Currently, the world seems to have been put on pause due to the coronavirus. We bet that most of us await better times when we can resume our lives and do what we enjoy most, travel, explore cultures and meet interesting people across the globe.

Right now, we are all 'desktrotters'

This also means we are desktrotters today instead of globetrotters. We sit in front of the computer daydreaming about places we haven‘t been to and the people we want to travel with. We usually share common dreams and desires, one of which is to visit the places in our dreams before it is too late – the so-called bucket list. But we also tend to put off what we really want to do. Perhaps these things will change as we realise that life is now and we never know when things change so we might as well seize the day and start planning.

Celebrating life and the fact that you are travelling in Iceland

Iceland is your dream destination

Iceland is one of the bucket list countries. Isolated, serene, rough, uncut, refreshing and sometimes out of this world even though it is one of the most accessible countries for people from the United States or Europe. Iceland is accessible because the flights are short and abundant under normal circumstances, but Iceland's nature is also accessible because it only takes an hour’s drive from the Keflavik-Reykjavik Airport to reach the wild nature of Iceland. From there on most destinations are only a road trip away and adventures and unearthly natural phenomena are around every bend.

An Iceland bucket list adventure

But what should a bucket list trip to Iceland involve? Let’s say you have ten days to make the perfect trip that needs to include at least black beaches, waterfalls, geysers, hot springs, highlands, famous film locations, whale watching and lava fields. You can do one of the various known road trips such as the Ring Road which is 1322 KM (826 Miles), The Diamond Circle in the North of Iceland of 266 KM (166 Miles), Vestfjarðaleiðin or the Westfjords Way of 950 KM (594 Miles), Snæfellsnes Peninsula of around 475 KM (297 Miles), Reykjanes Peninsula of 210 KM (131 Miles) and the Arctic Coastway of 900 KM (560 Miles). Not all of these routes have glaciers and waterfalls, but they all have their own specific appeal.

One of the world’s least populated countries

Iceland is one of the least populated countries in the world and the capital has only about 228 thousand inhabitants. The rest of the population of about 350 thousand people dispersed over an area about the size of the state of Kentucky or roughly twice the size of Denmark. So there are plenty of areas where you can enjoy seclusion and tranquillity.

Depending on the time of year you decide to visit you can choose from various different modes of transport to make the most of your journey. Can you imagine going on a long tour in the saddle and enjoying the famous different gaits of the Icelandic horse? Just don’t call it a pony!

If that does not tickle your fancy you could choose the famous super jeeps instead, rental car, motorcycle, bicycle, snowmobile or simply hike as has become highly popular in the highlands.

Hiking in the colourful hills in Landmannalaugar, one of the most popular hiking trails in Iceland

No dangerous animals, but be prepared for the weather!

During this time and age, we are all aware of our safety but Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world, if not simply the safest as it has held the top position since 2008. There is only one thing you need to take seriously in Iceland to ensure your own safety and that is nature.

The weather is wild and so is the nature. Strong winds, water in its various different forms is all-enveloping, the strong Atlantic Ocean is all around as Iceland is also an island. Then you have hot water and geysers and sometimes extreme cold. Just be prepared for the season you arrive in and know what to wear on a trip to Iceland. Apart from that there are no dangerous animals, insects or plants. The police are unarmed as the crime rate is really low and there is almost no organised crime. You should feel safe and perhaps you will experience a new dimension in personal freedom when you feel this safe? Who knows…

Adventure awaits

So, there perhaps isn’t a better way to start travelling after the international shut down due to COVID-19 than to go somewhere safe, somewhere a little isolated and sparsely populated – like Iceland. You can even book now without any worries as Hey Iceland is the expert in rural travel and farm holidays in Iceland and the booking conditions are really flexible.