• After an excellent British summer, TUI’s data shows that UK holidaymakers are searching for chillier climates to visit this year

• TUI has reported a surge in interest for holidays to Iceland with searches up 92% compared to the same period last year

• This sharp rise highlights a growing demand for experiential travel, where holidaymakers can chase after the northern lights, relax in the famous blue lagoon and explore 3000-year-old volcanoes

After an uncharacteristically hot summer in the UK this year, holidaymakers are opting for chillier destinations to visit with their annual leave. The wintery spots offer a huge range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences for customers - from chasing after the northern lights to embarking on magical searches for Santa, as travellers seek out memorable, meaningful adventures.

Iceland boasts a huge range of experiences with TUI Musement, TUI’s dedicated experiences division, which offer the perfect mix of relaxation, culture and adventure.

TUI’s package holidays to Iceland even include two excursions in the price – a thrilling night-time hunt for the Northern Lights and a Golden Circle tour visiting a glacial waterfall and active geyser.

Where to stay

Travellers who would rather have itinerary flexibility and go at their own pace can book one of TUI’s ‘plan your own itinerary’ packages, which includes flights, airport transfers and accommodation:

Additional experiences available in Iceland with TUI Musement

In this experience guests tick off some of Iceland’s major highlights. Starting at Thingvellir National Park, customers can stand exactly where both the American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. The tour continues to the world-famous Geyser hot spring and Strokkur hot spring, which still erupts to heights of up to 30 meters every few minutes. Next up on the agenda is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland: Gullfoss Waterfall, also known as the Golden Waterfall, which plummets down 32 meters into a rugged canyon.

The trip also includes a stop at a 3000-year-old attraction: the Kerid Volcanic Crater. 55 meters deep, it offers a unique view of the Icelandic landscape.

The final stop before returning to Reykjavik is the iconic Blue Lagoon, where visitors can spend time relaxing in the natural hot waters.

This experience includes three hours at sea with an expert crew and specially trained naturalists as guests search for whales, dolphins and other wildlife. Minke and humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises are some of the most frequently seen species and with a bit of luck, guests might even see killer whales, fin whales and sei whales.

Whisking visitors to the south coast, this tour starts with visits to a handful of waterfalls, including Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi and Skógafoss. The adventure continues at Sólheimajökull glacier which is part of the 4th biggest glacier in Iceland, Mýrdalsjökull. Helmets, harnesses, crampons and ice axes are provided before hiking begins on the ice for 60-90 minutes.

Heading further east, visitors will then visit the black sand beach of Reynisfjara. This area of the south is also a paradise for bird lovers, as Puffins and dozens of other unique species nest on top of these cliffs in the summertime.