Explore Scandinavia: Fjords, Northern Lights, and Everything In Between
With remarkable scenery, cultural legacy, and seemingly limitless natural wonders, you can’t beat a travel experience in Scandinavia. Few destinations are dramatic cold grandeur with such warm and friendly people. Every stop along the way will enlighten and excite you, whether you find yourself mesmerized by the incredible Northern Lights in the polar skies or the unadulterated beauty of timeless cities and farmhouses. Each stop along the way will unlock incredible inspiration and wonder. To help you get the most out of your travel plans, here are five basic tips for enjoying the variety of marvels of this great region of the world.
See the Northern Lights in the Arctic Circle
The Northern Lights are one of the most amazing spectacles in the world, and an ideal place to see them is Scandinavia. The best time to see them in Northern countries is between late September and March, especially in cities like Tromsø (Norway), Abisko (Sweden), and Lapland (Finland). For the best views, get out of the city lights and look for clear skies during high periods of solar activity. Go on tours, which often give you clothes and heated shelters too. They’ll most likely provide photography tips and advice, and ways of enjoying the lights.
Cruise Through the Majestic Fjords
The Norwegian fjords are the most spectacular natural phenomenon of Scandinavia. These knife-like inlets, carved by glaciers for millennia, gleam bright blue from mountain tops to the ocean’s edge. Truly a surreal moment that feels as though pulled from the pages of a postcard, the fjords of Norway can feel otherworldly, tugging on our appreciation of beauty and our sense of adventure. Notable highlights in the fjord area include the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord and nearby Nærøyfjord; both are gorgeous and attractive with stunning waterfalls, quaint towns, and endlessly glassy water. To complete your travel schedule, you can book vibrant Scandinavia tours that combine fjord cruises with train excursions and visits to sites of culture. This will give a smooth combination of history and nature.
Dive Into Nordic Culture in Capital Cities
As outdoor travels are a draw for visitors to the region, the capital cities of Scandinavia also have their own merits in terms of art, design, and history. Copenhagen is delightful, with its charming canals, bicycles everywhere, and culinary scene. Don’t forget to check out the colorful buildings at Nyhavn harbor and try your luck at some new Nordic cuisine. Stockholm is an exciting amalgamation of 14 islands, with its medieval character and modern swagger, guaranteed to check out the Vasa Museum and Gamla Stan (the historic district). A living city alive, Oslo is filled with countless things to see and do; right now, include the Munch Museum, Oslo Opera House, or head down to a vibrant harbor.
Embrace Outdoor Activities Year-Round
Scandinavia’s varying climate and topography are perfectly adapted to outdoor activities. Summer translates to the midnight sun to support extended treks, kayaking, and cycling along some of Sweden’s longest treks on the Kungsleden Trail or Finland’s Lakeland. Winterlways has bragging rights to dog sledding, snowmobiling, or cross-country skiing, frequently in the Arctic. Local Sámi culture in Northern Scandinavia involves cozy culture, sledding with reindeer, and storytelling, as well as Sámi-led tours. For the more subdued, thermal spas, saunas, and peaceful strolls in boreal forests are a rejuvenating antidote to the energetic activities.
Travel Smart With Sustainable Planning
Scandinavian nations are far ahead when it comes to sustainability and eco-tourism, so there is no problem with responsible traveling. Public transport is straight-out clean, efficient, and ubiquitous; trains and other public transportation even have fantastic routes. Norway’s Flåm Railway and Sweden’s Arctic Circle railway are stunning. Try your best to sleep in ecologically approved hotels, eat local food, and avoid waking animals and sensitive habitats. Some of these places are going car-free or low-emission, so we request you to be more mindful of expecting and traveling lightly. There are some travel guides and apps online through which one can limit the use of paper but can stay updated on traveling places and get the booking information.
All in all, Scandinavia’s more than a view; it’s a manifestation of sensual, emotional feeling within untouched wilderness, vibrant customs, and conceptual innovation. Whether waiting for the northern lights or reviewing the bustle in capitals, you won’t find a lack of spectacles, and you will find your ferocity somewhere amongst the chaos and possibly even the opportunity to think about whatever piece of it that is yours!
