Icelandic utopia

As you gaze across the volcanic vista, you'll experience the great outdoors by way of puffins, cormorants, shags, kittiwakes and even the occasional white-tailed eagle. Take a tour and observe whales and dolphins in their natural habitat for a poignant dose of reality. And for real thrill, if you have kids, hop on the Viking Sushi adventure boat, with its combination of sailing, viewing small islands, soaking in spectacular landscapes, and catching and eating fresh seafood on the spot. Children – and adults, given the boat we were on – gaped in awe at the variety of marine life drawn aboard the boat in one catch. The scallops were so fresh they barely touched the sides as they poured down the palate. Beyond luxury, this experience touched something deep in our souls and spirits, allowing us to convene with nature in its most unaltered state.

The Blue Lagoon is unparalleled bliss. If there's only one drawback, it's having to eventually leave this natural wonder. Even by day's end, never mind a whole week, the return to elsewhere, which feels like 1,000 years of time travel into the future, is almost unbearable.