Your Ice breaker
With Iceland set to open up for travel, JANE MEMMLER gets to know its thermal pools, spas, waterfalls and stunning views
WITH vast swathes of barren yet dramatic landscapes, Iceland can be an otherworldly kind of place. In fact, the abundance of natural wonders mean there’s nowhere in the world like it.
THE WESTFJORDS WAY
JUST opened is a new route through one of Iceland’s most spectacular regions. The Westfjords have been much less travelled due to their vastness, and this route takes in the dramatic landscapes.
Barren slopes, abandoned wooden huts, the odd farmhouse, flat topped mountains and wide green pastures abound. You’ll also find a reconstructed Viking village; a fishing village and one of the best waterfalls in Iceland. westfjords.is
HORNSTRANDIR RESERVE
This is the place to go ‘on safari’ in Iceland – more than 220 square miles of extraordinary landscapes; from steep cliffs to tundra and ice. There are also 260 species of flowers, ferns and plants.
Bird lovers will enjoy spotting Arctic terns and puffins. Seals bask on the beach, and you may spot an Arctic fox.
DYNJANDI
MOVE over Gullfoss. Dynjandi (which means thunderous) is the highest waterfall in the Westfjords region at 330ft. It has so many small waterfall tiers, it creates what looks like a veil or ballgown draped over black rocks.
DIAMOND CIRCLE ROUTE
Last year another new touring route, the Diamond Circle, opened in North Iceland,connecting visitors with some spectacular sites such as Godafoss waterfall, the Myvatn lake with its volcanic craters, Dettifoss waterfall (yes another) and the bizarre horseshoeshaped Asbyrgi Canyon, which is 2.5 miles long, heavily forested and home to an array of incredibly scenic hiking trails. northiceland.is
GEOSEA GEOTHERMAL SEA BATHS
These Baths in Husavik are spectacular, with infinity pools, a swim-up bar, a built-in waterfall and incredible views of the mountain range and Skjalfandi Bay.
The baths are open until midnight in summer so it’s a dreamy place to be. And at certain times of year you’ll catch sight of the Northern Lights as you float in the warm waters. geosea.is
AURORA BASECAMP
JUST 20 minutes from Reykjavik, Aurora Basecamp, offers a real-time indoor simulation of the Northern Lights before you head out to spot the real thing.
The camp features a large glass dome set within a 1,000-year-old lava field.
The Aurora Lounge is a low-lit space with benches and blankets where guides talk you through how to spot the lights. aurorabasecamp.is
ON TAP:
VOK BATHS
These floating geothermal pools on
Lake Urridavatn are an unusual experience and offer incredible views across the lake and surrounding area.
The hot water is so pure it is certified as drinkable. The water feeds into the pool from hot springs way below the lake.
For the more hardy, there are cold tunnels as well as a sauna and a cafe serving organic bites from local producers and tea made from the spring water. vok-baths.is
BEER SPA
Sink into one of seven individual tubs made of Kambala wood at Bjorbodin Beer Spa. Each is full of young beer and as you lounge, you can enjoy a pint of Kadi beer. The hops do wonders to relieve stress, cleanse your skin and, believe it or not, release toxins. northiceland.is
THE RETREAT AT BLUE LAGOON
The steaming waters in the middle of a lifeless lava field, have long provided medicinal and therapeutic qualities.
Now there’s a rather surreal hotel, The Retreat, with 62 rooms set into the middle of the waters of the lagoon.
Balconies overlook the water while inside, colours are muted to match the exterior.
Its spa, carved into the lava rock, offers a sauna heated by the rocks, and a cold well. You can even enjoy a water-floating massage. bluelagoon. com
■ For more information go to icelandtravel.is