Blue Lagoon

It might look like the set of some distant alien world in the latest sci-fi flick, but the incredible images of this steamy lagoon are 100% real, and one of the most amazing tourist attractions in the world, an attration that's priased for it's healing effects. The Blue Lagoon is easily Iceland's most popular attraction, and for good reason. The Lagoon acts as something of a giant bathtub filled with some six million liters of seawater from deep beneath the surface of the earth. The water is maintained at a piping hot 102 degrees, and is fed by the water output of Svartsengi, the nearby geothermal power plant, and is renewed every two days. One of the Blue Lagoon's most interesting features is how mineral rich the water is. By the time it's made it's way to the earth's furface, not only is is nice and warn, but it's loaded with white silica mud and other minerals, which is what gives the lagoon its stunning blue glow. The milky waters have even proven to include a medicinal bonus, and as a result, people with problem skin tend to walk away feeling cured of their blemishes.  There's more than just the lagoon to enjoy. There's also saunas, a steam bath that's been carved out of a natural lava cave, and even a waterfall that's meant to massage your joints into blissful submission. While the gorgeous, glowing Blue Lagoon can sooth your soul and cure what ails you, it does have one little problem. With the high mineral content of the water comes a high sulphur content, which means that the Blue Lagoon can sometimes get a bit, well, stinky. I'll just come right out and say it - you're probably going to smell like farts for a few hours after bathing, but hey, if you're spending the weekend at the lagoon, so will everyone else. You'll get used to it.  The best time to plan your own visit to the Blue Lagoon is in June during the summer solstice. If the weather is cooporating, the skies will be sunny and clear almost all day...quite literally, as Iceland gets merely a few hours of darkness during the summer. Winter visits are also highly recommended, because there's no better way to beat the freezing cold than a dip in the Blue Lagoon's heated waters.