April 2022

What to pack for summer in Scandinavia

1 Comment / Denmark | Articles, Norway | Articles, Scandinavia, Sweden | Articles /

Visiting Scandinavia during summer is exciting: lots of outdoor adventures, breathtaking landscapes to explore, amazing things to see, and beautiful people to meet. The list of things to do and places to discover are our biggest priorities until we have to start packing for vacation. Then, we all have a mental bullet list with us – some have actual lists – of things that we must take with us.  But do you know what to pack for summer in Scandinavia? If it’s your first time going to Sweden, Denmark, or Norway, we suggest that you read this humble guide, as you may be missing something important that will be needed when arriving there. If you are a veteran, however, keep reading as well. Maybe you will discover something you didn’t know before. Either way, people may be surprised about some of the things on this list, others may think we missed something. One thing’s for sure, you should be well prepared. You cannot count on a typical warm sunny summer trip. In Scandinavia, all types of weather are possible between June and September. What will you be doing there? The Scandinavian summer is ideal for hiking, mountain climbing, biking, bird watching, sightseeing, swimming, the list goes on and on. So, what will you be doing on your trip there? It’s an important question to ask yourself before you begin picking your clothes. Let’s list a few things based on your activities there: Prepare for the weather Summer in Scandinavia can get really warm, but also a bit chilly at times. Always check the weather before going on a holiday there. In Scandinavian countries, it rains, and when it does, it will get chilly for sure. So: The midnight sun During summer, the sun is out for a long time in Scandinavia. The sun can stay up there for 20 hours, and in some places, it will not set until the summer is over. Keep that in mind when deciding what to pack for summer in Scandinavia. Needed accessories If you enjoy photography, then you already know this, but accessories are important when traveling. When packing for your vacation to your holiday in Scandinavia, remember to take your camera, for sure, but also: Where will you be staying? If staying at a hotel, don’t worry about this paragraph. But if staying at hostels, then don’t forget to pack: Extra things to consider Some of the things above will depend on your personal preference. They are not necessary to pack with you. But others, like bug spray, are indeed a must. On the same note, sunscreen is really important, as the sun can be harsh all day in some places. Make your life easier and take some of those with you. Additionally, consider what kind of bag you are taking with you and where you will be staying while in Scandinavia. For instance, if you are going on a camping trip, hard shell suitcases are inappropriate for this purpose. The recommendation is a carry-on backpack or a duffel bag, but make sure they are water-resistant: this way, you will be fine in most situations. Finally, do consider adopting a lifestyle that is about living every day with mindfulness and awareness, as it can make traveling an even more deep and more beautiful experience. A good introduction to this way of life is the 10 Ways to Start Consciously Living post by Maia Conscious living. So, what do you think? Did we miss anything? Are you getting some bug spray and sunscreen right now? Let us know in the comments.

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Cheap Vacation Destinations in Scandinavia

Leave a Comment / Scandinavia /

The numbers don’t lie; it is expensive to travel throughout Scandinavia. This makes sense, given the fact that they have a high currency exchange rate and high levels of taxation. So it’s important to research ways to save money before anyone visits Norway, Sweden, or Demark. On the other hand, this is a region you can trust is clean, safe, and strikingly beautiful – the recipe for a perfect holiday. Scandinavians are famous for being the happiest humans in the world. But rest assured. Like everywhere else in the world, there are cheap vacation destinations available. A great place to start when cutting back your expenses is by relying on public transportation. Thankfully, there are high-quality trains available all throughout Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. There’s a Scandinavia-wide train pass that you can purchase. What you get is an unlimited amount of train rides. There’s free Wi-Fi, clean and comfortable facilities, discounted tickets for youths and seniors, and discounts at tourist attractions, ferries, and hotels. Moreover, it’s better for the environment and allows for relaxation time. You can purchase a train pass at a train station or online at Eurail.com. Malmo, Sweden Slottsträdgården in Malmö, Sweden Many people prefer to visit the two largest cities of Sweden, Stockholm, and Gothenburg. But if you want a cheap vacation in the city, you should check out Sweden’s third-largest city, Malmo. Instead of driving, catching a taxi, or traveling by train or bus, it’s a smaller city, so it’s typical to travel by foot. Malmo is described as a city of parks, so it includes free or cheap tourist attractions and beautiful views. Some of the parks available offer family-friendly activities. Such as playgrounds for kids of all ages, water playgrounds, skatepark and rock-climbing. Also, there is a carousel, petting zoo, terrarium, miniature golf, a children theater, changing entertainment programs, castles, cafes, restaurants, and picnic areas. The Malmo Konsthall is free of charge. It is a contemporary art museum that hosts many lectures, theater, film screenings, and poetry recitals. As well as the art installations and statues of famous Swedish figures throughout Malmo. Skuleskogen National Park, Sweden Skuleskogen National Park, Sweden Instead of booking a hotel, which is one of the most expensive aspects of traveling in Scandinavia, live like a true Swede and go wild camping. It’s legal, safe, and completely free to camp anywhere you choose in Sweden. Skuleskogen National Park is the most popular place for camping. The views are astonishing and there are several bus and train lines to take you directly to one of the entrances. They offer cabins, wind shelters, eco-toilets, and wood supplies, free of charge. You can hike throughout the area, swim freely, and discover caves and waterfalls. You are limited to what you can carry, so that’s something to consider. Otherwise, there are available campgrounds with spas, pools, and saunas, but they will charge a fee. Odense, Denmark Hans Christian Andersen’s house in Odense, Denmark If you’re a fan of The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, Thumbelina, or The Princess and the Pea, then consider going on a cheap holiday in Odense, Denmark. This is the hometown of the Danish author and national treasure, Hans Christian Andersen. Visitors are welcome to tour his childhood home and they can also visit a museum of the work he completed there. This city also offers a Viking castle, local history museum, art museum, cathedral, and abbey. Another way to save money when you travel is by purchasing food in markets and making your own meals instead of visiting a restaurant or ordering food for delivery. Odense makes this easy. There is a local market every Wednesday and Saturday morning. You can purchase local fruits, vegetables, and meat as well as regional delicacies, like smoked cheese and dark rye bread. Then, you can take a walk on the coastline and enjoy a picnic on the beach. Skagen, Denmark Skagen has some of Denmark’s best beaches Denmark’s northernmost town, Skagen is where the Baltic and North Seas collide but do not mix. This town attracts two million travelers each year. It’s the country’s main fishing port, so, if you’re interested in fishing, you can catch the local herring and make yourself a typical Danish meal. It’s most famous for The Rabjerg Mile, which may look like a desert, but is actually the largest migrating coastal dune in Northern Europe. The Church of Saint Lawrence of Rome, a 14th-century church, can be seen there. It is mostly buried under the sand and all you can see is its tower, however it still is an undeniably remarkable attraction. Walking or hiking through the sand dunes is safe. There is a beautiful trail, free of charge, and open all year round. The tallest hill stands 40 meters high. The dunes also host the Rubjerg Knude lighthouse, which the city moved in 2019 so it wouldn’t fall into the sea. You can climb to the top of the lighthouse for a phenomenal view, but note it requires 200-or-so steps, and then visit a bird museum and café inside. Trolltunga, Norway Trolltunga, Norway Like other Scandinavian countries, travelers tend to visit the capital, Oslo, but the best and cheapest experiences are found in nature. Trolltunga (The Troll’s Tongue) is one of Norway’s most popular hikes and is famous for a thin cliff overlooking a fjord and mountains. It’s a 10–12-hour hike, not including breaks and the travel time to and from housing, but you can choose to only hike one section of the trail. There are shuttle buses that will take you directly to the different entrances. Also, guided tours are available. If you are not interested in camping, the closest housing is the Trolltunga Guesthouse. It has high ratings of cleanliness, comfort, and affordability. Alesund, Norway Ålesund, Norway Alesund is a small city, so there’s no need to pay for transportation; it’s easy to walk around. While you wander, you can marvel at the Art Nouveau, a unique style of architecture all throughout

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9 Places to Visit for a Viking Experience in Denmark

3 Comments / Art & Culture, Denmark | Articles /
ogier the dane

Are you visiting Denmark? Do you want to learn more about Viking history? As you probably know already, the Vikings originated from the Scandinavian countries, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. While all countries have their unique beauty, for Viking culture enthusiasts, it’s easy to miss out on the numerous Viking sites to visit. Denmark, however, stands out as a hub of Viking culture, with plenty of historic and culturally significant sites to explore. Here, we’ve compiled a list of our top favorite Viking sites in Denmark that are worth a visit. It is far from a comprehensive list of everything accessible, but it is an excellent place to start if you want to have a Viking experience in Denmark. Concerning the Danish Vikings The Vikings were skilled merchants, explorers, and seafarers who traveled as far as North Africa and the Caspian Sea. Their legacy has left a lasting impact on Denmark, with many visible examples scattered throughout the country. The Viking period spanned several centuries, starting in AD 793 when Vikings raided the Lindisfarne Monastery in northern England. As the Vikings assimilated and settled in new territories, the frequency of warfare and raiding decreased, leading to the end of the Viking age in 1066 after their defeat at the Battle of Stamford. The Most Popular Attractions to Visit in Denmark for a Viking Experience Jelling, Denmark: The Jelling Runes (UNESCO World Heritage Site) The village of Jelling in Denmark is home to the impressive Jelling Runes, which are considered one of the finest Viking monuments in Europe. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, it attracts over 150,000 tourists annually. Two impressive burial mounds and two massive rune stones were constructed by Kings Gorm the Old and Harald Blatand (Bluetooth) in Jelling. The earliest inscription that mentions Denmark as a nation can be found on one of the rune stones. The Kongernes Jelling – Home of the Viking Kings- is an experience center. It is located right adjacent to the monuments and the Jelling church. The Kongernes Jelling is a museum that provides extensive information about King Gorm and Harald Bluetooth. The National Museum of Denmark is responsible for maintaining it Roskilde, Denmark: The Viking Ship Museum In the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, you can see a nice collection of boats. You can also see a boatyard where Viking ships are rebuilt. It is an operating museum, so you can see artisans working and participating in marine crafts.  Once a year, a fleet of museum ships sail, offering an opportunity to learn about the art of sailing. Online records and tracking of the ships’ movements are available. Roskilde is the ideal destination to gain insight into how Vikings travelled to various locations. Trelleborg, Denmark: The Trelleborg Viking Fortress The first rediscovered Viking ring fortress was the Trelleborg Viking Fortress (translated as “the fortress created by slaves”). Trelleborg Viking Fortress is a circular fortress built by the Vikings. It has roadways and gates pointing in four directions. It probably is the most well-preserved Viking ring fortress you can visit today.  Close by is a Viking fortress that is more than 1,000 years old and was built in 980 AD. Many tourists also visit the nearby Trelleborg Museum, which is worth making time for. Ribe, Denmark: The Ribe Vikinge Center In recent years, new archaeological discoveries have been made in Ribe, confirming its importance during the Viking Age. The Ribe Viking Center brings Viking history to life through various innovative initiatives, such as Viking role-playing, the Viking International Market, and important academic events. The Ribe Viking Center is famous for its dedicated team of forty students who work hard to maintain the site. It is also a pioneer in communication and reconstruction, continuously adding new activities and surroundings to keep the experience fresh and engaging. Aggersborg, Denmark: The Aggersborg Viking Fortress The Aggersborg Viking Fortress, constructed by Harald Blatand in 981, is the largest ancient Viking ring fortress in Denmark and a significant archaeological site. The fortress has a circular barrier with four main pathways that lead to the center of the castle. Inside the old fortress were about 50 houses and dwellings. The Aggersborg Viking Fortress you can visit now is a reconstructed version that is 30 years old and smaller than the original fortress. Nevertheless, it is a significant site since it was a base for Viking expeditions to other parts of Scandinavia and England. Fyrkat, Denmark: The Fyrkat Viking Center The Fyrkat Viking Center is a historical fortress and also a Viking farm. The region consists of nine recreated cottages made of wood and mud walls, forming a significant part of Viking land. The Fyrkat Fortress was constructed around 980 during the reign of the Viking King Harald Blatand (Bluetooth). You can participate in various Viking activities on the farm, such as wool spinning, forging, and bread-making. You can also educate yourself about Viking clothing. Ladby, Denmark: The Ladby Viking Museum The Ladby Viking Museum in Denmark boasts of the only Viking ship still in its original location for over a thousand years. Discovered in 1935 with eleven other burials and treasures from the king’s ship grave, visitors can view the burial site and the accompanying riches. The museum offers more exhibits, including the Ladby Tapestry, the Viking Ladby Dragon, and the Dead Ship. The rich history of the Viking culture and their seafaring ways come to life at this museum, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in Viking history and artifacts. Ringkøbing Fjord, Denmark:The Ringkøbing-Skjern Museum and The Bork Viking Harbor The Bork Viking Harbor replicates a Danish Viking Harbor town that dates back to 700-950 AD. When visiting during summer, you’ll learn about Viking life and see their work. The area has a lagoon that served as a sailing point for Vikings and also provided shelter during bad weather. Adults and children can enjoy outdoor activities and guided tours. Pets are welcome too! The Bork Viking Harbor is part of The Ringkøbing-Skjern Museum, featuring 15 culturally

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