I am soooooo HAPPY!
I’m spending my summer in Scandinavia and the Baltic States!!
Well. Not my entire summer vacation. More like the month of July.
So, while I’m not exploring as much as last summer, I still have an amazing itinerary planned for a corner of Europe I haven’t yet experienced. Let’s hope no random heat waves hit me!
What’s on my agenda? To be honest, this trip mostly consists of larger cities, but I’ll do my best to plan a few excursions into the countryside. I wish I had more time to visit smaller towns – especially in the Baltics – but now I’ve a built-in excuse to return to the region. Don’t I say that about every single trip? Ah, whatever, haha.
Okay, no more babbling. Enjoy my summer itinerary, yay!
By Julian Herzog (Website) (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.
1. Copenhagen, Denmark
First I’m spending a weekend in Denmark’s capital city, Copenhagen. My brother visited here in October. He LOVED the city. So my expectations are high. Perhaps too high.
[By Brorsson (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons]
2. Stockholm, Sweden
Full disclosure: The main reason I’m visiting Stockholm is for TBEX 2016.
I’m spending two days in conferences and learning from fellow travel bloggers, as well as professional photographers, videographers, marketers, etc. Gotta increase my blogger swag, after all.
But I have a few spare days to explore Sweden’s capital, too. TBEX has a great “introduction to Stockholm” pre-trip planned for bloggers.
[By Asea (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons]
3. Southern Archipelago
After TBEX, I’ve been invited to participate in a FAM Trip with Visit Karlskrona to the Southern Archipelago.
We’ll stop at a few small, picturesque towns, as well as spend two nights camping on an uninhabited island in the Archipelago. Hopefully I can pitch the tent! I certainly struggled in Western Canada.
[By Arz (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons].
4. Vilnius, Lithuania
I’ve always wanted to visit the Baltic States – Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia – and I have about a week and a half to spare. From Sweden, I’m taking a quick flight to Vilnius to begin my Baltic Capital tour. I don’t know much about Vilnius, but can’t wait to learn more!
5. Riga, Latvia
Riga. Oh do I have high expectations for Riga. I’ve heard this capital is a lot of fun for travelers. And look at that architecture? Be still my beating heart!
[By maigi (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons].
6. Tallinn, Estonia
My last Baltic capital brings me to Tallinn in Estonia. Judging only from pictures, I think this city has one of the most beautiful old towns that I’ve ever seen. I can’t wait to experience the medieval atmosphere for myself.
By Marcela [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html)], via Wikim
7. Helsinki, Finland
My last stop is Helsinki. I’m planning on taking the quick ferry from Tallinn. I know Finland isn’t part of the Baltics, but nonetheless, it’s a city that has always been floating on my travel radar.
So what do you think of my summer plans? Super cool, huh? You probably have two big, burning questions that you’re ready to fire off in the comments. So allow me.
1. But where’s Norway? Norway is special to me. Photos of the majestic fjords are burned into my brain. I want to give Norway the dedication and attention it deserves. Zipping through Norway in a week? Naaaaaaaaah, not cool.
2. But why aren’t you going to Swedish or Finnish Lapland? See above. This “breakneck July journey” is a capital “taster” trip. I want to truly soak up Scandinavia’s wilderness when I have the free time to do it a justice.
[By ArildV (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons].
Looks like you got a great summer ahead of you! Being Danish I obviously am especially excited about you visiting Copenhagen 😛 It’s such a beautiful city with so much culture and history. Also looking forward to following you to the Baltic states which I still haven’t visited.
This summer I’m not gonna do that much travelling. I’m currently living in Denmark, but in July I’ll make to move to Amsterdam, which obviously is also gonna be quite exciting (:
Camilla
Camilla —
I’m VERY excited about Copenhagen! My brother loved the city so I can’t wait to experience it for myself. Do you have any cool recommendations?
And good luck with your move to Amsterdam! I’ve always wanted to visit there, too. Next time.
Sounds wonderful! I have two recommendations…visit the Hill of Crosses while in Lithuania, and if you have time in Estonia visit Tartu. I can’t wait to see all the amazing pictures you post!
Jagabond —
Thanks so much for your recommendations. The Hill of Crosses looks INCREDIBLE and kinda spooky. Love it!
I’ve just literally drooled at your list. Amazing! I’ve been to a few of those places but not for any great length of time. In Riga, I’d really recommend spending a fair amount of time in the New Town. It’s still pretty old, has beautiful architecture, and is massively less touristy. There are lots of cool places to eat and just walking the streets is a treat. Oh and I’d recommend getting the train out to Jurmala beach. It’s beautiful there. Have the best time! Can’t wait to read about it!
Rachel —
Yay another Rachel! Welcome! 🙂
Thanks for your suggestions! I’m super excited for Riga in particular. On previous trips, a lot of travelers recommended it. I’ll definitely spend some time exploring the New Town. Less touristy is a win for me. And Jurmala beach looks fantastic!
Looks like a fantastic trip planned! Thank goodness for those summers’ off! 🙂