Iceland is a pioneer of “stopover tourism.” Floating alone where the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans meet, this island nation was long considered too out-of-the-way for travelers ... until airlines like Icelandair started luring Americans with cheap flights to Europe that included a stopover in Iceland. The caveat: Your stopover was a full day.
This offer is still popular today, with multiple airlines allowing a 24-hour (or longer) stopover for no additional airfare: All you need is a passport, a rental car, and an extra day or two. But with its striking glaciers, craggy peaks, and steamy geysers, Iceland can fill up an entire vacation—so the challenge for the casual visitor is figuring out what to cram into a short stay. If you thrill to the idea of an Iceland stopover, consider this whirlwind itinerary.
