Northern Europe
The last European true wilderness
Welcome to the majestic realm of Northern Europe, where landscapes are carved by ancient glaciers, and the ethereal dance of the northern lights illuminates the night sky.
Nordic countries are a symphony of contrasts. Picture-perfect fjords, forests and lakes harmonize with sleek urban designs, cutting-edge technology, and a deep-rooted respect for sustainability.
From the hipster neighborhoods of Stockholm to the untamed expanses of Lapland and the Faroe Islands, Northern Europe is still relatively under the radar.
Embrace the Hygge lifestyle in Denmark, savor the Finnish sauna culture, visit living Viking camps in Sweden, be a musher in Svalbard, search for elves in Iceland, and hike until you drop in Norway.
Join us on an adventure in our favorite part of the world: The Arctic. Experience its pure magic, and get ready to fall head over heels for these magical regions.
Be warned, though: The journey will leave a permanent imprint on your heart, and a longing for more.
Countries we visited in Northern Europe: Sweden, Norway (including Svalbard), Finland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Denmark, and Russia, among others.
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!
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!
Nestled between fjords and mountains, Ålesund is a perfect Norwegian postcard.
While we usually prefer Arctic destinations, we’ve decided to go a bit more “south” this time.
The fjord regions of Norway are very popular in summer, with dozens of cruise ships visiting every day. Since we prefer to selfishly keep Norway beauty to ourselves, we’ve decided to visit in winter.
Keep reading to explore Âlesund & Sunnmøre region with us!
Ålesund is the perfect base to explore the surrounding fjords and mountains.
Møre og Romsdal region is home to dozens of beautiful fjords, which have contributed to Norway’s popularity for international travelers over the centuries.
Equipped with a rental car, our snow gear and great tips from Destination Ålesund & Sunnmøre, we decided to venture into the magical realm of winter fjords. Wanna tag along?
Set in a spectacular decor of fjords and mountains while being easily accessible, Ålesund is a perfect hiking base.
And Norway in general is a hiker paradise!
If you enjoyed our article on Things to see in Ålesund, keep reading for an active vacation!
Note: These hikes are doable in winter.
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!
The Lofoten Islands are a stunning playground for hikers. So picture-perfect, in fact, that the first time you’ll go there, you’ll have a hard time believing it’s a real place — and not something out of Arendelle!
If you’re physically able to hike, that’s how you’ll breathe and feel the Lofoten Islands. And forever fall in love.
While increasingly popular, these gems are still not crowded with tourists. But hurry, it won’t last long.
So, put on your hiking shoes and follow us on our favorite trails!
Nordic gastronomy is still under the radar. However, after dozens of trips to Fenoscandia, we can ensure you that we tried some of the best food we ever had up North.
And there’s a good reason for this: while most of the Western world is “suffering” from processed food and a disconnection from nature, Nordic cuisine is still heavily based on natural resources and deeply rooted in tradition.
So, follow us on a delicious culinary journey through Arctic Europe!
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!
Cities can be nice, but as far as we’re concerned, they do not trigger strong emotions like nature does.
Sure, some monuments are real masterpieces, but we don’t think there is anything more powerful and impressive than nature.
If your favorite artist is also Mother Nature, keep reading to discover 5 top destinations all nature addicts should have on their bucket list.
Are you looking for a complete change of scenery for your next trip? Sometimes, there is no need to travel to the other side of the world (or to space!) for an “out of this world” feeling.
So, check out these 6 places which will make you feel like you’re on a different planet.
For nature lovers, hiking is often the nicest and most eco-friendly way to discover a country.
From day hikes to more challenging treks, there are suitable options for everyone.
We’ve picked 5 destinations which we consider ideal for hikers of all ages and levels, but there are many others to discover!
Do you need your daily dose of nature in order to be happy? Do you dream of spending all your weekends and holidays in the wilderness? Would you enjoy seeing wild animals wandering in your backyard?
If your answers are yes, you might consider below locations to establish yourself!
Sweden is always a good idea, no matter where you go.
This time, to satiate our winterlust, we decided to head a little more South than usual and spend a week in Luleå.
The largest city in Swedish Lapland seemed to have it all, with a well-connected airport, snowy landscapes, cozy cafés and restaurants, and, of course, the frozen Bothnian archipelago. It’s a university town with very few tourists — exactly our kind of places!
Ready to travel to Luleå with us?