Akureyri

Akureyri on the northern coast offers the other international airport in Iceland and, for a town of only 20,000, an exceptional variety of travel experiences from whale watching to cultural and nature experiences. The town is also the center for education and services for the surrounding area and is visited by hundreds of cruise ships each year so it has more than its share of restaurants, shops and other services. 

One of the most stunning waterfalls in Iceland, Godafoss, is located about 40 minutes out of town. Godafoss is accessible via tour buses, local transportation, or rental car. The waterfall, like Gullfoss in the south, is absolutely stunning. Glacial runoff swells the Skjálfandafljót river, the 4th largest in Iceland, before it pours over various cliffsides in an impressive cascade of water and rainbows. 

A short drive from Gullfoss is Laufas, a turf covered dwelling dating to the 1800s that has been preserved as a museum. Travelers can walk inside the house that still has many of the original furnishings as well as a black wedding dress dating from the period that was knitted from the local wool.

Also nearby is the Christmas House, an unabashed tourist creation that imbues absolute joy and seemed to attract as many local Icelandic tourists as international visitors. The Christmas House was created by a local lady as both a shop to sell her handmade ornaments and a child's fantasy world. In addition to the shop, there is a tower with a life size Advent calendar that has little doors to open with fairy tale stories in each one that correspond to paintings on the wall. There's also a fairy garden and a sweet stand with freshly candied apples or chocolate waffles on a stick. Locals stopped by to purchase fresh produce from the farmstand and jams from the shop. All in all, this was a joyful space for everyone (and our guide informed us of all the charities that the owners supported behind the scenes). I'd definitely recommend a visit while you are in the area.