TRAVEL BLOG
The Epic Lofoten Islands Road Trip
The Lofoten Islands are located in Nordland County in Norway. They are composed of the islands GimsΓΈy, AustvΓ₯gΓΈy, VestvΓ₯gΓΈya, FlakstadΓΈya, MostenesΓΈya, and VΓ¦rΓΈy. These islands are some of the most beautiful in the world and a summertime road trip to Lofoten is a huge bucket list item. My favorite spots were HenningsvΓ¦r, Reine, Ryten, Nusfjord, Vikten, OffersΓΈykammen, and Eggum, to name a few!
A Journey to the Lofoten Islands: The Island of Værøy
The island of VΓ¦rΓΈy is a part of the Lofoten archipelago in Nordland County, Norway. It is home to roughly 728 people and accessible only by ferry from Mostenes or BΓΈdo. The viewpoint after hiking to HΓ₯en is one of the best in all of Lofoten. You can also hike at Nordlandsnuppen, Plantefeltet, and VΓ¦rΓΈyhornet. A day trip here is all you need to see the southern tip of the Lofoten Islands.
A Journey to the Lofoten Islands: The Island of MoskenesΓΈya
The island of MoskenesΓΈya is a part of the Lofoten archipelago in Nordland County, Norway. There are a plethora of hikes to undertake on the island: Reine, Ryten, RΓΈren, Andstabben, and Munken. Some great beaches to check out are also at Kvalvika, Horseid, and Bunes. Lastly, the fishing villages of HamnΓΈy and SakrisΓΈy are incredibly picturesque and worth stopping for.
A Journey to the Lofoten Islands: The Island of FlakstadΓΈya
The island of FlakstadΓΈya is a part of the Lofoten archipelago in Nordland County, Norway. There are many hikes to undertake on the island: Hustinden, Volandstind, Moltind, and Nubben. There are a number of beaches too at Skagsanden, Rambergstranda, and Flakstad. The town of Vikten is a MUST visit to see the glass blowing at Glashytta KafΓ©. Lastly, Nusfjord is a charming fishing village you can't miss.
A Journey to the Lofoten Islands: The Island of VestvΓ₯gΓΈya
The island of VestvΓ₯gΓΈya is a part of the Lofoten archipelago in Nordland County, Norway. There are a plethora of hikes to undertake on the island: Mannen, Offersoykammen, Nonstind, Veggen, and Kleivheia. There are a number of beaches too at Uttakleiv, Unstad, and Haukland. Lastly, a kayaking during the midnight sun in Eggum in a must do when here in the summer.
A Journey to the Lofoten Islands: The Island of AustvΓ₯gΓΈya
The island of AustvΓ₯gΓΈya is a part of the Lofoten archipelago in Nordland County, Norway. There are a plethora of hikes to undertake on the island: FlΓΈya, FestvΓ₯gtind, Matmora, and Djevelporten. Also including the towns of Slovaer and Henningsvaer, the latter is probably one of the best to explore in warmer weather. It is known for its football stadium, built into one of the outer islands of town.
A Guide to Exploring TromsΓΈ: Norway's Northernmost City in the Arctic Circle
Take a trip to the TromsΓΈ, the largest city in Norway in the Arctic Circle. You can experience the Midnight sun or Polar night here depending on the season! TromsΓΈ is situated across the two islands of TromsΓΈya and KvalΓΈya and has plenty of sights to see like Fjellheisen, the TromsΓΈ and Arctic Cathedrals, the TromsΓΈ Gallery of Contemporary Art, among other things! Come see the Northern Lights too!
A guide to Suomenlinna: an old fortress in Helsinki, Finland and my FAVORITE place in the world
Suomenlinna, situated off the coast of Helsinki, translates to 'Castle of Finland'. Originally built by the Swedes, it has been occupied by the Russians, before being handed over to Finland. Take some time here to explore the Suomenlinna and Military Museums, Cafe Silo, Cafe Vanille, Adlerfelt, the King's Gate and Artillery Battery, Sveaborgs badstrand, and the Jetty Barracks Gallery!
A Journey to the Faroese Capital of TΓ³rshavn
The Norse established their parliament on the Tinganes peninsula of TΓ³rshavn in 850 AD, which has since been known as the capital city of the Faroe Islands with a population of 13,083. The city features great attractions like the Svartafoss Waterfall, Vesturkirkjan, Skansin, and the TΓ³rshavn Old Town. All roads lead to TΓ³rshavn in the Faroe Islands and a day is all you need to explore the city.
A Guide to Sweden: Stockholm, Uppsala, Gothenburg, MalmΓΆ, Lund, Helsingborg, Kalmar, Γland, Marstrand, Visby, FΓ₯rΓΆ, Gotland, and Swedish Castles
So many things come to mind when you think of Sweden: ABBA, Skiing, IKEA, Volvo, High Taxes, Vikings, the Swedish Chef, etc. Sweden is also more than just its capital of Stockholm. If you have the time, be sure to check out other Swedish cities like Gothenburg (the 2nd largest), MalmΓΆ (the 3rd largest), Uppsala and Lund (both university towns), Helsingborg in the South of Sweden, Kalmar in SmΓ₯land County, and the islands of Γland and Marstrand off the Swedish coast.
A Guide to the Nordic Capitals: Oslo, Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Reykjavik, TΓ³rshavn, and Mariehamn
The Nordic region of Europe consists of some of the world's happiest countries. The term Nordic is often mixed with Scandinavia though the two represent certain parts of Northern Europe. Each capital is quite different and has much to offer. This guide breaks down the Nordic capital cities of Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki, Reykjavik, Torshavn, and Mariehamn.
Why the best beaches have black sand: a journey through Icelandβs southern coast in the Winter
This road trip through the south coast of Iceland will take your breath away. Hire a car and set out from Reykjavik and stop at waterfalls like Seljalandfoss and SkΓ³gafoss, see glaciers at JΓΆkulsΓ‘rlΓ³n glacier lagoon (near VatnajΓΆkull National Park), discover ice caves at Hofn and Skaftafell, and marvel at the rock formations at Reynisdranger at Reynisfjara Beach, just outside of VΓk Γ MΓ½rdal.
Welcome to Helsinki - The Finnish Capital
There is more to Helsinki than it's gorgeous emerald-domed cathedral. This Scandinavia capital is replete with a ton of fantastic cafes that give great views of the capital countryside. The fortress of Suomenlinna is also just a ferry ride away and its solitude and quietness stands in great contrast to the city sounds just across the water.
Oslo: A Guide to the Norwegian Capital
This Scandinavian capital has loads of fascinating sights to see. Start at the Oslo Opera House and also check out Akershus Fortress, the Royal Palace, and Frogner Park. Make sure you don't miss the Kon-Tiki, Fram, and Viking Ship Museums on the BygdΓΈyfergene Peninsula as well.
A Tour of Gothenburg: Sweden's 2nd Largest City
The port city of Gothenburg lies on Sweden's western coast, just south of Norway, and north of Denmark. As a great alternative to Stockholm, Gothenburg boasts much natural green space (Seminarieparken, Slottsskogen, Palm House/Horticultural Gardens) with excellent attractions (Liseberg, Haga), and great city views (Skansen Kronan, RΓΆda Sten Konsthall, Stenpiren).
The Worldβs Longest Art Gallery: Riding on the Stockholm Tunnelbana
The say that the Stockholm Metro (or Tunnelbana) is the world's longest art gallery. Nearby every station you get off at, you will be welcomed by new and vibrant art. Some amazing stations include Solna Centrum, Hallonbergen, Universitet, Tekniska HΓΆgskolan, T-Centralen, Morby Centrum, RΓ₯dhuset, NΓ€ckrosen, Huvudsta, Solna Strand, Tensta, and Thorilsplan.
Uppsala: the hidden gem just North of Stockholm
Uppsala is just 40 minutes north of Stockholm by train. It's the fourth largest city in Sweden (with a paltry 200k for population). Make no mistake, this charming city has great importance in Sweden as a whole. While here, you can enjoy Uppsala Castle and Linnaeum nearby. The best place in the city to experience the sunset and Uppsala Cathedral is right along the canal at Gotlandsparken.
Let's go to Iceland: what to see in Reykjavik
You would think that a country of just 350,000 people wouldn't have much to offer, and you would be very wrong in this case. The Icelandic capital of Reykjavik is small, but packs a punch. Book a northern lights tour, go to the Blue Lagoon tourist trap, swim between the tectonic plates at Silfra, see the Golden Circle sights like Gulfoss waterfall and Strokkur geyser and grab coffee at Stofan Cafe.