It seems almost unimaginable that Iceland is merely a five-and-a-half hour direct flight from New Jersey. Who knew that a whole new world could be as far away as it takes for you to watch a few episodes of your favorite series? The people of New Jersey could have their coffee in the morning and their dinner in the Scandinavian gem of Iceland. Let’s take a look at all the incredible and unique activities you can expect to experience on your trip the land of fire and ice.

Getting to Know Scandinavia

While Scandinavia does sound like its own country, that’s not actually the case. Rather, it’s a subregion of Northern Europe, with strong historical, cultural and linguistic ties between its constituent peoples, namely those of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. These five European countries form a group that has affinities with one another, and the region is sometimes also referred to as the Scandinavian Peninsula. People from New Jersey will be delighted to hear that it’s a relatively cheap and short haul flight. Before you go, it’s never a bad idea to read up on the history and know a little bit about the culture as well as the currency used there. Iceland has a unique way of living, primarily because of its weather conditions, reaching a record high of 22 degrees Celsius in the peak summer time. Yes, you heard that right. Be sure to get suitable clothing because you’ll need it on all your amazing travel adventures.

What You Simply Have to See When in Iceland

So, Iceland is definitely known for its outdoor spectacles. Nature, including simple things like going for a walk, is known to heal the souls of people, almost like pressing a reboot or restart button on one’s life. And that is amplified if the place you have chosen to hike on has a history dating back hundreds and hundreds of years. The history that you are literally walking over during a Meradalir Volcano Day Trip may give you a new perspective and some insight. Put your phone away, breathe in the fresh, crisp air and let your imagination and passion run wild in the great outdoors that is Iceland.

Scandinavian tour & activities offered here are what dreams are made of. Picture the contrast of black sandy beaches against crystal-clear waters and floating icebergs that decorate the landscape while you enjoy a trip to the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. This is a spectacular area that includes Diamond Beach located near the Glacier Lagoon, receiving its name thanks to the floating icebergs that look like giant diamonds. The next stop is Stjórnarfoss Waterfall located near the town of Kirkjubaejarklaustur, featuring two waterfalls of about 15 meters that spring from the mossy cliffs. While the outdoor sights are worth their weight in gold, a common question does arise as to whether there are indoor activities as well, specifically whether there are casinos in Iceland. And the answer is yes! For those days where you just want to stay inside, visit https://spilaviti.com/
to find the best online games and casinos. There are also casino resorts and other indoor spaces to visit.

Staying Safe in Iceland

For the fact that Iceland, and Reykjavik in particular, is so cold, the people of Iceland sure do love to be outdoors. Perhaps they’ve gotten used to the weather or maybe the sights are that spectacular, well worth being dressed head to toe in insulating gear. What’s also paramount to note about Iceland is the safety it offers everyone, but especially female solo travelers. Iceland is among the cleanest, greenest and safest countries in the world, giving solo travelers the ideal space to explore, either on their own or by taking advantage of one of the many interesting tours on offer. Feel free to join a Humpback and Minke whale watching tour to Faxaflói Bay from Reykjavík, or partake in a 1-day Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik, where a local guide will accompany you to the stunning Gullfoss Waterfall, the incredible Geysir and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Thingvellir National Park. Iceland, and Scandinavia as a whole, has places and things to see that only nature can provide, no man-made structure will ever be as breathtaking as the natural beauty of this northern part of the world.

What Makes Iceland so Unique

You don’t have to be an avid traveler to know about the Northern Lights, simply open a book or magazine and you’ll find something incredible written about them. The Northern Lights most commonly occur within the geographic area beneath the auroral oval, and Iceland is not the only country lucky enough to witness this spectacle; other countries include northern parts of Sweden, Finland, Norway, Russia, Canada and Alaska as well as southern Greenland. However, Reykjavík—because of its northern location—is said to be the ideal place to see the Northern Lights.

It’s quite a challenge to explain Iceland to people who have not visited yet, simply because of its unqiue features and characteristics. Scandinavian countries are known for their fantastic public transport, good food and exceptional level of hospitality and safety, with Iceland, Sweden and Denmark being at the top of the safety-conscious list. And it doesn’t hurt that getting to Iceland from New Jersey takes less than six hours. What are you waiting for? Book the ticket and take the trip!