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Europe Summer 2026
  • Ella Balagula
  • Ella Balagula

Europe Summer 2026

An open-ended adventure by Ella Read more
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  • Ella BalagulaEurope Summer 2026Traveler
    Deep thick fog in the northern islands
    Deep thick fog in the northern islandsThe view from Kunoy island to KalsoyPine forest plopped in the middle of the islandsYou would never think you are in Faroe IslandsThe worlds only underground tunnel roundaboutVery cute cowsThe trail to the floating lake viewpointSuddenly the cliffs come into viewThe lake on the right and the ocean on the leftThe lake appears to float above the oceanThe lake is like an infinity pool into the oceanSalmon farmThe troll finger

    Faroe Islands Day 5 - floating lake

    August 17 in Faroe Islands ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Today we decided to explore the north islands before leaving Klaksvík and moving to Torshavn. But the weather decided differently. We drove to a supposedly beautiful view from the norther village in the islands, but it started raining and was completely covered in fog. We decided to move south because it looked clear on the webcams. But first we stopped by at the nearby Kunoy island. It was known for its small planted forest - a novelty on the islands with virtually no trees. It turned out surprisingly magical - a thick pine tree forest with the stream in the otherwise completely grassy and mossy landscape.

    After that we decided to drive to the southern island Vagur (where the airport is) and hike to the “floating” lake. It was a beautiful easy hike to the cliffside point, from which you can see the optical illusion of the lake floating above the ocean. We didn’t really see the strong effect, but maybe it’s because we didn’t get close enough to the edge. While the hike was in a beautiful light breeze, as soon as we got to the cliffside, the wind gusts were really scary. I could easily imagine myself being knocked over the edge.

    After that hike, we did another one hour hike to the viewpoint of the sea stacks called Troll Finger. The legend says that there was a troll woman that wanted to take Faroe Islands and… (yes, you guessed right) to throw them to island. For some reason all the trolls and giants wanted to do that. She got carried away, the sun came up and she turned into stone and drowned. But she was too big and her finger continues to stick up above the surface. It was a beautiful viewpoint, with the cliffside (thankfully fenced) being extremely windy - probably because that side faces completely open Atlantic side that faces South America, with nothing to freak the air current.

    We then drove to Torshavn where we are staying the next two nights.    Read more

  • Ella BalagulaEurope Summer 2026Traveler
    Very appropriate sign inside our apartment hotel building
    Very appropriate sign inside our apartment hotel buildingSaksun farmThe setting for the Saksun farm.The lagoon that closes up in low tide1The farm is very photogenicBeautiful stream leading to the lagoon1Walk to the lagoon along the stream1The lagoonThis strand closes up during the high tide900 year old farm buildingOld gothic monasteryThe cathedral and the farm from medieval timesView on TorshavnFinally we tried the not very impressive Faroese salmonOld Torshavn buildingsGovernment buildings in TorshavnThis building houses Prime Ministers office along with Minister of finance and Foreign Affairs

    Faroe Islands Day 6 - Back to Saksun

    August 18 in Faroe Islands ⋅ 🌬 10 °C

    Today was our last full day in Faroe Islands and the weather was nice. So we decided to go back to Saksun where I had some unfinished business. It was raining heavily when we were there and we only jumped out for a few quick pictures. We drove back there and it was stunning. We walked around the remote farm and walked up to the beautiful waterfall nearby. We then hiked to the Saksun black sand lagoon - it used to be an open harbor but now low tide completely closes it up and one can walk across the strand. Unfortunately we were there at high tide and could only walk part of the way towards the strand but I was happy that the tide won’t come up while we were on the strand and cuts us off.

    After Saksun, we drove to a small village that houses 900 year old farm buildings and ruins of the medieval gothic cathedral. It looked very out of place.

    We then went back to Torshavn and did a quick audio guided walk on the Tell Me North app. We saw a gorgeous view of the town, and harbor. We also visited old Toshavn - a few winded alleys of the turf roofed small buildings - now mostly high end restaurants. We also walked around the government buildings area - small wooden red buildings that actually now house all the Faroe Island government offices! Very chilled and open with no visible security. We could have easily bumped into the Prime Minister.

    We capped off our day with dinner of Faroese salmon - decided we had to try it. It was not very impressive - I guess tastes like a regular farm raised salmon, a bit too dry and overcooked for my taste.    Read more