Iceland

▲▲▲ Golden Circle Iceland's quintessential day trip (from Reykjavík), which loops through eye-popping terrain with stops at Þingvellir (site of Iceland's Viking Age gatherings, situated along a jagged tectonic fissure), Geysir (a steamy field that's home to the world's original "geyser"), and Gullfoss (a thundering waterfall). Along the way, you can tiptoe around the rim of a volcanic crater, visit Iceland's medieval religious center, and take your pick of thermal bath experiences.

▲▲▲ South Coast Dramatic shoreline, shaped by volcanoes and glaciers, that rivals the Golden Circle as Reykjavík's top day trip. Watch spectacular waterfalls tumble over high cliffs, touch the tongue of a glacier, stroll along a black sand beach, and learn about the majestic power of volcanoes. Nearby, avid hikers take a full day to enjoy Þórsmörk, a nature reserve nestled between three glaciers.

▲▲▲ Blue Lagoon Relaxing and memorable outdoor bathing complex offering a delightful toe-in-the-water dip into Iceland's thermal bathing culture, and tucked in a volcanic landscape a 45-minute drive south of Reykjavík (and near Keflavík Airport).

▲▲ Reykjavík Colorful, pedestrian-friendly capital with fine museums, a stroll-worthy harbor, a dozen thermal swimming pools, surprisingly good restaurants, and a legendary nightlife scene.

▲▲ Westman Islands Chain of 15 southern islands, reached by short ferry ride or flight, all uninhabited, except for Heimaey — which features towering seabird cliffs, a busy harbor, the world's largest puffin colony (in summer), an aquarium, two volcanoes, and an excellent volcano museum.

▲▲ Ring Road Demanding 800-mile drive with a huge scenic payoff: breathtaking waterfalls and remote fjords, majestic mountains, volcanic cones and craters, bizarre lava formations, rich birdlife, geothermal springs and geysers, glaciers, black sand beaches, and windswept coastlines.

▲ Borgarnes and the Reykholt Valley Dramatically set town with a fine exhibit on Iceland's settlement and sagas, and a gentle valley with lovely waterfalls, prolific hot springs, tourable lava tube, traditional goat farm, intimate thermal bath, and important religious site, with the hikeable Grábrók volcanic crater nearby.

▲ Snæfellsnes Peninsula offering an "Iceland in a nutshell" loop past coastal scenery, bridal-veil waterfalls, chunky lava-rock landscapes, quirky museums, black sand beaches, fjordside fishing towns, a lava tube, its very own glacier, and more.

▲ Westfjords Remote, rugged corner of Iceland peppered with few towns but ample stunning scenery, Iceland's finest bird cliffs (Látrabjarg), one of its best waterfalls (Dynjandi), and a poignant sense of the lonesome Icelandic frontier.

• Iceland: Recommended Itinerary
• When to Go to Iceland
• Upcoming Holidays and Festivals in Iceland
• Guidebook Updates for Iceland
• Iceland: Recommended Books and Movies