The UK government has passed a new law which aims to protect animals used in tourism.
18.09.2023 - 10:31 / nationalgeographic.com
A moonscape of volcanic craters, lava fields and belching thermal pools, northern Iceland is as starkly elemental as the country gets. The region has remained little known to UK visitors, partly due to its remoteness — until now, reaching it usually meant a five-hour drive from the capital Reykjavík or a 40-minute connecting flight. This stretch of the country’s wild coast is coming into the limelight this autumn thanks to scheduled direct flights with EasyJet, set to take off on 31 October.
Operating on Tuesdays and Saturdays, the long-awaited service will link Gatwick to Iceland’s second city of Akureyri in two and a half hours, bringing visitors to the doorstep of Laufás’s turf-roofed houses and the edge of the mighty waterfall of Goðafoss. Tour operator Discover the World has also introduced an Adventure in North Iceland tour — a four-night, self-drive trip that includes volcanic Lake Myvatn and the colourful fishing village of Siglufjörður.
1. Forest bathing
The Forest Lagoon gave northern Iceland a destination spa when it opened last year in Vaðlaskógur. All natural wood and ancient basalt, the complex is surrounded by birch and pine trees — an exciting location for a country where woodland is rare to come by. Soak in the infinity pool, which sources geothermal water from nearby mountains and overlooks the Eyjafjörður, one of the country’s longest fjords.
2. Activities in the wild
Adventure seekers have long gravitated to northern Iceland’s wild landscapes, and recent openings provide more thrills. Localtours ATV Iceland offers excursions in all-terrain vehicles around the north of Vatnajökull National Park, from birdwatching tours to seal-spotting trips. Or opt for a zip-line experience in Akureyri, with five runs whizzing across Glerárgil canyon.
3. Destination Hotels
Hotel Blönduós — in the town of the same name — marked its 80th anniversary this year with a facelift. One of Iceland’s oldest lodges, its rooms now sport rich colours, and there’s a suite in a former church next door. Looking ahead to 2024, Höfði Lodge is set to open on the cliffs of the Eyjafjörður. With a rooftop bar, spa and heliskiing, it promises to become northern Iceland’s first luxury hotel.
The UK government has passed a new law which aims to protect animals used in tourism.
Meta’s WhatsApp will be introducing a new service called Flows aimed at businesses worldwide for creating personalized experiences directly within chat threads.
With over 700,000 visitors every year, Iceland's Blue Lagoon is one of the country's most recognizable and iconic attractions.
You can listen to our podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify each week. Follow this link if you're listening on Apple News.
The best way to visit New York City and Boston is through a unique experience designed for luxury travelers. The Mandarin Oriental is offering a 75-minute seaplane shuttle for two as part of a four-night package split between its properties in the two cities. It’s the ideal vacation for anyone who can afford one of the best view suites in each city, is eager to bypass the hassle of entering and exiting a major airport, and is up for the adventure of taking off and landing in the water while enjoying magnificent airplane views in between.
Editor's note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
Like the slow twirl of a winged seed falling from a maple tree, autumn camping can be a remarkable thing: sharp, bright mornings around the embers of the campfire and crisp nights spent stargazing. Autumn is a time to notice the plump berries that grow on the bushes and the swallows that swoop overhead before making their way to warmer climes. As more campsites stay open past summer — legislation passed in July 2023 allows landowners to operate pop-up campsites for 60 days, rather than the previous 28 — autumn presents ample opportunity to immerse yourself in the golds, coppers and bronzes of the new season. Here's all you need to know to plan a prime UK autumn camping trip.
At 18 years old, I moved to Madrid, Spain, to become an au pair for the summer.
For my first-ever trip to Iceland, I decided to fly the country's flagship airline, Icelandair.
Rabbi Avraham Feldman stands in front of an erupting volcano, reciting a blessing.
Thanks to Hyatt's newest Bonus Journeys promotion, World of Hyatt members can earn 3,000 bonus points for every three eligible nights on select stays at more than 1,250 Hyatt hotels and resorts from Oct. 6-Nov. 30.
Ultra-cheap flights could be banned in Europe if a forthcoming proposal is approved by the EU: Officials in France want to set a price minimum on airfares across Europe to help reduce carbon emissions.