If you're looking for big thrills, then climb aboard for an exhilarating adventure in search of Earth's largest creature. To be fully comfortable, it's recommended you wear warm layers and a waterproof jacket, plus flat, sturdy shoes with a non-slip sole. And remember to have your camera ready for all the exciting photo opportunities.

Its just over a 90 minute ride to the picturesque seaside village of Húsavík, known as the whale watching capital of Europe.

As your boat leaves the calm waters of the dock and cruises out into the cool, icy-blue waters of Skjálfandi Bay, relax with a tasty snack and a comforting cup of hot chocolate and an icelandic doughnut. Off in the distance you'll see the beautiful snow-streaked peaks of the Viknafjöll Mountains looming over the bay. Keep your cameras ready since the waters teem with marine life and you may spot harbor seals or dolphins.

Arctic terns, puffins, gannets, guillemots, and fulmans, one of Iceland's most common seabirds, are also regular visitors to the bay and often give clues as to where whales might be feeding. A common thing to see is a swarm of birds diving to the surface to pick up leftovers from whales.

On your three-hour whale watching expedition, you may see any number of these wondrous creatures. Humpbacks are notorious for showing off by slapping their tails against the water or popping their heads up and looking around; finbacks are among the fastest and are the only animals in the world (?) that are asymmetrically colored (Each humpback has its own pattern of the color on the skin, often used to identify, like a fingerprint); the Orca, also known as the killer whale, is actually a member of the dolphin family and is easily identified by its dominant black and white color and its dorsal fin, which can reach up to five feet tall; and the minke whale is only 5 to 28 feet and is curious enough to approach the ship.

When you return to the dock, you'll walk to a local restaurant for a lunch of soup, fish, potatoes, salad and coffe/tea. After lunch, you'll learn more about whales when you walk to the Húsavík Whale Center, Iceland's only museum dedicated to the study and appreciation of these amazing mammals. Fun and fact-filled displays include life-size models of a minke whale, skeletons, and drawings on all species of whales around Iceland.

Then, you'll head back to Akureyri, making a photo stop at Godafoss, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. Divided into two falls, the water of the Skjálfandafljót River falls from a height of 39 feet over a width of 98 feet.