The land of fire and ice should actually be called “the land of fire and ice and water.” Don’t get me wrong. Iceland is beautiful, and its natural beauty of volcanoes and glaciers — the “fire and ice” — should not be missed.

But in between the tour of the Golden Circle (more on this later), trying to see the Northern Lights (we did!) and a visit to one of Iceland’s mammoth glaciers, you should not miss the other love of Icelanders: pools — lap-swimming pools, recreational pools or the relaxing outdoor hot tubs known as “hot pots.”