Iceland

Iceland was on my bucket list for years, and I finally spent a week there with my friends David and Gabby. It suits anyone who wants big landscapes without a lot of planning stress: waterfalls, black sand, glaciers and hot water, all within reach of Reykjavík.

I went in summer, and June to August is when I'd go again. The days are mild and the light barely fades, so you can stay out late. We based ourselves in quiet Laugardalur, used buses and guided tours for the first days, and only picked up a rental car on day five.

If you copy my week, give one long day to the south coast (Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara and the Glacier Lagoon), one to a glacier hike and downtown, and one to Þingvellir, the geysers and volcano country. My tip: book the Blue Lagoon for the afternoon you land (is it worth it?). It sits between the airport and the city, and a long soak is the best way I know to shake off the flight.

Budgeting? See how much 5 days in Iceland costs.

Packing? Here’s what to pack for Iceland in summer, with a printable checklist.