The tension is kind of killing us with Bali’s Mt. Agung possibly erupting for the first time in half a century. But, aside from displacing close to 100,000 people whose villages fall within the danger zone, this volcanic eruption has the potential to send toxic ash thousands of kilometres away disrupting both flights throughout the region and your general ability to breathe. For those wanting that volcanic experience (minus the spewing ash and lava) perhaps consider one of these luxury locales instead.
Note: If you’re wanting to help out, the infamous Potato Head Beach Club is but one of many delivering supplies personally to evacuation centres. For their current list of items needed you can click here.
#1 Cotopaxi
What: The 5897-metre high Cotopaxi volcano is one of the tallest in the world, and makes up just one of the spectacular cones in the Avenue of the Volcanoes just South of Quito. While tours of the volcano can be done driving, trekking or mountain biking, the 54-seat luxury volcano touring Tren Crucero will see you traverse the area for 4-nights in glamorous Old World style.
Where: Ecuador
#2 Mt. Bromo
What: Head on over to Java instead of Bali the next time you have a craving for Nasi Goreng and traverse the lunar landscape that makes up the Tengger Massif. At 2,329 metres, Mt. Bromo may not be the biggest volcano in the vicinity, but it is the prettiest. Rising up from the “Sea of Sand”, to get the ‘gram you’re going to want to catch the sunrise from nearby Mount Penanjakan (but don’t be surprised if 100 other traveler’s have the same idea). To really do it up, take a vintage Land Cruiser through the desert below and then saddle up a horse to reach the summit.
Where: Indonesia
#3 Hengill Volcano
What: A nature lover’s paradise, the secret is out on Iceland’s rugged geothermal beauty. Less than an hour’s drive from the hustle and bustle of Reykjavík and only 18 km away from the Hengill volcano, the ION Adventure Hotel is where modern design meets Iceland’s incomparable natural landscape. Landscape aside, don’t miss dining on farm-fresh cuisine at Silfra Restaurant & Bar, grabbing a scotch in the view-heavy Northern Lights Bar, or putting everything on chill in the partially exposed Lava Spa without even venturing off the property.
Where: Iceland
#4 Mt. Mikeno
What: With only 6 luxury thatched villas perched on the side of an eroded volcanic cone, Bisate Lodge in Volcanoes National Park isn’t playing around when it comes to a luxurious (albeit jungle-rustic-chic) African holiday. With woven grass verandas giving way to dramatic views of the Bisoke, Karisimbi and Mikeno volcanoes, the lodge is also an ideal base for embarking on a Gorilla trek from the nearby Park Headquarters — the main reason most people visit the area.
Where: Rwanda
#5 Santorini
What: There’s nowhere that does luxury volcano views quite like Santorini, and if you’ve already got the Greek island on the brain, there’s nowhere on Santorini that does luxury volcano views quite like The Grace Santorini. Perched above the world-famous Caldera, the 20-room hotel in Imerovigli provides some of the most dramatic views of the Aegean — best enjoyed from your private plunge pool.
Where: Greece
All fired up? Lava hot vacation villas here.
Image Credits: Main, 1, 2, 3, 4
