Intro
When trying to figure out what is the most interesting thing I’ve done as a Local Guide - there are many good options to choose from as I’ve done a lot of roadtrips and other kind of travelling (not only in Estonia, but also in the neighbouring countries and further away) - at the top there has to be this particular roadtrip.
Route
Tallinn - Helsinki - Vaasa - Umeå - Bodø - Moskenes - Reine - Ramberg - Svolvær - Harstad - Andenes - Senja - Tromsø - Narvik - Abisko - Ylitornio - Jyväskylä - Helsinki - Tallinn. Altogether 3812 km family roadtrip (2 adults + 2 kids) with my own personal car (not flying over anywhere first and renting a car).
Time
July-August 2019 (14 days in total)
Highlights of the trip
- Reindeer on the road in Swedish Lapland
- Saltstraumen maelstrom near Bodø
- Lofoten islands scenery
- Reinebringen hike in Lofoten
- Kvalvika beach in Lofoten
- Haukland beach in Lofoten
- Viking history all around (e.g. Lofotr viking museum)
- Senja scenery
- Husfjellet hike in Senja
- Andøya Space Center in Andenes
- Whale watching near Andenes
- Adolfkanonen WW2 cannon in Harstad
- Fjellheisen cable car in Tromsø
- Narvikfjellet
- Neste Rally Finland in Jyväskylä
Summary
A lot magnificent views, mountains, fjords, hikes, sea (+ a lot of ferries), museums, wildlife, islands, WW2 & viking history, even WRC rally seen and experienced on the way, as we planned the roadtrip to be in accordance with the Neste Rally taking place in Jyväskylä. Initially Lofoten was the planned “highlight” of the trip, but it turned out there are spectular places almost everywhere on this route. I especially recommend Senja island - less known and less popular compared to Lofoten, but nature and scenery is at least as spectular as in Lofoten, but you will see much less tourists there.
Although I’m Estonian, I would say that Norway is one the most gorgeous countries in the world what comes to best possible driving roads and scenery, with its mountains, fjords, sea, tunnels, bridges and the roads and other infranstructure is in brilliant order. What is also ordinary for Norway is that you need to be ready for a lot of ferry trips to get from one point to another due to geographical characteristics. If anyone else has an urge to go driving in Scandinavia, I hope this post gives some tips and hints for places to visit. I’ve done already 3 different roadtrips in Scandinavia and will definitely go back again.
As a Local Guide the most rewarding thing besides having experienced such journeys myself is the share the knowledge, images and videos to other people who might find some inspiration for their own trips. Also I could not imagine that my photos could gather over a million views in total in such short time - thanks for that!
