Situated in the North Atlantic between Europe and North America lies a vast land of seemingly remote terrain just waiting to be explored. A landscape full of volcanos, geysers, waterfalls, and fascinating medieval history. That land is Iceland, commonly referred to as the 'Land of Fire & Ice'. With milder than expected winters due to the warming effect of the Atlantic Gulfstream and barely any darkness from sunset to sunrise in the summer, it's an immense terrain full of wonder and the ideal destination to ignite your student’s passion for travel!
Iceland is home to both the most active volcano region in the world and the largest glacier in Europe. While 11% of the country's surface is covered with glaciers, 30% is covered with lava fields. Iceland is a remarkable land where glaciers and volcanos live side by side; not many other places on earth offer such a sight, especially so close to North America.
Iceland's 10,000 plus waterfalls are as accessible as they are beautiful. Gullfoss is considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world and it's easy to see how it got its reputation. Gullfoss literally means 'golden falls' because of the glacial sediment in the water. This gives the water colour a golden hue in the sunlight.
Geysers are a rare phenomenon on Earth due to the precise conditions that are required for a geyser to form. There are only about 1000 active geysers worldwide. The Haukadalur geyser field is home to the "Great Geysir" which is where all other geysers get their name from. While the "Great Geysir" still erupts, but very rarely, the nearby Strokkur geyser erupts every 5-8 minutes to a height close to 100 feet in the air. It's quite a sight and something that shouldn't be missed!
Iceland is not your typical travel destination which is part of its charm. Full of incredibly unique landscapes, from volcanoes to glaciers it is a land with much to explore and the perfect destination to take your students on a journey of a lifetime!