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Land Journeys

Our land tours connect people to places around the world offering guided sightseeing adventures filled with in-depth cultural exploration in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

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Welcome to Tauck's Land Journeys

Our land journeys span the four corners of the Earth – they are fully guided, seamlessly orchestrated, and often feature special small-group departures. Enjoy unique experiences on and off the beaten path, Tauck Exclusive after-hours and pre-opening visits to iconic landmarks, local cuisines, insider perspectives from local experts who share their life stories, premier hotel stays... Every journey is a perfectly choreographed series of moments that together reveal the heart and soul of the places explored.  

Join us along the "yellow roads of europe".

Whether you're planning your first journey to "the Continent," or want to add a new set of European experiences to your collection, our "Yellow Roads" land journeys will take you to the Europe you want to see... in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Great Britain and Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Scandinavia, the Baltic States, Central Europe, the Balkans and Russia.

Across the African plains and beyond...

Rumbling across the savannah aboard a specially built safari vehicle in search of the "Big Five" and other wildlife on a game drive… enjoying accommodations in a luxury tented camp in the African bush… gliding in a hot air balloon high above the vast plains, observing the "circle of life" below… interacting with baby elephants at an elephant orphanage… delving into the history of apartheid in South Africa… basking in the otherworldly light of a classic African sunset… just a taste of what awaits you on a Tauck Africa land journey to destinations including Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Botswana, Rwanda, Zambia and Zanzibar.

Asia and Australia

From temples to tuk-tuks, a host of unforgettable sites, cultures and experiences await in tauck's asia & australia-new zealand.

The vast continent of Asia offers an incredible diversity of landscapes, cultures and experiences to explore.... including some of world's most architecturally modern cities and some of its oldest civilizations, and everything in between. Tauck covers it all, and can take you, for example, to one of the highest spots on Earth above sea level (in Nepal) or to the lowest (along the shores of the Dead Sea in Jordan). Our Asian land journeys include in-depth explorations of China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Israel and Jordan... while our land trips (plus a small ship cruise) to Australia and New Zealand offer you the best of the "lands down under."

The Americas

From sea to shining sea... to shining sea... on tauck land journeys throughout north, south and central america.

Whether you're trekking through a Southwestern canyon or the Argentine pampas… exploring a glacier in Chile or in the Canadian Rockies… peering at polar bears in Manitoba or moose in Yellowstone… flightseeing over New Orleans or Denali… taking in the sights by rail, river raft, or from atop a viewpoint overlooking Machu Picchu, the Grand Canyon, Iguazu Falls or Niagara Falls… you'll experience something new every day on a Tauck land journey in the Americas… visiting destinations including Eastern and Western Canada… the US East, West, South, Midwest, Alaska & Hawaii… and Central America, South America and Cuba.

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Experience something extraordinary every day on our land journeys around the world, such as... savoring local wines and green-lipped mussels in New Zealand... exploring the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel after-hours, without the crowds... going behind the scenes for a look at cultural traditions in Brazil... or Japan... 

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8 of the best places to visit in Thailand

Dec 16, 2023 • 9 min read

Here are the best places to visit in Thailand © Westend61 / Getty Images

When people think of Thailand , they often think of relaxing on a  pristine beach  with a refreshing cold drink in their hand.

Although Thailand is indeed blessed when it comes to diversions of the sandy persuasion, this country of more than 513 sq km (198 sq miles) also boasts virgin forestland, picturesque mountains, lively nightlife, raucous markets and of course, cities with their own unique histories and cultures. Unlike what many would believe, Thailand is a multifaceted destination, appealing to everyone from the hedonistic foodie to the ascetic seeking enlightenment (and everyone in between).

Fly-and-flop aficionados will of course head to a tropical island , as do most first-timers to the country , dazzled by the variety of destinations peppering Thailand’s waters. Likewise, culture vultures are most suited to big cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai , while nature enthusiasts will be best served by combing through the emerald-green mountains of the kingdom’s north and northeast or the jungles along Myanmar’s border. With decent railway infrastructure, buses, ferries, cars for hire and many airports, it's easy to get around : you just need to choose the places to visit in Thailand that best match your interests.

Best city for food and nightlife

Many travelers to Thailand land in Bangkok only to immediately transfer to another destination. Although that is all well and good, they may be missing out on a city that, in spite of welcoming more tourists than any other city in the world in 2023, remains strangely underrated. After all, Bangkok is the perfect launching pad for day trips to the surrounding region , with floating markets and beaches to the south and popular national parks to the north. That makes it a great place to stay for a couple of days at least before heading to another part of Thailand.

With over 10 million residents, Bangkok is a sprawling megacity. But all it really takes to navigate Bangkok is a little advance preparation. The city’s more than 320,000 restaurants serve a wide range of cuisines from Thai to Ethiopian to Latvian, and its more than 500,000 street food vendors ensure that food is available anywhere in Bangkok 24 hours a day. In Bangkok, or Krung Thep Mahanakorn (the “City of Angels”), the world is your oyster … or chicken satay skewer, or bowl of soup noodles.

Bangkok's bars and clubs offer a surprisingly wide range of styles and drinks. Of the establishments on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list , four are in Bangkok. The city also has a penchant for speakeasy-type places, as well as Japanese-style bars (Japanese being one of Bangkok’s biggest expat communities). If a drink is what you’re after, you will not go thirsty – spring for Q&A Bar’s  Pinkish, a twist on the Negroni with rhubarb and grapefruit gin, the potent Old Fashioned jazzed up with turmeric at Vesper , or go classic with a good, crisp martini at Bamboo Bar .

Planning tip:  Bangkok’s bars and clubs are not permitted to be open all night – in fact, most close at the relatively early time of 1am.

2. Chiang Mai

Best City for Temples

The former capital of the Northern Lanna empire, the Chiang Mai area boasts more than 300 temples. Some, like Doi Suthep , are famous for their stunning viewpoints; others, like Wat Suan Dok , serve as the burial grounds for the ashes of Chiang Mai’s former royal family. The charmingly weatherbeaten Wat Chedi Luang , founded in 1385, enjoys a convenient location smack dab in the middle of the Old Town, while Wat Phra Singh , home of the Lion Buddha, dazzles in the sunlight with its golden stupas. 

But there is plenty to see besides temples. Northern Thai cuisine is unlike any other in Thailand, inspired as it is by Chinese elements and nearly 200 years under Burmese rule. Northern Thais also dress and dance in a distinctive manner, as well as speak their own dialect, called kum mueang. Its many outdoor markets, such as Talat Warorot and Talat Jing Jai, sell food, clothing and knick-knacks that make perfect souvenirs.

Planning tip: Chiang Mai is a great base from which to explore the surrounding mountains, caves and waterfalls, all of which could take at least three days of your trip. From late February to early April, Chiang Mai is usually inundated with smoke from farmers burning land in the mountains to plant their crops. Opt for the Thai “winter” of November to January or the rainy season .

Best island for a blend of cultures

Although it is the biggest island in Thailand,  Phuket hosts an entirely different culture from the rest of the country: a mix of Hokkien Chinese, Thai and Malaysian elements. Hokkien-style fried noodles, o-aew (a jelly made from plant seeds), o-tao (an oyster omelet topped with pork rinds) and moo hong (braised pork belly stew) are all dishes that originated in Phuket and are difficult to find even in the rest of Thailand. Little wonder, then, why Phuket is one of Thailand’s most-visited destinations.

Phuket’s architecture is also unique – evidence of its past when it was ruled by the Portuguese. Sino-Portuguese shophouses, with their distinctive colors, tiles and fusion of both Western and Eastern styles, line the streets of the Old Town and are reminiscent of the shophouses in Penang and Singapore. With its top-tier beaches and Old Town culture, Phuket is perfect for both first-timers and couples and can easily take up a week of your visit.

Planning tip: September to October is Phuket’s rainy season, so try to avoid the island during this time. There are plenty of other great destinations beyond Phuket to consider visiting too.

4. The far north

Best region for hiking

Known as the Golden Triangle, the apex of Thailand’s far north – where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet – has served as a destination for die-hard nature lovers for decades. Be it via motorcycle, mountain bike or simply walking, exploring this area yields not only striking natural beauty but also the chance to visit both Laos and Myanmar (if only, typically, for a short period of time). Once known as a major production spot for opium, the Golden Triangle is now where visitors come to cruise along the Mekong against a spectacular background, camp in moderate (for Thailand) weather, or visit an elephant camp (or all three!)

Sleepy Chiang Rai , the former capital of the Lanna dynasty, is only 9km (6 miles) south of the Golden Triangle, making it an ideal spot from which to trawl through the surrounding area. This city holds its own attractions as well, including the world-famous  Wat Rong Khun , or White Temple, and is worth exploring for a day in itself.

Planning tip: It's a 1.5-hour trip from Chiang Rai to the Golden Triangle. Aside from renting a car, you can hire a taxi or take a bus, which should cost around 950 or 400 baht, respectively.

5. The Upper Gulf

Best region for floating markets

The region south of Bangkok is easily reached from the capital, taking up a mere hour or so of driving (depending on traffic). Here is where you will find Thailand’s most famous floating markets, including Damnoen Saduak (at its busiest in the early morning) and Amphawa (more popular with locals and with a more nightlife-y vibe).

The famous Maeklong Railway Market can also be found here, where vendors pull up part of their stalls to allow a train to (slowly) pass six times a day. In Bang Kachao , called "the green lung of Bangkok" for its proximity to the capital, you can hire a bicycle to roll through the wilderness on concrete passageways, passing over canals hiding monitor lizards and reaching the island’s own floating market, Talat Nam Bang Nam Phueng. You can even take a day trip from Bangkok to the beach for sea breezes and fresh seafood ( Pattaya is only 2 hours away by car or bus, after all).

Planning tip: Besides driving, you can take a taxi, bus and train to sites such as Damnoen Saduak and Ampawa, where you can also stay overnight along the water.

6. Khao Yai National Park

Best for wildlife

A 2.5-hour drive from Bangkok, Khao Yai has been a popular weekend retreat for nature-loving Bangkokians for decades. As a result, the area around the national park – Thailand’s third largest – is generously studded with houses, hotels, restaurants, shops and even amusement parks. Not surprisingly, it is an ideal place to bring the whole family.

The top attraction, of course, is the 2166 sq km (836 sq miles) that comprise Thailand’s most-visited national park. Blessed with a wealth of hiking trails for everyone from a beginner to an experienced trekker, cooling waterfalls and an impressive range of wildlife, including monkeys, leopards, bears and elephants, Khao Yai can provide hours of entertainment for people of any age. Park rangers can be hired to help spot animals by guiding visitors to the places where you're most likely to see them, or to direct them to the best viewpoints or waterfalls nearby.

Planning tip: You should hire a guide ahead of time if you are going wildlife spotting. A park ranger can be found through the park’s website .

7. Ko Samui

Best island for water sports

If you were to picture the ideal tropical island with soft beaches and turquoise water, chances are you would be picturing Ko Samui . Although not as popular as Phuket, Thailand’s second-largest island still lures more than 2 million visitors a year, making it one of the most-visited islands in the country.

Besides its many charming beaches, Samui also hosts Ang Thong National Park , an archipelago of islands perfect for snorkeling and sea kayaking, Na Muang waterfalls for casual swimming, snorkelers' favorite Silver Beach, and countless spots for scuba diving. On-land attractions are also abundant, including fishing villages, golf courses and a surprising number of wellness retreats.

Planning tip: Samui has a surprisingly long “dry” season from December to August when chances of rain are minimal.

8. Ayutthaya and Sukhothai

Best destinations for history buffs

The historic city of Ayutthaya  served as Siam’s capital from the 14th to 18th centuries before it was ransacked by the Burmese. The remnants of that city have since been established as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, perfect fodder for scrambling and exploring. Bike rentals on the edge of the historical park turn Ayutthaya into an even easier place to navigate, making for a pleasant morning of culture/exercise under a canopy of green leaves.

Sukhothai , Siam’s first capital, was built on a smaller scale and also allows bike rentals, making it an ideal hands-on history lesson for families with smaller children. Also a World Heritage site, Sukhothai’s towers and Buddha statues are less visited than its younger sister down south, making it more pleasant for people who prefer to avoid large crowds.

Planning tip: Ayutthaya can be accessed by river boat, which takes up to an hour from Bangkok (less time than driving there). Get to Sukhothai by plane, train and bus or car. 

This article was first published Sep 5, 2021 and updated Dec 16, 2023.

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Tourist Land Resort

Your gateway to tranquility & adventure .

Welcome to Tourist Land Resort, your gateway to tranquility and adventure. Our resort is conveniently located in Dharan, just 4 kilometers from Bhedetar, providing an ideal destination to experience the natural beauty and peacefulness of Nepal. Situated 1200 meters above sea level, our resort offers breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and valleys.

With excellent transportation connections and well-maintained roads, Tourist Land Resort is easily accessible. It is approximately 60 kilometers from the Jogmani border in Bihar, India, via the express highway. The Biratnagar airport is about 54 kilometers away, and the West Bengal border in Kakarvitta is approximately 88 kilometers from the resort.

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Adventure sports have become a major draw for an increasing number of visitors, with the skies around Dharan and its neighboring areas, including Chinde, Danda, Gorkha Park, and Bhedetar, dotted with the exhilarating sight of paragliders.

Embark on an exhilarating Zip Lining adventure in Dharan with our services! Our zip line stretches up to 300 meters, providing a thrilling ride with a 43-meter altitude difference between takeoff and landing.

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Discover an array of water sports services in Dharan for an aquatic adventure like no other. Our offerings include a variety of thrilling activities that cater to all levels of enthusiasts. From kayaking and paddleboarding to jet skiing and banana boat rides.

Mountain Biking

Embark on an exhilarating mountain biking adventure in Dharan, where the rugged terrains and scenic landscapes provide the perfect backdrop for cycling enthusiasts. Our mountain biking services in Dharan offer a thrilling experience for riders of all levels.

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Visa information, geography of iceland, general information, the northern lights, volcanic eruptions, sustainable travel, iceland academy, plan your trip, how to get there, accommodation, things to do, map your journey, getting around, visitor numbers, carbon footprint, destinations, the regions, scenic routes, national parks, trip suggestions, towns & villages, inspiration, food and beverages, lbgt+ travel, a year round destination.

Every day, there is an adventure waiting to happen in Iceland. With it's abundance of mountains, volcanoes, glaciers, rivers, lakes, caves and otherwise rough terrain waiting to be tackled, Iceland is truly and outdoor enthusiast's paradise. But, it is also warm and welcoming place for the rest of us.

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23 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Iceland

Written by Anietra Hamper Updated Mar 14, 2023

Author Anietra Hamper has traveled throughout Iceland tackling outdoor adventures, from four-wheel driving over lava fields and fishing to taking in the waterfalls, hiking trails, and scenic drives.

Iceland, the island of fire and ice, has become one of the world's top travel destinations , not only for thrill-seeking adventurers but also for nature lovers looking for something different.

Here, you'll discover active volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, glaciers, ice fields, and fjords, for this sparsely populated country, resting at the edge of the Arctic Circle, sits atop one of the world's most volcanically active areas.

One way to explore Iceland is on your own with a rental car, from several days to a week, including a trip along the Ring Road that runs in a complete circle around the country.

Another way to plot your adventure in Iceland is with tours that can take you to the best options to see the northern lights; ATV trekking; and on day trips from Reykjavik to see some of Iceland's most stunning natural beauty, like the Blue Lagoon and waterfalls.

Find out more about the best places to visit with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Iceland.

1. Explore Reykjavik by Foot

2. ride to the top of hallgrímskirkja, 3. soak in the blue lagoon, grindavík, 4. gullfoss waterfall, 5. spot whales out of reykjavik, 6. watch spectacular geysers, 7. take in the northern lights, aurora borealis, 8. hike in landmannalaugar nature reserve, 9. maelifell volcano & myrdalsjökull glacier park, 10. attend a concert at harpa, 11. explore the skaftafell ice cave, vatnajökull national park, 12. visit an active volcano at askja caldera, 13. feel the spray of dettifoss waterfall, 14. kirkjufell mountain, grundarfjördur, 15. hiking at mount esja, 16. walk the town of akureyri, 17. bird-watching at lake myvatn & nature reserve, 18. the pearl observatory (perlan), 19. rev up adventure with an atv trek, 20. float along a glacial lagoon, 21. reynisfjara black sand beach, 22. tour the raufarhólshellir lava tunnel, 23. visit iceland's quirky museums, best time to visit iceland.

The best way to start your trip to Iceland is by sightseeing in the capital city of Reykjavik . This is a walkable city with many museums, restaurants, attractions, public art, and entertainment.

Take a stroll to see some of the iconic locations in the city, like Hallgrimskirkja church and the Sun Voyager sculpture, or relax in one of Reykjavik's 17 thermal pools. You will enjoy walking up and down the city streets and perhaps stop into one of the many artsy and boutique shops to buy a wool sweater or lava pottery.

You can also book a Reykjavik Food Walk Tour and nibble your way through Reykjavik's food scene enjoying local cheeses, or try an authentic Icelandic hot dog.

Some of the best resorts in Iceland are in Reykjavik, so you can base yourself in the city and take day trips. An extremely popular way to visit nearby areas is on a South Coast Full Day Tour by Minibus from Reykjavik.

A Reykjavik modernist icon, this visually striking church is one of the city's top attractions, and when you see it, you'll understand why. Hallgrimskirkja is the tallest and most recognizable building in the country .

The Black Falls (a basalt rock formation), which is one of Iceland's natural wonders, inspired the architectural design. A climb to the top of the 73-meter-high tower is particularly rewarding. Here, you'll be treated to spectacular views across the city and surrounding landscape. At the front of the church is a statue of Icelander Leifur Eiriksson ("Leif the Lucky"), the first European to discover America around 1,000 CE. It seems he beat Christopher Columbus by around 500 years or so. For a small fee, you can take the elevator to the top and get the best panoramic view of Reykjavik.

Address: Hallgrímstorg 1 101, Reykjavik

Just 40 minutes' drive from Reykjavík, the Blue Lagoon , the most iconic of geothermal spas, is a must-see tourist attraction. Here, you'll find natural bathing in pale blue water in the shadow of a power station.

An entire Blue Lagoon industry has grown around this attraction since it first became a hit with locals in 1976. The water from the underground hot springs reaches 37-39 degrees Celsius and is said to be highly beneficial for both health and skin. If the die-hard Icelanders are anything to go by, don't knock the theory. Aside from bathing in a unique setting, there's a shop selling skincare products, a range of spa treatments, and places to eat and drink. Don't visit Iceland without coming here.

Rub on a mask of natural mud in minerals from one of the tubs located on the edges of the lagoon. For the ultimate relaxing visit, you can stay at one of the two hotels at the Blue Lagoon and add on a day at the Retreat Spa.

It is easy to book a bus trip to the Blue Lagoon from Reykjavik, but if you want to add an extra element of Iceland adventure, you can book a day trip on an ATV that will have you drive there over lava rock paths and take you back by coach to your hotel.

Address: Norðurljósavegur 9, 240 Grindavík

Magnificent Gullfoss Waterfall lies around 90 minutes west of Reykjavik and is one of the best waterfalls in Iceland . The river Hvítá plummets into a canyon, which forms three-step terraces, creating a powerful torrent. Gullfoss encompasses two cascades; the upper one drops 11 meters, while the lower one cascades about 21 meters.

Torrents of water flow over Gullfoss at an average rate of 109 cubic meters per second, although heavy floods have recorded an astonishing rate of nearly twenty times that. A word of warning: there are no rails or barriers, just a spine-tingling spectacle to enjoy amid surroundings as nature intended.

No matter what time of year you plan to travel to Iceland, whale watching happens year-round, although summer is the most popular time to see these gentle giants. During the warmer months, trips run day and night, including whale watching in the midnight sun.

Tour operators say there's an 80-95 percent chance of seeing these magnificent creatures, depending on the time of year. Best of all, surfacing often happens right near the boats, so you may well enjoy a ringside seat for one of nature's most awe-inspiring spectacles.

Other ocean-going tours are also available, such as bird-watching and island visits. Tours are convenient since there are several types available, and they depart from Reykjavik's Old Harbor. Stop for a dinner of fresh cod after you return in one of the many small, rustic restaurants located in the harbor area.

Address: Ægisgardur 5, Reykjavik's Old Harbor

An easy 50-minute drive from Reykjavik , Strokkur Geysir (after which all geysers are named) is the most popular fountain geyser in the country and is famed throughout the world. This highly active hot spring area lies in the southwest of Iceland beside the Hvítá River and is a favorite stop along what's known as the Golden Circle.

Boiling mud pits and around 100 other smaller exploding geysers are waiting to be explored here. Every few minutes, Strokkur shoots water 30 meters into the air. Visit the Geysir Center for exhibits and informative presentations year-round.

A memorable experience is digging up Geysir or "hot spring" bread, rye bread that has been baking underground for 24 hours. Visitors can also help a chef boil eggs in a hot spring to accompany the bread. One popular day tour to the area is the Golden Circle Classic Day Trip from Reykjavik, which has several stops and can ensure you get the iconic geyser photo from your trip.

The northern lights, or Aurora Borealis, are among the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland. This is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights .

Auroras are linked to solar wind, a flow of ions radiating from the sun. These particles become ensnared in the earth's magnetic field and collide with atmospheric molecules, causing bursts of energy, which appear as large circles around the poles. This spectacular natural light show is best admired in remote places and is particularly impressive at times of increased solar activity. Since the appearance of the northern lights is unpredictable, most hotels and lodging operators can provide you with nightly predictions before you go to bed and add you to an overnight call list.

They will call your room if the lights appear, as they may only be visible for a short window of time. For one of the most optimal opportunities to experience the northern lights, you can take a tour like the Northern Lights Night Tour from Reykjavik, which takes you to the remote countryside for the best chance to see this natural wonder.

In the south of Iceland, 180 kilometers from Reykjavik, is Landmannalaugar National Park, one of Iceland's most popular tourist destinations. The main features of this mystical landscape are the multi-hued rhyolite mountains, Hekla volcano , and extensive lava fields.

Hiking and horse riding are popular things to do here, and hikes range from a couple of hours to several days. You can visit from June to late September, after which the road is closed. A mountain lodge ( Landmannalaugar Hut ) with basic facilities accommodates 75 people. Expect raw nature, rugged scenery, and utterly spectacular views.

South of Landmannalaugar lies Myrdalsjökull Glacier Park, which for safety reasons can only be visited during summer. Large amounts of rain soak the area, particularly in winter, when roads can be severely damaged. Maelifell volcano is the undisputed jewel-in-the-crown of this wild, rugged glacial landscape.

The perfect cone shape gives Maelifell the look of a classic volcano, however during the warm season, a lavish green covering of moss gives it a surreal, otherworldly appearance. The park is full of volcanoes, hot springs , and other remarkable sites. To the west of Myrdalsjökull is a smaller glacier, Eyjafjallajökull (Island Mountain Glacier). A popular and thrilling way to explore is by snowmobile.

As you plan your time in Iceland, set aside an evening for a concert at the magnificent Harpa , Reykjavik's premier concert hall. If time or performance schedules do not fit your schedule, plan to at least stop by to admire the award-winning architecture of the building. Nighttime is one of the best times to see the array of colorful lights emanating from this honeycomb-shaped structure.

Harpa is a treasured landmark in Iceland, attracting international performances ranging from violinists and classical music to performing arts.

This venue makes for a great night out in the heart of the city. Enjoy dinner at one of Harpa's two restaurants and go for a stroll outside along the waterfront after the performance. The gift shop is a great place to pick up unique souvenirs, many made by local artists.

Address: Austurbakki 2, 101 Reykjavik

In the south of the country, Vatnajökull National Park is a land of glaciers and magnificent ice caves that attracts adventurers from across the globe. This vast national park (one of three in Iceland) is divided into four sections and consists of Vatnajökull glacier and its surroundings.

You'll find a number of visitor centers; those in Skaftafell Ice Cave and Höfn are open year-round, while Skriðuklaustur and Jökulsárgljúfur are closed in winter. The best time to visit Skaftafell Ice Cave is during winter after heavy rain has washed the top layer of the glacier away.

If seen at the right time, the cave is bathed in spectacular blue light. Group visits to all areas can be arranged off-season. If you are in good shape, you might consider doing a glacial trek with an experienced guide. The treks get you on the ice for an unforgettable experience to see glacial cracks and caves and even drink fresh water from small pools on the surface.

In the northern region of Vatnajökull National Park, the Askja caldera and the geothermal pool in the Dyngjufjöll Mountains are not for the faint-hearted. However, if you'd like to say you've taken a dip in a live volcano, then this is for you.

Askja is an impressive 50 square kilometers in size. The surrounding mountain range was formed during volcanic activity, and Askja was partly created by an eruption of burning ash that collapsed the roof of the central volcano's magma chamber.

The water in Viti , the geothermal pool and volcanic crater, is generally around 30 degrees Celsius. A word of warning, the banks can be very slippery, particularly in wet weather.

Dettifoss, in the north of Vatnajökull National Park, truly is a breathtaking example of the raw power of nature. Plunging 45 meters and with a width of 100 meters, it's said to be the most powerful waterfall in Europe.

Generally, it's best to approach on the east side of the River Jökulsa, where the road is better. Along easy paths from Dettifoss, Selfoss is a smaller waterfall around one kilometer upstream with a drop of around 10 meters. Below Dettifoss, the Hafragilsfoss waterfall tumbles 27 meters into a steep canyon. It's more advisable to drive than walk to Hafragilsfoss.

Around 2.5 hours' drive northwest of Reykjavik is the small town of Grundarfjördur, a charming fishing village centrally located on the north coast of the Snaefellsnes peninsula. The town lies in a picturesque fjord, surrounded by mountains, with Mt. Kirkjufell looming as a striking landmark.

Dotted about the surroundings, you'll discover small streams and waterfalls. During winter, Kirkjufell is a great place to watch the awe-inspiring northern lights . Eyrbyggja Heritage Centre holds exhibitions on Grundarfjördur's seafaring history and is the information center for the whole peninsula.

A 30-minute easterly drive from Reykjavik brings you to Mount Esja in Kjalarnes. The mountain is 914 meters high and very popular with hikers. Even for the inexperienced climber, it's a relatively easy hike. There are terrific views of Reykjavik and the surrounding landscape and ocean.

You can take several routes to the summit depending on your energy levels and how much time you have. You can get to the main starting point at Mount Esja by a 10-minute bus ride on public transportation that leaves out of the Hlemmur main station towards Artun. Check bus schedules and times before your visit.

In the north of the country, Akureyri lies amid mountains on the longest fjord in Iceland about 40 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle. With a population of around 18,000, Akureyri's landscape and culture make it one of the best cities in Iceland . Summer days occasionally reach 25 degrees Celsius, and although winters bring heavy snowfall and cold weather, calm and still weather generally prevails.

Despite the town's isolation, cultural life and entertainment flourish here, and a wide range of shops offer brand-name products. The skiing area is the best in the country. Points of interest include the Akureyri Museum and the impressive Aviation Museum at Akureyri Airport .

A little over an hour's easterly drive from Akureyri is Myvatn in northern Iceland. It is a lake district famous for its wealth of birdlife, rich fauna, and large shallow body of water. It's estimated that the area was formed around 2,500 years ago by a gigantic lava eruption.

Today, the surroundings are volcanically active, with an eruption occurring as recently as the mid-1980s. Bubbling clay pits, sulphuric fumes, and lava formations all form part of this unique landscape, which is still in flux.

One of the most interesting scenic features of Myvatn is the rootless vents formed by the volcanic eruption. While the landforms resemble craters, they did not have a lava flow, but the volcanic activity still resulted in their creation, adding to a stunning and unique appearance around the lake.

The name Myvatn literally means "midge-water," a reference to the prolific midges here, especially during summer, so be sure to pack some insect repellent. The area is also a bird-watcher's paradise.

Originally the site of the city's gigantic thermal water tanks, " Perlan ," as it's known locally, is one of Reykjavik's landmark buildings. It occupies an enviable location on Öskjuhlíð hill, where there are in excess of 176,000 trees.

The hill is particularly pleasant, with bicycle trails and footpaths zigzagging up and down. The observatory affords stunning views over the city. Also on-site is a revolving restaurant , as well as gourmet and souvenir shops.

In addition, Perlan regularly hosts concerts and exhibitions in the Winter Garden. The observation deck is a real treat. The new planetarium is spectacular with a virtual trip of Iceland featuring the country's natural elements.

Address: Varmahlíð 1, 105 Reykjavík

A popular thing to do and one of the most adventurous ways to experience Iceland is on the back of an ATV, trekking across rugged lava fields, riding up dormant volcanos, and passing pastures with roaming wild Icelandic ponies.

These are views of Iceland that you will never forget and one of the best ways to get up close to the country's most scenic natural environment. Tours like the two-Hour ATV Quad Tour from Reykjavik lets you experience ATV off-road adventure without a huge time commitment. Many tours depart from Reykjavik but they are available in most regions of the country.

While Iceland is full of natural wonders, one of the most spectacular is the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. You will ride in a boat through large chunks of ice that have separated from the glacier.

The floating ice in the lagoon ranges from the size of small pebbles to the size of cars, but since you are floating in the lagoon with them, they are close enough to touch. Witness the blue hue of glacial cave formations and birds flying above in this natural environment.

The South Coast and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Day Tour from Reykjavik is a popular tour for visitors who want to set up a home base for their visit to Reykjavik and do a day trip to this top attraction. The tour also includes visits to two beautiful waterfalls and spectacular views of mountains and glacial rivers along the south coast.

While Iceland has some stunning beaches, the Reynisfjara black-sand beach on the country's southern coast has an other-worldly appearance. This unique beach is known for its black sand and rocky sea stacks that protrude from the oftentimes ferocious waves coming in from the Atlantic Ocean.

The eerie yet stunning landscape of natural beauty at Reynisfjara beach is one of the reasons it was selected as a filming location for films like Star Wars. The lighting at this beach adds to its contrasting allure, which is why it is a must-visit for anyone who enjoys photography.

As with many natural locations in Iceland, Reynisfjara black-sand beach has dark folklore associated with it. Iceland legend says that the rocky basalt sea stacks were once trolls pulling seafaring ships to shore in the night, and they turned to stone during sunrise.

You are not likely to see any trolls during your visit, but you might see some of the thousands of seabirds, like puffins, guillemots, and fulmars, that nest in the columns.

The 2.5-hour drive to the beach is easy from Reykjavik, or you can take a guided trip along the southern coast that includes this as a stop if you want to spend more time at some of the other features on that side of the island.

Read More: Best Black Sand Beaches in the World

The land of fire and ice has so many intriguing natural elements that visiting is an exciting science lesson into how volcanos work. One way to find out is by visiting the Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel in southwest Iceland.

At 4,461 feet, it is one of the longest lava tubes in the country. You can take a guided tour through the cave to get up close to the stunning lava rock formations and colorful walls that have formed below the earth.

A tour through the tunnel will walk you through the path where lava flowed during a volcanic eruption of the Bláfjöll Mountain Range more than 5,000 years ago. These tunnels were formed as flowing magma hardened and thickened, creating a crust roof resulting in a lava tube.

Outside the lava tube, you will see stunning green moss covering lava rock and craters formed from the eruption. It is only about a half hour from Reykjavik, and you can visit year-round. If you visit in the winter, plan on wearing extra layers and sturdy boots for icy and wet conditions.

Iceland has an intriguing history of Vikings that settled on the island and folklore involving trolls and other creatures that still influence the culture today. One of the most interesting ways to learn about the varied tentacles of Icelandic culture is by visiting some of its museums. Some of them are seemingly mainstream, while others, sometimes found off the beaten path, explore some rather unusual finds.

In Reykjavik, the National Museum of Iceland is a good place to visit to explore Icelandic history and settlement. The Saga Museum also gives insight into the Viking heritage, with life-sized replicas of early settlers, offering a nice history lesson before you venture into some of the other types of museums.

Start your quirky museum visit with The Punk Museum on the back street of Reykjavik, which delves into Iceland's punk music scene that emerged in the 1970s. The Árbær Open Air Museum (within the Reykjavik City Museum) is another experience worth trying as you see more than 20 buildings that form a small early settlement village.

Not far from Reykjavik in Njarðvík is the Viking World Museum , which has an exact replica of a Viking ship that was discovered in Norway in the late 1800s and exhibitions detailing the Norse settlement.

One of the more unique museums in Iceland is the Sigurgeir's Bird Museum at Mývatn . The tiny museum features a collection of more than 300 preserved bird specimens representing over 180 species and an extensive collection of eggs.

The Library of Water in Stykkishólmur will give you insight into Iceland's natural environment, with dozens of columns holding water from ice caps. The Nonsense Museum in the Westfjords is a quirky stop to enjoy a large collection of random items, from sugar cubes to police hats that came from forces around the world.

For those who are interested in a deep dive into the history of Iceland's folklore, you should visit The Museum of Icelandic Witchcraft and Sorcery in the Westfjords in Hólmavík village. This museum gives insight into some of the tales and history on which Icelandic beliefs are based. This can be a tough visit for some, and parents should give it a preview before taking their children inside.

When it comes to Iceland, the scenery is naturally stunning year-round, but certain times of the year are better than others to catch some of its most sought-after attributes.

For most visitors, the best time to visit Iceland is in the summer . But, the best time can also depend on what you want to experience. Do you want to catch a glimpse of the northern lights, visit when there is the most hours of daylight, or navigate the Ring Road with no snow? Or, do you want to travel during the low season to get the best rates on hotels and airfare? All of these factors matter when determining the best time to go to Iceland for your specific travel priorities.

Each season in Iceland comes with unique opportunities for exploration and the natural experiences that the island is famous for, like the midnight sun, aurora borealis, and hot springs.

Summer : Summer is hands down one of the best times to go to Iceland. It is the season with the best weather conditions, comfortable temperatures, the best opportunities for sightseeing, and when the roads and hiking trails are open and dry.

You get a front-row seat to the midnight sun. From May through August there is complete sunlight at midnight . While 24 hours of daylight makes it tough to sleep during your trip, it gives you more time to experience all that there is to see and do in Iceland. Summer is a great time to see minke whales out of Reykjavik.

Fall: The fall season is a lovely time to visit Iceland, when temperatures are slightly cooler, the summer tourists are gone, and the weather conditions are still favorable to do things like trekking on a glacier and riding an ATV over lava fields.

Fall colors on the trees are pretty, especially if you are horseback riding or hiking on one of the mountain trails. As fall dips into November, your chances of seeing the northern lights increase, and roads may start to close due to weather conditions. It is also a nice time to visit the Blue Lagoon when there are not so many tourists.

Winter: Winter days in Iceland can have almost 19 hours of darkness. It has the most inclement weather, but the top reason for visiting in the winter months is the chance to see the elusive northern lights. Prices will be cheaper for accommodations, and you will have plenty of availability on tours since it is the off-season.

Winter is a great time to take advantage of the snowfall in Iceland, with excursions like exploring ice caves and snowmobiling. It can be a fun time to visit the Blue Lagoon and the local hot springs where you can warm up – that is, until you get out.

Spring: Early spring in Iceland may still have snow-covered roads, but the days are starting to get longer. You also still have a chance to catch the northern lights during your visit. This shoulder season may limit some winter activities as they come to an end, and some summer excursions may not be available yet.

Spring is a great time to go whale watching, with many kinds of tours available out of Reykjavik. Spring is when you can catch a glimpse of another of Iceland's famous animal residents, the puffin, the unusual-looking bird that is more active in the spring.

More on Iceland

18 Things To Do & Places to Visit In Iceland

Where to Go in Iceland

What to see in iceland, top attractions in iceland, a map of 18 best things to do in iceland, 18. be inspired by snaefellsjokull glacier, 17. be amazed by the beautiful mount kirkjufell, 16. stroll on a black sand beach in south iceland, 15. discover why diamond beach is called diamond beach, 14. decide if reynisdrangar are basalt pillars or frozen trolls, 13. take in the sea-arch dyrholaey, 12. see the largest glacier in europe, 11. enjoy natural treatments at the blue lagoon, 10. go whale watching in husavik, 9. wildlife spotting in the hornstrandir nature reserve, 8. drive to the eastfjords.

• 7. Seek Out Wild Reindeer in Eastfjords

6. Explore the Lake Myvatn Geothermal Area

5. take a detour from the golden circle, 4. photograph the beautiful asbyrgi canyon, 3. hike through skaftafell nature reserve, 2. drive the golden circle, 1. chase the midnight sun or the northern lights, what should you avoid in iceland.

Find the top things to do in Iceland and read about where to go and what to see. Whether it's natural wonders, cultural experiences, or hidden gems, read on and learn all about Iceland's must-see attractions.

There are too many things to do in Iceland to keep count. It’s a realm of stark contrasts. It’s an island of striking landscapes where rivers run through deserts and molten lava erupts from ice.

It’s a country where the natural elements dance between the poles of fire and frost, with endless nights during the depth of winter and summers where the sun never sets.

It can be a little overwhelming to decide what to do and where to go in Iceland. Before you book your trip, there’s a lot to consider. Find the perfect place to stay on the largest selection of accommodations in Iceland and choose from a wide variety of tours  you can be a part of. To enjoy everything Iceland has to offer, it's best to rent a car and the cheapest car rentals in Iceland can be found here .

The first major location in Iceland that almost every traveler will experience is  Reykjavik . You'll reach the island's only city after flying to  Keflavik International Airport  and crossing the volcanic  Reykjanes Peninsula .

The country's capital has spectacular landmarks such as  Hallgrimskirkja church , the  Harpa Concert Hall , and the interactive museum at  Perlan . It is also a brilliant place to experience nature, with whale and puffin watching tours in  Faxafloi Bay  and plenty of conservation reserves, such as  Seltjarnarnes  and  Heidmork .

Along this trail, you'll discover a UNESCO World Heritage Site between two tectonic plates named  Thingvellir National Park , the exploding hot springs of the  Geysir Geothermal Area , and the breathtaking  Gullfoss waterfall . You can also find lesser-known but equally beautiful attractions on longer explorations, such as the  Kerid crater lake .

The  South Coast sightseeing route  is also easy to explore from Reykjavik. This route will expose you to the world-famous  Skogafoss  and  Seljalandsfoss  waterfalls, the  black sand beach of Reynisfjara , and impressive volcanoes such as  Eyjafjallajokull , which notably erupted in 2010.

The Ring Road  encircles Iceland and provides a dream holiday for those eager to marvel over Iceland's diverse nature. Such a journey exposes you to the magical  Eastfjords , the geothermal wonders of  Lake Myvatn  in North Iceland, and countless other attractions.

Top Ring Road Tours

It's no secret that Iceland has some of the world's most unique and stunning nature, shaped by volcanoes and glaciers. The country's small population makes this even more special, as many of its landscapes and features remain untouched and pristine.

Most notable among Iceland's attractions are its incredible waterfalls, bubbling hot springs, gleaming ice caps, dramatic fjords, and lunar-like lava landscapes. Fascinating wildlife also populates the island, with whales and dolphins in the seas and abundant birdlife on the shores and further inland.

Speaking of summer, Iceland is also a great place to enjoy the magical light of the midnight sun. This phenomenon occurs from mid-May to mid-August, when the sun never sets, providing bright nights and plenty of extra hours for sightseeing and adventure.

Top Summer Tours & Packages

Iceland's winters are characterized by the phenomenon known as aurora borealis. This magical display appears between September and April when the sky is dark, clear, and the forecast is strong. Seeing the northern lights in Iceland is a top bucket list activity for almost all winter travelers.

Top Winter Tours & Packages in Iceland

3-day northern lights tour of iceland’s golden circle & south coast with ice caving & glacier hiking, 8-day guided northern lights winter tour of the complete ring road of iceland, scenic 4-day northern lights tour of vatnajokull ice cave, jokulsarlon & the south coast.

Many of the top attractions in Iceland have been mentioned in the paragraphs above. Reykjavik, the Golden Circle, the South Coast, and the northern lights are all among the most famous, but there are plenty more that travelers should make every effort to see.

• The Blue Lagoon : Iceland has many geothermal spas around the country, but the Blue Lagoon is the most popular. Located on the Reykjanes Peninsula near Keflavik International Airport, this attraction is a perfect place to begin or end a holiday in Iceland.
• The Snaefellsnes peninsula : Nicknamed' Iceland in miniature', this peninsula in West Iceland has everything that makes Iceland famous. Historic villages, abundant wildlife, dramatic mountains, waterfalls, and spectacular beaches can all be explored in a day. The Snaefellsjokull National Park, home to the  Snaefellsjokull glacier , is particularly notable.
• The Westfjords : One of Iceland's most remote and sparsely populated regions, the Westfjords are named after their countless dramatic fjords, framed by enormous flat-topped mountains. Though off the Ring Road and largely only accessible in summer, this is an ideal location for travelers hoping to see untouched nature, tiny fishing villages, and plenty of animals, such as arctic foxes, whales, seals, and puffins.

• North Iceland : This vast region is most famous for the Lake Myvatn area and the beautiful town of  Akureyri . The  Diamond Circle , however, is a fantastic sightseeing route that features the incredible  canyon of Asbyrgi , the whale-watching town of  Husavik , and the second-most powerful waterfall in Europe,  Dettifoss . North Iceland also has countless hidden gems off the beaten track.
• The Eastfjords: Like the Westfjords, the Eastfjords have many beautiful bays, dramatic mountains, and tiny villages. Unlike the Westfjords, however, this area is on the Ring Road and accessible year-round. It is also the only place where you can see wild reindeer in Iceland.

• Vatnajokull National Park : Iceland's greatest national park is centered around the largest ice cap in Europe, the Vatnajokull glacier. Though you can access many of its attractions from the east and north, the most popular are in the south. These include the iceberg-filled Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and the breathtaking Skaftafell Nature Reserve.
• The Highlands : An untouched, uninhabited region defined by volcanoes, hot springs, and glaciers, Iceland's highlands are a fantastic place for adventurers. Hiking is particularly popular here, particularly along the  Laugavegur trail . This route connects the volcanic  Landmannalaugar Nature Reserve  with the dramatic  Thorsmork Valley  and can be crossed in four to six days.

Your average sightseeing guide of Iceland is probably the size of a dictionary. There are so many unique Iceland attractions and landscapes that fitting all of them into a holiday may seem like an impossible task. So, we’ve made a map of must-see places in Iceland below for you to reference:

You might notice that there are only 17 attractions on the map, but that’s because number 18 is not restricted to a location!

To optimize your time in Iceland, we recommend you check out these best self-drive travel plans in Iceland .

Popular self-drive tours

10-day self-drive tour of the complete ring road of iceland with top attractions & snaefellsnes, best 1-week summer self-drive tour of the ring road of iceland & golden circle, best 7-day northern lights self drive tour through south iceland to jokulsarlon ice cave.

If you don’t want to drive, you can book Iceland vacation packages from Keflavik International Airport or Reykjavik, which will take you to the best surrounding sites in fun, small-group, guided tours. 

Top Vacation Packages in Iceland

Whether you’ve decided to self-drive around Iceland or take a tour, we’ve rounded up, not only the top 10 things to do in Iceland but the top 18. This includes the must-see places, things to do and see in Iceland, and what you should avoid.

If you want to see Iceland’s diverse landscapes and features, all you need to do is plan a day trip to the Snaefellsnes peninsula.

The Snaefellsnes peninsula has been nicknamed 'Iceland in Miniature' due to the sheer variety of landscapes, you can see on the peninsula. There’s so much to see and do there that you may want to read our ultimate guide to the Snaefellsnes peninsula .

But its crown jewel is the Snaefellsjokull glacier. It’s a twin-peaked glacier that sits over a volcano on the peninsula’s tip, surrounded by jagged lava fields and a dramatic coastline on three sides. You can see it from some of the area’s other top attractions, such as the all-but-abandoned hamlet of Budir and the Londrangar sea stacks.

The glacier has such a special place in Icelanders’ hearts that they declared it a National Park in 2001. It shares this status with only two other sites in the entire country (both featured on this list).

Many art pieces, particularly literature, have been inspired by the Snaefellsjokull glacier. The most famous is Jules Verne’s classic science fiction novel A Journey to the Center of the Earth from 1864. If you’re wondering what to see in Iceland, the Snaefellsjokull glacier is a great choice.

On a clear day, you can see it all the way from Reykjavik across Faxafloi Bay, but there’s no comparison to seeing the glacier up close.

It’s possible to drive to the glacier and back within a day, but you will probably want to spend more time there. It’s one of Iceland’s must-see attractions included in many self-drive tours, such as a six-day winter self-drive tour of Iceland’s Golden Circle & Snaefellsnes because you need to spend more than a day there!

Top Snaefellsnes Tours

There are plenty of Snaefellsnes tours and packages to choose from, including ones that take you on  a snowcat ride on the glacier’s icy surface .

Of all the spectacular places to see in Iceland, Kirkjufell mountain is one of the most impressive. Kirkjufell is one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland. You might also recognize it as the Arrowhead Mountain north of The Wall in the Game of Thrones TV series.

Kirkjufell mountain translates to Church Mountain and is a popular destination for self-drive tours. The water in front of the mountain makes it even more scenic. It produces either a mirror image or becomes a perfect white blanket of ice and snow in the winter.

Iceland’s South Coast is extremely popular among travelers. It’s a region everyone should consider when deciding what to do in Iceland.

Iceland’s glaciers and coastal erosion have left the vast majority of its coastline jagged, with fjords defining the West, North, and East. However, much of the South Coast is vulnerable to glacial flooding, which has flattened the rocks into black sand.

If you decide to take a tour of the South Coast of Iceland , be sure to explore the black sand beaches along the coastline. 

The most famous of these black sand beaches is Reynisfjara, near the village of Vik . Like many of the most beautiful places in Iceland, Reynisfjara beach’s beauty comes from its stark and haunting landscapes.

The black sand beaches might be some of the best things to see in Iceland, but swimming in them is forbidden. The sea is dangerous because of cold water temperatures and strong currents. Reynisfjara is especially risky because of the sneaker waves that unexpectedly surge upon the shore.

You should stay at least 67 to 100 feet (20 to 30 meters) from the surf at all times and take any safety advice provided at attractions seriously.

Top South Coast Tours

Best ice cave tour in vatnajokull glacier starting from jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, 2 day ice cave tour with south coast waterfalls & jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.

Reynisfjara is not the only beach on the South Coast worthy of note. Further east is ‘the crown jewel of Iceland’s nature,’ the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, beside Diamond Beach .

The lagoon is full of icebergs that slowly make their way toward the ocean after breaking from a glacial tongue year-round. When they reach the sea, the waves push them onto the beach, and the result is mesmerizing.

The blue of the ice and the white of the surf contrast with the black sand and make Diamond Beach exceptionally beautiful and one of Iceland’s best places to visit.

Add the colors of the northern lights  or the dramatic hues of the midnight sun, and you have a view that looks like a fantasy novelist created it.

As if that wasn’t enough, sometimes you can also spot seals playing in the lagoon and out at sea.

The mighty waves of South Iceland have carved two basalt pillars called Reynisdrangar . They’re near Vik and were featured in Game of Thrones as Eastwatch-by-the-Sea.

Like many of Iceland’s most striking rock formations, some say these pillars are trolls frozen in the morning sun's light. They face Reynisfjall mountain , where you can find Iceland’s famous black basalt hexagonal columns.

In walking distance of Reynisfjara is the magnificent sea arch of Dyrholaey . From its peak, visitors can see incredible views of the surrounding area, and nesting puffins cover the arch in summer. Dyrholaey is just one of the many top places to see puffins in Iceland .

One of the best places to visit in Iceland is the Vatnajokull glacier, the largest glacier in Europe. It makes up 8% of Iceland’s landmass with countless stunning ice caves , each a marvelous feat of nature.

Under the ice are at least three active volcanoes and the tallest peak in Iceland. Vatnajokull glacier also feeds countless rivers and outlet glaciers. It’s featured in Games of Thrones and two James Bond movies.

Top Glacier Tours

The Blue Lagoon is the country’s most visited geothermal spa and perhaps the most popular attraction in Iceland. The water here is an opaque, milky blue, unlike anything found elsewhere on earth.

The hot pool is rich in minerals and thriving with good bacteria. Silica masks are available for all guests, too. Both the water and masks have given the lagoon a reputation for healing.

The Blue Lagoon sits within the volcanic Reykjanes peninsula’s incredible nature, which is known for its stark and haunting landscapes.

The spa is surrounded by lava fields coated in grey moss. When seen through a veil of steam, the scene is otherworldly.

A trip here to relax and rejuvenate at the start or end of your journey is perfect. Those looking for something even more luxurious may want to consider some of the private treatments available. 

Some treatments available at the Blue Lagoon include in-water massages and natural beauty treatments tailored to your skin. The latter use rare algae and minerals with specific procedures for those with skin conditions, such as psoriasis.

The lagoon is just 14 miles (22 kilometers) from Keflavik International Airport and 31 miles (49 kilometers) from Reykjavik’s city center. Conveniently, there are affordable airport transfers to the Blue Lagoon.

Top Blue Lagoon Tours

Please note that the Blue Lagoon is a top-rated Iceland attraction, therefore, it's best to  book your admission ticket in advance.

There are over twenty species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises in Iceland’s waters, with many cities offering boat tours .

Whale-watching  is a common activity in ports such as Reykjavik and Akureyri, and in regions such as the Westfjords, you can catch sight of whales from shore. But one of the best places in Iceland to whale watch is the small northern town of Husavik.

Husavik, nicknamed ‘the whale-watching capital of Europe,’ sits by Skjalfandi Bay . The area is teeming with sea life in the summer. You can spot harbor porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, and humpback whales almost every day.

Occasionally, lucky guests may see more unusual species such as orcas, blue whales, fin whales, and even rare narwhals.

Top Whale Watching & Puffin Tours

Summer is also the nesting season for many migratory bird species in Iceland, most notably the puffin. 

You can spot these birds on whale-watching tours from Reykjavik, Akureyri, and Husavik. There are even tours that combine puffin and whale watching from Husavik .

Intertwined with the Sagas and inhabited until the early 20th century, the northernmost part of the Westfjords is called Hornstrandir . Abandoned due to its remoteness and lack of industry, one might think this place doesn’t belong on a list of what to do in Iceland.

But it has recently found new life as an incredibly well-preserved nature reserve.

There’s so much wildlife in this area of Iceland  that it’s one of the best places to go in Iceland for wildlife lovers and photographers. This wild land is the least populated part of the country outside the Highlands and is best known for its non-human residents. 

The magnificent cliffs rise to 1,752 feet (534 meters) above sea level and are home to tens of thousands of seabirds. You have a high chance of spotting Iceland’s only native land mammal in the overgrown fields, the Arctic fox.

Top Westfjords Tours

The animals in this region have no problem with humans getting close to them. While feeding wild animals is heavily discouraged, the fearless foxes here will happily eat out of the palm of your hand.

You can reach the Hornstrandir area by ferries from Isafjordur and the Strandir district. It’s also possible to book tours of the Westfjords , taking the hassle out of the experience.

Where should you visit in Iceland if you like remote, off-the-beaten-path things to see and do? Aside from Hornstrandir, the Eastfjords are sparsely populated and mark the country’s farthest point from Reykjavik.

Only those driving the full ring road or who have booked a vacation package around the country are likely to see them. However, those who visit often return, saying it was their favorite part of the country.

This remote corner of Iceland is far from crowds of travelers, providing the tranquillity many seek on their trip to the island. Renting a car is necessary to reach this remote region of Iceland, so you can explore it at your own pace.

Driving up and down high mountain passes and along dramatic cliff edges, you’ll see magnificent seascapes and incredible views of Vatnajokull National Park and its enormous central glacier.

Despite its remoteness, the East has several settlements such as Djupivogur , Seydisfjordur , and Egilsstadir , where you can find services such as gas, food, and comfortable accommodations. These traditional towns and villages are seated within incredible natural surroundings.

Seydisfjordur is spectacular, nestled deep within a fjord with sheer cliffs and magnificent ocean views. Many of East Iceland’s top attractions are in the area, such as Husey and Borgafjordur Eystri . 

Top Eastfjords Tours

7. seek out wild reindeer in eastfjords .

As you drive through the Eastfjords, keep a keen eye out for the local wildlife. The waters are fertile and filled with marine life, and numerous sea birds fly in the skies above. The Eastfjords are also the only region in the country where you can see reindeer roaming free.

One reason why they aren’t on most lists of Iceland’s things to see might be because reindeer aren’t native to Iceland. A royal decree introduced them in the 18th century from Norway and Denmark, but only those in the Eastfjords survived. 

The best place to spot them is at the fjord near the town Seydisfjordur or on a super jeep wild reindeer experience tour.

Forty-nine miles (78.8 kilometers) east of the ‘Capital of North Iceland,’ Akureyri, is a geological and geothermal wonderland called the Lake Myvatn area. 

A series of catastrophic eruptions formed these lakes over two millennia ago. The area now boasts a wealth of hidden gems you can reach by taking a tour of Myvatn .

The lakes themselves are beautiful in their formation and the life that flourishes within them.

Dozens of bird species flock to the waters in summer, and those interested in flora should look out for moss balls, which form in a few other places around the world.

But the geology that surrounds Myvatn lake is perhaps even more spectacular. Perfectly formed pseudo-volcanic craters line many banks. You can walk up to and around them and discover the secrets of Iceland’s volcanism.

Dimmuborgir , meanwhile, is a field of lava so dramatic it’s often called the Black Fortress. In this lava field, hidden in a cave, is the increasingly famous Grjotagja hot spring .

Though you cannot bathe in this water due to its ever-changing temperature. Many scenes of the TV series Game of Thrones were shot in Iceland , and this cave was a shooting location for one of the franchise’s most famous love scenes featuring Jon Snow and Ygritte.

However, those who want to take a dip in geothermal waters need not look far. The Myvatn Nature Baths are perfect for unwinding when traveling through the region.

Top Myvatn Tours

Visitors to the Myvatn lake area will find many other fascinating sites just a short drive away. 

For example, Myvatn lake is close to Namaskard Pass , where you can discover seething fumaroles and bubbling mud pits on a stark mountain plateau.

It’s also close to some incredible waterfalls, notably Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe.

The most popular short road trip in Iceland is, without a doubt, the famous Golden Circle. However, if you want to add a little zest to your self-drive Golden Circle tour , there are also several top things to do in Iceland that require just a slight detour from the route.

Due to these sites’ popularity and the fact it only takes half a day to get around them, many tour operators offer additional fun activities to the Golden Circle .

Thrill-seekers can snorkel in the Silfra rift or join a cold water diving tour (if qualified) in Thingvellir’s freshwater springs,  Silfra  rift , for some of the best underwater sights in the world. 

The adventurous can add a snowmobiling trip , which departs from the Gullfoss waterfall and takes you onto the surface of the mighty Langjokull glacier .

Top Snorkeling Tours

Unforgettable drysuit snorkeling in silfra with underwater photos & transfer from reykjavik, snorkeling tour between continents in silfra with free underwater photos & snacks, meet on location 30 minute snorkeling tour in the crystal waters of silfra.

In Northeast Iceland, just off the beaten track, is a natural feature so intricately formed that legend has it that the canyon was created as a result of divine intervention.

According to the myth, the horseshoe canyon of Asbyrgi was formed when one of the hoofs of Odin’s eight-legged Icelandic horse came in contact with the ground. This is a must-see in Iceland if you’re interested in Norse mythology.

Top Photo Tours

The cliffs surrounding it and the plateau that rises from the center allow for some of the country’s most dramatic views and photographs. 

The valley is also beautiful from within, filled with thickets of birch, willow, fir, larch, and pine. Indeed, it’s so rich with vegetation that it’s hard to imagine this location is actually in Iceland.

It’s no surprise that many myths about Iceland’s hidden people (elves) originate from here.

Skaftafell Nature Reserve has such varied landscapes it was once a national park. 

Now it’s the most alluring and accessible section of Vatnajokull National Park and one of Iceland’s best places to visit for nature lovers.

You can camp in the greens of a birch wood forest by a beautiful glacial stream, just a short walk from haunting black deserts and dramatic lava fields.

The glacier tongues and lagoons throughout the reserve all originate in Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajokull. Those eager to enjoy the magnificent views from the top can book a glacier hiking tour on one of the glacial outlets, Svinafellsjokull .

Even if you don’t want to walk on the ice, you can enjoy the area’s many other hiking trails .

The trail to Svartifoss waterfall is the most notable, where the water flows over an impressive cliff of black basalt columns.

Top Skaftafell Tours

Skaftafell is conveniently located on the South Coast of Iceland, 35 miles (56 kilometers) from Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach.

We teased it earlier in the list, but there's no doubt that the Golden Circle is one of the top attractions in Iceland. The route is 186 miles (300 kilometers) long and takes you to the most spectacular Iceland attractions in Southwest Iceland: Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area, and the Gullfoss waterfall.

Thingvellir National Park is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site on Iceland’s mainland. Located in an incredible valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, it boasts a spectacular landscape of lava fields and forests interrupted by crystal-clear streams.

Meanwhile, the Geysir Geothermal Area has such iconic geysers that the word 'geyser' derives from the very same Geysir.

Though Geysir is now virtually dormant, its neighbor Strokkur erupts over 65 feet (20 meters) in the air every five minutes, providing plenty of photographing opportunities.

Gullfoss is the best-known waterfall in Iceland, surging with enormous power down two tiers into an ancient valley carved out during the last ice age. On a sunny day, you might just find a rainbow or two slicing through the mist!

There are plenty of guided tours of the Golden Circle , but many visitors also opt to self-drive so that they can see Iceland’s sights at their own pace.

The charm of a never-setting sun and the beauty of the northern lights are stunning natural sights to behold and a must-see in Iceland. Although not an actual site, they are undoubtedly the top Iceland attractions. Both have a plethora of tours dedicated to them.

We’ve written a whole post on when exactly is the best time to visit Iceland to see the northern lights. Generally, the best time is between late August and April, with mid-winter offering you the best chance of seeing them. Of course, joining a northern lights tour guided by experts also increases your chances of spotting the aurora borealis.

Come to Iceland between May and August and enjoy the never-setting sun if you prefer warm weather. There are many top midnight sun tours to choose from to experience the magical hours. Learn more about this phenomenon in our complete guide to the midnight sun .

Since both are top things to see in Iceland, you may want to visit Iceland twice to witness both the magic of the northern lights in winter and the midnight sun in summer.

Top Northern Lights Tours & Holidays

There are some things to avoid in Iceland for various reasons. We’ve covered all of them in our dumbest things to do in Iceland.

In terms of places to avoid - we’re happy to say that all the attractions in Iceland are as pretty in real life as in photos. That said, the best thing to do to avoid disappointment is to book your visits in advance to famous Iceland tourist spots. The chief among them is the Blue Lagoon.

We hope this helps you find out where to go in Iceland and the best things to do to make the most of your stay here. Let us know your favorite natural attraction in Iceland, and share any hidden gems you discover while traveling across the unique landscape. 

Don’t hesitate to leave your comments and queries below.

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The USA's 21 Most Popular Landmarks and Monuments

From trees and natural landmarks thousands of years old to legendary monuments built within the last century, the USA has amazing spots for tourists both native and international to explore. Of these, here are the 21 most visited, as shown in this list from the National Park Service. Discover a lifetime of vacation destinations.

21 – Independence National Historical Park

How apt that our guide to the greatest landmarks in the USA begins with the park commemorating the country’s founding. The home of the Liberty Bell, Pennsylvania’s Independence Park takes you right back to the time of the Founding Fathers.

Located in West Potomac park in D.C. , this memorial is a haunting reminder of a bloody conflict with its 19 large stainless steel soldiers surrounded by a wall full of images and memories and a single statement in silver chosen to sum up the conflict: ‘Freedom is Not Free’.

19 – Yosemite National Park

A visit to California’s Yosemite National Park is an encounter with nature at its most mighty and awe-inspiring. Huge cascading waterfalls meet giant sequoia trees thousands of years old and vast expanses of wilderness across the park’s 1,200 stunning square miles.

18 – Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Truly a wonder of the natural world, the Delaware Water Gap was created over millennia as the Delaware River carved its way through the Kittatinny Mountains, creating a stunning 70,000-acre landscape perfect for a rural retreat with its vast array of lakes, waterfalls and forests.

17 – Statue of Liberty

For many the single defining monument of the USA as a whole, Lady Liberty sits off New York welcoming visitors and residents alike with her flaming torch, broken chains and steely gaze. As well as being a potent symbol of American freedoms, she also offers some of the best views of NYC from her crown.

16 – National World War II Memorial

Little over a decade old, Washington D.C.’s World War II Memorial has quickly become a must-visit spot for anyone visiting the nation’s capital. Made up of 56 pillars, a fountain and two arches, it is a simple but striking tribute to the sacrifices made during WW2.

15 – San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

With its vast collection of historical boats, the San Fran Maritime Park is a wonderful celebration of the USA’s often-forgotten early maritime history, featuring six major 19th- and early 20th-century boats alongside 100 other smaller vessels and some great locations for some open-air swimming.

14 – Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial

Initially a hugely controversial monument due to an extreme minimalism that some saw not being adequately commemorating the casualties of the Vietnam War, Maya Lin’s v-shaped wall, with one side pointing to Lincoln and the other to the Washington Monument, has now been embraced as the perfect monument to that most controversial of conflicts.

13 – Cape Cod

With 40 miles of uninterrupted beaches on the Atlantic, it is no wonder that Massachusetts ’ Cape Cod is so popular. Ample space to swim, surf or just sit on the beach for those looking to relax, all surrounded by ample wildlife for those wishing to explore make Cape Cod an ideal vacation destination.

12 – Gulf Islands

Found in the Gulf of Mexico underneath Mississippi and Florida , the Gulf Island draw millions each year looking for an idyllic spot to for fishing, boating or just a little relaxed fun in the sun. Aside from that, however, it also features fascinating historical forts to explore.

11 – Castle Clinton National Park

Originally built in 1812 to stop a British Invasion, Castle Clinton marks the beginning of the development of New York City. It has been a fort, a theatre, an immigration station, and now it is an essential tourist attraction for all Manhattan visitors.

10 – Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

For over a century the Ohio Canal was a vital trade route through the country. Now it is a park rich with history and nature, with its 185 miles spanning some of the most beautiful areas of D.C., Maryland and West Virginia.

9 – Grand Canyon

Famed for bringing grown men to tears, Arizona’s Grand Canyon is a truly unforgettable sight everyone must see at least once in their lifetime. A mile deep and 277 miles long, to encounter it is to feel at once insignificant and inspired.

8 – Natchez Trace Parkway

Nothing says exploring America quite like a road trip, and the Natchez Trace Parkway might be the best one there is, with its 444 miles highlighting the stunning scenery of Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee as well as the entire history of America as a landmass from Native Americans to automobiles.

7 – Gateway National Recreation Area

The first National Recreation Area designated in an urban area, the Gateway offers the city dwellers of New York and New Jersey more rural experiences like swimming in the ocean, hiking through forests and camping across three sites, a welcome rural retreat visited by 10 million urbanites a year.

6 – Lake Mead

Amongst the inhospitable deserts of Arizona and Nevada , Lake Mead is an almost literal oasis, full of plants and animals evolved to cope with the often sweltering heats and regular droughts of desert life. As such, it is a recreation spot as unique as the wildlife that makes its home there.

5 – Lincoln Memorial

The ubiquitous Lincoln Memorial still manages to be awe-inspiring even after you have seen it on countless postcards and everywhere from textbooks to an episode of ‘The Simpsons’. The giant statue surrounded by the words of the Gettysburg Address is a must-visit for any American wanting to pay tribute to a great president.

4 – George Washington Memorial Parkway

One of the USA’s so-called ‘All American Roads’, the George Washington Memorial Parkway is a 25-mile road through Virginia (with a small segment in D.C.) full of memorials and reminders of America’s history as a nation, from the Marine Corps War Memorial to the Arlington Bridge into Washington.

3 – Great Smoky Mountains National Park

America’s most visited National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains between North Carolina and Tennessee have every sight a nature fan could possibly want to see. World famous for its vast array of wildlife, it has gigantic expanses of forest and, of course, those breathtaking mountains for its many millions of visitors to get lost in.

2 – Blue Ridge Parkway

Known as ‘America’s Favorite Drive’, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a 470 mile wander through the mountains of the Appalachians that spans from North Carolina to Virginia, allowing you to get incredibly close to the majestic scenery right from the comfort of your car, but with plenty of opportunities for those who want to get out of their four doors and into nature.

1 – Golden Gate National Recreation Area

As well as that world famous red suspension bridge, the Golden Gate area offers a world of natural delights, with over a thousand animal species and centuries of history spanning from the Native American settlement of California to the bustling metropolis of modern day San Francisco. No wonder 13 million visit its 80,000 acres every year. Samuel Spencer

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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Travel With Culture Trip: Who Are Our Local Insiders?

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Where to go

One amazing island. Six unique regions

Soaring cliffs, buzzing little towns and a way of life forever inspired by the sea, that's what you'll find on the world’s longest defined coastal touring route.

Amazing cliff-walks, Game of Thrones® adventures, Titanic attractions – let Northern Ireland stir your soul.

A UNESCO City of Literature, a historic powerhouse and a super-cool capital that’s been named Europe’s friendliest city twice by TripAdvisor.

Did you know that there are over 5,000 years of history hidden amidst these lush landscapes, winding rivers and glorious gardens?

Cutting-edge food, traditional pubs and incredible Titanic history take Belfast to the next level – welcome to one of Ireland's most exciting cities.

With charming riverside towns and villages, majestic forests and sparkling waterways, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands is slow-travel perfection.

Amazing places to see

Don't miss these iconic sights and hidden gems around the island

Cliffs of Moher

Discover historic Dunluce Castle

Destination

Skellig Islands

The Skellig Islands-Na Scealga

Giant's Causeway

Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone

Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge

Guinness Storehouse

Titanic Belfast

Powerscourt Estate

Explore the Marble Arch Caves

Enniskillen

Brú na Bóinne

Rock of Cashel

The Book of Kells and Trinity College

Explore the Cuilcagh Boardwalk

Glendalough

Top things to do.

Plan your Ireland trip

Causeway Coastal Route

6 days 92 miles

The Causeway Coastal Route is one of Northern Ireland's greatest adventures.

From Belfast To Derry~Londonderry

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48 hours in Derry~Londonderry and the Causeway Coast

2 days 84 miles

Explore the very best of Northern Ireland from the heart of the Walled City!

From Causeway Coast To Derry~Londonderry

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Donegal's northern headlands

4 days 267 miles

Take a journey to the edge of the world...

From Inishowen To Killibegs

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Surfers' paradise

2 days 99 miles

Sea and land combine to create a vista of pure poetry on the Wild Atlantic Way.

From Donegal To Mayo

Great Western Greenway

4 days 78 miles

Uncover the west of Ireland's most dramatic sights.

From Westport To Achill Island

Cliffs and coves

4 days 198 miles

Be wowed with panoramic views from atop the Wild Atlantic Way's most dramatic cliff edges.

From Galway To Limerick

• #WalkingandHiking

A trip around the Ring of Kerry

2 days 114 miles

Experience Ireland at its wildest.

From Killarney To Killarney National Park

Cycling the Waterford Greenway

2 days 50 miles

Grab your bike and take in the sites of this stunning cycling trail.

From Waterford city To Dungarvan

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Ireland's Ancient East from County Wexford

4 days 213 miles

Explore gorgeous landscapes and dramatic histories around Ireland's Ancient East.

From Rosslare To Kilkenny city

Explore Ireland's Ancient East on Dublin's doorstep

3 days 248 miles

Cinematic – that's the only word to describe what lies on Dublin's doorstep.

From Wicklow To Meath

Ireland's Hidden Heartlands

5 days 301 miles

Five days. 11 counties. One big adventure...

From Cavan Burren Park To Mitchelstown Caves

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Let Ireland inspire you!

Dublin city: top attractions

First time in Dublin? Here are some uniquely Dublin attractions you shouldn’t miss.

Dublin City

10 top Northern Ireland experiences

Fantastic food tours, Titanic trails and even walking on water!

5 ways to tour the Wild Atlantic Way

Get your feet wet or hit the tarmac: how to explore the Wild Atlantic Way.

Charming towns of the Causeway Coastal Route

Get set for a glorious adventure amongst picturesque towns and scenic fishing villages.

Take our fun St Patrick's quiz

Do you have the luck of the Irish? Test your St Patrick knowledge with our quirky quiz.

Belfast: top 9 attractions

Explore Belfast’s world-class museums, rich history, varied art scene and parkland

Hidden gems of Ireland’s Ancient East

Wherever you go in Ireland’s Ancient East, you’ll find unbelievable experiences.

Camper van holidays in Ireland

Here's everything you need to know about camper van hire, road rules and more.

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Derry Girls

Love the hit comedy series, Derry Girls? Here's how you can have your own adventure.

Derry-Londonderry

Ireland's 9 most haunted tales

From Satanic cults and a medieval ghost river to a tragic bride-to-be.

7 gorgeous spots for wild swimming

Take a dip in the crystal clear lakes and rivers on the island of Ireland.

Irish genealogy resources

Tracing your Irish roots? Here are some useful resources that can help you join the dots.

Ireland: need to know

Visas and passports

Ireland’s visa and passport requirements vary for different nationalities so check with your local Irish embassy or consulate before you travel

Ireland: frequently asked questions

Whether you’re looking for advice on passports or wondering whether you can bring your pet to Ireland, you'll find your answers here

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From customs and border regulations on the island of Ireland to duty-free allowances and how to claim VAT (sales tax) refunds

Bringing your pet to Ireland

The importation of pets into Ireland is strictly controlled to ensure diseases such as rabies are kept off of the island

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Make a note of the numbers and official organizations to contact in case of emergency in Ireland

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Ireland from the air – what's not to love? We can help you find the perfect flight or ferry route for your Ireland trip.

Getting around

Ireland is compact, friendly and easy to navigate. So all you need to worry about is picking the right travelling companion.

Sustainable Ireland

From accommodation to activities, find out how to explore our beautiful island in a sustainable way.

Welcome to Ethiopia, Land of Origins

Ethiopia invites you to discover why it is the origin of so much!  As you explore Ethiopia, you will be put in touch with your own origins…for this is a Land of Origins

Things to do in Ethiopia

Cultural Experiences – Culturally ebullient but not well discovered, every unforgettable undertaking you do in Ethiopia could be labeled as a cultural experience.

Nature Experiences – with its diverse ecological systems laden with a plethora of wildlife Ethiopia is a haven for nature travelers

Outdoor and adventure  – Outdoor and adventure are the eliciting factors that whet the appetite of all travelers to Ethiopia.

Educational Tour –  Immerse yourself in the rich paleontological sites, vibrant way of life, and opulent geological resources of Ethiopia.

Trekking on the peaks of Ethiopia

The majestic highlands of Ethiopia offer some exceptional trekking experiences. The Simien Mountains and Bale Mountains are common favorites, and the Community Trekking trails set up in the Northern part of Ethiopia offer world-class treks while supporting local communities.

The most popular attractions to visit in your lifetime

Aksum – Land of Queen Sheba

The rock hewen churches of Lalibela

Gondar – Camelot of Africa

Harar – The old walled city

Renowned the world over for its decorated tribes, the Omo Valley is a stop on many a tourist route in Ethiopia.

Gheralta Mountains –  The luminous light bathes scattered sharp peaks that rise into the sky out of a sandy, rolling semi-desert.

Salt caravans of the Danakil depression

Embarque em uma jornada emocionante e descubra prêmios incríveis no Cassino Jogo Fortune Tiger. A sorte está ao seu alcance em jogofortunetiger.com.br !

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Pakistan: A Land of Natural Beauty and Adventure

Pakistan tourist spots.

P akistan, located in South Asia, is a mesmerizing country with its diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. From towering mountains to lush green valleys, from ancient historical sites to bustling cities, Pakistan offers a wide range of tourist spots that cater to every kind of traveler. Let's explore some of the most popular tourist destinations in Pakistan.

Naltar Valley

Nestled in the Karakoram Range, Naltar Valley is a hidden gem in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region. With its crystal-clear lakes, lush green meadows, and breathtaking glaciers, this valley is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, and skiing in the picturesque surroundings of Naltar Valley.

Saif-ul-Malook Lake

Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, Saif-ul-Malook Lake is a mythical lake located in the Kaghan Valley of Pakistan. Legend has it that a prince fell in love with a fairy at this very spot, giving the lake a mystique that attracts tourists from all over the world. The turquoise blue water of the lake, set against the backdrop of imposing mountains, creates a magical ambiance that leaves visitors spellbound.

Hunza Valley

Renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and warm hospitality, Hunza Valley is often referred to as the “Shangri-La” of Pakistan. Situated in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, this valley offers panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, lush green terraced fields, and ancient forts. The vibrant culture and traditions of the local Hunza people add to the charm of this place.

Murree Hills

If you're looking for a quick escape from the bustling city life, the Murree Hills in Punjab province are the perfect destination. Just a short drive away from the capital city of Islamabad, Murree Hills offer serenity and tranquility amidst the picturesque hills. The pleasant weather, breathtaking views, and colonial architecture make Murree Hills a favorite spot for both locals and tourists.

Mohenjo-daro

Stepping back in time, Mohenjo-daro is an ancient archaeological site located in the Sindh province of Pakistan. This UNESCO World Heritage Site dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization and offers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the region. Exploring the remnants of this ancient city is like unraveling a historical mystery.

Natural Wonders of Pakistan

Pakistan is blessed with an abundance of natural wonders that astound and inspire visitors. From lofty peaks to cascading waterfalls, from pristine beaches to vast deserts, the natural beauty of Pakistan is a testament to the awe-inspiring creations of Mother Nature. Let's delve into some of the marvelous natural wonders found in Pakistan.

K2: The Mighty Mountain

Standing tall at an elevation of 8,611 meters, K2 is the second-highest peak in the world and a mountaineer's ultimate dream. Located in the Karakoram Range, this mighty mountain presents a formidable challenge to climbers from across the globe. The sheer grandeur and magnificence of K2 attract daring adventurers seeking to conquer its treacherous slopes.

Naran and Kaghan Valley

Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, Naran and Kaghan Valley offer a visual feast for nature enthusiasts. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, these valleys are dotted with crystal-clear lakes, lush green meadows, and stunning waterfalls. The soothing sound of gushing rivers and the cool mountain breeze make Naran and Kaghan Valley a perfect retreat for those seeking solace in nature.

Makran Coastal Highway

Stretching along the Arabian Sea, the Makran Coastal Highway is a scenic road that runs parallel to the coastline of Balochistan province. This mesmerizing coastal route offers breathtaking views of azure waters, rugged cliffs, and golden beaches. Traveling on this highway is a thrilling experience, allowing visitors to witness the untamed beauty of the Arabian Sea.

Deosai Plains

Located at an altitude of over 4,000 meters, the Deosai Plains in Gilgit-Baltistan are often referred to as the “Land of Giants.” This vast expanse of untouched wilderness is home to various species of flora and fauna, including the endangered Himalayan brown bear. The enchanting landscape of Deosai Plains, covered in a carpet of colorful wildflowers during summers, is a sight to behold.

Hingol National Park

Situated in the Balochistan province, Hingol National Park is the largest national park in Pakistan and a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. This diverse ecosystem encompasses rugged mountains, barren deserts, and mangrove forests along the Arabian Sea. Visitors can spot unique wildlife species such as the endangered Indus river dolphin and the majestic Balochistan black bear in this national park.

Travel Guide Pakistan

If you're planning a trip to Pakistan, it's essential to have a comprehensive travel guide to make the most of your visit. Here are some essential tips and information to help you plan your journey.

Visa Requirements

Before traveling to Pakistan, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with the visa requirements. Depending on your nationality, you may need to obtain a visa before arrival or avail visa-on-arrival facilities. It's advisable to check with the embassy or consulate of Pakistan in your country for the most up-to-date information regarding visa procedures.

Best Time to Visit

Pakistan experiences different climatic conditions throughout the year, so the best time to visit varies depending on the region. The spring season (March to May) and autumn season (September to November) are generally considered ideal for most parts of Pakistan, as the weather remains pleasant during these months. However, if you're planning to visit the northern mountainous regions, summer (June to August) is the best time for trekking and mountaineering activities.

Transportation

Getting around in Pakistan can be an adventure in itself. The country has a well-connected domestic flight network, making air travel a convenient option for covering long distances. However, if you prefer road travel, Pakistan offers various modes of transportation, including buses, taxis, and car rentals. It's advisable to book transportation in advance and consider hiring a local guide to navigate unfamiliar areas.

Accommodation

From luxury hotels to budget-friendly guesthouses, Pakistan offers a range of accommodations to suit every traveler's needs. Major cities like Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore boast international hotel chains, while smaller towns and rural areas have smaller guesthouses and heritage hotels. It's recommended to book accommodations in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, to ensure availability.

Cultural Etiquette

Pakistan is a country with rich cultural traditions, and it's essential to respect local customs and practices during your visit. Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites, and remove your shoes before entering mosques or people's homes. It's customary to greet locals with a warm “Salam” and show respect towards elders. It's also advisable to avoid public displays of affection and strictly adhere to local norms and regulations.

With its diverse landscapes, cultural heritage, and warm hospitality, Pakistan offers a unique travel experience that should not be missed. Whether you're an adventure seeker, a history enthusiast, or a nature lover, Pakistan has something to offer for everyone. So pack your bags, and get ready to explore the land of natural beauty and adventure.

The post Pakistan: A Land of Natural Beauty and Adventure appeared first on Things That Make People Go Aww .

Meet The Billionaire Betting Big On An Idyllic Island Retreat In The Philippines

Inside andrew tan's $720 million eco-tourism project in the country’s pristine beachside paradise., by jonathan burgos , forbes staff.

T he pitch is for tropical paradise: turquoise waters that lap a pristine shoreline fringed by lush, mist-streaked greenery. Philippine property giant Megaworld extolls on its Facebook page the virtues of Palawan island, the largest of a 1,780-island group by the same name that hangs to the left of the island nation in the Pacific. Here, Megaworld is pursuing its most complex project yet, a resort and residential estate that will be the island’s biggest real estate development to date.

On 462 hectares in San Vicente, a quiet, relatively untouched corner of Palawan’s northern coast, known for its rich biodiversity, virgin forests, steep karst cliffs and the longest white sand beach in the Philippines, Megaworld has a 15-year plan to raise a township from among the coconut trees—an ecofriendly addition, it says, to its hospitality, office, retail and residential portfolio that spans the country. When finished, Paragua Coastown will include two 10-story hotels, a residential condominium, villas, a hospital, a school, and wellness-related centers.

Megaworld, owned by billionaire Andrew Tan ’s spirits-to-property conglomerate Alliance Global Group, is pouring over 40 billion pesos ($720 million) into the venture—a tenth of what it plans to spend on building townships across the Philippines in the next five years. The company is banking on getting in on the ground floor as the island remakes itself into one of the country’s top tourist destinations. Some 1.5 million people, of which about 650,000 were overseas travelers, visited the island in 2023, nearly twice as many as the previous year, according to government figures, as tourists return to the Philippines post-Covid. (Boracay, the archipelago’s most popular resort island, had over 2 million visitors last year.) “We intend to showcase the best sustainable tourism and green living concepts by developing it into an ecotourism township,” Kevin Tan, Andrew’s eldest son and Megaworld’s executive vice president and chief strategy officer, says by email.

Andrew Tan (left), chairman of spirits-to-property conglomerate Alliance Global and his eldest son, Kevin Tan, CEO of Alliance Global.

San Vicente is seen as the next frontier in the island’s commercial boom, catching up to Palawan’s other island centers where tourism is flourishing, including its capital, Puerto Princesa City (home to the 8.2-kilometer underground river, a Unesco World Heritage site), and El Nido, a municipality comprised of small islands at Palawan’s northern tip that has in recent years become a playground for backpackers and jetsetters alike. Ayala Land, controlled by billionaire Jaime Zobel de Ayala and his family, has already made inroads as El Nido’s biggest developer, owning the 325-hectare Lio tourism estate along with four other resorts in the town’s smaller islands.

Megaworld broke ground last year on its 306-room Savoy Hotel Palawan and the nearby 189-unit Oceanfront Premier Residences tower, which are both slated to be completed in 2028. Construction of the 313-room Paragua Sands Hotel, which will open in 2029, has yet to start.

Most rooms will have water views, and the hiking trails of the Pagdanan mountain range, home to threatened wildlife such as the Philippine cockatoo, gray imperial pigeon and blue-naped parrot, are a short drive away.

Megaworld is building Paragua Coastown (left) along the coconut tree-lined (right) coastline of San Vicente, Palawan island in the Philippines.

“More than just sustainable tourism, our vision for Paragua Coastown is to be able to provide an opportunity to those who want to live the island life within a lush and sustainable landscape,” Tan says. To that end, he says Megaworld will incorporate solar and other renewable energy sources into its building design. There will be a waste-to-energy plant to supply electricity to the township as part of a new waste-management system and sewage-treatment center.

About 40% of Paragua Coastown’s land area has been earmarked for open (albeit landscaped) spaces, while a mangrove forest reserve in its boundaries will be left untouched. Megaworld also plans to plant thousands of trees on 100 hectares deforested by commercial logging, once a mainstay of the local economy, and upgrade the mostly dirt tracks used by San Vicente's 30,000 residents to a network of roads in and around the property.

Ana Margarita Lustre-Malijan, vice president at local hotelier and construction firmArlustre Group, believes such developments will be a huge boon for Palawan, bringing jobs and income to the island where about 15% of the population falls below the poverty line. It could also be the tipping point to improve accessibility to the area. There’s an airport in San Vicente, but Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific, two of the nation’s main airlines, don’t fly there. Getting to San Vicente means a 90-minute flight from Manila or Cebu to Puerto Princesa and a bumpy four-hour car ride across rugged terrain. Cebu Pacific CEO Michael Szucs tells Forbes Asia that the airline will consider flying to San Vicente once the Megaworld hotels are built.

Tourists visiting the Puerto Princesa underground river (top left), a Unesco World Heritage site, while a wild pig roams Coconut Beach in San Vicente. View of San Vicente's famed stretch of white-sand beach (right).

Besides attracting homegrown developers, Palawan has become a stopping point for international hospitality brands. “Palawan stands out as an attractive destination, blending cultural richness with natural landscapes,” Raj Menon, Marriott’s president for Asia Pacific excluding China, says by email. The U.S. group will add over 70 rooms this year to its recently opened 168-room Four Points by Sheraton on Sabang Beach, near Puerto Princesa’s underground river, to meet demand. American hotel chains Best Western and Wyndham Hotels’ Microtel have also established a presence on the island.

Megaworld has begun marketing the Paragua Coastown residential units, which will range from 32-square-meter studios to 106-square-meter two-bedroom suites, and expects them to generate some 2.3 billion pesos in sales. Doubling down on Palawan, Megaworld announced in December it would spend another 7 billion pesos to develop a mixed-use complex on a 6-hectare oceanfront site in Puerto Princesa. Named Baytown Palawan, the commercial, hotel and residential project is expected to take five years to complete. “Palawan has always been a hotspot for local and international tourists,” Tan says.

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International visitors to the Philippines have gradually returned but remain below pre-pandemic levels.

Palawan isn’t the Tans’ only tourism play. They are building resorts, retail space and convention facilities across the archipelago, including tourist hotspots Boracay, Cebu and Davao. Megaworld’s hospitality operations accounted for over 5% of the company’s 2023 revenue of 69.7 billion pesos, and the company expects the business will make up at least 10% of revenue by 2028.

Andrew Tan launched Megaworld in the late 1980s, pioneering the living concept of a city within a city in the Philippines. It now counts 24 townships (with an additional seven under construction) nationwide, part of his sprawling business empire under Alliance Global comprising a controlling interest in Emperador, owner of the Dalmore whisky and Fundador brandy brands, and a stake in the Philippine franchisee of McDonalds. Tan ranked No. 11 on the Philippines’ 50 Richest 2023 list with $2.4 billion net worth.

“Expanding our townships all over the Philippines will sustain our growth as a company and allow us to also diversify our offering in the real estate industry,” says son Kevin, who is also vice chairman and CEO of Alliance Global. “Through these developments, we can make a significant impact across economic sectors.”

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Presque Isle, Erie Land lighthouses opening for 2024 season. What to know before you go

The Presque Isle Lighthouse and Erie Land Lighthouse will open this weekend for their 2024 tour season.

Here's what to know if you want to climb to the top or just roam the grounds.

Where are the lighthouses?

The Presque Isle Lighthouse is located along the shore of Lake Erie at Presque Isle State Park near Leslie Beach. Owned by the state and operated by the Presque Isle Light Station nonprofit, the lighthouse is still a working aid to navigation, with a light at the top of the 57-foot tower maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Erie Land Lighthouse is located at 2 Lighthouse St. in Erie, east of Presque Isle Bay. Owned by the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority, the lighthouse is operated by the Presque Isle Light Station. The light at the top of the 49-foot tower shines but is not an active aid to navigation.

When are they open?

The Presque Isle Lighthouse will open for 2024 tours Fridays through Mondays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning May 3 and continuing through Memorial Day. After that holiday, the lighthouse will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Labor Day.

From 2022: The Presque Isle Lighthouse is getting a facelift. Here's what visitors can look forward to

The Erie Land Lighthouse will open for tours Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning May 4 and continuing through Memorial Day. After that, the lighthouse will be open Fridays through Mondays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

How much does it cost to see them?

Visiting the grounds of either lighthouse is free.

For Presque Isle, tickets to get inside the house are $5 and tickets for both the house and tower climb are $8.

At Erie Land, a ticket for regular admission and tower climb is $6. However, you can climb for free the first Tuesday of every month and you can pay a donation of whatever amount you wish to climb on the second Saturday of every month.

A $12 combo pass includes admission and climbs at both lighthouses.

Members climb for no additional cost for the entire season. Membership options include $35 for an individual, $50 for a family, $25 for a senior and more.

For more information, including the history of the lighthouses and tour times after Labor Day, visit presqueislelighthouse.org . Information is also available by calling 814-833-3604.

Column: Illuminating information about Presque Isle, Erie Land and other lighthouses

Dana Massing can be reached at [email protected] .

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Moscow metro to be more tourist-friendly

A new floor sign system at the Moscow metro's Pushkinskaya station. Source: Vladimir Pesnya / RIA Novosti

For many years now, Moscow has lagged behind St. Petersburg when it comes to making life easy for tourists, especially where getting around the city is concerned. Whereas the northern capital installed English-language maps, signs and information points throughout its subway system in the late 2000s, the Russian capital’s metro remained a serious challenge for foreign visitors to navigate.

Recent visitors to Moscow may have noticed some signs that change is afoot, however. In many stations of the Moscow subway, signs have appeared on the floor – with large lettering in Russian and English – indicating the direction to follow in order to change lines. Previously, foreign visitors using the Moscow metro had to rely solely upon deciphering the Russian-language signs hanging from the ceilings.

Student volunteers help tourists find their way in Moscow

However, this new solution has a significant drawback. “The floor navigation is visible only to a small stream of people – fewer than three people per meter. During peak hours, this navigation will simply not be noticed,” said Konstantin Trofimenko, Director of the Center for Urban Transportation Studies.

One of the biggest problems for tourists in the Russian capital remains the absence of English translations of the names of subway stations in the station vestibules and on platforms. The Department of Transportation in Moscow has not commented yet as to when this problem will be solved. However, Latin transliterations of station names can already be found in the subway cars themselves.

Finding the right exit

At four of the central stations – Okhotny Ryad, Teatralnaya, Ploshchad Revolyutsii, Lubyanka and Kuznetsky Most – the city authorities have now installed colorful stands at the exits with schematic diagrams of the station’s concourse and surrounding area, which provide information about the main attractions and infrastructural facilities.

The schematic diagrams are the work of British specialists from the City ID and Billings Jackson Design firms, who have already implemented successful projects in New York and London.

According to Alexei Novichkov, expert at the Design Laboratory at the Higher School of Economics, the design of these information booths raises no objections: The color solutions, font, layout and icons are consistent with international standards.

However, the stands do have some shortcomings. “Many questions are raised about the fact that the developers of these maps did not apply orientation to the north, and have provided layouts of the surrounding areas with respect to the exits,” says Novichkov. “A system like that is used for road navigators, but most of the ‘paper’ guides and maps are oriented strictly to north. The subway map is also oriented to north, so people may become confused.”

Muscovites and foreign visitors are generally positive about these navigation elements, with most of them citing the numbered exits from the subway as the most useful feature.

The fact is that many Moscow subway stations have several exits. One of the busiest central stations of the Moscow subway in particular, Kitay-Gorod, has more than a dozen exits. Previously, these exits were differentiated from each other only with signs in Russian referring to the names of streets and places of interest to which they led – making it easy for tourists and those with poor navigation skills to get confused.

Now, when making an appointment to meet a friend, instead of struggling to find the right spot when they tell you: “I'll meet you at the exit to Solyanka Street,” you can just propose to meet under a specific exit number.

“I’ve lived in Moscow for seven years,” says Angelika, a designer from Voronezh, “but I still don’t always know where to go to find the place I need, so the new schematic diagrams will be very useful. Previously, some subway stations had maps, but not with so much detail.”

Teething problems

Foreigners, meanwhile, focus their attention on other elements. “It is good that the new information boards have QR-codes, which can be ‘read’ by smartphones,” says Florentina, a writer from Vienna. But there are also shortcomings. “The English font of the information on posters and in the captions to theaters and museums is too small – you have to come very close to see it well,” she says.

Pleasant encounters on the streets of Moscow

Florentina was also dissatisfied with the fact that such posters are not provided at all subway stations: “When I was trying to find Tsaritsyno Park (a museum and reserve in the south of Moscow) at a subway station with the same name, it turned out to be quite difficult,” she says.

“There are no maps with landmarks for other areas, such as those already in the city center. There were no clear pointers in the English language, and the passers-by I met did not speak in English, so they could not help me,” she adds.

Officials say that the navigation system is gradually being redeveloped and improved. According to Darya Chuvasheva, a press representative for the Department of Transport of Moscow, the introduction of a unified navigation system will take place in stages.

“By the end of 2014, the system will first appear on the first subway stations on the Circle Line. By the end of 2015, we plan to install the system at all major stopping points, subway stations and transport interchange hubs,” says Chuvasheva.

All rights reserved by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

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American tourist facing possible 12-year prison sentence after ammo found in luggage in Turks and Caicos

By Kris Van Cleave

Updated on: April 25, 2024 / 7:28 PM EDT / CBS News

Valerie Watson returned to Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport in tears on Tuesday morning in a drastic departure from how she imagined her long weekend trip to Turks and Caicos would end.

Watson is home, but her husband, Ryan Watson, was jailed on the island and is facing a potential mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years behind bars after airport security allegedly found four rounds of hunting ammo in his carry-on bag earlier this month. 

"We were trying to pack board shorts and flip flops," Valerie Watson told CBS News. "Packing ammunition was not at all our intent."

Valerie Watson, who learned Sunday she would not be charged and would be allowed to return home, said the trip "went from what was supposed to be a dream vacation to a nightmare."

Ryan Watson was released on bail after two nights , but must remain on the island and check in with police twice a week.

The Watsons are not the only ones going through this ordeal.

Bryan Hagerich is awaiting trial after ammo was found in the Pennsylvania man's checked bag in February.

"I subsequently spent eight nights in their local jail. Some of the darkest, hardest times of my life, quite frankly," Hagerich said. "These last 70 days have been kind of a roller coaster, just the pain and suffering of having your family at home and I'm here."

Possessing a gun or ammunition is prohibited in Turks and Caicos, but tourists were previously often able to just pay a fine. In February, however, a court order mandated that even tourists in the process of leaving the country are subject to prison time.

Since November 2022, eight firearms and ammunition prosecutions in total have been brought involving tourists from the United States, three of which are currently before the court with each of the defendants on bail.

Last year, a judge found Michael Grim from Indiana had "exceptional circumstances" when he pleaded guilty to accidentally having ammunition in his checked bag. He served almost six months in prison. 

"No clean running water. You're kind of exposed to the environment 24/7," he told CBS News. "Mosquitoes and tropical illnesses are a real concern. There's some hostile actors in the prison."

The judge was hoping to send a message to other Americans. 

"[His] sentencing was completely predicated on the fact that I was an American," Grim said. 

The U.S. embassy last September posted a travel alert online, warning people to "check your luggage for stray ammunition," noting it would "not be able to secure your release from custody."

In a statement, a State Department spokesperson told CBS News, "We are aware of the arrest of U.S. citizens in Turks and Caicos.  When a U.S. citizen is arrested overseas, we stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance. In a foreign country, U.S. citizens are subject to that country's laws, even if they differ from those in the United States." 

Last year, TSA found a record 6,737 guns at airport security checkpoints, and most of them were loaded.  

"I can't even begin to think that this very innocent, regrettable mistake would prevent me from being able to watch my son graduate or teach him to shave or take my daughter to dances," Ryan Watson said. "It's just unfathomable. I do not — I can't process it."

The Turks and Caicos government responded to CBS News in a lengthy statement confirming the law and reiterating that, even if extenuating circumstances are found to be present, the judge is required to mandate prison time.   

Kris Van Cleave is CBS News' senior transportation and national correspondent based in Phoenix.

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Cartoon: Peter Moore proposes popular tourism options in the Land that Budgeting Forgot.

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Optimos Travel just went through an enormous amount of trouble to determine something that most Coloradans already knew: Aspen is the nation’s most expensive tourist spot , with an average cost of $761.37 a day, per insanely rich visitor.

You drive south past Woody Creek on Colorado 82 at your own peril, people.

Determined to have an elite getaway, anyway? That’s the spirit. Here are some of the most popular picks for recreation where money is no object.

For the very best in lodging

For the fiscally fit

For people with elevated credit ratings

For the well-wheeled

For the last supper

For connoisseurs of fine art. Like mine.

Too rich for your blood, or budget? No worries. Among the cheapest places on Optimos’ list: Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It’s also famous for its mountains, which are about a third as tall as the Rockies.

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The Colorado Sun is a nonpartisan news organization, and the opinions of columnists and editorial writers do not reflect the opinions of the newsroom.   Read our ethics policy for more on The Sun’s opinion policy . Learn how to submit a column . Reach the opinion editor at [email protected] .

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Type of Story: News

Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

Type of Story: Opinion

Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the author/producer’s interpretation of facts and data.

Peter Moore Cartoonist/Columnist

Peter Moore is an editor, writer, illustrator, ghostwriter, co-author, radio host, TV guest, speaker, editorial consultant, and journalism lecturer. In his most recent gig he was interim editor-in-chief of BACKPACKER magazine. Peter... More by Peter Moore