Presser Brandon - Lonely Planet. Iceland 2013

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A mythical kingdom ruled by elves and Arctic energy, Iceland is where the past meets the future in an elemental symphony of wind, stone, fire and ice.

Glacial lake, Landmannalaugar ()
MINT IMAGES / FRANS LANTING / GETTY IMAGES

Iceland is, literally, a country in the making the natural elements work in harmony to power its veritable volcanic laboratory: geysers gush, mudpots gloop, Arctic gales swish along silent fjords, stone towers rise from the depths of an indigo sea, and glaciers grind their way through cracked lava fields and the merciless tundra. The sublime power of Icelandic nature turns the prosaic into the extraordinary. A dip in the pool becomes a soothing soak in a geothermal lagoon, a casual stroll can transform into a trek across a glittering ice cap, and a quiet night of camping means front-row seats to either the aurora borealis curtains of fire, or the soft, pinkish hue of the midnight sun.

Beyond the torturous clash of ecological anomalies, its hard not to be deeply touched by the islands awesome beauty few leave the country without a pang and a fervent vow to return. Iceland has that effect on people it turns brutes into poets, and sceptics into believers. Perhaps its the landscapes austere bleakness, or maybe it has something to do with the islands tiny population, but a soul-stirring visit is as much about the people you meet as it is about the ethereal landscape. The warmth of the Icelanders starkly contrasts the frigid climate expect complimentary cakes and cookies, friendly intellectual banter, invites to pub crawls, eager hiking buddies and 50 new Facebook friends when you return home.

Icelands climate and environment is as charged as the scrolls of its ancient sagas; electrifying legends of heroes and thieves during a time when the rest of the European continent was mired in disease and ignorance. The eras mystic ruins, crumbling turf houses and haunting cairns act as the cultural and tactile counterpoints to the islanders modern set of visual pursuits. Influenced by its Scandinavian brethren, Icelands current spectrum of style embodies the airiness of a crisp Arctic evening. The relative ease of life allows for an aesthetic that draws on the desolation of the surrounding land and mixes it with the whimsy of the collective imagination.

Getting into Hot Water

Icelands unofficial pastime is splashing around its surplus of geothermal water. There are hot-pots everywhere from downtown Reykjavk to the isolated peninsular tips of the Westfjords and not only are they incredibly relaxing, theyre a great way to meet the locals (and cure a mean hangover!). Everyone knows that Blue Lagoon ( .

Blue Lagoon
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Westfjords

Icelands sweeping spectrum of superlative nature comes to a dramatic climax in the Westfjords ( ) the islands off-the-beaten-path adventure par excellence. Sweeping beaches flank the southern coast, roaring bird colonies abound, fjordheads tower above and then plunge into the deep, and a network of ruddy roads twists throughout, adding an extra sense of adventure. The regions uppermost peninsula, Hornstrandir, is the final frontier; the sea cliffs are perilous, the foxes are foxier, and hiking trails amble through pristine patches of wilderness that practically kiss the Arctic Circle.

JOHNATHAN AMPERSAND ESPER / GETTY IMAGES

Jkulsrln

A ghostly procession of luminous-blue icebergs drifts serenely through the 18-sq-km Jkulsrln lagoon ( ) before floating out to sea. This surreal scene (handily, right next to the Ring Road) is a natural film set: in fact, you might have seen it in Batman Begins and the James Bond film Die Another Day . The ice breaks off from Breiamerkurjkull glacier, an offshoot of the mighty Vatnajkull ice cap. Boat trips among the bergs are popular, or you can simply wander the lakeshore, scout for seals, and exhaust your cameras memory card.

ARCTIC-IMAGES / GETTY IMAGES

Northern Lights

Everyone longs to glimpse the Northern Lights, the celestial kaleidoscope known for transforming long winter nights into natural lava lamps. The lights, also known as aurora borealis, form when solar flares are drawn by the earths magnetic field towards the North Pole. What results are ethereal veils of green, white, violet or red light, shimmering and dancing in a display not unlike silent fireworks. Peak aurora sightings occur in the depths of winter, but look for the lights in clear, dark skies anytime between October and April.

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Driving the Ring Road

Theres no better way to explore Iceland than to hire your own set of wheels and loop around Rte 1 affectionately known as the Ring Road. The ovular strip of cement loops around the island in a clock-like fashion, passing through verdant dales decked with tumbling chutes, haunting glacial lagoons with popcorn-like icebergs, desolate strands of sea coast and arid plains of parched lava fields. Dont forget to take some of the detours use the Ring Road as your main artery and then follow the veins as they splinter off into the wilderness. For more information, see .

ARCTIC-IMAGES / GETTY IMAGES

Vatnajkull National Park

Europes largest national park covers 13% of Iceland and safeguards mighty Vatnajkull, the largest ice cap outside the poles (three times the size of Luxembourg). Scores of outlet glaciers flow down from its frosty bulk, while underneath it are active volcanoes and mountain peaks. Yes, this is ground zero for those fire and ice clichs. Youll be spellbound by the diversity of landscapes, walking trails and activities inside this super-sized park. Given its dimensions, access points are numerous start at Skaftafell in the south ( ) in the north.