The Fisher Family from Philadelphia (2 adults and 2 young adults age 22 and 18) ventured to Iceland in late May for a belated high school graduation trip. The trip began in Reykjavik and a stay at the Hotel Holt. From the capital city they experienced the gorgeous Blue Lagoon (a geothermal spa) and took an ATV ride that explored multiple Icelandic volcanic features and black sand lava beaches.  The Fisher’s liked their hotel’s central location in town and it’s European boutique feel.  To experience more of the country, the family rented a car and moved onto the dramatic Hotel Ion.  This upscale hotel sits in the middle of nowhere and hangs over a cliff!  From here they launched their Golden Circle tour by Super Jeep which also included a memorable snowmobile adventure on top of a glacier.  They also visited Thingvellir National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the location of the only two tectonic rift valleys in the world), various waterfalls and hot springs.   The family then moved onto South Iceland with a Hot Springs Hike on the way.  They stayed at the more rustic Ranga Hotel with its log cabin style lodging.  The family was impressed by the hands-on general manager and access to telescopes to probe the night skies.  From this region they took a river rafting trip on the Hvita River for a different vantage point of Iceland’s amazing landscapes and ended their adventures with a South Shore Safari with Glacier Hike on the Solheimajokull Glacier. Definitely a highlight.  Hiking is done with crampons (spikes that you put on the soles of your shoes) and other specialized gear.  This glacier is a magnificent place; the ancient ice flow is crevassed riddled with huge ice ridges and spiraling sinkholes everywhere. In the ice, ashes from past volcanic eruptions are hidden. Overall the trip was a success with so many amazing experiences on this unique island nation.