There are plenty of warm, mineral pools in the open air around the world. However pleasant they may be in the summer, there is nothing like getting into one in the winter, when snowflakes are falling from the sky and you are soaking in warm, mineral water, not caring about tiny details like weather forecasts or an air temperature more suited to polar bears…

How to do it (better):

Don’t forget to take a towel to dry yourself off as quickly as possible as you climb out of the pool. Also take your favorite warm drink in a thermos for pure bliss (coffee, cappuccino, tea and rum, only rum – we’re not judging).

Where to do it:

The Blue Lagoon in Iceland – The Blue Lagoon gets its name from the incredible color created by the mixture of fresh and salt water. It lies 40 km (24 mi) from the capital of Iceland – Reykjavík. The Blue Lagoon contains around 6 million liters (1.5 million gallons) of geothermal water, which renews itself naturally every 40 hours and its temperature is 37º C (98º F). Another cheaper and more tranquil option is the Myvatn Nature Baths nearby.

Japanese onsen – “onsen” is a type of spring that is very common in Japan. Visit Beppu, a city on the island of Kyushu, with its “Hells of Beppu” – geothermal hot spots, each differently colored due to the mineral content in the water.

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Source: the book “203 Travel Challenges. Travel the World. Explore Your Inner Self.”

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Rent a Car For Your Road Trip

It depends on which airport you land at since you’ll have to manage your trip to the desired destination. After you collect your luggage, you’ll need to find a car rental in Iceland, unless you have some friends and family there that are expecting you and already got you covered with the transport. One word of advice, a small car wouldn’t be a good option in Iceland since there are many tours you’d like to attend. Like visit waterfalls, offbeat villages and often these places are surrounded with gravel roads. 

When renting a car, make sure it includes ash and snow coverage because the country is known for its unpredictable weather conditions. And having a car with heated seats is even better. 

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The Ring Road Tour

The untamed Icelandic wilderness can be seen while exploring the Golden Circle. If you want the proper nature experience, you need to visit first the Thingvellir National Park where you’d get to see a lot of ancient sites. The tectonic plates where Europe and North America meet are just a natural wonder. The rift is visible and you can actually cross the continents! 

As the next stop on this itinerary, we would suggest visiting the Geysir hot spring area. This is the original Geysir after which all of the rest were named, however, it is dormant for a long time. Do not worry! There are other hot springs you can enjoy at! And all of these attractions are free. Including the parking.

Hike to The Glacier

If you want to spend a day with a typical Icelandic experience, we’d like to introduce to you the Glacier hikes. These Arctic adventures can take you on a hiking trip on the gorgeous blue ice glacier, dusted with volcanic ash. Seeing a glacier that close is a unique experience, so you need to add this to your itinerary list. Make sure your clothes are warm and waterproof because it rains almost ⅔ of the year.

What To Pack

Whether you are planning to stay in Reykjavik, you need to learn what to pack for the trip. Regardless of the season, you are traveling in, there are some tips and advice for proper packing. Some things are essential to pack, like sturdy boots, layers of clothing that include base layers, jumpers, thermal tops and leggings, t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, windproof and rainproof coats, and much more. You might need swimming gear if you plan on swimming in some of the lakes. Do not forget your passport and boarding pass! 

Since you can expect all kinds of weather, packing can be a bit complicated. Pack light. As lighter as you can! On the other hand, if you are visiting Iceland in the summer, make sure it’s in July. This month is extremely popular for trips to Iceland. Summer packing is not easy as well. Some of the obvious items you can take with you are t-shirts, trousers, shoes, socks, and the best party outfit for a night out in Reykjavik!

What Not To Wear

There are some rules on what not to wear when traveling to Iceland. Iceland’s climate is milder than you’d expect. However, do not wear less than three layers of clothing because you’ll be exposed to the brutal wind and rain weather conditions. To ensure maximum cold protection, it’s good to have thermal gear layers. At any cost, do not wear thin socks and slippery shoes. These can make your life hard. And wearing a thin sock is a real killer.

Forget about the fancy clothing. Even if you are going on a night out, outings in the cities do not require a lot of dressing up. Keep it simple and warm. Bars in Reykjavik are not strict with dress codes, make sure you have enough layers to keep you warm and cozy. And enjoy the trip!

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