Journey to the magnificent Snæfellsnes in western Iceland, an elongated peninsula that juts out into the North Atlantic Ocean. Here you can find beautiful topography, including the glacier-capped Snæfellsjökull volcano, black-sand beaches, and dramatic rocky cliffs.

Drive through the untouched Icelandic countryside, taking in views of mountains and the coast. Stop at a black-sand beach, where you can take off your shoes and let this coarse, dark sand slip between your toes as you gaze at jagged cliffs carved by the sea.

Continue toward Snæfellsjökull, stopping by the small fishing village of Arnarstapi, then in the town of Hellnar for a break (lunch for optional extra). Visit Djúpalónssandur, a gorgeous uninhabited beach that boasts striking rock formations, and Kirkjufell, a towering green mountain set near 2 tumbling waterfalls.

Your final destination is Snæfellsjökull, where you can revel in expansive views of this enormous volcano. At over 4,740 feet (1440 m) tall, it is the highest mountain on the peninsula. As you take in the mesmerizing views of this ice-covered peak, it's clear to see why Jules Verne selected it as the setting for his famous novel Journey to the Center of the Earth.