Iceland Things to Do

If I seem obsessed with soaking in thermal waters in Iceland, it’s only because I’m following local tradition. And when my favorite, locals-only secret hot pool in the southern hills of the country was covered forever by the lava and ash of Eyjafjallajokull (you may remember that volcano erupting in 2010…), I was inconsolable. Well, the wild world that is Iceland takes with one hand and gives with the other. Not quite as undiscovered but still magical, a new spa complex has opened, called Fontana, on the banks of Lake Laugarvatn. Only an hour out of Reykjavik and very close to Thingvellir, a place that anyone visiting Iceland has to visit.

It’s cold and windy and snowy and dark in Iceland during winter. That doesn’t mean it’s not still beautiful and amazing and hospitable. But it does mean you need to find ways to keep warm. One is to frequent the many bars and cafes in town. Another is to frequent your local pool and get into hot water with the locals.