Which country offers 15 active volcanoes, 800 hot springs, 4,500 square miles of glaciers, and more than 10,000 waterfalls? Unspoiled Iceland! There are few countries in Europe-or around the globe-that rival Iceland's natural riches. In addition to its natural beauty is a lively arts scene in the capital city of Reykjavik, where fun in the midnight sun continues throughout the summer. Iceland knows how to work hard, play hard, and then relax away all that stress away in a thermal pool.

Outdoor Fun
One of the most important reasons to visit Iceland is to enjoy the natural beauty that graces the country. There are plenty of outdoor pursuits to keep travelers (and natives) busy any time of the year. Among them are:

* Golfing - There are some 50 golf courses in some of the most dramatic settings you can imagine. With long nights during summer, there's plenty of opportunity to sneak in a game of midnight golf.

* Bird Watching - There are lots of great locations for bird watching throughout the country. Visit Latrabarg in the Westfjords for the largest bird cliff in the world. To enjoy a puffin colony, head for the Westermann Islands.

* Whale Watching - Regular whale cruising is a popular pastime for travelers, and for good reason. Most boats guarantee a 95 percent success rate for spotting these mammals.

* Outdoor Swimming - Perhaps the most popular sport in Iceland is swimming. With countless geothermal pools and lagoons dotted throughout the country, no matter the time of year, it's always a great time to swim.

Sightseeing in the Great Outdoors
Enjoying the landscape of Iceland is easy. The most popular tourist road is the "Golden Circle," a circular route around the island that takes in Iceland's beauty and provides easy access to some of the country's most outstanding scenic locations. Visitors should keep their eyes open for the following high points:

* Gullfoss - This is one spot to drag out the camera, where you take in the most powerful waterfall in all of Europe. It's breathtaking.

* Thingvellir National Park - Centered over tectonic plates provides this park with a unique location, even for Iceland.

* Lake Myvatn - This volcanic area is one of the most active in the country and an area of stunning beauty.

* Landmannalauger - Travelers can indulge in the hot springs that abound here. The area is also known for its beautiful colors.

* Port of Hofn - Trips to Vatnajoull Glacier depart from this location, as do many whale watching boating

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