Icy cold? Only the beer you’ll be drinking in the Blue Lagoon
‘WE come from the land of the ice and snow, From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow,’ sang Led Zeppelin on their hit Immigrant Song about their time in Iceland.
The gods of rock failed to mention, however, two important things about the stunning island nation: it’s not so icy but very pricy!
That said, it’s well worth the visit even if a round of beer will set you back 50 quid or so.
For the unique beauty of this topographical utopia is not comparable to any other destination in Europe.
I visited four years ago when you needed to get a connecting flight from London to get there.
Now, WOW air flies direct from Dublin and this volcanic wonderland is now just over two hours away.
Much like natives who haven’t explored the Ring of Kerry or the Cliffs of Moher, if you haven’t yet visited Iceland (or have merely been put off by the price of everything there), more fool you!
Last time around, I was awestruck by the beauty of this magical land.
I did the obligatory Golden Circle tour, which had Robert Plant et al so enraptured.
On this expedition, you will learn about the Thingvellir National Park and Parliament Fields, said to be the world’s first democratic parliament.
You’ll also witness the Geysir, which blows jets of scorching hot wwater high into the air every few minute s. And finally, there is the breathtaking siight of Gullfoss Waterfall.
On my most recent visit I reeturned to the unmissable Blue Lagoon, aa natural geoan thermal spa where you carelax in the volcanic silica-enriched warrm water with a beer before slapping on a a mud mask.
It’s a pricey two hours or so but a oncece in-a-lifetime pleasure (twicin my case) that will truly perk you up and leave you refreshed, especially if yoou’re taking a flight on to one of WOW air r’s growing list of US city destinations.
This time, I also went on thhe Lava Tunnel Tour, an impressive descentt into Iceland’s labyrinthine icicle-dotted laava caves.
If restricted by time, this is nice and short – but remember to dress appropriately. It’s cold and slippy down there!
There are an array of other excursions available in Iceland, including whale watching, exploring the ice caves of a glacier and, of course, the Northern Lights tour.
This time of year it’s bright almost 24/7 so the dark Icelandic winters are probably a better option if you’re hunting for the Aurora Borealis.
In Reykjavik itself, there are plenty of bars and sights to see.
If the Penis Museum doesn’t float your boat there’s the national gallery where I enjoyed a calm wander.
A White Russian in the Big Lebowskithemed Lebowski Bar later was the per- fect tonic, and the tunes there will leave you feeling just like The Dude.
The grub is a little overpriced too but not extremely so. Reykjavik Fish delivered the finest fish and chips I’ve ever had and their tasty plokkari, a type of Icelandic fish stew akin to a chowder, will warm the cockles in winter.
If on a budget, The Loft hostel, which hosted a fab Eurovision party when I visited, offers rooms for around €50 a head per night. The more upmarket Apotek Hotel is a snazzier alternative and very central.
With WOW flying so frequently to Iceland and it now being a stone’s throw away, I know I’ll be denting that bank balance to return again.
Worth every Icelandic króna!