As if Iceland isn't remote enough in and of itself, you'll have to hop in a car once you get to Reykjavik and drive for another hour to reach Hotel Ranga. Within The Ring of Fire in South Iceland, this log cabin-style hotel is surrounded by dramatic natural activity. Year-round helicopter tours explore nearby volcanic Mt. Hekla, and from September to April you can lounge in one of the geothermal hot tubs and watch the Northern Lights shimmering above. While Mother Nature has done some of her finest work in this area, crafting glacial lagoons and volcanic black sand deserts, getting away from it all doesn't have to mean leaving civilization. When you're not river rafting or whale watching, you can dine at Restaurant 4, whose modern Nordic menu includes reindeer and Icelandic lobster, accompanied by an impressive selection of fine wines.