Best of Airbnb | Modern Icelandic Apartment with Unexpected Colour

Everyone has a 'must visit' destination list, whether it's actually written down or just floating around inside their head. Mine's definitely the latter and if you ask me to name the top destination, I'll give a different answer every time. There are just too many holidays I want to take.

That said, Iceland appears at the top of my list so often that it's a saved favourite on Skyscanner. Do I really have to say why? Just take a look at the apartments in this Akureyri residence. Or, more to the point, take a look at those views!

While far from being the warmest place on earth, the rugged landscape of Iceland is breathtakingly beautiful and these apartments are designed to take full advantage of the scenery, with perfectly positioned windows framing the landscape, letting the light flood in, and keeping the cold out.

I won't claim Iceland will be my next holiday - there are weekends in Scotland and Germany to come first - but I'll definitely be visiting before long. For now, I'll kick back, stare at those views some more and think of what kit I'll need to order for such an adventure.

Best of Airbnb is a series featuring some of the most exciting, desirable and unique places to rest your head, from around the world.

You can find Nik at - Twitter | Instagram | Editions Newsletter

Travel Photography, Iceland by Bernd Vogel

Travel is at the front of my mind this year and I don’t seem to be alone. While writing about my recent trip skiing in France and tweeting about our more recent jaunt to Brighton, everyone who replied mentioned places they’re keen to go or plans they’re about to make. And all that does is makes me want of travel some more!

It’s the quiet times that get you too. On a rare Friday night spent at home, I sat on the sofa reading up on some travel blogs and searching through Instagram for destination inspiration. It didn’t take long until I ‘stumbled’ across Iceland. It’s a place I’ve always wanted to visit, so I think my mind led me in that direction anyway.

Iceland is one of those countries that’s full of mystery, intrigue, and excitement. The rugged, almost alien landscape, looks like something imagined in a dream. Some of the buildings in the towns and cities aren’t far behind either. And when you see photos like these from Bernd Vogel's recent trip - boy does that make you want to get plans moving and book a package holiday. Iceland is also a place that I can’t find a single bad word about. Come on, the realities of travel are that not everyone is going to have a great time, each and every time - sometimes you just have bad luck! But no, not in Iceland. Every word written is a plus point and every photo (with a person in it) has someone smiling.

With my winter wear freshly laundered since the Alpine expedition, I think it’s time to load that suitcase up and start thinking about a trip to see our friends in the North. Have you been to Iceland, and what's next on your travel list?

You can find Nik at - Twitter | Instagram  | Heavy Denim

Einstok Brewing Company

I keep seeing Einstok's Icelandic beer around lately and it's really starting to grab my attention. I've seen it on sale at a few different places but most recently I saw it in Hollie's fridge. Their branding is simplistic and bold with no added fluff, which feels like a nod to a more traditional way of living. The clear design helps it stand out on the shelves against all the busier bottles out there which usually feature goblins, witches, wizards and other daft fictional scenes.

I've not tried any of their beers yet but Hollie has highly praised them, she knows good beer. With flavours of toffee and dark chocolate, orange peel and coriander or the more traditional pale ale and festive themed Doppeldock, they're sure to make a nice change from a 4% "neckers".

Has anyone tried Einstok, thoughts? Would the design temp you to part with you money?

Available at Harvey Nics and good supermarkets