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17 votes
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The criminal enterprise run by monkeys
22 votes -
Not every day that Father Christmas briefs his elves about the hazards of sunstroke, but this summer northern Finland has seen temperatures hover around 30°C for days on end
10 votes -
US will begin charging some tourists a $250 ‘visa integrity fee’
36 votes -
The world’s most-visited museum shuts down, in response to mass tourism
55 votes -
Summer roadtrip in Scandinavia - need advice!
Hi all, we're planning an RV roadtrip to Scandinavia in July. We'll be taking off from France and so far we're clear on the route until we get to Denmark; the issue is picking between Sweden and...
Hi all, we're planning an RV roadtrip to Scandinavia in July. We'll be taking off from France and so far we're clear on the route until we get to Denmark; the issue is picking between Sweden and Norway for the main leg of the trip. We take off July 5th from Paris and need to be back the 26th. Ideally we would have done a bit of both countries in that time, but I don't think that's realistic (I'm the only driver) and we don't want to rush.
I've trawled the internet for information and advice (Reddit, Youtube roadtrip sites etc), but it's only made it harder to choose. There are so many cool places to visit, and things to see and do! We're leaning towards Norway, but I'm looking for others' thoughts before making our final choice. Here's what we've considered so far:
- We want to focus on being in nature and enjoying the outdoors. Other than spending a day or two in Copenhagen, we're not really looking to stay in the big cities.
- We (well, my wife and kids) are pretty active. We'll probably be looking to go hiking, cycling, swimming, climbing, kayaking/paddling, etc. Between the two, Norway seems to have the most opportunities to do this?
- The RV is fairly large, more than 7m in length, so I'd rather not find myself driving on very small, tight and winding roads. I understand Sweden's roads are more forgiving in this regard?
- We want to avoid places that are overly crowded in the summmer. While places like Trolltunga and Lofoten are beautiful, I expect there will be a lot of tourists there at that time. We dont want to contribute to clogging roads and overcrowding.
- I have downloaded a bunch of apps and maps that give us info on places to park and sleep overnight. I'm not opposed to wild camping, but my main priority will be my family's safety. Staying at paid campsites is not an issue, but we also want some degree of freedom to move around.
- It seems our best option would be to stay in the southern areas of either/both, but I confess I'm tempted to visit a glacier if we can (though it's not a deal-breaker).
- I'm a birdwatcher (I know, summer is not the best period for this), so if anyone knows interesting spots for that I'm all ears!
I know that's a lot of information, but we'd be grateful for any thoughts that could help us make a decision and plan out our itinerary. Any tips you may have are very welcome!
12 votes -
Norway to introduce tourist tax amid record visitor numbers and overtourism concerns – allows municipalities to introduce a 3% tax on overnight stays
19 votes -
Sámi introduce certification to promote ethical tourism in Finland – Responsible Sámi Tourism Certificate will recognise tourism businesses whose operations align with Sámi values
13 votes -
The rise of bakery tourism: People travel from all over the world
7 votes -
Coolcations in destinations such as Norway, Iceland and Finland are expected to continue seeing a boom this summer – but could they cause overtourism in the Nordics?
9 votes -
With new flight routes, it's easier than ever to immerse yourself in the adventurous, natural wonder of Greenland
7 votes -
My stay at a Swedish eco-retreat was blissful. What's emerged about it since points to a much darker truth.
22 votes -
Norwegian government submits bill to parliament that would allow municipalities to charge a 3% tourist tax on paid overnight stays, including hotels, campsites, and Airbnb rentals
24 votes -
A new wave of positive-impact experiences in northern Finland is finally allowing the Sámi to benefit from the tourism boom
8 votes -
Bryne celebrates its famous son Erling Haaland in Norway's newest tourist attraction – visitors are encouraged to visit the training ground and first club of the Manchester City No 9
7 votes -
As tourists discover Finland's Santa Claus Village, some locals call for rules to control the masses
9 votes -
Greenland is about to open up to adventure-seeking visitors – three new airports will bring profound change
6 votes -
Second Australian teen dies in tainted alcohol case in Laos that has killed six tourists
15 votes -
New international airport set to open in Greenland's capital Nuuk, allowing larger aircraft to land for the first time – paving the way for direct flights from US and Europe
13 votes -
Iceland's famous music venues swallowed by tourism – thriving music scene that gave world Björk, Sigur Rós and Ólafur Arnald under threat from Reykjavík's popularity
6 votes -
Norway is shying away from tourism – and other countries could learn from it
13 votes -
Initiative to extol benefits of allemannsretten, Norway's “right to roam”, to international tourists has met with strong criticism – tourism campaign shelved over environmental fears
4 votes -
I went to Iceland for a road trip. I left with climate anxiety.
21 votes -
While southern Europe swelters, Denmark's mild temperatures and extended daylight hours are providing the perfect summer escape for many
8 votes -
Denmark regulates camper van tourism after clashes with locals – hopes to transform the vehicles into a secure yet more durable source of income
11 votes -
What it's like to live in a Californian tourist attraction being swallowed by the sea
17 votes -
How to build an Arctic airport – why airport construction in Greenland is (quite literally) booming
9 votes -
Tourists will be rewarded with free food and activities if they participate in environmentally friendly tasks while visiting Copenhagen, the city's tourist board has announced
35 votes -
‘I wouldn't come here, to be honest,’ says the disdainful star of Visit Oslo's latest advert, which has become a viral hit online
34 votes -
Fifth American tourist arrested at Turks and Caicos airport after ammo allegedly found in luggage
31 votes -
Iceland wants to switch up its tourism tax to protect nature – and fight overtourism
27 votes -
Waddi, a virtual tour guide, uses artificial intelligence to answer visitor queries and engage in conversations on the Danish island of Fanø
5 votes -
Chinese police officers will soon be on patrol in Hungary
31 votes -
Mount Fuji view to be blocked as tourists overcrowd popular photo spot
29 votes -
Utopian Realism, a speech by Bruce Sterling
4 votes -
Solar power is changing life deep in the Amazon
9 votes -
The great Serengeti land grab
4 votes -
Galapagos Islands to double tourist entry fees amid concerns over rising visitor numbers
17 votes -
Outhorse your email
40 votes -
Iceland keeps feeding its tourist boom. Will it push locals out? – about six times as many visitors as residents came to the tiny island last year
8 votes -
Hooked on volcanoes? Tourists vie to catch Iceland's eruptions.
9 votes -
A tourism boom to the Faroe Islands, fuelled by social media, has resulted in some landowners taking measures to get a share of the revenues
8 votes -
Why restoring a Banksy mural in Venice is so controversial
15 votes -
The bodily indignities of the space life
21 votes -
Rwanda authorizes visa free travel for all Africans, joining Gambia, Benin, the Seychelles. Kenya promised to do the same this year.
35 votes -
Asin tibuok, nicknamed the dinosaur egg, is one of the rarest salts in the world. Only a few families on a small island in the Philippines still make it. | Still Standing
15 votes -
Tourist destinations that are more than just a nice view?
My vacation destinations are already set for the next year, but last night I saw a video about Hoffbrauhaus in Bavaria. It ended up captivating me because it sounds like something really mundane...
My vacation destinations are already set for the next year, but last night I saw a video about Hoffbrauhaus in Bavaria. It ended up captivating me because it sounds like something really mundane until you look further into it. Learning about the history, the cultural importance, and the general experience of going there really made me want to go.
I live in the Southwestern United States, so travel to me is usually stuff that's in the US or Mexico. One of the trips we're thinking of doing will lead us to Canada for a while. But this part of the world is still relatively "new" and the cultural stuff is just a bit too familliar, and so most of it ends up just looking at pretty views. And I'm getting really tired of nice views.
With that in mind, I'm looking for places to go to add to my bucket list of places that have a lot of cultural value (while hopefully still being accessible to a clueless American) or perhaps has more sensual elements like interesting regional cuisine or visiting a famous historical bathhouse. I know there's tons of places that fit that description, but surely some of you have some favorites you'd like to recommend.
48 votes -
Iceland is turning to taxes to reduce the impact exponential growth in tourism has on its pristine wilderness
7 votes -
Germany wins Michigan’s first international fireworks competition
19 votes -
What's the problem with overtourism?
17 votes