Next Stop: Paradise

July/August
Iceland
Average temperatures:
July: 46–54 degrees
August: 47–55 degrees

Adventuresome couples should make way for Iceland’s magical landscape, which is equal parts Fortress of Solitude and Dante’s Inferno. The capital city, Reykjavik, exudes a palpable energy—evidenced by the all-night scene at Björk’s favorite club, Kaffibarinn, and dance hotspot Rex, as well as sophisticated culture (check out the clothing boutiques and galleries along Bankastræti Street). Outside the city, mammoth geysers and glaciers line the breathtaking Golden Circle region to the south. Nearby are the healing mineral waters of the Blue Lagoon, a superheated, cyan-colored spa complex in the middle of a supernatural-looking lava field.

Sweet suites: In the center of Reykjavik, the newly renovated Hotel Borg gives Art Deco a Nordic spin. The lobby, with its streamlined black-and-white leather banquettes, is a throwback to 1930s New York. But the hotel’s two-story Tower Suite is all Icelandic: Its 360-degree views of the city and surrounding glaciers are an awe-inspiring sight (354-551-1440, hotelborg.is).

Art-loving couples routinely check in at the boutique Hotel Holt to ogle the nearly 300-piece Icelandic collection. The property has 12 suites and guests have access to the on-site massage room and the city’s best fitness center. Romantics can walk out the front door to stroll around Tjornin, Reykjavik’s picturesque central lake (354-552-5700, olt.is).

One memorable meal: Sjávarkjallarinn’s cellar dining room dates from Viking times, but its seafood-heavy menu is awash with creative modern cuisine. Dishes like lobster with pomegranate and truffles, and tuna with black currant and cardamom, delight the young, hip diners (354-511-1212, sjavarkjallarinn.is).

Compatibility test
Best for: Naturalists, explorers, culture vultures, club kids, seafood lovers, Björk devotees.
Not for: Beach bums, heat seekers, budget travelers, the sulfur-averse.

-Michael Blanding