Iceland & Scoresbysund

Reykjavik, the world's northernmost capital, distils the entire improbable beauty of Iceland into one compact, creatively charged city. The soaring basalt columns of Hallgrímskirkja dominate a skyline of primary-coloured rooftops, while the Harpa Concert Hall shimmers beside the harbour like a captured aurora. Day trips from the city unlock the Golden Circle's geysers and Geysir hot spring, the black sand beaches of Vík, and the ethereal glacier lagoon at Jökulsárlón. Geothermal pools — from the legendary Blue Lagoon to intimate neighbourhood hot pots — offer warmth year-round. June and July bring the bewitching midnight sun.

Grundarfjörður is a fishing town at the base of Kirkjufell, Iceland's most photographed mountain, and the gateway to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula—dubbed "Iceland in miniature" for its concentrated geological diversity. Must-dos include photographing Kirkjufell with its companion waterfall and exploring Snæfellsjökull, the glacier volcano from Jules Verne's novel. June and July offer midnight sun and the most reliable weather for peninsula exploration.

Patreksfjörður is a fishing town in Iceland's remote Westfjords, gateway to Látrabjarg — Europe's westernmost point and home to millions of nesting seabirds including famously approachable puffins — and the surreal beauty of Rauðisandur beach. Must-do experiences include the Látrabjarg cliff walk among puffins, contemplating the vast red sands of Rauðisandur, and soaking in the town's geothermal pool. June through August offers continuous daylight and peak seabird activity.

Dynjandi is the Westfjords' most spectacular waterfall — a 100-meter bridal-veil cascade above a staircase of six smaller falls in a setting of extraordinary fjord scenery. Visitors should hike the wildflower-lined trail to the base of the main cascade, and explore the surrounding Arnarfjordur region with its traditional fishing villages. July and August offer the most reliable weather, though waterproof gear is essential in any season.

Sauðárkrókur is the heart of Iceland's premier horse-breeding district in the fertile Skagafjörður valley, where turf farmsteads, saga history, and world-class lamb create a deeply authentic northern Iceland experience. Must-dos include riding the five-gaited Icelandic horse through the valley, visiting the Glaumbær turf farm museum, and tasting Skagafjörður lamb and skyr. Visit June to August for midnight sun and the best riding conditions.

Ittoqqortoormiit is one of Earth's most isolated settlements, a 350-person Inuit community at the mouth of the world's longest fjord system on Greenland's remote east coast. Must-dos include Zodiac exploration of the monumental Scoresby Sund fjords, watching for musk oxen on the tundra, and visiting the colorful Arctic community. Mid-July through September offers the narrow window when sea ice permits access.

Ittoqqortoormiit is one of Earth's most isolated settlements, a 350-person Inuit community at the mouth of the world's longest fjord system on Greenland's remote east coast. Must-dos include Zodiac exploration of the monumental Scoresby Sund fjords, watching for musk oxen on the tundra, and visiting the colorful Arctic community. Mid-July through September offers the narrow window when sea ice permits access.

Heimaey is Iceland's volcanic island where the dramatic 1973 eruption story, the world's largest puffin colony of one million breeding pairs, and the children's annual puffling rescue create one of the North Atlantic's most extraordinary port experiences. Visit May through August via Lindblad or Windstar for Eldfell volcano hikes, the Eldheimar Museum's excavated homes, and the harbor approach through a channel literally reshaped by eruption.

Reykjavik, the world's northernmost capital, distils the entire improbable beauty of Iceland into one compact, creatively charged city. The soaring basalt columns of Hallgrímskirkja dominate a skyline of primary-coloured rooftops, while the Harpa Concert Hall shimmers beside the harbour like a captured aurora. Day trips from the city unlock the Golden Circle's geysers and Geysir hot spring, the black sand beaches of Vík, and the ethereal glacier lagoon at Jökulsárlón. Geothermal pools — from the legendary Blue Lagoon to intimate neighbourhood hot pots — offer warmth year-round. June and July bring the bewitching midnight sun.