TRAVEL Winter Break: Iceland
Located just 20 minutes from the airport, the Blue Lagoon is the perfect place to start exploring Iceland.
This geothermal spa sits on the outskirts of the tiny fishing town of Grindavik. Bar the street signs, there were very few markers of civilisation on our way.
Everything around us was blanketed in white, serene and striking. Finally, signage for the lagoon directed us to a small car park seemingly in the middle of nowhere. From there we walked the rest of the way to the hidden entrance.
Suddenly, it hit me that I was going to take a dip in -3C weather. Was I mad? Too late.
Any reservations I had were quickly replaced by all-out awe when I set eyes on the lagoon.
Turquoise waters stretched out before me, shrouded in swirls of mist. It looked alien, unearthly beautiful.
Indeed, the Blue Lagoon isn’t a natural phenomenon. Mineralrich waters began to pool in the lava pits of Grindavik as a result of geothermal drilling at a nearby power plant. The water in the lagoon actually originates from 2000m beneath the ground.
To begin with, it is a blistering 200C. As it rises up through the Earth it cools down and becomes mineral-rich.
When I sink into the depths the temperature is a soothing 39C like a nice, warm bath. My muscles relax as I wade around. I stop at the mask station for the youthrestoring algae concoction and lather it all over my face.
While I wait for that to dry, I make my way to the floating bar. Anti-aging mask on and a chilled Prosecco in my hand, I feel I can take on anything. I raise my glass in cheers, bring on the next decade! Reykjavik is 40 minutes from Keflavik Airport and the lagoon but the drive is scenic. Great black rocks jut out from either side of the road and gaping fissures spread across the land. The uneven terrain looks otherworldly, like something from the surface of the moon.
The lights of Reykjavik soon come into view and we find ourselves in a town that looks very It’s woollies weather: Our Yolanda and her husband Kristoffer, the natives, and the comfortable Hilton Reykjavik Nordica much like an overgrown Christmas market. All wooden-chalet style shop fronts and draped fairy lights.
As charming as Reykjavik is, you don’t come to Iceland for a city break. It’s a great base though, a place to come back to after a day of sightseeing.
We check in at the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, conveniently located between the town centre and the harbour. Both city and harbour boast some incredible dining and drinking options.
Following in the footsteps of Copenhagen and Stockholm, Reykjavik is fast becoming a foodie destination. It has its own unique twist on Nordic cuisine though with puffin and shark on the menu. Check out the Coocoo’s Nest for brunch, Restaurant Resto for dinner and for great coffee in a cosy setting, Kaffibrennslan.
Kol Restaurant is also a tasty option for dinner and a champion of Reykjavik’s emerging craft cocktail scene. Even if you don’t eat here, go for a pre-dinner drink. The mixologists are artists. My Forest Margarita was served set alight by a sprig of Rosemary. Some of southern Iceland’s most famous beauty spots are on the Golden Circle route, easily accessible by car or tour bus from Rey-