Iceland has topped a list of the world's safest countries yet again, despite a dramatic volcanic eruption on the island nation just this week.
Each year the Global Peace Index from the Institute of Economics and Peace analyses all of the countries in the world based on metrics including violent crime, terrorism, international conflict and societal safety and dangers.
This year the Nordic nation topped the list for a remarkable 17th year in the row, and for good reason. Murder and crime rates generally in Iceland are incredibly low, and anti-social behaviour is very limited.
The Icelandic people live to 83 on average and have a strong relationship with the natural world, with much of life on the island centred around an ancient relationship with the ocean and dramatic countryside.
It is easy to understand why this strong bond remains in place, given the some of the breath-taking sights that are spread across Iceland.
Visitors will be able to see an incredible range of natural wonder as they make their way across a country that feels as if it may have been designed specifically for a GCSE text book, carved up as it is by glacial rivers, lava fields and mountains.
Iceland's Black Sand Beach is one of the country’s top rated attractions on Tripadvisor, due to its jagged skyline formed from boiling hot lava and the way the ground almost glows when the sun dips down below the horizon.
One visitor recently gushed: “This is an amazing and spectacular beach. The cliffs and sea caves with their variety of basalt columns of all sizes and twists are mesmerising.”
Many tourists choose to rent a car and drive the country’s Ring Road Route One which offers outstanding views of glaciers, waterfalls and coastlines, and takes in many of the nation's most famous sights.
The road was immortalised by local prog rock icons Sigur Rós, who made an ambient track to accompany the 24 hours it takes to drive the entire route, helping to plunge visitors into the dreamy world of a country long separated from the rest of the world by unforgiving seas.
Along the road - which takes two weeks to complete at a leisurely tourist pace - you will take in miles and miles of almost eerie, otherworldly terrain that has come to typify Iceland's natural beauty.
Warm springs and geological wonders formed by seismic movements punctuate these alien vistas, including volcanoes which occasionally spew lava onto the land and into the sea.
Just this week Mount Fagradalsfjall erupted close to the capital Reykjavík, causing volcano watchers to flock to the blast sight in their droves to witness the spectacular event, despite warnings about noxious gases.
As well as the exciting prospect of a potential eruption, the tectonic activity has blessed Iceland with hot natural spas that are perfect for a relaxing dip. If you go at night-time and are very lucky, the sky may break out into a display of the Northern Lights as you soak.
Wherever you are on the island - whether it be among the bustling streets of Reykjavík or beneath the mountain wall of Grundarfjorour - there's is always a good chance the night skies will be lit up by the aurora borealis. (In fact, Iceland has a whole host of brilliant places to see the Northern Lights if they're on your bucket list).
Another key part of the Icelandic holiday experience is the food, which is renowned the world over for its challenging flavours and unconventional match-ups.
Due to its location and environment, Icelanders have had to get creative over the years and learn how to whip up a feast out of an abundance of fish, few vegetables, and plenty of pickling juice.
The outcome is delicacies such as lamb soup or Kjötsúpa and potato, onion and fish stew, known as Plokkfiskur.
While the Icelandic cuisine may not have the immediate allure of that from the likes of Italy or France, what is a holiday but an opportunity to expand your horizons through the medium of Hardfishkur (dried fish in a bag)?
Denmark was ranked as the second safest country in the world by the Global Peace Index, just losing out on the chance to topple its Nordic neighbour off the top spot by a few points.
The nation of famously tall people who jump into fluent English before you've managed to stutter out a hopeful 'hej' also has a life expectancy of 83, in no small part due to its love of cycling.
In both the cities and the countryside Denmark has some of the best bike infrastructure in the world which, combined with the country's relative flatness, makes it the perfect place for beginners cycling holidays.
If money was no object, where is the first place you'd travel? Let us know in the comments below.
