YOUR ICE BREAKER
As it’s set to open up for travel, JANE MEMMLER gets to know Iceland and its thermal pools, spas, waterfalls and breathtaking 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 quite like it.
SKY LAGOON
IMAGINE sipping a glass of something chilled, sitting in geothermal waters gazing out over the sea? You can do just that at Swim Up Bar at Sky Lagoon which has just opened.
Just minutes away from Reykjavik’s city centre, the lagoon is surrounded by a turf-clad structure with wooden doors that resemble a hobbit’s house.
Inside there’s a shop, sauna and restaurant. But outside is where it’s at, floating around the infinity pool while gazing over the Atlantic.
There are traditional activities such as dipping into the cold plunge pool then sitting in the sauna, wandering through a cold fog mist, and having a sea salt scrub.
If you don’t feel rejuvenated after that, you never will. skylagoon.com
THE WESTFJORDS WAY
JUST opened is a new route that takes you through one of Iceland’s most spectacularly scenic regions.
The Westfjords have been much less travelled due to their vastness, and this route takes in the dramatic landscapes. It’s so sparsely populated it can feel like you’re here alone.
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’s also 260 species of flowers, ferns and plants.
Bird lovers will enjoy it here as they spot Arctic terns and puffins. Seals bask on the beach, and the eagle-eyed may see 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.
Because of its location there are never many visitors.
DIAMOND CIRCLE ROUTE
LAST year another new touring route, the Diamond Circle, opened in North Iceland. It offers a single road connection to some spectacular sites such as Godafoss waterfall, the Myvatn lake with its volcanic craters, Dettifoss waterfall (yes another) and the bizarre horseshoe-shaped 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
IT’S no secret Icelanders love to bathe and the GeoSea Geothermal Sea Baths are nothing short of spectacular. Located in Husavik, there are infinity pools, a swim-up bar, even a built-in waterfall. Plus you get 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
MANY visitors to Iceland have the Northern Lights on their bucket lists. Just 20 minutes from Reykjavik is the Aurora Basecamp which LAVA AFFAIR:
The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon offers a real-time indoor simulation of the 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
VOK BATHS
VOK Baths are floating geothermal pools on Lake Urridavatn. It’s an unusual experience and one that offers incredible views across the lake and surrounding area.
Incredibly, 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
HERE’S a spa with a difference, the Bjorbodin Beer Spa. Sink into one of seven individual tubs made of Kambala wood.
The hot tub 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
FOR years, the Blue Lagoon has drawn visitors to Iceland.
The steaming waters, set into 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 waterfloating massage.
bluelagoon.com