Nordics Archives - Rachel's Ruminations https://rachelsruminations.com/category/travel/europe-travel/nordics/ Taking the road less traveled Mon, 16 Feb 2026 18:29:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 What is the best time of year for a Norway coastal cruise? https://rachelsruminations.com/norway-coastal-cruise-best-time-of-year/ https://rachelsruminations.com/norway-coastal-cruise-best-time-of-year/#respond Thu, 08 Jan 2026 13:01:41 +0000 https://rachelsruminations.com/?p=87487 Trying to decide when to take your Norway coastal cruise? Here are some things to think about, based on my winter and summer experiences.

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]]> https://rachelsruminations.com/norway-coastal-cruise-best-time-of-year/feed/ 0 Havila vs Hurtigruten on the Norway coastal route: Which is better? https://rachelsruminations.com/havila-vs-hurtigruten/ https://rachelsruminations.com/havila-vs-hurtigruten/#comments Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:34:39 +0000 https://rachelsruminations.com/?p=87263 A direct comparison of Havila vs Hurtigruten, both running the same route along the Norway coast, with similarities and differences in the onboard experience, the cabins, and their progress toward sustainability.

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]]> https://rachelsruminations.com/havila-vs-hurtigruten/feed/ 2 Havila Voyages cruise review: An eco-friendly coastal Norway journey https://rachelsruminations.com/havila-voyages-cruise-review/ https://rachelsruminations.com/havila-voyages-cruise-review/#comments Sun, 14 Dec 2025 14:05:02 +0000 https://rachelsruminations.com/?p=87169 A detailed description and review of a Havila Voyages cruise on the traditional mail route along the coast of Norway.

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]]> https://rachelsruminations.com/havila-voyages-cruise-review/feed/ 2 One day in Oslo itinerary: All the highlights https://rachelsruminations.com/one-day-in-oslo-itinerary/ https://rachelsruminations.com/one-day-in-oslo-itinerary/#respond Fri, 20 Oct 2023 18:48:14 +0000 https://rachelsruminations.com/?p=83264 This itinerary for one day in Oslo, Norway, includes all the sightseeing highlights, grouped by location to help you choose which to see.

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]]> https://rachelsruminations.com/one-day-in-oslo-itinerary/feed/ 0 Mardi Gras around the world – and Mardi Gras food! https://rachelsruminations.com/mardi-gras-around-the-world/ https://rachelsruminations.com/mardi-gras-around-the-world/#respond Fri, 11 Nov 2022 09:33:00 +0000 https://rachelsruminations.com/?p=81133 Mardi Gras around the world has morphed into a range of different pre-Lenten celebrations. Read here about how different countries celebrate!

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]]> https://rachelsruminations.com/mardi-gras-around-the-world/feed/ 0 Traveling Iceland by campervan https://rachelsruminations.com/traveling-iceland-by-campervan/ https://rachelsruminations.com/traveling-iceland-by-campervan/#respond Sat, 29 Jan 2022 13:45:13 +0000 https://rachelsruminations.com/?p=19446 All sorts of great advice about traveling Iceland by campervan in a guest post written by Chrystalyn Rose.

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]]> https://rachelsruminations.com/traveling-iceland-by-campervan/feed/ 0 Falun Copper Mine UNESCO site in Sweden https://rachelsruminations.com/falun-copper-mine-unesco-site-sweden/ https://rachelsruminations.com/falun-copper-mine-unesco-site-sweden/#respond Sun, 14 Mar 2021 16:15:21 +0000 https://rachelsruminations.com/?p=16721 “It’s a big hole in the ground.” I think “underwhelmed” is a good word for my first impression of the Falun Copper Mine in eastern Sweden. We were on our way south on a road trip from the northernmost part of Norway back home to the Netherlands after our Hurtigruten cruise up the Norwegian coast....

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]]> https://rachelsruminations.com/falun-copper-mine-unesco-site-sweden/feed/ 0 The Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland, Sweden https://rachelsruminations.com/decorated-farmhouses-of-halsingland-sweden/ https://rachelsruminations.com/decorated-farmhouses-of-halsingland-sweden/#comments Sun, 14 Feb 2021 16:24:10 +0000 https://rachelsruminations.com/?p=16536 A collection of farmhouses with unique interiors filled with folk art decorations.

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]]> https://rachelsruminations.com/decorated-farmhouses-of-halsingland-sweden/feed/ 2 7 Things to do in Thingvellir National Park, Iceland https://rachelsruminations.com/thingvellir-national-park-iceland/ https://rachelsruminations.com/thingvellir-national-park-iceland/#respond Tue, 26 Jan 2021 16:45:15 +0000 https://rachelsruminations.com/?p=16416 7 Things to do in Thingvellir National Park (properly: Þingvellir), a UNESCO-listed site with historical & geological significance for Iceland. Home of Iceland's first parliament and also the place where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet on dry land!

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]]> https://rachelsruminations.com/thingvellir-national-park-iceland/feed/ 0 Free walking tour of Reykjavik by City Walk: A review https://rachelsruminations.com/free-walking-tour-of-reykjavik-city-walk-review/ https://rachelsruminations.com/free-walking-tour-of-reykjavik-city-walk-review/#comments Sun, 27 Dec 2020 16:29:03 +0000 https://rachelsruminations.com/?p=16264 A review of the free walking tour of Reykjavik offered by City Walk. Such tours are a great introduction when you first arrive in a new city. walking tour | reykjavik | iceland

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