Reykjavik

Iceland is at its best in winter, when the alien-looking landscape is covered in blue ice as far as the eye can see. The land of the eternal glaciers, Iceland offers the kind of adventures you can't find anywhere else in Europe. And Reykjavik is one of the best winter vacations in Europe. Every February, Reykjavik holds the Winter Lights Festival, which showcases light installations and plenty of outdoor activities to celebrate the last month of winter and the upcoming lighter days.

If you're looking to warm up, Iceland is also famous for its many geothermal pools, where you can soak in steaming hot water under the icy midnight sky. Reykjavik is also the perfect starting point for adventures around the country. From here, you can catch a train or a short flight to other corners of Iceland, where you can do everything from glacier hiking in Vatnajökull National Park to witnessing the 10,000-year-old Great Geyser in action.

• Location: Reykjavík, Iceland
• Where to Stay: Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura; Exeter Hotel; Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel, Reykjavik; Hotel Odinsve
• Things to Do: Geothermal Pool, Day Trip, Glacier Hiking
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5