When most people think of Europe, they picture cobblestone streets, café terraces, and museum-lined boulevards. And while that version of Europe absolutely has its place, there’s another side—one that’s wilder, more active, and just as refined.

Iceland has been a popular destination for the past few years and it’s easy to understand why - it’s relatively close to the US ( it’s less than a 6 hour flight from the East Coast) and easy to get to. You can find many airlines flying direct to Iceland and some travelers even opt to do a few day layover in Iceland before traveling on to Europe.