Experience the best of Flúðir

Flúðir is a village of a few hundred people on the Hvítá river plain in South Iceland, built on geothermal heat. Hot water from the ground warms rows of greenhouses where tomatoes, cucumbers and mushrooms grow all year, and the village sits in the middle of farming country, with horses, sheep and hay fields around. A natural geothermal pool is one of the country's oldest swimming places, with a little geyser that erupts every few minutes.

Gullfoss, a broad two-step waterfall, and Geysir with its erupting Strokkur lie a short drive to the north-east. The rift valley of Þingvellir National Park is to the west, and Skálholt, long the seat of Iceland's southern bishops, lies to the south-west. The volcano Hekla sits on the horizon to the south-east on a clear day.

Tomatoes, cucumbers and mushrooms from the village greenhouses reach farm cafés and menus across the region, alongside Icelandic lamb, skyr and rye bread. Summer nights stay light, which is ideal for walking and horse riding, while winter brings darkness and a chance of the northern lights.