2 Weeks in Northern Europe: Itinerary

      The Europe continent is a popular travel destination among Americans and Asians. Everyone loves the old town vibes, quaint villages, and the food… However, do you realize that most people drop Northen Europe, especially Scandinavia off their list? One reason is that those countries are a little out of the way geographically, and another reason… is the high expenses.

      But if you don't mind the extra miles and do plan a visit to the North, how should you plan your itinerary to make it budget-friendlier? While there is too much to see and too little time, I genuinely hope that this sample itinerary of Northern Europe in 2 weeks will help you make the most out of your trip.

Hiking to the Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen Hike), Norway

       The Pulpit Rock was high on our must-do list and in my humble opinion, it should be on every hiker's list. Not only that it is Rogaland country's most visited attraction, it is a viewing point even CNN and Lonely Planet speak highly about. Apart from that, this 25m x 25m platform is a famed photo op among dare devils.  

7 Reasons You Should Rent A Car in Norway

       If you know me, this is not how I usually blog. Most of the time, I’ll go on with a statement that sounds like this: taking the public transport is the best way to experience a country…. I love bus rides and scenic train rides, and after my trips around America with Amtrak and Megabus, Italy with buses, all around Europe with Interrail, Russia with trains... Do you think this time I will recommend train or bus in Norway as well? Lo and behold, not his time, not in Norway.  

Car rental in Norway – 42 things to know before hitting the road

       Putting all excitement aside, driving in a foreign country can be a stressful experience… especially when you need to change sides when you drive. Other than that, language, road condition and weather play some really important roles. In Norway, all of the listed reasons should not stop you from getting behind the wheels, but before you hit the open road, take a quick look at these 42 important points to note about driving and renting a car in Norway.

How Much Does It Cost? Bergen, Norway (5 Days Itinerary + Budget)

       Norway is a beautiful country. Picturing the midnight sun shining on the fjord in Summer, and the Aurora dancing across the night sky in Winter, I didn’t think twice when it comes to booking my flight ticket. However, here is the real question: Norway is a huge country. How do I start planning???? 

Hiking to Kjeragbolten (Kjerag Hike), Norway.

       We’ve been warned that the hike to Kjeragbolten is not for the faint-hearted. But the thought of having this world wonder right in front of our eyes tops them all. Let it be difficult, fear won’t put us down this time…. fast forward to July 2017, we were driving back from Kjerag with 3 cameras fully loaded with photos and videos.

3 Days in Stockholm with a Stockholm Pass

      If you are a museum person, you are in luck, because the city offers a wide range of more than a hundred world class museums and attractions. So, as you can see, to cramp in all top attractions of Stockholm in 3 days is a mission impossible. The most budget-friendly way to do this, is to make a checklist of the places you are interested in, calculate the cost (if applicable, buy a Stockholm Pass) and time your visit.

WAKING UP IN: Scandic Parken Hotel, Alesund, Norway

      Scandic Hotel is the largest Nordic hotel operator. With such a high reputation in mind, I’ve set a high standard of my highly anticipated stay. From the moment I push the door of my superior room, the Scandic Parken hotel was destined to be one of my favorite properties in Norway.  

BOOK SCANDIC PARKEN HOTEL, ALESUND NOW!

WAKING UP IN: Comfort Hotel Xpress Central Station, Oslo

      There are a lot of "Comfort Hotel"s in Oslo: Grand Central, Karl Johan, Børsparken, Xpress Youngstorget... it seems to be a very popular chain among visitors to the capital city of Norway. Browsing through the comments online, I've finally made up my mind.

      Modern, chic and with an advantage of express check in, Comfort Hotel Xpress Central Station is a place to stay where "Budget" and "Comfort" play hand in hand. Turn out, you don’t have to break your bank to have a cozy, private room with en-suite facilities in Central Oslo.

BOOK COMFORT HOTEL XPRESS CENTRAL STATION NOW! 

16 Reasons to Visit Vik i Sogn, Norway

       Situating in the heart of Sogn, Vik is usually a quick overnight stop for tourists visiting Flåm from Bergen (or the other way around). During our 3 nights stay in Blix hotel, we’ve seen buses after buses of tourists arriving at dinner time only to leave this charming district the next day right after breakfast. Such a waste, (shaking my head in disagreement) such a waste. Little did they know, if only they give this place a chance, Vik will charm them with its fantastic cultural heritage, landscapes and so much more!