Iceland had the world´s first female president and also the first openly gay head of government. It was the first country to legalize abortion and the ninth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage with no members of Parliament voting against it. And it has been voted the best country in the world for gender equality. This is also a country where a vast part of the population believe in the existence of elves. If you want to visit a country where diversity is represented on a different level, go to The Land of Fire and Ice. 

The one thing you don´t wanna do when you´re in Iceland is upset an elf. And since so many of the people there believe in the presence of elves, or hidden people, the government take this into consideration when changing the infrastructure. As late as in 2013, road construction was stopped because people protested against damaging the rocks where they believe the elves live.  

These rock formations are part of a landscape that has inspired legends. A landscape with rugged cliffs, black sand, waterfalls and green moss-covered lava fields. Not to mention the geothermic hot pools. The Blue Lagoon is the famous one, but there are far more impressive ones in the countryside.

This magical countryside is also perfect for riding horses and although Icelandic horses are smaller, they supposedly has an extra gear. Go horseback riding down The Black Lava Pearl Beach while gazing a sea packed with orcas, dolphins, sperm whales, blue whales, minke whales and humpback whales. Plan your trip between April-October and the local tour operators will give you a whale watching guarantee. 

The Midnight Sun during summer makes it easy to jam your weekend full of everything you don´t wanna miss out on. But the sun never setting can take some time getting used to. 

If you prefer wintertime, you will get a chance to see the Northern Lights. Go on a light-spotting tour with a guide. Or book an overnight stay on a remote location, sit back in a steamy outdoor tub with a warm drink and just enjoy the view. 

After exploring the island by car, bicycle, foot, boat, horse or whatever you prefer, don´t leave before spending a couple of days in Reykjavik. Dine on puffin burgers and fermented shark, stock up on knitted wool jumpers (they are in just about every store) or visit the penis museum. And since the Icelandic language has barely been influenced by other languages, what you´ll overhear locals speaking is actual Viking tongue. How cool is that?