Iceland review - 2004, Page 66

ICELAND REVIEW SUPPLEMENT / 64
SPA CITY REYKJAVÍK
The biggest little city in the world
When you stay in SPA City Reykjavík, you are given the opportunity to
improve your health while enjoying all that the city has to offer. One of
the advantages of Reykjavík is being able to see it on foot. Even though
Reykjavík is a “little” capital, there is an amazing range of possibilities
for the tourist, which is why Reykjavík is sometimes called the “biggest
little capital in the world”.
Relax the time away
One of the many benefits Reykjavík offers travellers is that external
annoyances such as traffic jams, noise and air pollution are low key. This
makes the city a good place to relax, while allowing tiredness and stress
to gently flow from your being.
The ultimate relaxation technique is a trip to one of the city’s seven ther-
mal baths and pools, all of which are very inexpensive to visit (admission
is only USD 2 or just over EUR 2, depending on exchange rates). Pools
are either 25 or 50 meters long and kept at a temperature of 29°C (84°F).
Research has shown that swimming and bathing outdoors in hot, ther-
mal water, while breathing in clean, fresh air, is one of the healthiest fit-
ness activities possible. The baths limber up stiff joints and relax tired
muscles, and the contrast between hot water and cool, fresh air has a
positive effect on stress. Swimming and bathing in thermal water also
has a positive effect on the heart and respiratory system.
Private spas
Private health spas in the city offer a large variety of spa services: dif-
ferent types of massage and specialised spa treatments, in addition to
facial and skin treatments, manicures and pedicures. Health spas offer-
ing these services include Badhúsid, a women’s-only spa, www.bad-
husid.is, Saga Health and Spa, Centre for Improved Health and
Wellness, www.sagaheilsa.is, and Nordica SPA, a new spa located in the
hotel of the same name. Nordica SPA focuses its emphasis on physical
and spiritual well-being, www.nordicaspa.is.
The hot pots
There is hardly a better way to get rid of those snarls of stress than by
soaking in a hot pot. Yes, a trip to the pool doesn’t mean that you must
only swim laps.
The circular hot pots are kept at varying temperatures, from 37°C to
42°C (98°F – 111°F). During winter, the star-studded sky is often the
backdrop to a show of northern lights. During mid-summer, the sun is
high above the horizon until well into the evening. The hot pots are the
perfect place to eavesdrop on life in Reykjavík. Go ahead, strike up a
conversation with the local. It’s the best way to take the city’s pulse.
After the hot pots, head to the steam room, an ideal place to meditate,
to cleanse the mind as well as the skin.
Reykjavík is an ideal destination for anyone looking to improve their
health, relax and simply enjoy life in a peaceful environment –
Reykjavík, the biggest little capital in the world.
Reykjavík Spa City
tel. (+354) 510-6600,
e-mail: sigmarb@islandia.is,
www.spacity.is
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