Iceland is usually compared to a dream place with stunning landscapes that came out of an epic medieval movie, it’s one of its main charms but did you know that Akureyri, the north capital of the country, with its imposing mountains, crystal clear water, and relaxed atmosphere, offers a ton of unique things to do that can make any holiday even more perfect!

The magic of a moving glacier is mesmerising. It's one of the main reasons people venture onto the small island of Iceland. 11% of the country is covered in ice, which accounts for a dozen icecaps and around 400 glaciers. 

Want to head inside Erebor? You’ll find something quite different than what you may expect – no Smaug, or mountains of gold to slide down gleefully. Instead, you’ll discover an immense interior cathedral, carved by the earth, not dwarves, full of rich colors and interesting geological patterns. 

What do you do on an island? You tell stories. What you do on Iceland, one of the world's most famous islands, the land of fire and ice? You tell stories, write books, influence the entire world with your landscape, culture, mythology, beliefs, and, of course, writing.

Whether you’re in Iceland on a short layover or for a longer visit, there’s much to see and do in this land of literature, the great outdoors (snorkeling in a tectonic rift!), and history.

Seeing the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) is an extraordinary thing – the sky crackles, with undulating swathes of color dancing across the sky. Where best to see it? Iceland, of course! With its wide open areas, lack of trees, low city lights, and plenty of room to view the sky, this is one of the best places on the planet to view the Northern Lights. If you’re a photographer (like me!), there are specific tips you’ll need to know, to ensure the best photos possible. 

Do you have a bucket list in your head (or on paper)? Things you’d like to see and do in this lifetime, like the Bucket List movie, which has inspired countless people to fulfill their dreams?

Iceland is an unusual place. Traveling here is an education in folklore, huldufólk, the uniqueness of living on a small island, and in the creativity that arises from living in such a stark landscape.

The sun was shining when I stopped my motorbike by an old tractor in rural Norway. 15 years earlier, I had worked on a machine just like it for my brother-in-law and I was looking forward to telling him about it at the kitchen table one evening in the future. At the same moment I remembered what I had seen and tried in Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France and England. My travelogue was getting too long for me to tell it over a single cup of tea.