Tag: nature

Haleakalā Crater

Hawaii | Maui | United States

Get up very early to drive to the top of Haleakalā and see the sunrise and take in the gorgeous views, drive up a little later in the day for just the views, or come at night for stargazing.

Goðafoss

Iceland | North Iceland

On the way between Laugar and Akureyri, this is a beautiful horseshoe-shaped waterfall in north Iceland. It's also where Christianity became Iceland's official religion (pick up a guide book to learn more). Walk the paths to check out the various viewpoints.

Krafla Volcano

Iceland | North Iceland

Krafla volcano is a mountain in north Iceland which has been intermittently errupting for the past 3,000 years. The Viti crater is filled with a beautiful, clear lake. You can drive there to check out the lake, and there's a hiking trail around the crater if you want even more scenic views.

Námafjall Hverir Viewpoint

Iceland | North Iceland

Hverir is a large geothermal area near Myvatn. A wasteland full of pools of boiling water and mud and smoking fumaroles, it's surrounded by red soil. It also has a heavy scent of sulphur, but gives a decent understanding of what powers the whole country: geothermal energy from volcanoes and springs. Evidently, it's the closest you can get to the feel of Mars on Earth.

Gullfoss

Iceland | Reykjavik

Seen on a tour of the Golden Circle, this massive two-stage waterfall plunges dramatically into a steep gorge. Walk along an easy pathway to see multiple vantage points.

Geysir

Iceland | Reykjavik

Visit this site of the original geyser, accounts of which date to 1294. Geysir is rarely active, but Strokkur, a nearby geyser, erupts with a 30 meter spout every five to ten minutes.