra effort required to venture into the highlands is more than worth it once you're face to face with the wide open spaces and stunning scenery in every which direction. Travel between two imposing glaciers to bathe in the natural hot springs at Hveravellir, go off the beaten path to marvel at the painting-like rhyolite mountains of Landmannalaugar and witness the power of nature at the massive caldera of Askja and neighbouring Víti, or "hell."
Tick the highlands off your bucket list with an Iceland Full Circle at Leisure!
Get Pampered at the Blue Lagoon
Taking a relaxing dip in the Blue Lagoon has become a 'must' for any visitor to Iceland, and with the pool's convenient location between Reykjavík and the Keflavík International Airport, it's an easy activity to undertake. But to really get the most out of a visit to the Blue Lagoon you've got to experience an in-water massage.
Your stress will melt away into the warm milky waters of the lagoon as you lay suspended on a floating mat while a masseuse kneads your muscles into submission. Bookend your massage with time luxuriating in the lagoon or lounging in a plush robe in the Blue Lagoon's exclusive lounge and you'll really know what heaven on earth feels like.
Let yourself be pampered on an Iceland Full Circle Classic tour.
Take a breather on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Iceland is a land of plenty, in that there is plenty of space to breathe and feel blissfully alone in nature. One of the best places in the country to experience this sensation is the glorious Snæfellsnes peninsula. In this geologically young part of the country -- it's half the age of the mainland or the Westfjords just across Brieðarfjörður Bay -- you can spend hours searching for familiar shapes in expanses of craggy lava fields, go underground to explore a lava tube, and stare admiringly at Snæfellsjökull glacier, the crown jewel of the Snæfellsjökull National Park and rumoured center of extraterrestrial activity.
The old fishing village Hellnar is an ideal spot to sit cliff-side and just breathe as you watch the waves roll in and out and spout through the tunnels they've channeled through the rocky seaside over centuries. Add in a bowl of hot soup and a hot chocolate from the hidden sea-side cafe and we guarantee you'll never want to leave.
Experience a different pace of life with the Snæfellsnes Peninsula & The Arctic North package.
Share a kiss on the banks of Dettifoss
Is there any better place to share a kiss with your sweetheart (and snap a selfie while you're at it) than on the banks of Europe's most powerful waterfall? At 44 metres high and 100 metres across, a mind-blowing 200 cubic metres of water cascade into Dettifoss’ gorge every second. It's a powerful experience to visit the falls and gape at the sheer power of nature as you listen to the waterfall's mighty growl.
Nordic Visitor's Romance Around Iceland package will have your heart skipping a beat.
Make lasting family memories in Reykjavík
Iceland isn't only for lovers. It's an incredibly family-friendly country, particularly its cosy and colourful capital, Reykjavík. Using the city as a comfortable home-base, your family can explore the city's many museums, parks and galleries; take to the sea to spot mighty whales and laugh at clumsy puffins; and venture farther afield to visit the waterfalls and geysers that make up the famed Golden Circle route of natural attractions.
All-year-round, Reykjavík and its surrounding area is an ideal spot to bring the entire family and make memories to last a lifetime.
A South & West Iceland Classic package will be fun for everyone!
Which of these experiences will you be ticking off your to-do list in 2016?
Maybe you can cover more than one... book any of the travel packages we've linked to before February 11 and save 10% off the package price! And they're not the only ones. Check out our Special Offers page for all the Iceland travel packages discounted through February 11 2016.
