Thursday, May 14, 2015

HEALTH DESTINATION: Top Icelandic Hot Springs



Top Icelandic Hot Springs 
By Jorge Jefferds May 14, 2015

Stress is supposed to be one of the most common diseases of the 21st century. Therefore, travel shouldn’t only be focused for business or simply pleasure. Many people around the globe are looking forward to healing certain stressful conditions. Depression, weight disorders, insomnia are some of them.
Iceland seems to be a far country; for travelers seeking cure more than just fun, however, this is the right place with plenty of hot pools, and bathing.
Here’s a prime collection of geothermal pools—usually in hot spring areas surrounded by raw wilderness.

Iceland sits on top of the Mid Atlantic Ridge - when you swim or just relax in the lagoon technically you are swimming over two different continents. The mineral rich waters are reputed to help people suffering from psoriasis or other skin diseases. The park is considered one of the 25 wonders of the world. Enjoy the silica mud mask. Perhaps, you have seen the white facemask in photos before. Anyway, you will find it in a number of crates around the lagoon. You can apply as much as you want to your face and body, before leaving it on for at least 5 minutes. When you wash it off, you will feel a significant difference in the softness of your skin.

Landmannalaugar's colorful rhyolite mountains have become one of Iceland's icons. This is an extraordinary place which you must not miss out. Located at the edge of Laugahraun Lava Field that was formed in an eruption around the year 1477, the place is famous for natural geothermal hot springs and surrounding landscape. The Iceland Touring Association operates a mountain hut with sleeping bag accommodation for 75 people and a public toilet with showers. During the tourist high season there is also a small shop there that sells coffee and basic groceries, a horse tour agency and ICE-SAR highland patrol in Fjallabak operates from there. Several bus companies have regular trips to and from there during the tourist season.

When was the last time you really listened to the silence? Enjoyed vast and majestic landscapes? Visit the unknown Strandir in the West Fjords of Iceland to make your own conclusions. Go for hikes, bathe in a thermal pool with incredible views to the ocean, and jus be in harmony with nature. The region of Strandir (literally: the coasts) was for centuries one of the most remote areas in Iceland, popular for the inhabitants' knowledge of magic and as a refuge for criminals. The landscape of Strandir is far from uniform, the low hills of Hrútafjörður in the south gradually change to 700 m high mountains rising straight from the coast in the northern part. The population in the Strandir region is only little under 800. The town Hólmavík and Drangsnes village are the most heavily populated areas; around 400 people live in Hólmavík and barely 100 live in Drangsnes.

Explore the must-see attractions of the Golden Circle (Thingvellir National Park, the geysers and Gullfoss Falls), and travel off the beaten path to the geothermal area of Hveravellir in the Kjolur highlands. There you'll have the chance to bathe in the geothermal pool, and hike in the colorful rhyolite mountains of Kerlingarfjoll.

Pristine nature is a characteristic of Iceland. Some places are less known than others, but nonetheless truly stunning gems in the landscape. Drive along the south coast to Myrdalsjokull Glacier, up onto the glacier and arrive in the cozy Strutur Mountain Cabin. The pool is located at the side of a cold water river and spilt in two parts by a wall of natural stone. Its size is about 8, 5 x 5 meters; with a maximum depth of about 50 cm. Strutslaug is ideal place for a relaxing moment in geothermal waters, enjoying peace and serenity, surrounded by the impressive landscape of the Icelandic highlands. Note that there are no changing rooms at the site, and we also recommend not moving to much in the pool, as the soil is muddy. 

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