destination

Iceland

18 HOURS IN ICELAND: Rent a car. Reserve it in advance, as prices will be much cheaper. First, drive to Þingvellir National Park and hike the rift valley between two continental plates, and hike a spur trail up to the gorgeous Öxarárfoss waterfall. Next, hop back in your car and head for Haukadalur, a geothermal area home to several geysers, including Geysir itself. Wait around to watch Strokkur Geysir erupt, like clockwork, every 10 minutes, occasionally shooting as high as 40 meters. Then, drive to Gullfoss, only 10 km away and one of the most spectacular, complex waterfalls on the planet. Take a short, wet trail to an observation platform and take in the multifaceted, powerful, thundering waterfall before you. Hurry! Hop back in your car and make the two-hour drive to the powerful Skógafoss, arguably Iceland's most picturesque waterfall. Take the 527-step path to an observation platform and drink it all in. Then, drive 2.5 hours to the Blue Lagoon. Yes, it's touristy, but it's worth it. If it's still daylight, you'll be awed by the turquoise volcanic waters. If it's nighttime, you might just catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights in the Lagoon's darker regions. Still have time? Grab a local craft beer at Skuli Craft Bar or MicroBar back in Reykjavik.