Iceland review - 2015, Page 120

118 ICELAND REVIEW
Soaking in Style
Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths are located right on the black beach of
Laugarvatn Lake, which is boiling hot in places due to geothermal activity. An
hour’s drive from Reykjavík, Laugarvatn Fontana is a must-stop on the popular
Golden Circle route. Laugarvatn Fontana’s steam rooms are built over a boiling
hot spring which has been used for this purpose for over 80 years. Elegantly reno-
vated, the steam rooms have special grates in the floor allowing guests to see, hear
and smell the natural hot spring. A Finnish-style sauna has also been added to the
area, along with a series of interconnected baths and natural pools of various
temperatures and depths, ideal for the entire family to relax or play. A refreshing
swim in Laugarvatn completes the bathing experience. As swimming heightens
the appetite, you can spontaneously decide to try the freshly-made delicacies in
the in-house buffet, available daily at noon and in the evening. fontana.is
Pools Worth Making a Splash About
Reykjavík’s geothermal swimming pools offer a place to soothe your cares
away and soak up the many therapeutic benefits of Icelandic water. Perfect for
a relaxing dip or a few lengths. There’s fun for the young-at-heart on the water
slides and it’s always a good time to unwind in the range of hot tubs by the
poolside and get to know the local gossip. Why not visit the ‘swimming palace,’
Sundhöll in, Iceland’s oldest and most charming pool, designed by renowned
architect Guðjón Samúelsson? Enjoy the range of facilities at Laugardalslaug,
including 50-meter (164-feet) inside and outdoor pools, a range of hot tubs and
waterslides, and for family fun look no further than Árbæjarlaug where the little
ones can enjoy a children’s pool, paddling pool, slides and water fountains. In the
western part of town is the recently-renovated, small and friendly Vesturbæjar-
laug. Located within walking distance of the city center, it’s good for a soothing
soak after a day of shopping and sightseeing. visitreykjavik.is/swimming-reykjavik
Explore the Origins of Icelandic Culture
At The Settlement Exhibition visitors can experience the settlement of Iceland
in the late 9th century through two remarkable exhibitions. The first is based
on archaeological findings from the days of the settlement and the other on
manuscripts documenting the same period, offering an unprecedented view into
the origins of Icelandic culture. The exhibition centers on an excavated site, the
actual remains of a Viking Age longhouse that have been preserved in-situ. The
second exhibition comprises some of the nation’s most renowned documents,
many of them written in the 12thcentury but relating to events that go back
as far as 874 AD, when the first settlers came to Iceland. The manuscripts are
recognized by UNESCO as having outstanding cultural value. Open 9:00-20:00.
reykjavikcitymuseum.is
BITS & PIECES SPECIAL PROMOTION