Text and photos by murphybj4
The moment I stepped off the plane, the cold air outside rushed to my forehead, sweeping away the fatigue of the flight. Only then did I truly feel that I had set foot on this land of ice and fire—Iceland.
![](\"/pic/20200121/6ec1ee3837f02b4f445203cad28ba07e.jpg\")
In Iceland, even driving is a luxury, and having the distant mountain scenery as your companion is simply bliss.
In Iceland, not having a car is practically like not having legs. Independent travelers usually rent one to drive around the island and fully experience its beauty.
![](\"/pic/20200121/1a1a7f53769516a341b8f1e91cfe1b88.jpg\")
The world-famous Blue Lagoon is one of the must-visit attractions in Iceland.
Located just 13 kilometers from the airport, many travelers choose to visit the Blue Lagoon either right after landing or before departure to soak in this fairy-tale-like hot spring. A soak here not only washes away the fatigue of flying but also lets you feel the magical allure of ice and fire.
![](\"/pic/20200121/920b95b79131f4c3bae7980f171ebe77.jpg\")
The blue of the lake is completely unscientific.
The lake water contains silica, minerals, and algae, which, when refracted by sunlight, produce a mesmerizing blue-green hue. Travelers can also apply the Blue Lagoon’s signature silica mud mask while soaking—it's naturally derived from the lakebed and helps exfoliate, whiten, and rejuvenate the skin.
![](\"/pic/20200121/e1720ae779611147aed086ffa2fdb8e4.jpg\")
Driving along Iceland’s roads, each turn reveals a brand-new landscape.
Nowadays, Iceland’s Ring Road, known as Route 1, is fully paved, and it’s the main route travelers use to explore the country’s sights. This road runs across the entire island and is Iceland’s only highway. But don’t let the wide, empty roads tempt you into speeding—many have ended up with traffic tickets. Unless, of course, you’re collecting speeding fines from around the world.
- 1
- 2
- 3