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ScandiRail
  • Theo Stell

ScandiRail

There is no better place to spend the countdown to Christmas than in Scandinavia! An Interrail trip to 12 cities throughout Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Mostly solo, but with guests. Leggi altro
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  • Theo StellScandiRailViaggiatore
    Happily arrived in Bodø
    10 hours earlier in TrondheimSnåsavatnet lakeRiding in a winter wonderlandSunset at 2:30Enjoying the Nordland RailwayBodø harbour by night

    End of the Line

    12 dicembre 2019, Norvegia ⋅ ☁️ 3 °C

    I did it! I took the train all the way from Utrecht to the furthest point of the Norwegian railways - Bodø. (It just took me 3 weeks and 11 other cities 😂.) The town sits just above the Arctic Circle and tops Iceland as my most northerly destination.

    The journey from Trondheim to Bodø took 10 hours!! But it didn't feel that long because the Nordland Railway line was possibly the most beautiful I've ever ridden, winding through a genuine winter wonderland of mountains, snowy forests and frozen lakes. For all 5 daylight hours my eyes were glued to the window in amazement, imagining Elsa and Anna running through the pines.

    After arriving in Bodø I enjoyed some Norwegian hospitality (thanks again to Couchsurfing), as I joined a couple in their home for dinner and a couple of TV julekalendars!    Leggi altro

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  • Theo StellScandiRailViaggiatore
    Heidi and Pia on Ausvika Beach
    The Volvo didn't break down on usBodø harbour at dawnThe Lucia girls, post-concertBodø, seen from Nyholms FortDreamy Arctic mountains

    A Walk in the Arctic

    13 dicembre 2019, Norvegia ⋅ 🌙 2 °C

    13 December is Lucia Day across Scandinavia, so I began the day with a Lucia concert at dawn in Bodø domkirke. Picture this: a full church watching a choir of 30 girls dressed in white, holding candles and singing carols with heavenly voices.

    I then rejoined Heidi, my Couchsurfing contact. After mentioning a paid coastal tour that I planned to do, she did me one better and took me to Bodø's north coast herself in her car. The twilight sky, snowy mountains and fishing huts were a truly awesome landscape! We stopped to take a walk on Ausvika Beach, with Pia the dog, in the crisp Arctic air. 😊

    On the way back, we stopped at Nyholms Fort for views of the city centre at sunset. I'll never forget the pink sky. Now hoping for a green sky tonight. 🤞    Leggi altro

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  • Theo StellScandiRailViaggiatore
    It's me! Dog sledding!
    Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap2Snow-shoeingView of the ranch

    Sleigh Ride

    14 dicembre 2019, Norvegia ⋅ ☁️ -2 °C

    "Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap
    Let's go, let's look at the show
    We're riding in a wonderland of snow."

    This iconic Christmas song was my reality today, as I joined a group of 4 (1 Swiss lady, 2 German men and Norwegian instructor) for a day playing in the snow outside Bodø. It was lovely weather for a sleigh ride together.

    But first we tried snow-shoeing - walking boot attachments which allow you to feel invincible when walking in the snow. We climbed atop a hill to experience the Arctic wind, because we are hardcore winter travellers at this point! 🌬💪

    Then the sleigh ride began, each of us piloting our own sled pulled by four majestic Siberian huskies. (Can I take one home?) We shot across hills, fell off, took snow to the face and basically had a blast. 🐕🛷😅

    Then we warmed up in a log chalet with coffee, tea and the snow blasting in the dark outside. Couldn't be any more koselig.    Leggi altro

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  • Theo StellScandiRailViaggiatore
    Taking in that Arctic pink across the Saltfjorden
    Powerful skies by the Nordlandsmuseet JektefartsmuseetTraditional fishing hut of the Bodøsjøen friluftsmuseumThe sleeper train to Trondheim

    Sunrise/Sunset All-In-One

    15 dicembre 2019, Norvegia ⋅ ☁️ 2 °C

    I've never been a sunrise person. My family can testify. I like my sleep and much prefer the more sociable timing of a sunset. But winter in Bodø means that you can see sunrise (11:15) without the need for an early wakeup and you get a free sunset thrown in just an hour or so later (12:30)!

    But before you decide you could never deal with such daily darkness, let me reassure you. There is twilight-y lightness from about 10am until 3pm (like further south). Then sunrise/set is when the sun makes a proper appearance, like a headliner at a music festival, and you must get outside and make the most of every moment! I could never tire of the pink Arctic skies. And watching the sunrise/set from across the Saltfjorden to Bodø's south, I appreciated that Norway really is "powered by nature".

    After a final long evening in Bodø (3-9pm 😆) I am now laying comfortably in my VY Sove (sleeping) cabin, on a night train to Trondheim. Let the descent begin!    Leggi altro

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  • Theo StellScandiRailViaggiatore
    Oslo Opera House
    1Roof of the Opera HouseLights of Bjørvika harbourMagical RådhusetKarl Johans gateThe Sove (sleeper) cabinViews on the Dovre Railway

    Third Time's the Charm in Oslo

    16 dicembre 2019, Norvegia ⋅ ☁️ -1 °C

    After one short day in 2009, mostly spent at the Viking Ship Museum, and a teaser at the Sentralstasjon last Monday, I am back to finally do Oslo properly!

    My descent into Oslo was tiresome. Just as I was getting comfortable in my sleeper cabin, I was turfed onto the platform at 7am in Trondheim. Then began another 7 hour journey to the capital. The snowy Dovre Railway was, however, a treat to watch through my tired eyes and a great journey to conclude my Scandinavian rail travel!

    I arrived in Oslo at sunset and grasped the opportunity to finally tour around its significant buildings, as the dusk lighting added some magic! The stunning Opera House was worth the wait to see and walk atop, while the Rådhuset was situated among lit-up trees.

    I then went to the house of my first proper Couchsurfing host, Karl! It may have taken all trip, but I found a couch to surf eventually!    Leggi altro

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  • Theo StellScandiRailViaggiatore
    Slide master
    View from the top of the slopeHolmenkollen Ski JumpMist-eriousWhere is the top?Monolitten at VigelandPOV

    Winter Sports in the City (rated PG)

    17 dicembre 2019, Norvegia ⋅ 🌫 -3 °C

    The capital city of a ski-obssessed country must of course provide ski facilities within its vicinity. Indeed, if you ride T-bane line 1 to its northern terminus you will discover Vinterpark, Oslo's very own ski resort!

    Skiing was a slope too far for me on this trip, but I happily rented a toboggan and threw myself down the Korketrekkeren slope - twice! 🛷 The name means Corkscrew and I understood why as I screamed my way down 2km of twists, turns and big bumps which gave me some significant air time. My POV video commentary cannot be shared - no one wants to hear such extreme panic just before Christmas!

    I then proceeded on the T-bane to the futuristic Holmenkollen Ski Jump. Mist-erious weather saved me from looking down to the bottom 😅, so I still can't appreciate the emotional state of a ski jumper.

    En-route to Vinterpark was Vigeland Sculpture Park. Joanna and I thought that Malmö had a lot of naked statues. But Vigeland had over 200 nude human figures, some in questionable poses. It was quite a sight, but I can't help but be confused by the number of naked likenesses in cold, cold Scandinavia.    Leggi altro

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  • Theo StellScandiRailViaggiatore
    Dilemma at Ekebergparken
    Rådhuset - cathedral of a welfare stateA walk along the Akerselva RiverChandelier at Blå nightclubView from a BarcodeOslo from EkebergparkenSunset from EkebergparkenOperahuset on a clear night

    The Sun Sets on ScandiRail

    18 dicembre 2019, Norvegia ⋅ ☀️ -5 °C

    Den siste dagen på turen! In true Solo Theo fashion, I packed in all that I could and broke the trip's daily step record! This was partly down to my morning walking tour, which was both sunny and not cancelled (much bettah than Göteborg). We toured around the city centre in the cold and even went inside the impressive Rådhuset.

    Next I rushed off to the Grünnerløkka, Oslo's hipster district (I can't resist). Situated aesthetically on the Akerselva River, highlights included a fabulous outdoor chandelier, fish 'n' chips at the Mathallen and Tim Wendelboe, who serves The Best Coffee in Oslo - he was not exaggerating. ☕

    Finally, I rushed through a real-life Barcode to see the sunset from Ekebergparken Skulpturpark. The views of both the city and fjord were unmissable and I must personally thank the sun for shining on my final day. 🌞

    The Dilemma diving sculpture at Ekebergparken encapsulates my mood as the trip ends and my first flight beckons. Ready to dive back into Britain for the first time since August... wish me luck! 🇬🇧    Leggi altro

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  • Theo StellScandiRailViaggiatore
    A very happy 1st Class passenger
    The anti-freeze planeInternational Arrival 2019The wanderer returns

    First Class Journey

    18 dicembre 2019, Inghilterra ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    The end of ScandiRail had arrived. I hopped onto a British Airways flight from Oslo to Fly-n-Rail Home For Christmas. ✈🎄 In the most Scandinavian of moments, the plane was sprayed with anti-freeze just before take-off! ❄

    Once in England, I had to work out how to use my Interrail Pass on home turf. I had access to all of England's railways... but it would help if England could actually run some trains on those rails! 🤣

    With no direct trains from London to Chippenham, my final journey took me to Swindon, 1 stop short of home. What's more, I was sweating buckets after gaining 15°C on arrival in England! At least I got my first experience of 1st Class on a British train. This entitled me to ANYTHING from the buffet trolley - better than the Hogwarts Express. ☕🍫🍪    Leggi altro

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    Fine del viaggio
    18 dicembre 2019