World's 'most peaceful country' is real-life winter wonderland just 3 hours from UK

The winter months have a reputation for being dark and dreary, but there are some breathtaking holiday destinations that could be just the place to make the most of the colder months.

Yes we're saying goodbye to golden beaches and balmy weather, but you can switch in breathtaking snow-capped landscapes, awe-inspiring natural phenomena such as the Northern Lights, and cosy nights wrapped up warm with some hearty food.

For those who want to do some exploring, then Iceland is well worth adding to your travel wishlist. The spectacular country transforms into a real-life winter wonderland thanks to its epic glaciers, ethereal waterfalls and storybook-worthy national parks.

The UNESCO World Heritage listed Thingvellir National Park is a firm favourite with intrepid explorers, while those who want a once-in-a-lifetime experience may want to head to the Crystal Caves in Vatnajokull, a series of ice caves tucked away within glaciers.

Then of course there are iconic locations such as the Blue Lagoon with its thermal waters and iconic turquoise hues, or the black sands of Reynisfjara Beach near the small fishing village of Vik.

Another highlight is the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon on the edge of Vatnajökull National Park, with eye-catching blue waters that play home to impressive icebergs.

Iceland's dark skies and remote landscapes are also popular with those in search of the Aurora Borealis; and the good news is that 2026 will bring a rare 'solar maximum' offering the brightest and most frequent Northern Lights in over 10 years. For the best chance to see the Aurora, travel between October and March. There have been reports of sightings in late September and early April in previous years too, but your chance of seeing the incredible natural phenomenon decreases outside of these months.

If that doesn't offer enough reason to go exploring, then you may want to consider that Iceland has been revealed as being the world's 'most peaceful country' in the Global Peace Index for 2025, a position it's held since 2008.

According to the index, which looks at a number of factors including military conflicts and overall safety and security, "Iceland is the most peaceful country in the world by a considerable margin".

The researchers explained: "Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the region and the world on the 2025 GPI. It recorded a two per cent improvement in overall peacefulness over the past year as only one indicator deteriorated: military expenditure (% GDP). Iceland is the most peaceful country in the world by a considerable margin, with the gap in peacefulness between the first two countries on the 2025 GPI being the same size as the gap between the second and 10th ranked countries."

With a direct flight time of approximately three hours to Iceland from the likes of London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, there's ample opportunity for Brits to head over and explore. Airlines including easyJet, British Airways, Icelandair and Jet2 all offer budget-friendly fares, while Skyscanner has found flights from £41 each way in November.

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