Access + Resources

ICELAND
GETTING THERE: Icelandair departs from New York, Boston, Minneapolis–St. Paul, and Orlando (midsummer fares from $900; icelandair.com). WHEN TO GO: Summer. WHAT TO DO & WHERE TO STAY: From Reykjavík, the daylong Golden Circle tour visits the two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall and the faithful Strokkur geyser ($110; icelandexcursions.is). In the summer, Icelandic Mountain Guides (mountainguide.is) offers day trips up Iceland's highest peak, 6,952-foot Hvannadalshnúkur, on the Vatnajökull glacier ($235); in the spring, there's a nine-day, 85-mile ski-camping trip (April 19–27, $2,070). The chic, boutique 101 Hotel lies in the heart of Reykjavík (doubles from $500; 101hotel.is), and coffeehouse/nightclub Kaffibarinn (011-354-551-1588) spins underground house music until "dawn." In the Westman Islands, Viking Tours offers half-day floats to the uninhabited isle of Surtsey ($100; vikingtours.is), home to some two million puffins; you'll likely see humpback and minke whales and orcas on the way. Try the little Hótel Thórshamar, with sauna, Jacuzzi, and free Wi-Fi and breakfast (doubles from $225; hotelvestmannaeyjar.is). GETTING AROUND: The 830-mile Ring Road is paved, but many interior roads require a 4x4 (Berg Car Rental, from $360 per week; bergcar.is). Sticking to the Ring Road? You can take the bus (round-trip passes, $380; www.trex.is).

GREENLAND
GETTING THERE: In the summer, Air Greenland offers a nonstop to Kangerlussuaq out of Baltimore/Washington International (from $1,100; airgreenland.com). WHEN TO GO: Summer. WHAT TO DO & WHERE TO STAY: In the Arctic Circle, Kangerlussuaq Tourism offers half- and multiday safaris in search of musk ox, reindeer, and arctic fox (from $110; kangtour.gl). Crash at Hotel Kangerlussuaq (doubles from $255; airporthotels.gl). In the summer, Worldwide Paddling Adventures offers 15-day kayak trips through the gorgeous fjords of Uummannaq (from $3,400; worldwidepaddlingadventures.com). In the capital of Nuuk, the Hotel Hans Egede is centrally located, near the harbor (doubles from $325; www.hhe.gl). GETTING AROUND: Air Greenland flies to 24 domestic locations. Car rental is spotty, so be prepared to seek alternate transportation.