For most, Iceland is the final frontier. A mystical and remote land with the draw of northern lights, blue ice caves, the midnight sun, glacier hikes, whale watching, puffin spotting and natural hot pools. As remote as Iceland may be, it is not a rough place by any means and can be explored with upscale services and accommodations both in its popular haunts and off the beaten path.

Iceland is a far-flung island with a population of only 350,000 people. It remoteness is exactly what makes it such a draw to most. It is the ideal place to get away from it all. Beyond Reykjavík there are worthwhile hidden gems to discover in far away places. As Jules Verne once wrote when travelling around the Snæfellsnes peninsula, Iceland is ‘imperfectly known’.

Iceland is, in a word, isolated. It is a small volcanic island skirting the Arctic Circle in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. In winter you can gaze up at the night sky under the northern lights and in summer you can walk peacefully along the black sand beaches under the midnight sun. In winter most of the wildlife migrate south leaving behind empty, snowy landscapes punctuated by scarred volcanic mountains and blue ice caves. In summer, 10 million puffins and over 20 different whale species make Iceland their home for you to spot while hiking amongst the luscious purples and greens of Iceland’s unexpectedly fruitful flora.

So where does ‘luxury’ come in? One could argue that luxury in Iceland comes from its authenticity. From its people that care deeply about their country and its ecosystem. Many consider themselves the last remaining Vikings. To be fair, the Vikings did make Iceland their home over 1000 years ago and have remained in relative isolation ever since. So yes, you might be relegated to a 4 star hotel or cosy farm guest house along your travels but the locations, the people and uniqueness of each place make up for that. The people who are more than willing to weather the storms to show you around their unique little island remind you that luxury can take on more than one meaning.

An ideal way to discover Iceland is with a two-day winter adventure as provided by the Hidden Iceland. This local home-grown tour company is staffed by veteran guides and hospitality professionals who know Iceland and the soon to be cherished places to visit, places to see, and experiences to have and then where to make your base with all the creature comforts to enjoy this blissful isolation.

The journey begins with a pick up in a Mercedes Benz enroute to the first waterfall where you can catch the sunrise as you sneak behind the rushing water. Iceland is the place to, a la TLC, go chasing waterfalls and the next is even more towering at 200ft o admire followed by a pleasant walk along the famous black sand beach around lunch time. The afternoon sees guests travel east to pause at the remnants of the destructive Laki lava field from over 200 years ago before walking along the edge of a 330ft canyon forged out by glacier water.

As the sun begins to set , the stars begin to light up the night sky. There are no cities or towns in this part of Iceland so your view is clear and calm. Guests will then head out to see the northern lights but not before getting a few lessons from your guide on how to take those far out pictures with the long trails left by the stars in all their bright green glory.

The next day begins at the world-famous Glacier Lagoon led by local ice cave explorers. Guests drive in the dark to get to the beautiful blue ice cave to see the ice cave light up with the rising sun creating a golden hue on the ice between the sheltered blue spots. The rest of the daylight hours are filled with sublime walks along the edge of the glacier lagoon as huge blue icebergs float past. The diamond beach is often littered with broken ice that has washed up on the shore and at times few sleepy seals can be spotted basking in the low light. To get lost in thought in this peaceful yet changing environment is something that will leave you with a sense of wonder that lasts all the way back to Reykjavik and hopefully beyond.

Iceland is truly an exotic and memorable destination. Hidden Iceland is a tour company that is sure to make your journey one that you’ll never forget. Travel to off-the-beaten path locations, stay in remote hotels, and get a personal experience with an expert guide. This local boutique travel company is led by passionate guides and focuses on small groups and personalized private trips around Iceland and assures its guests a travel experience that they will cherish long after the suitcase has been unpacked back home.