Breathtaking Iceland by Clare
Part 1: The Blue Lagoon
Hannah and I visited Iceland to find out more about this incredible country and to chat to suppliers about the coming season.
We travelled to Iceland in October. The Icelandair flight from Heathrow to Reykjavik was quick and easy although we were a bit disappointed that the gin we had onboard was not actually Icelandic (it still tasted good though!). Once we arrived at Keflavik airport, we stopped for a short break at Joe and the Juice. They sell a wide range of deliciously healthy juices, shakes and sandwiches and their Energizer juice was just what I needed after an early start. The airport is small but there are plenty of places to eat and drink and shops to browse in if you need to wait for a transfer.
As with all our customer trips, our transfers were pre-booked so we made our way to the front entrance which is when it hit me. The wind. Iceland is one of the windiest places in the world and the weather can be dramatic and unpredictable. I’m not sure what the windspeeds were at the airport on the day we arrived but it literally took my breath away and we struggled to keep our suitcases on the trolley! Luckily, we didn’t have long to wait for our bus which met us just outside the front entrance.
To make the most of our short time in Iceland, we headed straight to the world-famous Blue Lagoon – about a 20-minute drive away.
The Blue Lagoon is one of those places that when you see the pictures you cannot believe that the water could actually be so, well, blue without the help of a photographic filter. But it truly is the most beautiful shade of milky turquoise which glows against the surrounding black rocks. Absolutely magical.
The warm waters were steaming gently in the cold air and we couldn’t wait to get in. With our luggage safely stored away (there’s a dedicated building just near the entrance for this), we made our way towards the main entrance. The Blue Lagoon is incredibly stylish. Think international spa rather than municipal swimming baths. We were trying out the comfort package, which includes entrance to the Lagoon, a silica face mask, a towel and a drink. You can also opt to upgrade to a premium ticket or an even more luxurious four-hour Retreat Spa package which looks absolutely amazing if you want a ‘money-no-object’ five-star experience.
It was busy but the staff were very helpful and efficient and we only had to wait a few minutes before going through to the changing rooms. There are separate changing rooms with lockers and showers for men and women. The electronic bracelet you receive when you arrive is your personal locker key and also allows you to charge drinks and refreshments to your account so you don’t need to carry any cash or cards – you just pay for any extras when you leave.
Some of our travellers, particularly those from the UK and US, worry about the Icelandic rule that you have to shower naked before entering any lagoon or outdoor pool. The reason for this is because the water is not chlorinated; it’s natural geothermal water and the Icelanders obviously want to keep it as clean as possible. But DON’T WORRY – the shower cubicles at the Blue Lagoon all have doors so no one will be able to see you. (This isn’t the case in all pools though – see Part 3 of the blog for more information.)
The water in the Blue Lagoon is full of silica. While it isn’t actually harmful to your hair, it can make it stiff and difficult to manage. Conditioner is supplied in all the showers and we really recommend that you put some on your hair before you go in the water. I have short hair and didn’t have any major issues but if you have long hair (and particularly if you wear extensions) you are going to want to tie it up and keep it well away from the water.
After a thorough scrub (and remembering to put our swimming costumes back on), we headed for the Lagoon. It was thankfully just a short walk from the main building to the pool itself as the wind was still strong (and cold) but that meant sinking into the warm water was pure bliss. The Lagoon is large and there’s plenty of room to move around and find a spot that you like. There’s a swim up bar and your entrance ticket means you can have a glass of wine, a beer or soft drink of your choice while you relax – just scan your electronic bracelet. There’s also a swim up mask bar with big tubs of signature face mask available by the handful and you can also purchase mud and algae masks.
The Blue Lagoon is open to children over the age of 2 although, as a Mum of four, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it if you are visiting Iceland with children (the Secret Lagoon is much more family-friendly). The main complex and the waters are accessible to wheelchair users – there is a ramp which goes right into the water which you can use with specially designed wheelchairs available from reception. Private changing facilities, shower chairs and complementary admission for personal assistants are also available if booked in advance (we can arrange this for you). If you have reduced mobility, we will need to know about this before you book in order that we can tailor your travel package appropriately.
Although the whole of the Blue Lagoon is lovely and warm, the temperature isn’t constant so we bobbed about until we found the perfect ‘hotspot’.
It was a surreal experience to have such warm bodies while our heads were a little chilly but it was so relaxing that you really don’t mind. The water is surrounded by black lava rocks which shelter you from the worst of the wind and mean that you can visit the pool all year round – even on Christmas Day. The rocks underneath and around the edge of the Lagoon are coated with white silica deposits which make them smooth to the touch and help to give the waters their magical glow.
If you want to take pictures or make a video with a waterproof action camera while you’re in the Blue Lagoon that’s absolutely fine so we did some filming before making the most of the soothing experience. I suffer from a bad back and I can honestly say that the geothermal waters really helped to ease it.
As well as the Lagoon, there are saunas and steam rooms and you can also book extras such as an in-water massage treatment. If you opt to stay at the Blue Lagoon there is a choice of two beautifully designed boutique style hotels as well as three restaurants serving gourmet cuisine and seasonal specialities. There’s also a shop selling a wide range of Blue Lagoon branded face masks, scrubs, shower gels and moisturisers if you would like a memento of your visit.
After a wonderful, relaxing time it was time to leave the Blue Lagoon and head off to Reyjavik and our hotel for the night. Because of the number of international visitors that come to Iceland each year, there is a very well organised tour bus system and the Blue Lagoon busses depart every hour. It takes around 50 minutes from the Lagoon to the centre of Reykjavik and we then transferred from the main depot onto a smaller minibus and straight to our hotel.
In Part 2 of the blog we’ll explore the Golden Circle – one of the most popular tours in Iceland – and some more of the incredible places you can visit in this amazing country. If you’re inspired, you can start your search with Arctic Direct at our luxury Iceland holiday packages.
To book your trip to Iceland and the Blue Lagoon just give us a call on 01793 939035 or email sales@arcticdirect.co.uk
