Staggering crags

Sitting in the cold North Atlantic Ocean between Iceland and Norway, the Faroe Islands are certainly off the beaten path. Indeed, their surreal and colossal landscapes possess a transcendent, dreamlike quality. One of the best places to experience the Faroes' staggering sense of wonder is a spot just off the coast of Vágar, one of the archipelago's 18 islands. The islet of Tindhólmur is indeed spectacular, even by the Faroe's high standards: Its shape appears sculpted by a giant cleaver and it boasts not one, but five serrated peaks. The island is uninhabited and privately owned, so visitors need permission, a hired guide, and a sturdy boat to reach this otherworldly locale.