Blog
Penguin Trampoline: The blog
With Penguin Trampoline, adventures soar to new heights!
Are you ready to bounce into a world of awe-inspiring destinations, where the thrill of exploration meets the grace of a penguin's waddle?
From the icy wonderlands of Arctic regions to the sunny Spain & Portugal beaches, our travel blog is your ultimate ticket to discovering hidden gems, unlocking travel tips, and embracing the sheer joy of discovering new horizons.
We're not just about sightseeing; we're about experiencing the heartbeat, culture and gastronomy of each destination, bouncing into unforgettable moments.
Join our community of dreamers and explorers as we leap from continent to continent, propelled by curiosity and an insatiable wA/Onderlust.
So, buckle up, grab your passport, and prepare to spring into the exhilarating world of Penguin Trampoline!
Free download
Travel Cheaper Cheat Sheet
27 tips on flights, hotels, hidden costs and more — spend less without missing what actually matters.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Best Hotels in Rovaniemi (Igloos, Luxury & Cabins)
Rovaniemi, Finland, isn’t just Santa’s hometown — it’s the gateway to the Arctic, a cozy, snow-dusted city where Northern Lights dance above the rooftops and reindeer wander along frozen rivers.
We’ve stayed here several times in different seasons, and the truth is: there’s no “wrong” place to stay — only how close you want to be to nature, and how much you want to watch the aurora from bed.
That being said, it’s always better to be a bit further from city lights. And, personally, we love to have our own cabin with sauna for a true Nordic experience (you also save on food).
So here’s our handpicked list of the best hotels in Rovaniemi — from luxury spas to dreamy cabins — all with that essential Arctic magic.
Best Hotels in Tromsø for the Northern Lights (We Stayed There)
If you’re chasing the Northern Lights in Norway, Tromsø is usually the first name you hear — and for good reason.
The city sits right under the auroral oval, surrounded by mountains, fjords, and more cozy hotels than anywhere else above the Arctic Circle.
You don’t have to trek into the wild to see the aurora — sometimes it dances right above your balcony. That being said, if the aurora is on the weaker side, your best shot is far from the city lights. And you’ll find awesome options in the surroundings!
Here are the best Tromsø hotels for Northern Lights lovers, whether you want views, comfort, or a cabin-in-the-snow vibe.
Northern Lights Tours in Alta, Norway — Are They Worth It & How to See the Aurora
Alta, Norway may not get the same attention as Tromsø, but locals quietly call it the City of the Northern Lights — and for good reason.
Every winter, Alta becomes one of the most reliable places on Earth to join a Northern Lights tour and actually see the aurora dance.
We’ve actually seen some of our best auroras there, and it’s the mix of quiet roads, wide skies, and cozy Arctic charm that makes it special… with less tourists, as we love it!
Northern Lights Hotels in Sweden: Icehotel, Glass Igloos & Cabins in Kiruna, Abisko & Luleå (We Stayed at a Few)
There’s cold, and then there’s Lapland cold—the kind that makes the air taste clean and turns silence into music. Well, actually, there’s Svalbard cold, which takes it to another level, but that’s another story. You probably came to Swedish Lapland for the Northern Lights, but you’ll stay for the cabins that smell like pine, the saunas with a view of forever, and the hosts who still cut firewood by hand to prepare a delicious suova (Arctic Food here).
We’ve crossed Swedish Lapland roughly a dozen times, from Luleå’s frozen archipelago to Abisko’s star-soaked skies to find the best stays—those that feel remote yet reachable, wild yet warm.
Fall for Nature: 6 Remote European Wilderness Escapes for Autumn Solitude
Summer crowds have gone home (and we, penguins, rejoice). Temperatures are down (again, we rejoice). Winter hasn’t yet wrapped everything in snow. And in between, fall (or autumn, depending on where you’re reading this from) quietly transforms Europe’s wildest corners into glowing forests, aurora skies, and solitude you didn’t know you needed.
If you’ve ever wanted to trade pumpkin spice lattes for misty valleys, or swap city noise for the crunch of leaves under your boots, this is your season. Here are five wilderness escapes we’ve loved (or are about to explore) where fall feels like nature’s secret handshake.
Take a deep breathe in… and fall for nature with us!
Finnish Lapland in Autumn — Ruska Colors & Quiet Magic Beyond Rovaniemi
If you’re yearning for the perfect fall escape, Finnish Lapland is your dream come true. Vast toundra and taiga landscapes stretching as far as the eye can see, vivid fall colors, cozy log cabins with crackling fireplaces, warm saunas, cold lakes, and the northern lights dancing overhead.
Whether you’re an intrepid adventurer or someone who just wants to snuggle up with a good book and hot cocoa, Finnish Lapland offers the perfect blend of wild and warm.
Best Hotels to See the Northern Lights in Europe (We Stayed at a Few)
You’ve seen the photos: glass igloos glowing under green skies, cozy cabins deep in Lapland, snow hotels made entirely of ice. It all looks unreal — and it is, until you find yourself standing outside at midnight, in –25°C, watching the aurora swirl above your room.
We haven’t stayed in every one of these hotels (we’re working on it, promise), but we’ve researched them, seen many in person, and talked to travelers who’ve frozen in all the right places. Here’s our handpicked list of the best hotels in Europe to see the Northern Lights in 2025, from Norway to Finland to Sweden — plus a few bonus picks in Iceland worth every chill.
Visiting Nuuk, Greenland: Things to Do, Our Favorite Hotels & How to Plan Your Trip
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.
Hiking in Lofoten Islands – Best Trails, Conditions & What to Expect
There's a version of hiking in Lofoten that looks great on Instagram — dramatic peaks, mirror-flat fjords, golden midnight light. That version is real, and believe us: hiking rarely gets more spectacular or “grammable” than this. What Instagram leaves out is the sideways rain at the trailhead, the mud that swallows your boot to the ankle, and the summit fog that rolls in the moment you reach the top.
We love it anyway. Hiking the Lofoten Islands is one of the most rewarding things we've done anywhere, and we keep going back. These are the trails we've actually done, with notes on what the conditions are really like — not what they look like in the best-case photo.
Best time to Visit Iceland & What to Do
Spoiler alert: Anytime is a good time to visit Iceland!
And it’s because Iceland isn’t just another travel destination; it’s like visiting an entirely different world — or even planet. I (Eli) had always dreamed of venturing through its surreal landscapes, and after experiencing it twice, I’m convinced Iceland is a place everyone should see at least once.
From surreal black-sand beaches to incredibly blue glaciers, every turn will leave you in awe. Keep reading to know more!
Tromsø vs. Alta - Which Northern Norway Town Should You Choose?
Norway is one of the best places on Earth to chase the Northern Lights and enjoy breathtaking landscapes — but when you zoom into the map, the Arctic north gives you two tempting main bases: Tromsø and Alta.
Both towns promise aurora magic, Arctic adventures, and that raw, snow-dusted beauty. But which is the right one for your trip in 2026? We’ve been to both — frozen toes included — and here’s the breakdown.
👉 This article is part of our Arctic Travel Hub, where we gather all our insider tips, destinations, and stories. If you’re chasing the northern lights, also check out our Northern Lights Hub.
Spoiler alert: We have a personal favorite, but both are absolutely worth a visit.
Northern Lights for Dummies: The Beginner’s Guide to Chasing Aurora
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!
Best Places to See the Northern Lights in the World
If you’re searching for the best places to see northern lights, here’s the short answer: northern Norway, Iceland, Finnish Lapland, Sweden’s Abisko region, Greenland, Alaska, and parts of northern Canada consistently offer the highest visibility rates. The best months run from September to March in the northern hemisphere.
The northern lights don’t understand borders (and sometimes, neither do we).
If you’ve already dreamed your way through Iceland or Norway (see our Europe guide), here’s the global bucket list: the best places in the world to chase the aurora borealis — and even its southern twin, the aurora australis.
What Are the Northern Lights? Science Explained Simply
The Northern Lights are one of those rare things that live up to the hype. They look like magic — glowing curtains of green, pink, and purple rippling across the night sky. But behind the wow-factor is a cocktail of solar physics, Earth’s magnetic field, and a bit of folklore humans have been spinning for centuries.
This guide breaks down what the Northern Lights actually are, how they form, why they come in different colors, and the surprising ways they affect both people and animals — without turning into a boring science lecture. We’ll even talk about the different shapes they take, so you can show off at the next party (providing your friends are nerds like us!)
Northern Lights Photography Tips — Settings, Gear & Tricks for Beginners
The aurora is wild enough on its own. But try to photograph it and suddenly you’re fighting the dark, the cold, and a camera that refuses to focus. And by the time you figure it out, Lady Aurora is already gone. Don’t panic: you don’t need to be a pro to bring home shots that look like they belong on a postcard — or at least on Insta. You just need a little prep, the right gear, and a few tricks to outsmart the Arctic night.
This is your beginner-friendly guide to photographing the Northern Lights — no tech snobbery, no 200-page manual, just clear steps to help you capture the sky on fire.
What to Wear for a Northern Lights Trip (and Stay Warm at –30°C / -22°F)
So you’ve booked your aurora adventure. Flights? Check. Camera? Charged. Excitement level? Off the charts. But here’s the deal — the Northern Lights love the kind of weather that can turn your eyelashes into icicles. We’ve been there —repeatedly. Yes, voluntarily. And we know how to dress for our beloved Arctic! But show up unprepared and you’ll spend more time shivering than stargazing.
This guide is your survival kit: what to wear, how to layer, and the gear that actually keeps you warm at –30°C while waiting for the sky to put on a show.
Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Europe (and how to choose)
You’ve seen the photos. The swirls of green and purple. The ice hotels and starry skies. But how do you actually plan a Northern Lights trip in Europe without blowing your budget, freezing your face off, or ending up in the wrong place at the wrong time?
We’ve chased the aurora across Scandinavia and beyond — from cozy Finnish cabins to Swedish frozen lakes. We’ve waited hours in the cold, sometimes with a reward and sometimes with nothing except frostbite. We’ve tested apps, gear, and all the local tips we could get.
So, here’s our not-boring, fully practical guide to the best places to see the Northern Lights in Europe — and how to pick the one that matches your vibe.
The Ultimate Arctic Travel Guide 2026: How to Explore, Survive, and Avoid Becoming a Polar Bear’s Lunch
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)!
Faroe Islands Travel – Things to Do, Trails, Restaurants & Where to Stay
We were looking for a nature destination with whimsical, dramatic landscapes for our unofficial wedding. Iceland had gotten way too popular, and the Lofoten Islands seemed to be next…
We found the perfect Faroese photographer, so we decided to travel to the Faroe Islands to symbolically get married, and, of course, explore this one-of-a-kind destination!
Will you join us on an unforgettable trip to the Faroe Islands?
Spoiler alert: A very famous character died there!
What to Pack for Greenland: The Complete Arctic Packing List
Packing for Greenland is like dressing for mood swings — sunshine, snow, wind, and rain all before lunch. We’ve lived it, felt it, and nearly froze our eyelashes off. Take this as your Arctic survival script (with a side of style… or not).
And yes, read our Ultimate Arctic Travel Guide for even more cherry-picked wisdom!