Coming to Iceland by sea is an experience not to be missed. As your cruise ship makes its way up toward the Arctic Circle, lit perpetually bright in the summer, the sense of the world's untold vastness is unmistakable.

Only a fraction of this island is settled, and its wilds are home to rugged scenery entirely unique to this mysterious land. Visitors expecting to encounter frozen tundra are caught off guard by the temperate climate found in much of Iceland. All the same, there is little arable land to be found in the rocky terrain of Iceland. This is why its inhabitants became industrious mariners early on, exploiting the surrounding waters to provide fish and seafood, which continue to be staples of Icelandic diet and industry.

One of the prized features of Iceland is the volcanic waters that are heated to bathing perfection. Indeed, a visit to Iceland requires spending some time in a hot spring. A boon to a land that has a notable lack of subtropical beaches - the volcanic activity both past and present provide Iceland with plenty of naturally heated pools. Public bathing is both a social norm and a popular pastime, and you haven't really been to Iceland until you've joined in. Reykjavik, the capitol, is home to roughly half the country's inhabitants, and an essential stop on any journey to this beautiful icy paradise.

Myth is often difficult to separate from fact in Iceland's historical record - some texts claim seafaring accomplishments with regard to the New World that, if true, would force many historians to change their perception of New World exploration. While Icelanders are very likely the first Europeans to reach the Americas, they missed out on forming lasting settlements across the Atlantic. This is not surprising, considering the amount of domestic trouble they had to contend with. Various Scandinavian countries had the run of the place for several centuries, with complete sovereignty for the people descended from the original settlers not arriving until the twentieth century.

Despite a rocky history with its southern neighbors, Iceland today is quite welcoming to visitors, although some find the Icelandic personality a little, well, icy - at first. This stoic façade more often than not gives way to warm hospitality, and vacationers to Iceland always feel welcome.

Most visitors find Reykjavik to be a treasure trove for both the eyes and the mind. The people and scenery alike are notoriously good looking, and their literacy rate looks like another country's GDP. Iceland is quite open-minded about matters of partnership orientation and the role of an individual in society, however they have one of the strictest film boards in Europe, with many films popular on the continent being heavily restricted or banned outright.

This surprising circumstance aside, Iceland produces more than its fare share of innovative thinkers and artists. While Bjork is undoubtedly the most famous of Iceland's cultural exports, equally eclectic rising stars such as Mugison are living proof that the Icelandic cultural torch isn't going out anytime soon.

While Iceland is a complicated nation-with a labyrinthine history - one thing about it is quite simple: the best way to get there is on a cruise booked through Carefree Travel and Cruises. Let the pros work out the details while you enjoy the relaxation you deserve. So if you're heading north, leave your worries behind with Carefree Travel and Cruises.