LANZAROTE: Visiting the Castillo de San Gabriel in Arrecife – a 16th century fortress built to protect the island from pirates – Day 2.2

July 3, 2022

After exploring the village of Teguise during one of its popular Sunday markets, the next stop was the Castillo de San Gabriel in the capital city of Lanzarote: Arrecife. The stone fortress dates back to the 16th century, and was originally built to protect the city from pirates. Situated on an island accessible by causeway … More LANZAROTE: Visiting the Castillo de San Gabriel in Arrecife – a 16th century fortress built to protect the island from pirates – Day 2.2

LANZAROTE: The vibrant Sunday market in Teguise: the biggest on the island – Day 2.1

June 28, 2022

The Sunday market in Teguise is one of the main attractions in Lanzarote. The village becomes so alive, and tourists and locals flock the market square. By the end of the covid-19 pandemic in March 2022, the number of visitors was still being controlled. There was a long queue going to the market itself and … More LANZAROTE: The vibrant Sunday market in Teguise: the biggest on the island – Day 2.1

LANZAROTE: Our first out-of-Scandinavia trip post covid-19 pandemic (March 2022) – Day 1

June 26, 2022

After enduring lockdowns and other travel restrictions for two long years, we finally made it outside Scandinavia last March. Those were two tough years in all aspects of our lives, especially with my work. We were very excited, although a bit hesitant, to book a 1-week holiday because even though Norway had lifted its travel … More LANZAROTE: Our first out-of-Scandinavia trip post covid-19 pandemic (March 2022) – Day 1

RoadTrip #25: Exploring Säffle – the youngest city in Sweden (+ a cozy stay in a manor house, the Krokstad Herrgård)

May 15, 2022

Before February 2022 ended, we took a roadtrip to Sweden. We explored Säffle, the last place in Sweden to receive a city status in 1951, and thus, the “youngest” city in the country. Some of the main attractions in the city with a population of almost 16,000 are von Echstedska gården, Wiksfors bruk, the Vikingacenter … More RoadTrip #25: Exploring Säffle – the youngest city in Sweden (+ a cozy stay in a manor house, the Krokstad Herrgård)

RoadTrip #24: The Halden Canal in Norway and the Båstnäs Car Cemetery in Sweden (+ trying out a new border crossing point)

May 14, 2022

This roadtrip was done in February 2022, so the grounds are still covered in snow and the lakes – frozen! It was one of our mini weekend getaway. The plan was to stay in a herregård (manor house in Säffle, Sweden) for a night, and just visit a couple of sights on the way. I … More RoadTrip #24: The Halden Canal in Norway and the Båstnäs Car Cemetery in Sweden (+ trying out a new border crossing point)

RoadTrip #23: Grimeton Radio Station (UNESCO WHS), Gekås Ullared (Scandinavia’s biggest department store), and Tudor architecture-inspired Tjolöholm Castle – a weekend in Sweden

May 1, 2022

This roadtrip was taken in February, but thanks to school, work and a missing dash of motivation, this blog is late. Nevertheless, here it is. 🙂 Like most people, I like shopping. Window-shopping mostly. So, we thought it was time to visit the biggest department store in Scandinavia. We also stopped by the UNESCO World … More RoadTrip #23: Grimeton Radio Station (UNESCO WHS), Gekås Ullared (Scandinavia’s biggest department store), and Tudor architecture-inspired Tjolöholm Castle – a weekend in Sweden

RoadTrip #22: Nordre älvs estuarium and Sillvik beach in Gothenburg, Sweden

April 18, 2022

For this entry, we took a weekend trip to Sweden, staying in Lilleby Camping which is situated by the Sillvik beach and the Nordre Älvs estuarium – a nature reserve consisting of 7, 226 hectares of islands and islets, a portion of the river Nordre Älv, meadows, swamps, forests and rocky areas, which do not … More RoadTrip #22: Nordre älvs estuarium and Sillvik beach in Gothenburg, Sweden

RoadTrip #21: Visiting Solbergfoss Hydroelectric Power Station en route for Töcksfors Shopping center in Sweden

April 15, 2022

This is 2022’s first roadtrip abroad! It happened in late January – after a long bout of border restrictions due to the omicron virusvariant. We started near – jumped over the border to Sweden to do some grocery shopping. On the way, we stopped by the huge Solbergfoss Hydroelectric power plant in Askim, located on … More RoadTrip #21: Visiting Solbergfoss Hydroelectric Power Station en route for Töcksfors Shopping center in Sweden

RoadTrip #20: New Christmas tradition : Spending the holidays in a cozy cabin a.k.a. Juleborte (@Bø Camping)

April 11, 2022

During this adulting process, I’ve realized that it’s never too late to start new family traditions. Last Christmas, we took the cat and the car and stayed in a cozy cabin in the woods surrounded with snow. It went so well that we plan to do it again next year, and the years to come. … More RoadTrip #20: New Christmas tradition : Spending the holidays in a cozy cabin a.k.a. Juleborte (@Bø Camping)

RoadTrip #19.2: Fanthyttan and its limestone and dolomite quarry

February 28, 2022

About 10 kilometeres north of Lindesberg is the village of Fanthyttan (which I still find fascinating to pronounce with the distinct Swedish accent). There lies the yellow house where my husband grew up. The place seemed very rural, surrounded by nature, and the houses are placed far apart from each other. Also hidden in the … More RoadTrip #19.2: Fanthyttan and its limestone and dolomite quarry