Scandinavia

A 86-day adventure by Miel & Laura Read more

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Trip start
July 31, 2021
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Day 3
Monday, August 2, 2021 at 5:00 PM
☀️ 16 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Denmark Skagen 57.72167, 10.5957°43’18” N 10°35’24” E
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Skagen
August 2, 2021 in Denmark ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
Since we plan on becoming English teachers in Spain (that is if we pass the course), we might as well post our footprints in English to practice :). Be warned: grammar and spelling mistakes will be made!

We started our new adventure in Skagen, the top of Denmark. We strolled around this peaceful village and enjoyed our last cheap meal 🙈. In nearby Grenen, we stood with one foot in the Skagerrak sea and with the other in the Kattegat sea (a name not unknown to those who watch Vikings).

Side note: we also spent our first night in our van, named 'Otto'. He will be our home for the next months.Read more
Traveler Wow da's cool! Echt die 2 zeeën die elkaar ontmoeten.
8/6/21Reply
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Day 4
Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at 5:00 PM
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Norway Nodeviga 58.14167, 7.9966758°8’30” N 7°59’48” E
Kristiansand
August 3, 2021 in Norway ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
We took the ferry from Hirtshals in Denmark to Kristiansand in the south of Norway. After a short drive, we found a cozy spot on a beach near Mandal, one of white cities of the Norwegian coast. We spent our first night in 🇳🇴 at a beautiful spot on the edge of a fjord!Read more
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Day 6
Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 5:00 PM
☁️ 19 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Norway Mulen 59.00561, 6.2827359°0’20” N 6°16’58” E
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Lysefjord
August 5, 2021 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
We spent three days around Lysefjord and made two beautiful hikes: one to Kjeragbolten (a giant boulder wedged in a mountain crevasse) and one to Preikestolen (named as the most iconic natural landmark in Norway). The high cliffs caused some fear of heights (for Laura), but the views of the fjord were breathtaking!Read more
Traveler wowwww
8/6/21Reply
Agnes DegangYou wasn't afraid?? I would....
8/6/21Reply
TravelerZalig !
8/8/21Reply
Traveler niet gevaarlijk doen aub
8/10/21Reply
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Day 10
Monday, August 9, 2021 at 5:00 PM
☁️ 18 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Norway Osen 60.2253, 6.0582560°13’31” N 6°3’30” E
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Hardangerfjord
August 9, 2021 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
We made an overnight hike to Hardangervidda national park (where we stood on the famous Trolltunga), used our SUP for the first time, visited some of the many waterfalls cascading down and took a dip in the freezing water of the fjord!Read more
Traveler en dan nog op je handen! we willen je graag helemaal terug hé...
8/10/21Reply
TravelerWoW !
8/10/21Reply
Super !❤ [Jeannine]
8/10/21Reply
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Day 11
Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at 4:00 PM
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 33 m
Norway Vågen 60.39909, 5.326560°23’57” N 5°19’35” E
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Bergen
August 10, 2021 in Norway ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
We stayed at a hostel so we could enjoy a hot shower, access WiFi and do our laundry. For once, Miel had a bed that was long enough! We strolled around in the city center, visited the impressive Bryggen wharf and bought an extra layer of clothes (we slightly underestimated the weather in Norway 😅). After experiencing what Norway's nature has to offer the past week, we were a bit underwhelmed by this previous capital of 🇳🇴 and stayed only one day.

FYI: on the way to Bergen, we took the longest suspension bridge in Norway and passed an underground roundabout.Read more
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Day 14
Friday, August 13, 2021 at 4:00 PM
🌧 15 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Norway Stolsviki 60.93222, 6.8804160°55’56” N 6°52’49” E
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Næroyfjord
August 13, 2021 in Norway ⋅ 🌧 15 °C
The Næroyfjord (a narrow arm of the Sognefjord) is on the UNESCO World Heritage list and we can see why. We made an amazing hike to a viewpoint (Mount Bakkanosi) and had our first two-day SUP adventure in this beautiful fjord! While paddling, we met porpoises (small whales that look like dolphins) and some very sweet goats. We put up our tent on the edge of the fjord and enjoyed the wonderful view all by ourselves!Read more
Traveler hoe zalig is da?!
8/14/21Reply
Prachtig [Patriek en Agnes]
8/16/21Reply
Uitzicht om nooit te vergeten! Jeannine [Jeannine]
8/16/21Reply
Jenka MergaertPrachtig!!❤
8/16/21Reply
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Day 17
Monday, August 16, 2021 at 4:00 PM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 805 m
Norway Nigardsbreen 61.69242, 7.1816861°41’33” N 7°10’54” E
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Jostedalsbreen
August 16, 2021 in Norway ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Jostedalsbreen is the largest glacier in mainland Europe. We made a glacier hike on Nigardsbreen, one of the most accessible branches of the glacier. Our first time on a glacier :)! We had to wait a day for some sunshine (we relaxed at a cool camp site), but it was worth it!Read more
Traveler daaaaaamn!
8/19/21Reply
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Day 18
Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at 4:00 PM
⛅ 8 °C
Altitude: 2,273 m
Norway Porten 61.63702, 8.309261°38’13” N 8°18’33” E
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Galdhøppigen
August 17, 2021 in Norway ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C
Galdhøpiggen is the highest mountain in Scandinavia (2469m) and located in Jotunheimen National Park. It was a strenuous climb of 1,400 m, clambering over the rocks and slogging through the snow. However, the views on the way up were amazing and at the summit we were rewarded with a 360 degree panorama of Jotunheimens mountains and lakes! After the exhausting hike, we parked Otto on a secluded spot to spend the night and we spotted some wild reindeer! 🦌🦌🦌Read more
Traveler 😍
8/18/21Reply
Traveler Ja! Mooi zo! En mooi Engels in het tekstje 😁
8/19/21Reply
Knarsbout DebiesterPrachtig!
8/22/21Reply
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Day 21
Friday, August 20, 2021 at 4:00 PM
☁️ 12 °C
Altitude: 386 m
Norway Ofossen 61.882, 8.3072861°52’55” N 8°18’26” E
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Skjåk
August 20, 2021 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
We stayed a few days in Skjåk, a small village with lots to do. We made a beautiful walk in Reinheimen National Park, Miel went canyoning and Laura thought she was going to die during our rafting trip on the Otta River.Read more
Traveler 🙈
8/27/21Reply
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Day 23
Sunday, August 22, 2021 at 4:00 PM
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Norway Slentreholet 62.12333, 7.1216762°7’24” N 7°7’18” E
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Geirangerfjord
August 22, 2021 in Norway ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
On our way to Geiranger, we made an overnight stop at Mt. Dalsnibba, a mountain top that 'offers stunning views across the area'. When we woke up, all we saw was a lot of fog (classic 🙄), but after waiting a few hours we could enjoy the nice views!

Another UNESCO World Heritage fjord = a new SUP adventure! It was pretty impressive, as the surrounding mountains towered +- 1700 metres above us. While paddling, we admired spectacular waterfalls and deserted summer farms. We had lunch on our SUP in the middle of the fjord :).Read more
Traveler (FP kan de kwaliteit van de GoPro precies niet zo goed aan)
8/27/21Reply
Traveler 😍😍😍
8/27/21Reply
Traveler classic aftermovie muziekske! 😁
9/8/21Reply
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Day 24
Monday, August 23, 2021 at 4:00 PM
☁️ 13 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Norway Seiskjeret 63.01833, 7.3616763°1’6” N 7°21’42” E
Atlantic Road
August 23, 2021 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
The route between Geiranger and Trondheim included two 'National Tourist Routes': Geiranger – Trollstigen and the Atlantic Road. In Belgium, we both hate driving but Norway's roads make it fun to drive :)! We also saw the sea for the first time since we took the ferry 🌊Read more
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Day 25
Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at 4:00 PM
🌧 13 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Norway Vestre Kanalhavn 63.43333, 10.39563°25’60” N 10°23’42” E
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Trondheim
August 24, 2021 in Norway ⋅ 🌧 13 °C
The weather in the third largest city of Norway was quite bad (it rained all day), but we still liked Trondheim! We walked around the main highlights (including the Nidaros Cathedral and the charming Solsiden Neighborhood full of restaurants and bars) and went to a restaurant for the first time (and the second time, njom njom)!Read more
Traveler oooh zo gezellig!!
8/27/21Reply
Yana Van Meerhaeghe smökeluk😋
8/28/21Reply
Traveler Venetië van het noorden?
9/8/21Reply
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Day 29
Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 4:00 PM
☀️ 11 °C
Altitude: 432 m
Norway Nerkrommen 65.95337, 12.5865°57’12” N 12°34’48” E
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National Turistveg Helgeland
August 28, 2021 in Norway ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C
The 'Nasjonal Turistveg Helgeland' (Road 17/ Coastal Highway) runs from Steinkjer to Bodø, is 630 kilometres long and includes six ferry crossings (= a lot of waiting for the ferry 🙈). The road runs along the coast and offers AMAZING views. We made a few stops along the way: Torghatten (a granite dome known for its tunnel through its center), Sju Søstre (Miel climbed one of the seven peaks), Svartisen glacier (we enjoyed the view of the glacier from our SUP) and Saltstraumen (one of the strongest tidal currents in the world). Oh, and we crossed the Arctic Circle :)!Read more
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Traveler First BBQ :)!
8/31/21Reply
Traveler 😍
8/31/21Reply
Traveler ❤️
8/31/21Reply
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Day 34
Thursday, September 2, 2021 at 4:00 PM
🌧 9 °C
Altitude: 4 m
Norway Smedvika 68.20833, 14.4833368°12’30” N 14°28’60” E
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Lofoten
September 2, 2021 in Norway ⋅ 🌧 9 °C
In Bødo, we took the ferry to Lofoten. This archipelo is known for its dramatic mountains, white-sand beaches and small fishing villages. As the weather was quite bad (rain, rain, rain), we booked a hostel for two nights and enjoyed a hot shower 🤗 (after two weeks this can become rather necessary 🙈). We hiked to the secluded Kvalvika Beach, admired the beaches from mount Mannen and explored cozy Henningsvaer! We are definitely coming back to explore the islands further when the sun is less angry with us!Read more
Traveler modder modder modder!
9/4/21Reply
Traveler Wowww. Mega!
9/11/21Reply
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Day 35
Friday, September 3, 2021 at 4:00 PM
🌧 7 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Norway Skrinet 69.105, 15.5683369°6’18” N 15°34’6” E
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Vesterålen
September 3, 2021 in Norway ⋅ 🌧 7 °C
Vesterålen is the group of islands above Lofoten. The mountains have a more rounded shape compared to the ones in Lofoten. Because of the weather, we only stayed one day but it was - again - very beautiful! We drove the Andøya Tourist Route, stopped at a viewpoint with an epic toilet, came across a baby moose and made an attempt to spot whales from the coast (and failed...).Read more
Traveler Hahaha nice 😁
9/11/21Reply
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Day 36
Saturday, September 4, 2021 at 3:00 PM
☁️ 8 °C
Altitude: 336 m
Norway Hesten 69.51389, 17.5845369°30’50” N 17°35’4” E
1 1
Senja
September 4, 2021 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
Another 24h-stop, this time in Senja! After a very nauseating ferry ride, we arrived at Norway's second largest island. The landscape here is as impressive as in Lofoten, but there are less people. We hiked to Hesten to admire Segla - the most famous mountain on this island - during a rare moment without rain :).Read more
Yana Van Meerhaeghe 😱
9/6/21Reply
marthe debyserGek
9/8/21Reply
Traveler Zalige foto's! en cool vestje!
9/11/21Reply
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Day 40
Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 4:00 PM
🌧 7 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Norway Tromsø Harbour 69.64667, 18.9533369°38’48” N 18°57’12” E
Trømso
September 8, 2021 in Norway ⋅ 🌧 7 °C
After yet another ferry ride we could start exploring the neighborhood of the 'Arctic capital'. We hiked to the aptly named Blåisvatnet (Blue Lake), crossed another mountain top of our list and in the city itself we enjoyed some good food. We also tried chasing the Northern Lights a few times - without success 😞. We left our last stop in Norway via the famous Hurtigruten. On to Sweden!Read more
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Day 44
Sunday, September 12, 2021 at 4:00 PM
☁️ 9 °C
Altitude: 804 m
Sweden Gárddenvárri 68.23, 18.5883368°13’48” N 18°35’18” E
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Kungsleden
September 12, 2021 in Sweden ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
We hiked a (small) part of Kungsleden, Sweden’s most famous hiking trail through Lapland. Our plan was to hike from Abisko to Nikkaluokta, a six-day trip. However, after the first night, we changed our plan as it was freezing cold at night (including ice on the tent 🥶). During our three days on the trail, we saw beautiful landscapes, met a lot of reindeer and made a cosy campfire!Read more
Hanne Vyncke firebender Debz! ;)
9/12/21Reply
TravelerHihi :)!
9/13/21Reply
Hanne Vyncke<3
9/13/21Reply
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Day 46
Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 4:00 PM
⛅ 8 °C
Altitude: 245 m
Sweden Jokkmokk 66.60333, 19.8416766°36’12” N 19°50’30” E
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Jokkmokk
September 14, 2021 in Sweden ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C
Jokkmokk is a meeting place for Sámi people (indigenous people of the North) from all over Sápmi (which encompasses large northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia). In the Ajtte Museum we learned more about Sámi culture.

In nearby Arvidsjaur we visited the church town of Lappstaden. A bit of history: in the early 17th century the first churches were built in Lapland. The church was to bring Christianity to the Sámi . A 'church attendance law' stipulated a minimum level of attendance, but this was difficult for the nomadic Sámi to fulfil. Since the road to church was long, overnight Sámi huts were built all over Lapland.Read more
Traveler 🤩
9/16/21Reply
Traveler geen file?
9/16/21Reply
Traveler File, volgens mij hebben ze daar zelfs geen woord voor in het Zweeds
9/16/21Reply
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Day 48
Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 4:00 PM
☁️ 10 °C
Altitude: 411 m
Sweden Hällingsåfallet 64.35, 14.3833364°21’0” N 14°22’60” E
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Vildmarksvågen
September 16, 2021 in Sweden ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C
The 'Vildmarksvägen' is one of Sweden’s highest roads and connects Lapland with Jämtland. We admired the Hällingsåfallet (Swedens 'Grand Canyon'), visited another church town, saw some beautiful waterfalls and drove on the high (never good news for our nights in Otto 🥶) plateau of Stekenjokk. Apart from that, we experienced Sweden's typical landscape; lakes (there are 100.000 of them) and pine forest as far as the eye can see.Read more
Jenka Mergaert 😍😍😍
9/17/21Reply
Traveler mooi jasje 🤣
9/17/21Reply
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Day 50
Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 4:00 PM
☁️ 11 °C
Altitude: 104 m
Sweden Falun 60.6, 15.61560°36’0” N 15°36’54” E
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Falun
September 18, 2021 in Sweden ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
We visited the UNESCO World Heritage mine in Falun. The mine is a thousand years old and was the world’s major producer of copper in the 17th century. Even the Palace of Versailles was roofed with Falun copper :). It was really cool to descend into the underground tunnels, even though it was with an ugly orange raincoat and helmet.Read more
Yana Van Meerhaeghe Je past zo mooi in het plaatje, Laura
9/23/21Reply
Traveler😘
9/23/21Reply
Yana Van Meerhaeghe is dit een pop?
9/23/21Reply
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Day 51
Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 4:00 PM
☁️ 11 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Sweden Linnaeus Garden 59.86, 17.6333359°51’36” N 17°37’60” E
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Uppsala
September 19, 2021 in Sweden ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
We stopped in Uppsala on our way to Stockholm. A cool university city with lots of cosy restaurants and the biggest cathedral of 🇸🇪. It was also here that a miracle unfolded; Miel visited a museum (the Linnaean Garden, a botanic garden with the former home of the famous botanist Carl Linnaeus) while Laura decided to visit a café. We also visited an old Viking site.Read more
marthe debyser Amai dat ziet er goe uit
9/22/21Reply
Traveleryess! en vegan!
9/22/21Reply
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Day 54
Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 4:00 PM
☁️ 12 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Sweden Riddarholmskanalen 59.325, 18.0666759°19’30” N 18°4’0” E
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Stockholm
September 22, 2021 in Sweden ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
We switched Otto for a comfy hotel room to explore this popular capital. After two months of living in our car, this was a welcome change. We didn't have to search for a bush to go to the toilet, were able to dress standing up, doubled our amount of showers in just 4 days and didn't freeze to death during the night.

Our daily activities also looked quite different. From strolling around the old city centre and window shopping to enjoying a vegan lunch buffet or typical Swedish 'fika' to visiting some great museums.

We also wandered around in stockholms tunnelbana, a network of underground metro stations covered with street art and couldn't stay away from the biggest IKEA of the world and it's delicious plantboller 🤤Read more
Sandrien DesmetHaha heel herkenbaar
9/25/21Reply
Traveler Ohh gemis!
9/28/21Reply
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Day 65
Sunday, October 3, 2021 at 4:00 PM
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 20 m
Poland Gdansk Ferry Port 54.34833, 18.6566754°20’54” N 18°39’24” E
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Gdansk
October 3, 2021 in Poland ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Gdansk turned out to be more interesting than we thought, so we stayed for 10 days! 😇. We visited two great museums (one about WWII and one about Solidarnosc, since they both started here), strolled around the beautiful old city centre, biked to nearby Sopot with its white beaches and enjoyed some delicious food. Apart from that we also studied English grammar a few hours a day (and yes we also binged Squid Game).Read more
marthe debyserNoice
10/6/21Reply
Travelerproficiat met je verjaardag
10/7/21Reply
Traveler Da wijs maat!
10/7/21Reply
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Day 67
Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at 4:00 PM
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 43 m
Poland Torun - Zamek krzyzacki 53.00833, 18.6083353°0’30” N 18°36’30” E
Torún
October 5, 2021 in Poland ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
This beautiful medieval city once functioned as the capital of Poland, of Prussia and even of the German Empire. It was spared destruction during the Second World War and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's also the birthplace of Copernicus! We enjoyed the local delicasy pierniki (some kind of gingerbread), strolled around the old centre with its many churches and studied some English grammar 🤓Read more
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