Why you'll love it
Summer in Iceland means longer hours to revel in its scenic wonders. "There are very few hours of darkness, and darkness is more like dusk," says travel agent Tor Jensen of Jensen World Travel. Take jaunts outside Reykjavík to tour active geysers, admire the Gullfoss waterfall, and soak in the Blue Lagoon, a naturally occurring geothermal spa. Closer to the city, you can go white-water rafting or horseback riding. Visit in August, and you can catch the flight of the puffins when they leave their nests.
Why it's a deal
You can get a Scandinavian experience for a lot less than you'd pay for travel to, say, Norway or Sweden, because Iceland is much closer to the states. More nonstop flights and routes from the U.S. have been added recently, lowering fares. Plus, as a result of Iceland's 2008 banking crisis, the krona has lost more than half its value against the U.S. dollar ($1 buys around 180 kronur), so you now get more for your money.
Where to stay
The four-star
