Amanda Sadlowski

Embracing Iceland at its most desolate. Long known as the land of fire and ice, Iceland is a place of dichotomies. The powerful geothermal heat of its volcanoes and the chilly frozen expanses of its glaciers. The overwhelming crowds of a small island dealing with a decade-long surge in tourism and its often-desolate landscapes that make you feel like the only person for miles.

And it’s actually like five European vacations in one. Perhaps you’ve heard the news: Europe is over tourists. The past few summers have seen several anti-tourism protests in heavily trafficked countries like Spain, Portugal, and Italy, all with the express purpose of making it clear that locals are sick of the issues created by overtourism, namely overcrowding, lack of affordable housing, and an ever-rising cost of living. So what’s a Europe-loving American to do?