Iceland: The Ultimate Coolcation

Is Iceland the ultimate coolcation? We think so, and here is why.

ICELAND: THE ULTIMATE COOLCATION

Things are heating up and this summer looks no different. It seems that while we once used our summer vacations to run towards the sun, we are now looking to run away from it.

As barometers were exploding all over Europe, one location remained pretty much untouched by the heatwaves over the last few years.

ICELAND IN THE SUMMERTIME

Iceland's peak season is summer which is from June to end of September. The main reason why people come to this Arctic island during these months is because of long, summer days. In fact, in June there is a period where the sun does not set at all and you can experience the midnight sun. Even when the sun does set, the days are still very long and filled with seemingly endless possibilities.

Iceland has always been an adventurer and nature lover's paradise. Summer brings a burst of life and colour, and it becomes an all-access destination when the highland roads and mountain paths open up for road trips and hiking.

Not only this, but one can choose from a long list of activities. In Iceland, the question is not what can you do, but what can't you do? From hiking, glacier-walking, ice-climbing, snowmobiling, horse riding, fishing, quad biking, kayaking, lava caving, helicopter trips and much more. The list is endless and grows with each year.

Even if you are not into anything that is too adrenaline-heavy or intensive, Iceland is, and always has been, a wellness sanctuary. Natural, geothermal hot springs create thermal rivers and hidden pools, with many geothermal resorts still creating the experience in sync and harmony with the natural surroundings.

Many hotels, guesthouses, villas and lodges also have outdoor, geothermal hot tubs to relax under the Arctic sky with a glass of something cold in your hand but a warmth in your very being.

ICELAND'S SUMMER WEATHER

Even though Iceland's weather is very unpredictable, it has considerable appeal especially as a the ultimate coolcation destination.

Visitors know that they can't necessarily expect the heat of Southern Europe, but the summer sun in Iceland is a welcome visitor after a long, dark winter and completely changes the mood and the pace of life. It offers a most pleasant alternative to the increasingly difficult temperatures elsewhere, and the secret is now getting out.

However, as summer in Iceland is extremely popular, this does mean that accommodation can book up early and we do recommend that you plan ahead as much as possible to secure the best accommodation. Last-minute trips are always possible, but booking ahead is always the best idea to avoid disappointment.

If you do book ahead and your trip is all sorted, then the Icelandic summer is there to be enjoyed. The capital city of Reykjavík also buzzes with life as the locals take many well-earned opportunities to enjoy the city's many bars and cafés.

The locals know the summer does not last all that long, and so they take full advantage. Grilling on their balconies, gathering in Austurvöllur square, packing up and heading to their summer houses or camping around the ring road. Icelanders know how to enjoy these precious months and the summer atmosphere is really quite special.

The mountains are also calling the intrepid during this time. Take one of many countless day hikes near the city or the pass between the glaciers of Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull and down into the glacier valley of Þórsmörk. You can also head out on multi-day trek through the pastel-coloured rhyolite mountains of the highlands and a land that feels where giants and trolls truly to dwell.

Driving with your private guide, listening to their stories as you journey across Iceland's black deserts and alien-like landscapes is a truly special experience that you just do not find anywhere else. Summer is the time where the island becomes one gigantic adventure playground.

IS ICELAND THE ULTIMATE COOLCATION?

When it's just too hot to go to the beach, we offer you the glaciers, the silence and the (mostly) gentle, Arctic winds. When it's just too hot to be in the cities of Italy or Spain or the resorts of the Maldives, we offer you the calming sights, sounds and smells of the Icelandic countryside.

ILE can create the perfect summer itinerary for your clients, as well as any time of year, but summer is the most popular time of year in Iceland by far and for many good reasons. Iceland offers a very tempting alternative with much milder weather, the unique Icelandic summer atmosphere, more activities than you can shake a stick at and a wellness paradise to shut out the noise.

Iceland has always been a cool place to visit, and not only is Iceland arguably the 'hottest' winter destination in Europe, it is quite literally one of the coolest destinations in Europe for a summer getaway - and a bit of relief. This is why we feel that Iceland deserves to establish a reputation as being the ultimate coolcation destination.