The Coast
29 июня, Норвегия ⋅ 🌬 15 °C
It's time to leave the mountains and head for the coast. We'll be following the coastline for the next couple of thousand kilometres, and there is no better way to start the journey than with Norway'sЧитать далее
Down Time
2 июля, Норвегия ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
It's time for an admin break, which coincides with our visit to Trondheim, Norway's third largest city. We get an AirBnB, catch up on washing, finances etc, etc, but still have time to explore theЧитать далее
Route 17
5 июля, Норвегия ⋅ 🌧 10 °C
After the big lights of Trondheim we head north, but not via the main route. Rather, we take the amazing Route 17. A road built along the coastline, with countless bridges and seven ferry crossings.Читать далее
Путешественник
Beautiful greys and greens. Looks like that new hip is going very well
Stunning Lofoten
9 июля, Норвегия ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
One of our key objectives on this trip is the Lofoten Islands. We start by catching the four hour ferry from Bodo to the Southern end of the island chain and visit the stunning towns of A and ReineЧитать далее
More of the Same
12 июля, Норвегия ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
After our days on the Lofotens, we catch another ferry (that's nineteen so far on this trip) to the northern neighbour, the Vesteralen Islands. They are no less beautiful, with wonderful littleЧитать далее
A Bit of a Disappointment
15 июля, Норвегия ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
After the Vesteralens, we take another ferry to the island of Senja. Also known for its beauty, we had high expectations and a number of hikes lined up for the island. But, it was not to be becauseЧитать далее
That’s right. It’s still so beautiful and you are seeing it how it is most of the time. Seeing its raw beauty. Is the troopy keeping you warm? [Jules]
ПутешественникWise words Jules. You are absolutely correct. But a day or two of sunshine would just be nice. The nights have got as low as 4C, which is OK in the Troopy. But the 12volt electric blanket is nice to have.
ПутешественникThat is North! Fairbanks Alaska is at 65th parallel North.
ПутешественникHi Judy, you are correct. It’s been one of the surprises for this trip - just how far north Norway extends. We got to the top, which was above the 70th parallel
A Reprieve and Surprise.
17 июля, Норвегия ⋅ 🌧 11 °C
We planned in advance to have a few days in an AirBnB in Tromso. Some down-time to get on top of admin and spread out for a while. But it was also a welcome reprieve from living in tight conditions inЧитать далее
Edging Further North
20 июля, Норвегия ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
As we keep heading north, our Norway ferry-crossing total has reached 20, and the scenery is no less spectacular. Deep blue fjords and snow capped moutains are around each corner. We overnight andЧитать далее
So lovely and so few tourists. The church is innovative to say the least. [Jules]
Almost There
21 июля, Норвегия ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
On our way to Nordkap, we take a diversion to the small fishing town of Havoysund. It's a spectacular drive, and the sun shines for a few hours. Trees are rare this far north, and life is no doubtЧитать далее
We Made It!
22 июля, Норвегия ⋅ 🌧 11 °C
To Nordkapp (North Cape) - as far North as you can get by road in Europe. Sitting above the 71st parallel, it's a long, long way North. Not much there - a rocky, treeless landscape, with 1,000 footЧитать далее
ПутешественникWow! What an achievement. If you were south I think you’d be driving Antarctica.
ПутешественникYou are correct. 71 degrees south is well into Antarctica. The reason it is comparatively warmer up here is because the landmass of Antarctica is much colder than the water that sits under the North Pole.
Last Stop - Norway
23 июля, Норвегия ⋅ 🌬 9 °C
After Nordkapp, we continue to head East across Northern Norway. Our last stop is the fishing town of Vardo and the remote village of Hamninberg. Vardo has seen better days, but is working hard toЧитать далее
It's Been a While - But a New Flag!
25 июля, Финляндия ⋅ 🌧 16 °C
It's been a great six weeks in Norway, but it's time to move on (and we'd really like to find some decent (summer) weather - to this point of the trip, we've only worn shorts on two days). We crossЧитать далее
Old Finland
28 июля, Финляндия ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
We hit the coast again at Oulu, which sits on the North East corner of the Gulf of Bothnia. The coastline is an interesting change from the lakes and pine trees of the interior, and this area is homeЧитать далее
SW Finland
30 июля, Финляндия ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
We continue along the coastal roads of SW Finland past the bays and islands of the Southern Gulf of Bothnia. The towns of Pori, Rauma and Turku have a wonderful historical charm about them, and theЧитать далее
Scandanavia. Done!
2 августа, Финляндия ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
After about eight weeks, we wind up our time in Scandanavia in the Southern Finland coastal town of Porvoo and in Helsinki. Porvoo is a trendy little getaway from the capital, with an old town centreЧитать далее
The Baltics
4 августа, Эстония ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
With our 22nd ferry on this trip, we cross the Baltic Sea to Tallinn, Estonia. It's been about 18 years since we were last here, and the walled medieval city is just as appealing as we remembered. AndЧитать далее
ПутешественникTallinn ❤️ Our absolute favourite in the Baltics. envious…
Rural Estonia
6 августа, Эстония ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
After Tallinn, we head East, paralleling the Baltic to the Lahemaa National Park. A lovely area with some fascinating peat bog swamps and coastal areas. We get our first real sunset in about twoЧитать далее
A Second Row!
8 августа, Латвия ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
With our crossing into Northern Latvia, the Troopy gets another flag, starting a second row. It's fair to say that it's starting to get some real "street cred" as a well-traveled vehicle. We have aЧитать далее
ПутешественникRow 2! And it looks like the tourist level has dropped considerably yet still so many cool places to explore
ПутешественникAlot less people in the Baltics. We've dropped down into Poland - its much much busier here
Time in the Capital
10 августа, Латвия ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
We were impressed with Riga last time we visited, and it didn't disappoint this time around. It has a great history mixed with modern development and a vibrant feel. The new library is fantastic andЧитать далее
Family Roots
12 августа, Латвия ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
After Riga, we head South to visit locations related to Lisa's dad. Her father, and both his parents (and many generations prior to that), come from the Bauska region. Ivar's place of birth doesn'tЧитать далее
Lithuania's Second City
13 августа, Литва ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
After Latvia, we continue to head South into the final Baltic State, Lithuania. Our first objective is Kaunas, the second largest city in the country. But on the way, we stop briefly at Kryziu Kalnas,Читать далее
Путешественник
Wow. The Hill of Crosses is very eerie with an atmosphere of doom and gloom. Sad times.
Путешественник
I was not aware of this place previously. How many years has it taken to get to this volume and size.
Vilnius
15 августа, Литва ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Our final stop in the Baltics is Lithuania's capital, Vilnius. The old town makes for an interesting visit, but it is the modern development across the rest of the city that is becoming theЧитать далее
ПутешественникLooks interesting and beautiful. It’s always the old parts of the cities which captivate however the new thriving parts of these old cities are the life source. Would love to visit Lithuania. ❤️
Warsaw
17 августа, Польша ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
After Vilnius it's a day of travel to get to the Polish capital. The roads are great, and we make good time. Warsaw is a city going places. The amount of construction within the city is extraordinary.Читать далее
Krakow
20 августа, Польша ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Poland's second city, Krakow, managed to avoid the complete destruction suffered by Warsaw in WWII. The city square dates back over 500 years, and it's become a lively, popular destination. WeЧитать далее
Eastern Czech Republic
22 августа, Чехия ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
It's a matter of selective sightseeing at this point, as we grind through the kms to get back to the English Channel before our permitted 90 days in Europe expires. In addition, we need to get toЧитать далее