Iceland review - 2017, Qupperneq 120

118 ICELAND REVIEW
BITS & PIECES SPECIAL PROMOTION
Relax, Enjoy, Experience
Make your North Iceland vacation complete with a visit to Mývatn Nature
Baths. Located 105 km (65 mi) from Akureyri in the popular Mývatn geother-
mal area, the bathing lagoon is supplied with naturally hot water straight from
the National Power Company’s borehole in nearby Bjarnarflag. At 36-40°C (97-
104°F), bathers can enjoy the stunning view of lake Mývatn and the surround-
ing nature while soaking away their stress. The water’s chemical composition
is considered to have a positive effect on asthma and other respiratory diseases,
and to counteract skin problems. It also makes chlorine and other disinfectants
redundant. There are two steam baths on site, with steam from the geothermal
area rising up through holes in the floor. Afterwards, a delicious lunch or dinner
at the in-house Kvika Restaurant is called for. myvatnnaturebaths.is
The Recipe for a Glorious Day
Reykjavík Excursions offers a range of exciting day tours, many of which
include the ever popular Golden Circle. Travelers get to visit the erupting hot
spring Strokkur at the Geysir geothermal area, the mighty waterfall Gullfoss,
which tumbles 32 meters (105 ft) down a crevice, and the historically and geo-
logically significant Þingvellir National Park. In addition to the classic stops,
Reykjavík Excursions now takes visitors to the greenhouses at Friðheimar
where they can learn how tomatoes and cucumbers are grown in a sub-Arctic
climate and have a taste of the products.
Also, travelers can go snorkeling in the crystal-clear Silfra lake at Þingvellir, in
a rift between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates; relax in the hot tubs
and natural steam bath of Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths, where locals
have enjoyed the healing powers of the steam coming straight from the ground
for almost a century; explore nature from the back of an Icelandic horse; or feel
the thrill of snowmobiling on Langjökull glacier. For those with little time to
spare, Reykjavík Excursions also offers express afternoon and evening tours. re.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 laps. There’s fun for the young and 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 ‘Swim-
ming 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-foot) in- and outdoor pools, a range
of hot tubs and waterslides, and for family fun look no further than Árbæjar-
laug 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 Vesturbæjarlaug. 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