Iceland

Europe

15 Mar

Written By Simon Campbell

Explore the mystical landscapes of Iceland and play golf courses shaped by volcanoes.

On an ever-changing land in the North Atlantic Ocean, but on the very edge of the Arctic, sits Iceland, a country shaped by its 200 or so volcanoes and the tectonic activity that lies beneath – a third of the Earth’s lava flow has taken place here since 1500. This unique geology has created an otherworldly island of glaciers, snow-covered mountains, cascading waterfalls, spurting geysers, black-sand beaches, and a landscape that gets torn apart only to find those tears turned into stunning glacial lakes.

For a country where mythical figures still have a strong presence in folklore, its capital, Reykjavik (the world’s most northerly), is equally open to every idea, balancing old and new throughout its multi-coloured cityscape. Here, Viking heritage sits alongside contemporary art, fine diners next to burger joints, and you’re borded by the Atlantic on one side and mountain ranges on the others.

Explore the city of Reykjavik and everything it has to offer, take on the challenge of Championship courses on land shaped by the flow of lava, then visit some of the world’s most surreal and spectactular national parks, and take a trip across to Vestmannaeyjar Islands, where many of Iceland’s ten million puffins choose to nest. And, after all your adventure in the greatest of nature’s playgrounds, there’s time for more traditional play. Iceland only ended a 74-year ban on beer in 1989 – initially started due to prohibition, extended due to its association with the Danes – and they’ve made up for lost time, so expect big nights out after your days of golf and volcanoes.