A Scandinavian Winter Adventure

A Scandinavian Winter Adventure
 
Iceland
There’s no better place to embrace the beauty of winter than the land of “fire and ice”. Iceland is one of the most unique countries in the world and is full of natural wonders. The population is slightly larger than that of Newcastle and is known for its friendly natives and offers many beautiful places to explore.

Your first stop should definitely be the Blue Lagoon. After a long day of travelling, why not relax and embrace everything that the geothermal spa has to offer? The sensation of having a warm body and a cold head and shoulders is something that you definitely have to experience. Here, they also offer some iconic silica mud face masks to provide you with an authentic Icelandic experience.
 

 
 
Afterwards, why don’t you head down to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge? For all you geography enthusiasts out there, this the national park where the North American and Eurasian Plates are moving away from each other, leaving a huge canyon-like crack down the middle of the island. Here, the water is like nothing you've ever seen before and if you’re up for it, there is an opportunity to scuba dive in a crack between two tectonic plates. Thingvellir, the national park which is home to a large chunk of Iceland’s Mid-Atlantic ridge also boasts some of Iceland’s most scenic landscapes.
 
When you’re in Iceland, you don’t want to miss out on the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Northern Lights. You can view this spectacular phenomenon from anywhere in Iceland but travelling further North will increase your chances of seeing the light show of your life!
 
Iceland is not very far as it only takes 2-3 hours from most UK cities. What’s more, this country boasts some of Earth's most impressive landscapes with magnificent lakes, waterfalls, mountains and hot springs. Iceland is definitely a place that should be added to your travel bucket list.
 
 
Denmark
 
If the frosty Icelandic weather doesn’t appeal to you, then perhaps Denmark is your next choice for enjoying some Scandinavian culture.

This year, I visited Copenhagen for the first time and from that moment, I realised that I had truly fell in love with the city and the Danish way of life. Travelling to Denmark is much simpler than anyone could imagine as there are direct flights every day. I was even fortunate enough to bag a £15.99 return fare, clearly leaving me no choice other than to experience Denmark’s capital for myself.
 
I would highly recommend buying the Copenhagen Card which entitles you to free entry to historical highlights and you can enjoy a free ride on the buses, trains and metros around the city. The Church of Our Saviour is a must-see as it offers some of the best views of Copenhagen, with an outdoor staircase leading to the top of the spire, it is definitely not for the faint-hearted. Again, the views are absolutely unforgettable! Don’t forget to take a picture of the magnificent views from the top of the church all the way to Sweden!
Copenhagen is also home to Tivoli Gardens which inspired Walt Disney’s famous theme park, Disneyland. What’s more, Tivoli is a wonderful spot to listen to live music and to grab something tasty to eat!
 
Sweden
Thanks to the Oresund Bridge, it’s now incredibly easy to visit Denmark’s neighbours across the pond. You can have a quick visit to Malmö by catching a Flixbus and you can tick off even more Scandinavian countries in just one trip! Malmö is a charming city and not only is there plenty to see, but there are also lots of students as it home to one of the largest universities in Sweden.

 
 
So, it’s time to start dusting off those shiny Monzo cards and get some cash ahead of your trip. Whichever country you decide to visit, Scandinavia will be out-of-this-world! 

Elizabeth Tomlinson