here’s something quietly radical about sailing down the coast of Greenland. In a world obsessed with faster, flashier, and flatter, boarding the Sarfaq Ittuk ferry from Ilulissat to Nuuk felt like a deliberate act of slowing down. Like trading in your high-speed train for a wandering polar bear. Or, say, skipping the flight in favor of a three-day odyssey past glaciers, fishing villages, and the kind of endless horizon that recalibrates your sense of scale.

We hate cruises. This has nothing to do with one. Welcome aboard!

Icebergs that groan and crack like thunder. Midnight suns that never set. Sled dogs howling across the frozen fjord. Welcome to Ilulissat: Greenland’s jaw-dropping, iceberg-studded west coast town where nature doesn’t just whisper—it roars.

Nuuk might be Greenland’s capital. But Ilulissat? Ilulissat is the showstopper. The drama queen. The main event. It’s the number 1 tourist destination in Greenland, and there’s a good reason for that.

At a young age, I (Eli) saw a documentary about Disko Bay and always remembered. So, seeing these icy giants 3 decades later was a dream come true. And there’s no word to describe a feeling like that, but we will try our best.

So why Nuuk, Greenland? Because it’s not trying to impress you. Nuuk doesn’t show off. It just is. It’s a capital without the stress, and without the tourist groups of Ilulissat. A city that feels like a village — if that village had sushi, mummies, arctic fjords, and some of the most grounded, generous people you’ll ever meet.

We had seen Nuuk in Conan O’Brien Must Go, we knew about the new airport, and we landed here with a few vague expectations about “Arctic vibes.” What we got was something else entirely: a crash course in Greenlandic calm, a boatload of icebergs, and an accidental royal sighting (more on that later). And honestly, we were very surprised on many levels.

Nuuk is not just a place. It’s a reset button. And we can’t shut up about it.

Greenland was a childhood dream for us, and the only Arctic destination we hadn’t explored (with the exception of Siberia, but not happening right now). So, when we heard about Nuuk’s new international airport and direct flights from the US, we HAD to go before everyone else does.

We just came back from Nuuk and Ilulissat — with a ferry ride in between — and we’re still thawing out emotionally. If you’re even slightly tempted to go, this is your sign. Here’s everything that might be useful if Greenland is on your bucket list (don’t worry, we’ll leave a few surprises). Adventure ahead!

Spoiler alert: You won’t find Mykonos or Ibiza here. This is a deeply biased, highly personal list of European beaches we’ve actually been to — and loved enough to forget our towels (and sometimes swimsuit) for. And don’t expect just sea, sun and sand! From lava-black shores in Iceland to dreamy coves in Sardinia, here’s where to go if you’re looking for irresistible landscapes and sweet solitude (well, at least off season).

When we first started exploring Portugal highlights, we thought we knew what to expect: the picturesque tram of Lisbon, the amazing Sintra, the beaches of the Algarve, and, of course, a pasteis de nata or two.

But trust us — Portugal has so much more to offer when you veer away from the typical tourist hotspots. It’s these hidden gems, these tucked-away villages and wild stretches of coast, that really made us fall in love with this place.

If you want to discover Portugal like we did, here are 5 places in Portugal off the beaten path.

Spoiler alert: It’s impossible to eat just a pasteis de nata or two. There’s a reason why they sell them in tubes!

We often get asked if a travel insurance is necessary.

Good question!

Keep reading to find out, to learn all the benefits of a travel insurance, and to enjoy a 5% discount exclusive to Penguin Trampoline readers if you do need one.

If you’ve been reading us for a while, you know we’re in love with Arctic regions. And a lot of people turn to us for advice, and even want us to go with them on an Arctic trip!.

We’ve been there. We’ve hiked across frozen tundras, stood under the shimmering Northern Lights in absolute silence, and yes, once questioned our life choices while knee-deep in snow, miles from civilization.

The Arctic isn’t just a place — it’s a feeling, a test of resilience, and a reward for those who seek the extraordinary. So, this guide is for you, adventurous penguins, and all of our friends and relatives who keep asking us stuff (we love you)!

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from our Arctic adventures, it’s that human stubbornness knows no latitude. Where most creatures call it quits, slap on some fur, and hibernate, humans build bars, churches, and—of course — saunas. Because what’s a little darkness, ice, and bone-snapping wind when there’s beer to drink, sins to confess, and steam to sweat out?

We’ve been there, frozen that — from sipping local brews in Svalbard to sweating it out in a sauna shaped like a golden egg in Sweden. So here’s our firsthand guide to the northernmost everythings—places so absurdly remote that you’ll question why (and how) they even exist.

We all know that feeling — you’re itching to go on your next adventure, but accommodation prices make your wallet cry. The good news? There are plenty of ways to travel without breaking the bank. From secret hotel hacks to unconventional stays, this guide will help you stretch your budget while still enjoying a comfortable and memorable trip.

Travel dreams and budget realities don’t always get along — but they can. If you’ve ever put off a trip because of sky-high accommodation costs, it’s time for a mindset shift. The secret? Flexibility, creativity, and a few clever hacks to cut your lodging expenses without sacrificing comfort (well, maybe a bit of comfort sometimes, but it’s part of the fun)!

From hidden-gem destinations to last-minute booking tricks, this guide will show you how to travel smarter and stretch your budget further — so you can save your money for the real adventure.

So, here are our best tips to save on travel accommodation, as part of our more comprehensive article “How to travel cheaper”.

We hear it all the time: “You must be rich to travel so much!” The truth? We’re lucky to have the flexibility to work from anywhere, but it all comes down to choices. Most of our extra cash goes straight into travel.

The secret? We know how to travel smarter—and that changes everything.

Not all penguins waddle on gilded ice! We want to prove that travel doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, we know plenty of people who burn through more money at home than we do on the road.

And one of the questions we hear the most is: “How to find cheap flights?”. So, here are our best tips, as part of our more comprehensive article “How to travel cheaper”.

Let’s be honest—over-tourism is real, and sometimes, you just want to escape the crowds and find a place that still feels undiscovered. At least, we do, and this is why we always prefer going off the beaten path. The kind of spot where you don’t have to queue for an overpriced coffee or jostle with selfie sticks just to catch a glimpse of a landmark. It’s also a more sustainable approach to traveling!

And while we do visit famous destinations, we’re all about the hidden gems, the places that still have that raw, unfiltered magic. Here’s our hand-picked list of underrated destinations for 2025 — places we’ve actually been, places we love, and places you should definitely add to your travel plans.

If you're planning a winter trip to Lapland, you're probably torn between magical Rovaniemi, the "official" hometown of Santa Claus in Finland, and Kiruna, Sweden's Arctic gem. But wait — there’s more! Other Lapland destinations like Tromsø, Norway, and other less known towns, might also be calling your name. So, which icy wonderland should you choose? Let’s break it down.

Picture cobblestone streets lined with historic buildings that look like they stepped straight out of a fairy tale, contrasted with the sharp lines of Scandi-modern design.

It’s a place where time slows down, locals are smiling, fika (Swedish coffee breaks) is a ritual, and the water sparkles so clear you could mistake the city for one massive infinity pool.

Having been there a dozen times — usually on our way to Lapland — this is without a doubt our favorite Nordic capital. Discover our Stockholm travel guide, highlighting the best restaurants, top museums & attractions, unique shops, and perfect accommodations. Without forgetting our insider tips.

Kom igen!

Ah, La Graciosa — Literally “The graceful”, or “The fun one”. Just saying the name brings back the memories of dusty trails, endless turquoise waters, and that peculiar scent of sea breeze mixed with volcanic earth.

It’s hard to believe this tiny island, often overshadowed by Lanzarote’s dramatic attractions, remains such a well-kept secret. It’s not even that remote! But maybe that’s its magic—hidden, untouched, and breathtakingly wild.

This was definitely the highlight of our trip to the Canary Islands, one of those places with an “end of the world” feeling that we love at Penguin Trampoline!

¿Nos acompañas?

Thanksgiving is a cherished day of tradition, gratitude, and favorite recipes.

For Eli and me (Jake), celebrating in Spain means getting creative to bring this American holiday to life, sharing North American flavors, and introducing our friends to its unique spirit.

Join the festivities and discover our best recipes and tips!

If you’re looking for authentic Catalunya, just a few kilometers from the Costa Brava’s beautiful beaches, Garrotxa is the place to go!

This small but mighty region is packed with things that make you go “wow.” We’re talking volcanoes you can hike, villages where time has stopped, and super “grammable” views. Here’s how to make the most of your time in this hidden gem, with five epic adventures you absolutely can’t miss.

The northern lights seem to be everywhere on social media. A couple of decades ago, this breathtaking natural phenomenon was only accessible to just a few lucky people. Now, it’s easier than ever to try and see them.

But between the best locations, when to go, the weather forecast, and the more scientific details such as the Kp-index (Kp-what?), it's not always easy to know where to start.

So if the northern lights have been on your bucket list for a while, keep reading for a few northern lights tips!

Kiruna is one of our happy places.

Eli has been there no less than 6 times and counting, and it was the first Arctic destination she took Jake to when he moved to Europe.

Yet, Swedish Lapland is not the most visited. Finnish Lapland is more popular due to Rovaniemi’s Santa Village, and Norway’s Troms and Finnmark regions attract visitors from all over the world.

Find out why Kiruna is so special to us, and our best tips to explore this beautiful corner of the Arctic!

Svalbard had been on our bucket list for a long time. And we finally took the leap… with a little help from a Black Friday offer on flights!

Remote… Freezing… Empty… Dark… Everyone asked us why on earth we decided to go there.

Well, because it’s the northernmost place you can go without an expedition, which means flights are actually affordable.

Yep, the northernmost, so close to the North Pole… How could we NOT want to go there? And in the heart of the winter, of course!