You could spend your whole holiday on the ... - Land og saga

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The Reykjanes Peninsula Nature’s Nuances Blue Lagoon Bliss Bodies lie weightlessly su<strong>spend</strong>ed, enveloped in mineral rich, milky blue waters. Faces, covered with white silica masks, wade slowly through shallow water. Pitted rocks, created by the slow cooling of the lava flow from volcanic eruptions thousands of years ago, give the illusion of a lunar landscape. Welcome to the otherworldly Blue Lagoon. A path leading to the main entrance takes you into rooms accented with rich chestnutbrown wood, framed by natural rock. Beyond the doors of the changing rooms lies geothermal seawater enriched with silica and algae minerals to energize and nourish <strong>your</strong> skin. The brisk Icelandic weather rushes you into the pool and seconds later the warm embrace of that geothermal seawater enfolds you. Trained masseuses can float you effortlessly through the water for submerged spa treatments while soothing any tensions from <strong>your</strong> trip. They gently place you on a raft as warm water lazily laps over <strong>your</strong> body. Stress melts away in the healing blue water, transforming concern into relaxed energy, which you can take home with help from an assortment of spa products available in the gift shop. A swim-up bar delivers specialised skin masks, nourishing algae masks, exfoliating volcanic scrubs, or luscious cocktails for those who wish to imbibe. Guests who have the willpower to drag themselves from the deliciously warm water are richly rewarded for their effort in the Lava Restaurant & Bar. Built into a cliff, it gets its name from the exposed lava rock wall integrated into its layout. A towering glass staircase brings guests to a second floor bar where you can indulge in a drink before dinner. Though the Lava Restaurant & Bar has won several architectural awards, its design does not outdo the restaurant’s menu which runs the gamut from light dishes to gourmet meals. An exclusive lounge is set aside for guests who want more privacy. The six rooms feature a changing area, vanity, and shower which open into a hall that leads to a second floor balcony overlooking the main pool. Downstairs in a shared lounge amid subtly scattered curved grey chairs, fresh fruit, tea and coffee await, while a cheerful fi re warms the room. A small indoor pool is reserved for guests of the lounge and provides access, through a private entrance, to the main pool. For those who want to treat themselves, full meals, small dishes, and cocktails can be ordered from the Lava Restaurant & Bar. Blue Lagoon –KB Grindarvíkurvegur 5 • 240 Grindavík +354 420 8800 bluelagoon@bluelagoon.is www.bluelagoon.is 124
Sandgerði A Mecca for Seafood Lovers Vitinn - the Sandgerði Restaurant right at the Harbour <strong>You</strong>’ve just landed at Iceland’s international airport and <strong>your</strong> stomach is rumbling! It’s at least an hour before you can settle into <strong>your</strong> hotel in Reykjavík – and longer before you can fi nd somewhere to eat. What you need is a good meal – and now! <strong>You</strong> <strong>could</strong> eat a standard snack to be found the world over or… A short, 10-minute ride will bring you the quickest introduction to the Icelandic speciality cuisine – and the most delicious relief to that rumbling stomach that you <strong>could</strong> imagine that’s nonetheless easy on the wallet! Whether you are alone or with a large group, Vitinn (Lighthouse) restaurant can satisfy <strong>your</strong> appetite with a culinary and visual feast that sets the bar for quality, taste and ambiance. Set next to the lighthouse, right by the harbour where the fishing fleet lands its catch, Vitinn prepares fish that <strong>could</strong> not be fresher! The rich coastal fi shing ground has been the source of delicious fish since the days of Steinunn the Old, cousin of the first settler in Iceland, Ingólfur Arnason in the 800’s. Eating in this restaurant, with its warm wood panelling and cosy atmosphere would be enjoyable at any time but its owners, Stefán Sigurðsson, the restaurant’s chef, and his wife Brynhildur Kristjánsdóttir have surrounded the diners with antiques and relics from both the area’s agricultural and fi shing past to make this a unique and fascinating experience. The menu and the presentation of each course show off Icelandic cuisine at its best. Besides seafood, there is also a delicious offering of Icelandic specialties such as lamb steak. However, it is not restricted to classic Icelandic foods alone but provides a truly international variety. Vitinn is the only restaurant in Europe that provides Rock Crab fresh from the sea. Rock Crab is a delicacy found only on the US coast and in Iceland. Children are not only welcome but are provided with a special reward when they finish their scrumptious lunch from the children’s menu. Just married, celebrating an anniversary, special event, just looking for something distinctive for <strong>your</strong> friends or a group? Vitinn makes a celebration to remember for a lifetime for groups with its service, supplied by waiters and waitresses dressed in national costume. In some countries, when travelling in a group, you may feel as if you are being herded like cattle so it is a great relief to visit a restaurant like Vitinn, where large groups can be accommodated but each one is treated to personalised service and warm Icelandic hospitality. For those used to the smog and pollution of the cities of the world, the freshness of the air and the relaxed lifestyle of this coastal town add to the pleasure of being able to unwind in comfortable surroundings and enjoy a meal without stress or pressure. Open for lunch all the year round, from May to September, Vitinn is open all day, too, so diners can enjoy the garden, or watch the surf as the boats come in to the harbour, laden with fresh fish as the sun gently dips to the horizon in the light evenings. The town is worth a visit and has its own blend of unique features and a fascinating history. After taking a stroll, stop back in at the highly-praised coffee house in Vitinn for a snack of cakes, waffles and specialties from the Icelandic home-baked cuisine, including an inexpensive lunch. After that, you’ll be ready to face the challenges and excitement that awaits you with a fresh perspective of what Iceland has to offer you, along with a very pleasant memory of <strong>your</strong> experience on the wild coast of Sandgerði. Vitinn –ASF Vitatorg 7 • 245 Sandgerði +354 423 7755 info@vitinn.is www.vitinn.is 127
Page 1 and 2: The Reykjanes Peninsula The Blue La
Page 3 and 4: Quadbiking in Sandvík Valahnúkur
Page 5 and 6: The Reykjanes Peninsula fresh veget
Page 7 and 8: The Reykjanes Peninsula Skies Cover
Page 9 and 10: The Reykjanes Peninsula The Grindav
Page 11: The Reykjanes Peninsula The Place t
Page 15: The Reykjanes Peninsula Rare Sights

You could spend your whole holiday on the ... - Land og saga

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