ICELAND IS a rapidly growing tourist destination among backpackers and luxury travelers alike. Perhaps best known for her natural beauty, the Icelandic countryside has a unique rustic beauty just waiting to be discovered.

All Photos by the author.

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With incredible mountains and diverse landscapes, rural Iceland is staggeringly beautiful.

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Not far from Reykjavik, rusty barns add a splash of color to the rolling hills beyond.

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Mountains begin to appear from the road, often with quaint farms situated at their base.

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Unique architecture along the way offers the perfect setting for amazing landscape shots.

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Follow the jagged coast up to the Snaefellsnes peninsula for breathtaking scenery.

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One does not have to drive far to notice how diverse the landscapes of Iceland can be.

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From the arches and rock formations...

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To the glaciers and coastlines...

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You might even find a natural geothermal hot spring!

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Solitude on the road (and the perfect Instagram shot) are not hard to find.

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If you get lonely, the Icelandic horses can be spotted all over the countryside.

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A horse farm near Grundarfjörður offered great photographic opportunities.

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Even through the rain and fog, Iceland’s rustic beauty shines through.