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Get The Vapors At Iceland's Blue Lagoon

June 3, 2009 at 3:55 PM | by | Comments (0)

Last one in's a rotten egg! We're finding the best places in the world to stick our toes in this summer (or next winter) for our World's Coolest Pools map. Know of any pools we must check out? Let us know.

It's just what the doctor ordered: A thermal pool known for its health benefits and a 19th-century-style spa that once did double duty as an "Amazing Race" pit stop, but it's perfectly safe for the less adventurous too.

Time was aristocrats would flood the small towns built around natural pools and springs to "take the waters," advertised as good for sickly children or hysterical females (Lohan?). Now the rest of us can rub shoulders at the Blue Lagoon Spa with the rich and famous—like Dave Grohl, who compared it to a scene from "Apocalypse Now"—at a sightly reduced price.

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Located on a lava field outside Reykjavík, the Blue Lagoon, which is more milky than blue, is mineral-saturated sea water reported to soothe skin diseases like psoriasis and eczema. SpaCritiques.com notes that the spa facilities have almost no privacy, but you might not mind that once you're immersed in the 102-degree water.

Iceland's downturn makes us hesitant to recommend a trip now, but supporting this national institution instead of an international chain with your hospitality dollar is a wise choice for travelers to the economically battered country.

Related Stories:
· Amazing Race 6 Hotel Report: Check Out the 101 [HC]
· The Blue Lagoon in Iceland and Dave Grohl [Coolspotters]
· A Killer View from the Blue Lagoon [HC]
· World's Coolest Pools coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: big-ashb]



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