By Michael Abrahams

Iceland has been on my list for years, so I was thrilled when my family was as excited as I was to make this our next destination. I relish these shared experiences and appreciate that we all press pause on our busy schedules to travel together.

The earth is truly alive in the “land of fire and ice”—a perfect symphony of active volcanoes, vast lava fields, erupting geysers, steamy hot springs, thundering waterfalls, and iridescent glaciers. The elements dictated our agenda, so we prepared for all four seasons each day as we explored the perimeter of this island nation.

Our “super jeep” equipped with 4-foot-tall tires helped us access remote areas across lunar landscapes and sprawling river systems. Black sand and basalt sea stacks create a moody atmosphere, where glistening pieces of glacier ice sparkle along Diamond Beach. A true paradise for adventure junkies, options include ATV excursions, horseback riding, mountain biking, glacier walks through ice caves, surfing, and fly fishing.

Postcard-perfect fishing villages dot the coast and prove to be the best spots to stop for freshly caught seafood. We sampled cod, prawns, langoustine, and smoked salmon.

One of Iceland’s best-kept secrets is the Westman Islands. This small archipelago boasts dramatic vistas featuring jagged cliffs peppered with clownlike puffins and protected bays—a section of which serves as a Beluga Whale sanctuary.

Iceland was a place for many novel experiences. My highlights included witnessing the shapeshifting green ribbons of Northern Lights dance above us, losing count of double rainbows, kayaking past floating icebergs in glacier lagoons, spotting pods of Humpback Whales in the northern fjords, and soaking in geothermal hot springs.

Let TS show you how to do this surreal island nation justice.