Stuðlagil Canyon has soared in popularity for its towering basalt columns with blue water that is reminiscent of a Cool Blue Gatorade. Located in Eastern Iceland, this spectacle was unearthed when the dam Kárahnjúkavirkjun was created in 2009, lowering the river water to reveal the columns.

A 3 hour drive from Reykjavik, Landmannalaugar, in Iceland’s highlands, is considered one of the best hiking spots in the country, and I could argue in the world!

The mountains in Landmannalaugar are colorful with rhyolite, with hues of red, green and blue amongst the sand colored mountains due to the high silica content being mixed with other minerals. It is also the trailhead for the famous Laugavegur trail.

One of Iceland’s best hiking trails, the Fimmvörðuháls is around 16 miles long and can be completed in one day or broken up into two days with an overnight at the Baldvínskáli Hut (on the main trail), or the Fimmvörðuskáli Hut (off of the main trail). Hikers can hike south to north (Skógar to Þórsmörk) or north to south- though hiking south to north requires less uphill hiking.

So, you might be wondering- how do you plan a trip abroad with that short of notice? The trick is, you don’t.

Well you do, but only a little bit.