Event: Iceland

Blue Lagoon

When:	Daily
Where:	Blue Lagoon
Costs:	Ikr1800; 12-15 yrs Ikr900; seniors Ikr1200; children free with an adult
Opening Hours:	1 Sep-14 May 10am-8pm; 15 May-31 May 9am-9pm; 1 Jun-31 Aug 7.30am-9pm

Float away pain and worries in Iceland's most famous geothermal wonder. The Blue Lagoon is a unique creation of the more powerful forces of nature; a pool of pure, mineral-rich geothermal seawater in the middle of a lava field on the stunning Reykjanes Peninsula, near the coastal port of Grindavík.

Frequented by the rich and famous as well as ordinary people in need of a soak, the lagoon has earned its worldwide reputation for the waters' alleged healing properties. Psoriasis sufferers in particular have found great relief.

The creation of the lagoon relates to the local use of geothermal water for central heating. Boreholes reaching depths of more than 2000 metres were drilled into the nearby surface, but the sea began to seep into the underground water system. Being saline and mineral rich, this makes it unsuitable for direct central heating purposes - although it is used to heat other more appropriate waters.

At the outlet point, the hot salty water (70 centigrade) has formed a lagoon in the surrounding lava field. In this unique ecosystem, high levels of silica, minerals and algae form a light natural sediment on its bottom and give the lagoon its magical, pure blue colour.

Scientific studies conducted in recent years have confirmed the health-giving properties of the lagoon waters. For those who are really taken, there are various products to buy from the site (and re-fills can be bought online).