Category: Norway Life
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Is Scandinavia Becoming a More Popular Vacation Destination?
As a longtime fan of all things Scandinavian, I’ve noticed that Scandinavia seems to be becoming a more popular holiday destination. I’ve read articles about people escaping the heatwaves of southern Europe during the summer and choosing the colder Scandinavian ski resorts over the poor snow conditions found in the Alps. However, I do wonder…
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A Weekend at the DNT Cabin Grautheller: The Last Snow of the Season in Sirdal
Our cabin trip to Grautheller last week was a perfect early spring getaway in the mountains. After navigating the tricky parking situation in the village of Suleskard, we made our way along the private road that leads to the cabin. Though supposedly reserved for kraftstasjon workers, there were quite a few cars on the road.…
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Hiking the Randaberg Coastline: A Rainy but Rewarding 20km Hike
Last weekend, we kicked off our first proper training for the Four Day Marches with a 20km coastal hike around Randaberg. As expected, the weather was far from ideal—rain, wind, and the classic Stavanger grey sky. Despite that, it was a great hike. With a mix of farmland, rugged coastline, historical sites, and beaches, this…
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Ferry between Netherlands and Norway: Where are we at?
As someone who has experienced firsthand the convenience of ferry travel between the Netherlands and Norway, I’m cautiously optimistic about this new development. The previous disappointment with Holland Norway Lines still stings, but Njordic Ferry Lines appears to have learned lessons from HNL. I’ll follow developments closely and share updates on my blog as this…
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Review: Fjordline Ferry from Stavanger to Hirtshals
The Fjordline ferry provides a convenient connection between Norway and Denmark, with comfortable facilities and good amenities. What I like about the overnight ferries is that your holiday starts right away, and you can start fresh on your drive if you travel further into central Europe. However, the cabin booking system could be more transparent.
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Rainy Day Activities in Stavanger: Having Fun When It Pours
Living in Stavanger means accepting a simple truth: Rainy days are the default, and sunny days are the exception. Luckily, there are plenty of things to do that don’t feel like a compromise but become better on a rainy day.
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EuroBonus Calculator: Find the Value of Your Points
Determining the value of your Eurobonus points can be tricky. Reward programs are made to give the impression that you are receiving a lot of value, even though this is often not the case. In this post, you will find a calculator to quickly and easily determine the value of your points.
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Besseggen and Jotunheimen: A 5-Day No-Car Hiking and Camping Guide
This summer, my friend and I wanted to go camping and hiking to escape the busy city life and enjoy nature. Without a car, we wanted to go somewhere easily accessible with public transport. We found a beginner-friendly 3-day route around Russvatnet in Jotunheimen on nepaltur.no. The hike is mostly flat, so since we love…
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Flying Cheap Doesn’t Mean Flying Miserable: My 9 Tips
As a Dutchy, I love finding the best deals. I’ll happily dig through websites and make a few sacrifices to save a buck. Over the years, I’ve picked up some tips for making budget travel work, and I’m sharing them with you today.
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Staying Productive and Inspired in Norway’s Autumn Blues
November is probably the worst time to visit the Norwegian West Coast. It gets dark early, there isn’t any snow yet, and when the sun finally rises, it will be hidden behind clouds. Here are the things I do to stay productive and motivated. Planning aheadAutumn isn’t very inspiring and motivating, but it is good…
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Review, Fjordline from Stavanger to Bergen
The original plan was to head to a cabin in Stavanger’s mountains this weekend. But we quickly learned that practically none of the DNT cabins are accessible by public transport, so we decided to take the Fjordline ferry to Bergen instead. I’ve been to Bergen before, but only once—and I was around 10. I remember…
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Review Kristiansand to Hirtshals with Fjord Line FSTR
Last summer I took the ferry from Kristiansand to Hirthals. I thought it would be a good moment to revisit the experience, as I’m looking at travel options to and from the European mainland. All in all, I very much liked the trip. The ferry is quick (2 hours 25 min) and comfortable. The lounge…
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Food and Drink I Miss About the Netherlands (And Always Bring Back to Norway)
Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of Norwegian products I like. But there are also quite a few things that I miss from the Netherlands. Here are the five things that I will try to stuff in my suitcase or carboot when travelling back. 1. Cheese 2. Dutch Pilsner and Craft Beer 4.…
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Preikestolen in Wintertime
Yes, October might seem a bit early to discuss winter trips, but this one is worth planning far ahead. Preikestolen is always a beautiful hike, but in wintertime, it might even be better than in summertime. The view looks even more magical with the snow-covered mountains, and you will likely be on the plateau all…
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Best Norwegian Credit Card for Flight Bonusess
Until recently, I relied on my American Express (Amex) for credit card travel bonuses. However, Avinor has cancelled lounge access to Amex cardholders whose cards are not connected to Norwegian banks. While I got some compensation for the missed benefit, it’s clear that my Amex card is no longer providing the value it once did,…
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The Best Ways to Get Around Stavanger
After living and travelling around Stavanger and its surroundings for about a year and a half, I thought it’d be a good time to share my thoughts on getting around in this part of Norway.
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Back in Stavanger and catching up on coursework
I’ve left the Arctic and returned to the ever-sunny-never-rainy place of Stavanger. While cycling to work I was surprised by the smell of rain and grass. I wouldn’t have thought I would ever be surprised by that. Svalbard doesn’t really have a smell. Sometimes you taste the dust or coal that is blown by the…
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What I Packed and What I Wish I Had For My Stay On Svalbard
When I was prepping for Svalbard I made a packing list. All in my packing list was pretty accurate. But some things I could have prepared better. First on the list would be a pair of binoculars. I never bring them on my hikes on mainland Norway but here on Svalbard, they are a necessity.…
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Resources for Planning a Hike on Svalbard
Introduction The landscape on Svalbard is as stunning as it is hostile. Planning a hike here is different from planning a hike on the mainland. Knowledge is your most important tool. The Arctic is constantly changing, with unpredictable weather, unstable terrain, and the presence of polar bears. It’s therefore essential to have accurate, up-to-date information…
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Safety training on Svalbard at UNIS
This week has been exciting as I participated in the mandatory safety training at the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS). This training is essential for every student and researcher here, ensuring that we are well-prepared to handle the challenges of the Arctic environment. The training lasted a week and included various practical and theoretical sessions,…