By Melissa Barton
Looking to get far away from your EX? Reykjavik is off the beaten path. Although most of Iceland is located just below the Arctic Circle (which passes through the small northern island of Grímsey), its location in the Gulf Stream means southern Iceland enjoys a relatively temperate—if wildly variable—climate. Reykjavik, in the southeast, is a small city with a cosmopolitan, big-city feel.
Thanks to Icelandair's option to add a stopover of up to seven nights in Iceland free of charge on a flight to Europe many visitors to Iceland only visit Reykjavik. Fortunately, there's plenty to do in and around the capital.
Many visitors start and finish their trip at the famous Blue Lagoon Spa between Keflavik International Airport and Reykjavik. There you can relax, EXhale, and exfoliate in the geothermally heated, cyanobacteria-rich blue waters of the giant outdoor pool. Massages and facial treatments are also available. If you enjoy the Blue Lagoon's therapeutic effects, Blue Lagoon skin care products are available for sale at the spa and in stores at the airport.
The two main activities in Reykjavik are shopping and the Friday and Saturday night runtur or pub crawl. The main shopping street is Laugavegur, which boasts an ever-changing assortment of shops and restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. Pick up a copy of Inside Reykjavik: The Grapevine Guide and check the event listings in the free English-language paper The Grapevine to get local advice on making the most of your EXpedition to Iceland's capital city.
Make friends with your fellow travelers at the pleasant, attractively-priced Salvation Army Guesthouse (tel. +(354) 561-3203), located centrally in the downtown area near several museums and restaurants. To ensure a bed, remember to book in advance, especially during the May-September tourist season. The friendly staff can help you book EXcursions to surrounding areas once you arrive.
Be sure to take a day to EXplore the countryside. A popular tour is the one-day Golden Circle tour, which visits the largest waterfall in Europe, Gullfoss; the Geysir Geothermal Area and Thingvellir National Park where visitors can cross the mid-ocean ridge from North America to Europe without getting wet. The adventurously inclined can add on a few hours of riding sturdy little Icelandic horses through the countryside around Reykjavik. Reykjavik Excursions and Gray Line Iceland offer a variety of tour packages to fit all schedules and budgets.
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