Magical and mystical Iceland continues to generate buzz among the travel community, and for good reason. An ideal stop-off for Americans en route to Europe — or an alluring destination in its own right — this sparsely populated country combines jaw-dropping natural wonders with a fascinating culture that seems ahead of the curve on many levels. This Nordic island nation, Europe’s westernmost country, boasts superlatives from having had the first democratically voted female president and the largest glacier in Europe (Vatnajökull) to being the only place in the world where you can snorkel between two (North American and Eurasian) tectonic plates.