There’s magic within the air as I step into Iceland’s gloriously heat geothermal waters. Stars shine within the early night sky and clouds of steam momentarily reduce me off from the opposite friends.
Feeling splendidly alone, I float effortlessly previous jet-black volcanic rocks as snow begins to fall.
It’s an expertise you possibly can actually solely have in Iceland. However I’m not within the geothermal waters of its world-famous Blue Lagoon. As a substitute, I’m in Sky Lagoon – a brand new, extra intimate pool set in a rocky headland on the very fringe of Reykjavik.
Warmth therapy: Sky Lagoon contains a dramatic 250ft-wide infinity-style edge with views over the North Atlantic
Neil describes Sky Lagoon, pictured, as an ‘intimate pool set in a rocky headland on the very fringe of Reykjavik’
Lower than a 12 months outdated, it doesn’t make an excellent first impression. In your method there you’ll cross quite a lot of ugly warehouses, however flip the ultimate nook and every thing modifications.
On a promontory that appears like the sting of the world, there’s a darkish, hulking, low-slung reception constructing. The partitions are manufactured from blackened timber and volcanic bricks. The angular roof is roofed in hardy, snow-topped turf.
Inside is a heat however shadowy world with the form of top-notch spa a Bond villain may be part of.
Neil says that ‘you’ll cross quite a lot of ugly warehouses’ on the method to the lagoon, ‘however flip the ultimate nook and every thing modifications’
The lagoon is accessible to all ages, although the over-12s-only rule places it off-limits for younger households, says Neil
The partitions of the reception space are ‘manufactured from blackened timber and volcanic bricks’, in response to Neil
Based on Neil, the underfloor heating within the Sky Lagoon locker rooms provides a contact of luxurious
Within the ‘enchanted cove’ of Sky Lagoon, ‘jagged black volcanic rocks stand up on all sides’
‘Feeling splendidly alone, I float effortlessly previous jet-black volcanic rocks as snow begins to fall,’ writes Neil
Underfloor heating within the locker rooms provides an early contact of luxurious, however doubts stay as I go away the zen-like bathe space – can Sky Lagoon actually beat the outdated devoted Blue Lagoon?
The reply comes shortly. Stroll by clouds of steam and step into its heat, silky waters. Glide ahead, leaving the constructing behind and put together on your jaw to drop.
You’ll end up misplaced in an enchanted cove. Jagged black volcanic rocks stand up on all sides.
Step or swim by waters that twist spherical a collection of darkish corners and also you’ll quickly hear the low buzz of voices. Head in direction of them for the following large reveal.
It’s right here that Sky Lagoon’s foremost pool opens out. The waters stretch away on either side, whereas in entrance is the lagoon’s 250ft-wide, infinity-style edge. Forward of that’s solely the ocean and sky. Stand on the wall and also you’ll really feel as if you happen to’re suspended over the very fringe of the Atlantic.
Describing the principle pool, pictured, Neil writes: ‘Stand on the wall and also you’ll really feel as if you happen to’re suspended over the very fringe of the Atlantic’
Pictured is the glass-walled sauna that appears straight out to sea at Sky Lagoon
Indulgence: A lady enjoys a physique scrub at Sky Lagoon’s spa, the Sky Ritual
The wow-factor beats something I felt on the greater, land-locked Blue Lagoon. Throughout me listed below are faces as excited as mine. And thru the steam I see one thing else: comfortable {couples} ingesting champagne. For Sky Lagoon has one of many world’s most fashionable swim-up bars. Tucked away within the entrance to a darkish cave, you pay for drinks utilizing the high-tech wristband that secures your locker and acts as your entry ticket.
Toasting a terrific vacation amid a brand new flurry of snow made Sky Lagoon really feel much more magical. And I hadn’t even paid additional for the Sky Ritual ticket that features a physique rub, steam room and a glass-walled sauna wanting straight out to sea.
Lacking out on these was a mistake, a proud Icelandic grandmother advised me later as I sat by the hearth and layered as much as go away the foyer. She proved the lagoon is accessible to all ages, although the over-12s-only rule places it off-limits for younger households. She additionally stated that after taking the waters I’d have a implausible night time’s sleep – and she or he couldn’t have been extra proper.
Evaluating Sky Lagoon with the Blue Lagoon, pictured, Neil says: ‘The wow-factor beats something I felt on the greater, land-locked Blue Lagoon’
Neil recommends climbing to the Fagradalsfjall volcano, which gives guests a uncommon probability to see newly fashioned lava fields
Head to Iceland quickly and Sky Lagoon isn’t the one new attraction to attempt. Final spring the massive Fagradalsfjall volcano started to erupt for the primary time in 800 years.
Mountain climbing to the crater gives a uncommon probability to see (and odor) newly fashioned lava fields.
Tour teams and personal guides are dashing to benefit from the sight, understanding the volcano may change into dormant once more at any time.
Join an hour-long drive in direction of the volcano, then stroll some 90 minutes to the most effective viewpoints.
I wasn’t fortunate sufficient to see fiery lava, though I did face horizontal sleet from the second I left the coach.
Thankfully, I’d taken the resort’s recommendation on boots, hats and heat, waterproof clothes. And the landscapes I hiked by, even when moist, had been price any discomfort.
Higher nonetheless, the free-flowing geothermal waters that fill the Sky and Blue lagoons additionally assist fill Iceland’s radiators and hot-water tanks, so that you don’t must really feel responsible about turning up the warmth at your resort and taking a protracted, sizzling bathe earlier than diving underneath a thick cover for the proper night time’s sleep.