Iceland

Reykjavik makes the most sense as your base. The capital sits on the southwest coast and puts you within driving distance of the Golden Circle attractions. Stay in the 101 district near Hallgrímskirkja church for walkable restaurants and bars. The Canopy by Hilton runs about $300 per night in summer. For budget travelers, KEX Hostel offers dorm beds around $60. If you're chasing the Northern Lights, consider Akureyri in the north. This small city gives you darker skies and costs about 30% less than Reykjavik. The Hotel Akureyri charges around $180 nightly. Vík í Mýrdal works well for exploring the south coast. You'll pay premium prices at Hotel Katla (around $400 summer nights) but you're minutes from Reynisfjara black sand beach and Skógafoss waterfall. Book months ahead for summer stays.