Et une autre petite source d’eau chaude naturelle à côté de notre logement pour terminer cette journée ensoleillée ! #iceland #landbrotalaug #hotsprings #roadtrip
We don't often focus solely on Iceland, but when we do ..., we realize there's quite a bit to update you on!
Here at European Natural Soaking Society we believe very much in natural soaking. But through the years we've seen this belief expand a bit into soaking culture in general and even spa business sensing that it also has its similarities to soaking. And it can be done naturally, though that may not everybody's cup of tea.
Anyway, despite Iceland having ample opportunities to seek out that natural soak (all you need is a bit of that explorer virus), we are increasingly lead to believe that the hyped up soaking palaces are to be heeded with top - top priority. If anything, to line the pockets of investors; they need their money back. And lots of it too, it seems.
There's little reason for me to seek these soaks, especially in Iceland where free and natural soaks are always beckoning.
That said, what with newer man-made soaks developing ever faster, Condé Nast Traveller (Jan. 6) has found the need (really?) to publish an article on some of the new and old players in the luxury soaking department:
'As Iceland repeatedly ranks high on lists of happiest countries in the world, it’s safe to say there must be something in the water. And with records of public bathing dating back to the ninth century when settlers first discovered hot springs, it would be sacrilege to not indulge in this national pastime'.
It includes this new to me piece of news:
'Recently, Reykjavik announced plans to invest up to $62 million in upgrades to existing pools including the capital’s largest public pool, Laugardalslaug, as well as the construction of new ones. And as more travelers look to slow down and connect more deeply with the local culture and nature, a slew of new and sustainable outdoor spa experiences are paying homage to Iceland’s bathing traditions—and giving us good reason to plan a pool-hopping road trip in 2022'.
I suspect that once the exclusivity thing might just be wearing off, Iceland will need to ferry in more tourists probably.
naked_pixie naturally in a non-natural setting:
sólarkaffi - Coffee shared by Icelanders on the day the winter sun at last emerges from its long sleep behind the mountains.There are colors here I have never seen before. In the sky, in the water, in the ice and snow. I breathe it all in. I am inspired.#iceland #sólarkaffi #nakedinnature #hotsprings #krauma #kraumabaths #stormysky #spaday #bluewater #hotspringsiceland
The Reykjavik Grapevine (May 24) has an article on Iceland's newest soaking sensation:
'The Forest Lagoon, Skógarböðin, officially opened its doors to guests yesterday....It is the newest geothermal spa, located in Vaðlaskógur forest, a couple of minutes’ drive from Akureyri. Tinna said that since it opened yesterday, bookings started to pour in from both international guests as well as locals, booking all the way into the fall'.
Google already has good reviews, averaging 4.8 stars (out of 5). Tripadvisor is yet to notice its existence.
CNN (Feb. 22) also notes this development. Odd, you can report on something yet to open. Snippet:
'"The history of geothermal bathing in Iceland is very interesting," Cela [Hrólfur Karl Cela is one of the lead architects working on Forest Lagoon] said."The act of bathing here [In Iceland] is kind of like a public right. This is where meaningful conversations happen, in the hot tub, in the pools. You get people who don't know each other at all, you're all half-naked, so there's no status, you don't know who the other is, and this encourages a more open exchange."
Still concerning the Forest Lagoon, it's existence according to travelawaits (Jan. 30):
'In 2014, crews were digging a tunnel in northern Iceland when they hit on a geothermal source. Even though the previously unknown hot water source halted the tunnel progress, officials decided to put it to use.The hot water flowing from the Vaolaheioi mountain is now the center of the new Forest Lagoon spa'.
The entertaining TotalIceland (Jun. 29) heads over to Vök Baths on Eastern Iceland. They comment on the owners and the entry costs, even though they are impressed by the place:
'Is all this money worth it?Yes and no. It is worth it if you have never dipped your body into water heated by natural sources. Then again, if you are on a budget, skip this joint and take a basic shower. Sure, it´s not exactly the same but the warm feeling is, and you will not fill the pockets of disgustingly rich folks back in Reykjavik'.
Would TotalIceland also frown upon the >40€ entrance fee for say the Forest Lagoon? Even though it includes 2 drinks. I see a google review that the drinks are non-alcoholic: it's orange juice or water only.
The Reykjavik Grapevine has an article (Jul. 7) on the delights of Laugarvatn, which seems to end with the (pictured busy) Fontana pool.
TotalIceland (Dec. 4, 2021) educates us in bluish lagoons and on the northern of Iceland's two Blue Lagoons (Myvatn) it concludes:
'But what makes the Northern one better is the fact that it has much grander views from the lagoon over the Myvatn lake and lava area, secondly it is much less expensive, thirdly it is not pretending to be some grand-pampering factory for the rich and lastly, the steam baths here are quite unique for the fact that the steam inside rises directly up from the resource rich ground. Hundred per cent natural'.
The Reykjavik Grapevine (Nov. 8) has a list of ... best sauna's around Iceland's capital. In reality they only tested 5, so hardly a best of.
Swimming Pool Stories will be premiered @skjaldborg_heimildamyndahatid June 2022
Skjaldborg, an Iceland documentary festival announces the premiere of Pool Stories:
'Icelanders have a special connection with hot water and the country's swimming pools play a greater role in public life than is the case in neighboring countries. The pools are not unlike culture in the squares of European cities where people meet and chat over a cup of coffee. Swimmers, however, need to undress, wash themselves and put on swimsuits before going for a swim. After a few swimming trips, people take advantage of the health of the hot water in the hot tubs, relax or chat with their hot tubs, but this tradition can be traced back to the twelfth century'.
Bucketloads
#iceland #visiticeland #hotsprings #nature #relax
The list of recent Icelandic hot spring lists:
Over to a new to me website Tophotsprings. They have a page solely for Icelandic hot pots.
Kimkim has a ultimate guide to Icelandic best hot springs. Sixteen in all, as an intro it could have been worse.
Alwaysaroundtheworld (Mar. 22) has a list of 25 ('best') Icelandic soaking spots
'...to add on your bucket list'.
If you're to add these to your bucket list as well, is your list not getting too long? Isn't your bucket list a summing up of the essential places / things you want to do? Cambridge dictionary:
'a list of the things that a person would like to do or achieve before they die'.
Adding 25 Icelandic hot springs probably won't bring you closer to fulfilling the list wishes.
Back to the article: again not a bad endeavor, good map. And yes a good intro.
Nordical has a feature (listed as 2022/1) on best hot springs and pools of Iceland. On the benefits of soaking (in general):
'Apart from their relaxing and calming effects on the mind and body, bathing in the waters of hot springs certainly has a number of other beneficial properties.They do wonders on muscle aches. If you have any type of inflammation in your body, be it a bruise or painful tendon, dipping your toes in the warm waters of hot springs will eventually alleviate your pain. In addition, the calcium found its composition helps to increase your flow of oxygen whilst lowering your blood pressure. Last but not least, the sulfur and sodium combined aid with battling skin imperfections, from blemishes to eczema and all in between'.
I counted a list of 22 hot springs, natural and built, old and new. Another good intro.
Les cottages de @hestasport 😍La différence entre Novembre 2018 et Février 2022 : beaucoup plus de neige ❄️Les propriétaires sont des anges 🥰& le spectacle des aurores boréales vu du jacuzzi 🤩🤩🤩
An updated list: an ultimate guide (Jul. 4) to Iceland's best. From Northbound with roughly 20+ listed it also notes the following:
- Stick to paths
- Shower on forehand
- Leave nothing behind
- Use bathroom before visit.
Are these not obvious then?
Twowanderingsoles (Dec. 21. 2021) have a list of 14 incredible hot springs:
'We consider ourselves hot spring connoisseurs of sorts, and have sought them out all over the world – from the snow-covered mountains in the Pacific Northwest to remote areas of Myanmar.Personally, we’re huge fans of the free, natural hot springs. The more off-the-beaten-path, the better. Requires a hike to get there? Sign us up!Sometimes we get a little snobbish about the ultra developed hot spring “resorts” that require a hefty entrance fee. In fact, on our first trip to Iceland, we skipped the Blue Lagoon because we thought it would be “too touristy”. Well, that and we were on an extremely tight budget'.
A very expansive article.
Fludir, Iceland • be cool guys, don't tell anyone I'm naked.....#iceland #icelandtravel #travelphotography #travel #hotsprings #outdoorlife #outdoors #nature #naturephotography
Sadness
And now to experiencing soaking.
But first heed this. TotalIceland (Feb. 9) yet again:
'These days, in line with huge and growing numbers of tourists to Iceland, the natural order of things is beginning to break down. Sadly, even our tremendously lovely natural hot springs widely found are no exception....It seems the Landmannalaugar hot springs, Lysuholl hot spring and Hveravellir hot springs are not just crowded by tourists but much less desirable visitors too. Considerable fecal contamination was found in all three places and especially where water flow was low'.
I don't know how recent their reference is. At least it's not the first time I've heard of this. You would assume that this would have improved had it been earlier flagged? And with the drop of tourists in recent time?
Triptins (Apr. 28) has all the tips on hiking out to Reykjadalur. I'm surprised why they added this:
'[It is] 70 minutes away from the airport'.
Why is this relevant to the reader? Would you need this info because you're in a hurry? Is flashsoaking something?
It's good to know that if you're taking the trouble to head here, there's an hours walk there, an hour back (so not so convenient for the flash-soakers?). And great soaking available.
HOT RIVER
