Category: Europe

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Adventure Europe Fall Nature Norway

Hiking in Norway: Preikestolen and Kjeragbolten in two days

If you’re looking for life changing and (slightly) life risking hikes, then hiking to Kjeragbolten and Preikestolen are for you.

Both located in Southern Norway, the closest major city to these hiking locations is Stavanger, Norway. To get there from Oslo, you could drive (7.5 hours), take a train (9 hours) or fly (45 mins). The city itself is beautiful, but that’s not our topic today.

Kjeragbolten: The hike to the boulder

  • Best time to visit: June-September
  • Equipment needed: Good hiking shoes
  • Total climbing time: 7-8 hours
  • Difficulty rating: Strenuous

Make sure you start this hike early so you can make it back down before it gets dark. If you’re using google maps, set your directions to “Kjerag parking”. The drive from Stavanger to the trailhead of the Kjeragbolten hike took a little over 2 hours. That sounds like a long drive but the two hours go by very quickly with the amazing views on the way.

Once you arrive, there’s a big parking lot and you have to pay a small fee for parking. There’s also a small restaurant/shop there that has snacks, jackets, beanies and anything else you might have forgotten to bring – but be warned the shop is a bit overpriced.

The hike took 7 hours total and was very strenuous so you have to be in good shape to do it. We went on this hike in September and there were light rain showers during most of the hike. Don’t care about actually getting on the boulder? you should do this hike anyway because the views are worth it.

Make sure to take plenty of water and snacks as well (only if you want to come back down consciously). Did I mention that the views are phenomenal? That’s one thing that will definitely help you survive this hike, the gorgeous views.

At the top of the mountain, you’ll reach the final milestone: the boulder. On the way up we asked people hiking back down if they went on the boulder, the ratio was about 50% yes to 50% no. When we finally made it to the top, we found out that it was true. There was 4 of us in the group, 2 of us went on the boulder and 2 of us didn’t. But again, we all enjoyed the hike and still highly recommend it.

If you want to go on Kjeragbolten but are afraid here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Go when it’s sunny, rain makes it scarier.
  • Watch YouTube videos of people who have went on the boulder.
  • Keep in mind that no one has ever fallen off the boulder.
  • And finally, don’t go on if you’re scared.

Preikestolen – Hiking Puplit Rock

  • Best time to visit: May-September
  • Equipment needed: Good hiking shoes
  • Total climbing time: 4-5 hours
  • Difficulty rating: Moderate

Make sure you start this hike early so you can make it back down before it gets dark and so you can catch the ferry back to Stavanger. The drive to the Preikestolen trailhead involves a ferry and takes a total of about 1.5 hours. This drive felt much shorter for me than the drive to Kjerag, probably because half of it was spent cruising on the beautiful Norwegian waters.

The hike took about 4 hours and when we reached the top, the views were breathtaking. The fjord looks unreal from above and we spent about 30 minutes up there despite the rainy weather. This hike is much easier than the hike to Kjeragbolten but you still have to be in decent shape to make it without feeling exhausted. The hike up takes 1-2 hours, people generally spend 20 minutes at the top then go back down.

To summarize, Norway has absolutely beautiful nature and is a must visit for anyone who loves the outdoors. The hike to Kjeragbolten is a strenuous hike that takes about 7 hours to complete. The hike to Preikestolen is moderate and takes 4-5 hours to complete, depending on how long you spend at the top. Visit Norway, you won’t regret it.

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Adventure Europe Iceland Nature Travel

Me, myself and I-celand

Thinking of going to Iceland? Do it I absolutely recommend it. I mean, I recommend any trip but especially this place. Traveling to Iceland was something that I’ve always wanted to do and I finally decided to do it this year.

Now I can safely say that it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. And if you haven’t figured it out by the name already, I took the trip all alone and still had a fantastic time.

But “Wesam…” you say, “how can I have fun in Iceland all alone? What even is there to do? Will I get bored? Isn’t it expensive? What do Icelandic people eat?” Say no more. Let me answer all your questions.

What is there to do in Iceland?

If you’re considering Iceland, chances are you’re at least interested in nature or outdoor activities or maybe you’re just a huge Game of Thrones fan. Regardless of the reason, there is so much to see and do on this tiny island.

The island is full of natural wonders like Reynisfjara Beach, the blue lagoon, huge glaciers and many waterfalls with long Icelandic names that I can’t even try to pronounce. Combine these views with the stunning Aurora Borealis and you will feel like you are on another planet.

Iceland is heaven for outdoors enthusiasts and adventurers. This tiny island is packed with so many places for hiking, climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, whale watching and diving just to name a few.

Click here for an article on the best places to see.

How can I have fun in Iceland alone?

If it’s your first time in Iceland, you’ll be better off doing it alone. It might seem weird at first but there are four main reasons for this recommendation.

  1. The people in Iceland are extremely friendly, easy to talk to and fluent in English.
  2. There are many tourists so you’ll meet people from all over the world. On my trip I met people from China, France, Germany, all over the U.S., Brazil, England and Russia just to name a few.
  3. Going alone will help you explore things at your own pace without having to worry about what others want or don’t want to do.
  4. Finally, once you get to explore the greatness of Iceland alone, you’re going to want to come back. So not bringing your friends or loved one(s) with you the first time will give you an excuse to return to this wonderful place!

If you’re still not convinced or aren’t a very social person, there are ways to facilitate the people meeting process. Booking group tours, staying in hostels or going out to events that interest you are a few very easy ways to make some Icelandic friends.

Click here for a blog post that helped me a lot with planning my Iceland trip.

Isn’t it expensive?

The short answer is – yes it is, it’s very expensive. Iceland is a small island without many natural resources which means that food, gas and many other commodities have to be imported. This makes the prices a lot higher. Not to worry though, there are always workarounds.

The most important step to not break the bank on your trip is to set a budget. You should do this for all of your trips but especially for Iceland.

First, figure out how long you’d like to go for. Normally, about a week is good for your first visit. Then, factor in all the meals, tour prices, hotel or hostel costs and other travel expenses. Finally, compare the prices you find with your budget and make your decisions based on that.

Many times it’s easier and cheaper to book group tours rather than renting a car to get around, especially if you’re traveling alone. The hostel option I mentioned earlier is also a great way to save money and hostels in Iceland are generally very safe, clean and popular with younger solo travelers who are looking to make new friends – just like you.

What is Icelandic culture like?

Icelandic people, much like the rest of the Nordic people, are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Their culture is unique in its own way yet they’re very understanding of the rest of the world. You won’t feel much of a cultural difference if you’re visiting from the US, Canada or other places in Europe, especially since most Icelandic people are fluent in English.

The only thing I would recommend is to do some research on the food. Icelandic cuisine is very unique but very delicious if you know what to get.

Some final tips

  • If you want to photograph the Aurora Borealis (northern lights), you need a very good camera with the right settings. You also need to visit between September and April as that’s the peak Aurora season.
  • Activities in Iceland vary greatly depending on the season. Find out what you really want to do or see before making your decision on when to go.
  • There are no trains in Iceland and gas is super expensive, so keep that in mind when you’re figuring out your transportation around the island.

Categories
Culture Europe Spain Spring

The Ultimate Spain Roadtrip in 2 Weeks!

Not sure where to go this spring? Consider Spain! España is an absolutely gorgeous country full of culture, history, nature, delicious food and beautiful people.  It’s a place where east meets west, where Europe meets Africa and the result is a unique destination. And best of all, it’s not as expensive as other European destinations – that is, if you go at the right time. Spring and fall are usually the best times to visit Spain, before and after the tourist high season.

Now before I discuss the road trip, I would like to say this: only go on this road trip if you really want to take your time and if you have the ability/time to explore most of the places mentioned. If you don’t plan on doing that, then using the train is a much easier and cheaper idea.  Even if you’re sure about the road trip, you’ll still need to use public transportation and your feet quite frequently.  After going through the road trip, I will discuss the pros and cons of driving vs. other methods of transportation.

The Road Trip

Days 1 & 2: Madrid

Fly in to Madrid from your home city, if you’re going from the US on a red eye flight you’ll likely land in the morning. After you get your rental and check in to your accommodation, it’s time to get moving. There is a lot to do in the capital of Spain, on your first day you can take a train from wherever you’re staying to Puerta Del Sol or Plaza de España.  From there you can explore several sights on foot including the Royal Palace of Madrid, Plaza de Oriente, Gran Via, Almudena Cathedral, Plaza Mayor, Market of San Miguel and The Temple of Debod.

Take a tour of The Santiago Bernabéu, even if you’re not into soccer, it’s still worth a visit.  Then continue touring Madrid by visiting Buen Retiro Park, The Fountain of Neptune, Plaza de Cibeles, Cybele Castle, Puerta de Alcala and Museo Nacional Del Prado.

Day 3: Toledo

Start your day by driving from Madrid to Toledo, usually about an hour drive. Toledo is a gorgeous city with beautiful views. Places to see include The Toledo Cathedral, The Alcazar of Toledo, Monastery of San Juan de Los Reyes, Synagogue of El Transito and the Ermita del Cristo Luz.  Before leaving this beautiful city, drive up to Mirador Del Valle and enjoy amazing panoramic views of the city.

From there, continue the drive to Cordoba (typically 3.5 to 4 hours).  If you’re not too tired, walk around and explore the city at night.

Days 4 & 5: Cordoba

Today is the day to fully explore Cordoba. The top sights include the Mezquita Cordoba, Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos, Calahorra Tower, Calleja de las Flores, Casa de Sefarad, La Casa Andalusi, Galeria de la inquisicion and the Roman bridge of Cordoba.  Cordoba is a very walkable city with narrow streets in the old sections, so figure out parking in advance.

After touring the city, get your sunscreen and bathing suit ready and drive 1.5 hours to Malaga.

Day 6: Malaga

You can’t visit Malaga without going to the beach, so start today with a nice dip in the Mediterranean Sea. My favorite beach in Malaga is Playa de La Malagueta.  After that there are a few sights to see in Malaga including the Alcazaba of Malaga, Malaga Cathedral, Gibralfaro and The Roman Theatre.

Days 7 & 8: Granada

Drive 1.5 hours from Malaga to Granada, my absolute favorite Andalusian city.  The vibe you’ll feel here will make you want to stay forever.  Stay in the Albaicin Quarter for the best cultural experience. There are many sights to see in Granada but the top one is of course the Alhambra complex. The Alhambra is an absolute work of art and you will spend all day here, guaranteed (Some things like The Fountain of Lions require booking in advance so booking online might not be a terrible idea).

Other sites to see in Granada include the Mirador San Nicolas (at sunrise or sunset), Mirador de San Cristobal, and the Palacio Dar-al-Horra.  After walking for a long time, you deserve a break. The next city is one for relaxation, drive 3.5 hours to Alicante.

Day 9: Alicante

Just like Malaga, my favorite thing about this city is the beach.  There are several beaches in the area but the best and closest one for us to stay on schedule is Playa del Postiguet.  After spending some time relaxing at the beach, you can visit Santa Barbara Castle, Basilica of Santa Maria and if you have some time checkout some of the museums in the area.

Next is a 2 hour drive to Valencia, the third largest city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona.

Day 10: Valencia

At some point today be sure to eat some Paella, you can’t come to Valencia and not have any. The beaches in Valencia are also very beautiful, and if you still want to swim then head to Malvarrosa Beach.

Other cool things to see in Valencia would be Mercado Central, The City of Arts and Sciences, Torres de Quart, Llotja de la Seda, Valencia Cathedral, El Miguelete, Torres de Serranos, Plaza de la Virgen, Plaza de la Reina and Palace of the Marques de Dos Aguas.

Days 11, 12 & 13: Barcelona

Continue sightseeing in Valencia and drive 3.5 hours to Barcelona, the capital of Catalunya and Spain’s #1 tourist destination.  Barcelona has everything a tourist is looking for and this whole two week trip can easily be spent here. Your first night in Barcelona head to La Rambla, a street in the middle of the city full of life no matter what time of the day it is.

Take a trip to La Barceloneta beach which will be the most lively beach you’ll visit on this trip.  Some sites you can visit today are Plaça de Catalunya, La Boqueria, Palau Guell, Placa Reial, Cathedral of Barcelona and The Gothic Quarter.

Again if you’re into soccer, it would be a good idea to tour FC Barcelona’s stadium The Camp Nou.  After that you’ll have plenty of time to checkout and tour The Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, Casa Batllo and Park Guell. If you have time left, you can visit Placa d’Espanya and the fountain of Montjuic.

Pros and Cons of driving in Spain: Driving gives you the freedom you want to travel at any time to any location with all your luggage with you.  You don’t have to worry about train schedules or dealing with other people, for the most part.  Also, if you drive you can leave the bags you don’t need in your car instead of always having to carry all your belongings with you.

The cons of driving would be the extra costs including car rental charges, fuel charges, parking fees (high in some areas), tolls and if you’re not careful, traffic citations (I got 7 of them on this trip).

Pros and Cons of using public transportation: The train and metro systems in and between the major Spanish cities are excellent.  They’re fast, affordable, reliable and easy to use. You can use them to travel to most of the places on this road trip, although it might take considerably longer to reach some of the smaller cities by train. It might be best to rent a car to drive between cities but to drop that car off as soon as you reach your destination city and just use the train, bus or metro in that city.

This trip is based on a trip I took to Spain recently. I have to warn you, it might make you fall in love with España 🇪🇸.