Glorious summer hikes in Norway
Last summer, a week-long hike in Jotunheimen National Park (230 miles north of Oslo) brought me a sense of calm and peace. During four days of challenging hiking and wild camping through this area, we saw very few other people throughout the lush green valleys and still possessing glacial lakes. We were lucky enough to have great weather throughout, and even though it was July there was still a decent amount of snow left to traverse. Norway has a fantastic network of signposted trails and huts, which can be found on the Norwegian Trekking Association website.
ben
Artistic cabin relaxation near Aarhus
We had an amazing family holiday in neat Aarhus on the coast of Jutland, Denmark’s second city. We stayed in a cabin among the pines and swam every day. We found a swimming dock which helped us get into the sea easily. Towel racks are also provided. The beach was rough and so quiet that we often had it to ourselves. Aarhus was a pleasure to visit for your city fix. Modern art lovers should definitely check out the Aarhus Kunstmuseum and have lunch at Cafe Folkeven.
Ben Dunn
The Scandi beauty of the city of Stavanger
Stavanger, located on Norway’s southwestern coast, is a picture-perfect example of the beauty of a Scandinavian city. The city is welcoming with its quaint Gamle Stavanger (Old Town), full of shops selling wool and cute bars serving local beers (my favorite is the bookstore cum bar Bøker og Børst). If you want to brave the cold with some surfing and enjoy a sauna, head further south to Boresanden. For more adventure, head east to Preikestolen for spectacular views of the fjord. Finally, take the ferry to Flor og Fjære to explore the tropical gardens (opening May 9).
Anissa
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Tips from Guardian Travel readers
Each week we ask our readers for travel recommendations. Various tips may appear online or in print. To enter the latest contests, visit the Reader Tips homepage.
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Frozen lake, coffee and sauna in Lakeland, Finland
South of Lakeland, Finland lies Lahti, a town that feels a long way from Helsinki despite excellent rail links to the capital. Lati is full of fairytale scenes, charming little cafes and quiet, down-to-earth people. I studied here as a student nurse for a month and was amazed by Finland’s approach to public health and how comfortable -22C can make you feel. In between placements, I spent time taking long walks on the frozen Lake Vesijärvi (a truly surreal experience). We enjoyed Finnish coffee culture at Kahvila Kariranta, a former train station turned café. There’s plenty of ice skating and cross-country skiing, and if you want to unwind, there’s a sauna nearby, which in Finland is considered a necessity rather than a luxury.
esther
Horseback ride through the Norwegian mountains
Why hike when you can ride a horse? To get off the tourist trail, we decided last summer to explore Norway’s Rondane National Park on small but strong stone horses (a Norwegian breed). The horses were absolutely wonderful and incredibly patient. Although I can ride, my friend has barely sat on a horse since riding a pony on the beach as a child and is really sure-footed when navigating mountain trails. This was a great way to get deeper into the countryside and see things at a slower pace, giving us plenty of time to admire the sights and hear stories from our guide. The holiday was hosted by Gutsy Girls.
fleece
Denmark’s Island of Sunshine
Bornholm Island is a Danish island, but it is located in the middle of the Baltic Sea between Poland and Sweden. It has beaches with powdery white sand and secluded bays, perfect for summer when the island enjoys sunnier weather than most of its surrounding areas. History is everywhere, starting with Hammershus, one of the largest ruined medieval castles in Europe. – [Remnantsofthe1945-46SovietoccupationandauniquecircularchurchThefishsmokehouseservesherringsalmonandeelandthebakeryoffersthebestDanishpastriesStayinoneofBornholm’sbeachfronthotelsandwatchthesunsetandyouwon’twanttoleave[1945~46년소련점령의잔존물과독특한원형교회생선훈제점에서는청어연어장어를제공하고빵집에서는최고의덴마크페이스트리를제공합니다보른홀름(Bornholm)의해변호텔에머물면서일몰을감상하면떠나고싶지않을것입니다
Robert Gilchrist
Wooden wonders of Sweden
Nora, a lakeside town 130 miles inland from Stockholm, is one of Sweden’s three “wooden villages”, along with Eksjö and Hjo, with all buildings made from wood harvested from the surrounding forest. The town and surrounding area retain a timeless feel from the wealthy past of Norse nobility. I strolled the cobblestone streets of Nora and visited the perfectly preserved 19th-century Villa Göthlinska Gården. I spent another afternoon at Glasstorget (Ice Cream Square) to try the local ice cream, Noraglass. Another day we wandered the streets of the Kvarteret Bryggeriet creative district, filled with independent shops, restaurants and fascinating microbreweries. The nearby lakes (Norasjön, Fåsjön and Usken) are beautiful and great for swimming and picnicking.
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A design gem near Copenhagen
The biggest benefit of revisiting a city is venturing further afield beyond the obvious tourist attractions. Back in Copenhagen, we traveled just six miles from the center in search of one of its most famous architects, Arne Jacobsen. On Klampenborg’s Bellevue Beach, a perfect area for summer strolls, Jacobsen has built an iconic theater, a restaurant, the angular Søholm house and a gleaming white Bauhaus-influenced apartment building. But that’s not all. He even designed community kiosks and a blue-striped lifeguard tower. A 20-minute walk along the coast takes you to the striking Jacobsen gas station (now part of an ice cream parlor) with its oval canopy reminiscent of the Starship Enterprise.
David M
Quiet and thrilling Finnish design
A visit to Alvar Aalto’s Paimio sanatorium is a quiet and thrilling pilgrimage. Nestled in a pine forest in southwestern Finland, the building feels attuned to light, air and human dignity. Designed for tuberculosis patients in the 1930s, every detail tells a story. Features include a soothing color palette to help you relax, quiet sinks to encourage relaxation, and chairs shaped to help you breathe. A walk through the corridors gives you a deep insight into Finnish culture, which is practical, compassionate and nature-centered. The hospital rooms and sun balconies retain history but have a timeless, modern feel. It’s a rejuvenating and inspiring visit for design lovers and curious travelers alike, and is worth seeking out on any trip.
stephen edwards
Winning Tip: Explore Oslo’s many islands
Spend happy summer days island-hopping inside Oslofjord. The five islands closest to the capital are all easily accessible by regular ferry, and each has its own unique personality. Langøyene has a wide sandy beach (and a separate nudist option if you wish), Hovedøya is home to the ruins of a Cistercian monastery dating to 1147 (founded by monks from Lincolnshire), and Bleikøya is dotted with colorful Nordic summer homes. The Ruter app allows you to travel for 24 hours for around £10. If you want to have a drink in a 1930s cafe on the island of Gressholmen, raise your budget a little higher. Pack your swimsuit and picnic basket and explore the wide range of offerings just a stone’s throw from the capital.
Olivia