Land Of Fire And Ice

Soaring peaks, hot springs and mind-blowing scenery make a voyage around Iceland with Saga Cruises an exhilarating adventure, discovers Sally Hales

- Sally Hales

It's no wonder Icelanders show such deep respect for the unknowable mysteries of their landscape. From craggy, moon-like lava flows and bubbling mud pools to vast glaciers and verdant mountains, this island may have a small population but its terrain tells a tale writ large. As we loop around the island on our Wild About Iceland cruise, from hugely popular capital Reykjavík to the less well-known north and east of the island, we are witness to the full majesty of this mesmerizing island.

Joining in Reykjavík we spend our first night on board our ship, before joining an excursion to the famous Blue Lagoon. As we exit the city, the roads become eerily quiet, and the sweeping terrain of friable lava rock makes us feel a million miles away from anywhere. It’s no surprise Iceland often stands in for the moon on the big screen.

The lagoon’s setup is a slick and its proximity to Reykjavík means a steady flow of visitors, but it is no less pleasurable for its buzzy atmosphere. Despite mizzling rain, sinking into the beyond-warm waters heavy with soothing minerals to splosh around in search of the complimentary drink and mud pack (served inside the lagoon, so you never have to heave yourself out) is intriguing and indulgent – it really does leave your skin feeling silky.

We stop off en route back to the ship at Krýsuvík for our first glimpse of an active geothermal site, and it becomes clear that unpredictable weather is part of the deal in this stoic land. As we cower in rain macs and admire the otherworldliness of the steaming vents, a seemingly unconcerned wedding party, dressed in full attire, pose for photographs. Skies change their outlook by the moment but, here in Iceland, it’s never a reason to stop as we discover.