Reykjavik is Europe’s most northern capital and a delight to visit. Modern public buildings of steel and glass contrast with the preserved colorful wooden houses of the old quarter. However, it is outside of Reykjavik that the rugged beauty of the country reveals itself. The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa where the mineral-rich water is believed to have therapeutic benefits. The Golden Circle route takes you to Thingvellir National Park – the site of Iceland’s first parliament, dating back to 930 AD, and the only place to view the deep fissures created by tectonic plates slowly splitting apart. There are many spectacular geysers, glaciers and waterfalls to photograph.