Things to Do in Iceland: Highlights of Vatnajökull National Park
When it comes to things to do in Iceland, Vatnajökull National Park should be at the very top of everyone’s list. Covering 13% of Iceland’s surface, this is the largest national park in Western Europe, and has a range of outstanding natural wonders which truly capture the interplay between fire and ice.
In this region white glaciers descend to black sands, hot streams erupt from frozen banks of ice, and the park is home to Iceland’s highest mountain, (Hvannadalshnúkur), largest glacier (Vatnajökull), and Europe’s most powerful waterfall (Dettifoss).
The following are the highlights of Vatnajökull National Park. Most sections of the park are completely inaccessible in winter, closed due to bad weather or lack of transportation. Plan for a trip between July and August to have more options and access to locations throughout the park.
read moreOvernight Sleepover at Australia’s National Zoo: Jamala Wildlife Lodge Accommodation Review
My 6am alarm hadn’t yet sounded, though I woke quite abruptly. I could have sworn I was woken by the intense sound of a lion roar. Though that was surely a ridiculous concept. I wasn’t in Africa – I was in a luxury four poster canopy bed in Australia’s national capitol. It must have been a vivid dream.
Though as I began to doze off again I suddenly had the feeling we were being watched. And as I pulled back the curtains I was stunned by what I saw. We were in fact being watched. There was a Giraffe peering in from outside our room.
If you’ve ever dreamed of an intimate experience with African animals, Australia has the lodge for you. While there are a number of zoos that offer overnight sleepovers, Jamala Wildlife Lodge takes the concept to a completely different level.
read moreProposal Destinations for Adventurous Couples
What comes to mind when you think of the perfect wedding proposal? For many couples a romantic wedding proposal includes dinner with a view, a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne and a classic engagement ring from Vashi. But that’s not for everyone!
Some couples prefer to live on the edge, so if you and your significant other are adrenaline seekers, here are 5 alternative adventurous proposal destinations.
read moreMy Sydney Skydive Adventure
We were on a spectacular scenic flight over Australia’s South East Coast, with breathtaking views over the Blue Mountains, Wollongong beach, and Sydney’s iconic skyline which stretched out in the distance. Though it was difficult to enjoy the view with a stomach full of nerves. Difficult to fully appreciate the scenery outside when we knew we were about to become part of it.
Because this wasn’t your average scenic flight. 7 of us were seated on top of each other in a tiny prop plane, each strapped to a beautiful stranger, and as soon as the plane hit 14,000 feet we would be taking the quickest route back down to the ground. Free falling at 200 kph after having jumped from a perfectly good plane.
The air rushes into your face and your heart starts racing. As the adrenalin rush kicks in, you feel like you’re floating on a cushion of air. The silence is amazing, the view is sensational, and as the initial shock of the free fall quickly wears off your fear disappears, replaced with an intense and exhilarating thrill of soaring through the air. This is sky diving.
read moreInside Lascaux Cave France: Ice Age Caves Very Few Can See Today
Following a few unsuccessful attempts to visit the cave of Lascaux, I am at last getting my 40 minutes of Ice Age glory. After all, Lascaux is to art what La Scala is to opera, or Glastonbury to summer music festivals.
Our group of five is met at an ordinary looking gate on the edge of a hill-side car-park, just outside the town of Montignac in the south west of France. We are led in silence to what seems like a top security portal to some underground WW2 bunker. A couple is holding hands, they look at each other and exchange an excited giggle.
Otherwise, the aura of reverence that surrounds our group is so obviously at odds with the decidedly unremarkable entrance we are looking at. I try to imagine the thousands of visitors that once flocked to this very spot since the cave was discovered in September 1940. The same people who came to marvel were the ones who inadvertently were responsible for the destruction of the prehistoric images. And so in 1963 access to the cave was restricted to only a handful of visitors each week, with only a short time inside the cave itself.
Today we are that handful, this is our week.
read moreBecome a True Viking on Iceland’s Laugavegur Trail Hike
Iceland is known as the land of fire and ice, where turbulent volcanic forces meet the icy touch of the Arctic to shape an island that is as desolate as it is beautiful. Blasted tundra, glistening glaciers and pounding waterfalls are among the many wonders vying for space in the Icelandic wilderness, and the best way to explore the extremes of this spellbinding country is to take a long walk into its heart, on the famous Laugavegur trail.
Stretching 55km from Landmannalaugar to Thórsmörk, the Laugavegur trail is the country’s most well-known hiking route. The four-day trek takes you past colourful mountains, warming hot-springs and steep ravines as you wind your way through the landscape of South-East Iceland.
If you are looking to test yourself physically, as well as rewarding yourself with moments of wonder, then Iceland’s Laugavegur is the trek for you.
read moreCanoeing Around the Islands of Phang Nga Bay Thailand
Phang Nga Bay, off the east coast of Phuket Island is definitely one of the most beautiful parts of Thailand. That means there are plenty of tour operators and options for departure points.
We boarded our ship in the village of Ao Por at the far north east of Phuket Island. It was a pretty little village in its own right, complete with traditional fishing boats, and that gorgeous aquamarine water.
The trip out to our canoeing destination was about an hour by boat, but what a trip! Glorious scenery, stunning rock formations and that pretty sea. I wasn’t really sure how canoeing could improve our experience. But I was willing to give it a try!
read moreThe Land of Fire and Ice: Iceland’s Top Volcanoes For Your European Bucketlist
Iceland is a country full of natural wonders, and it is difficult to remain unmoved by the amazing diversity of it’s landscape. Though contrary to popular belief, Iceland is not an island which is covered completely in ice.
Iceland is a stunning playground with everything from majestic glaciers, cracked lava fields, gushing geysers, vibrant green fjords and geothermal lagoons. Also, due to its location between two tectonic plates that are spreading apart in the mid-Atlantic range, the country has a high concentration of active volcanoes; one of the highest in the world.
In fact, Iceland has 30 active volcano systems, 13 of which have erupted since Vikings settled here in the 9th century AD. While the country tends to see an eruption on average every 5 years, most recently have proved to be harmless, seeing thousands of tourists hiking, biking or driving closer to the craters to witness nature put on a spectacular show.
The following is an Iceland guide to the country’s top 10 volcanoes for your European Bucketlist.
read more5 Epic Outdoor Adventures in Belize
Belize has a way of bringing out the best parts of you. You morph into “the you” you’ve always imagined yourself to be. The most adventurous you. The daredevil version of you.
Mountainous jungles bring out the hiker in you, and the inner zipliner. There are reefs for your inner snorkeler and diver. Ancient Mayan Ruins and Caves for your inner explorer. Waterfalls for your inner rappeller. And, at the end of each day’s adventures, Rhum Bars on the beach will definitely bring you out to kick back in a beach hammock and end the day with a delicious pina colada.
Whatever your taste in recreation – or perhaps just relaxation? Belize is a paradise for all your needs, so, we guarantee there will be something for you to do – or not do…. Active travelers rejoice!
I’ve put together 5 of the most epic outdoor adventures being offered in Belize. An because you definitely need a decent outpost for exploring, I’ve also recommended some fantastic accommodations at the end.
read moreWhy You Should Drop What You’re Doing and Travel to Laos Right Now
Getting ready to backpack through South East Asia we anticipated visiting idyllic islands and traveling to hotspots like Angkor Wat, Chiang Mai, and Halong Bay. We would be visiting ancient temples, witnessing the sunrise over UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and losing ourselves in fairytale landscapes and fascinating histories.
Though of all of the truly wonderful destinations in South East Asia, and we did find a special place in our hearts for each country we visited, when it came to Laos, something unexpected happened. We both fell head over heels in love.
Maybe we favor Laos because we had no expectations for the country. Like most backpackers, we viewed Laos as a place to visit after our visas expired. A stepping stone to the next country. Though Laos proved quite quickly to be a worthy destination in it’s own right; a country which combines some of the best elements of Southeast Asia in one bite-sized destination.
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