Scandinavia has long been on our list of places to explore more fully. Over the course of four weeks in June and July 2025, we
visited four Nordic countries: Iceland, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Our itinerary included three nights each in Reykjavik,
Copenhagen, Oslo, Bergen, and Stockholm, along with a 12-day voyage up and down the Norwegian coast aboard the
Hurtigruten's M/S Nordlys. Altogether, we boarded ten different planes, trains, buses, and ferries and stayed in six hotels. We
were again reminded of how efficient, safe, and welcoming these countries are for independent travelers. While we had a few
weather problems and minor logistical mishaps, we were fortunate to have almost uninterrupted good weather-even in
Bergen, the so-called rainiest city in Europe. The food was consistently excellent, if sometimes extravagant, and our aquavit and
gin tastings enhanced our informed preferences. This was a journey of deep fjords, long summer days, and a more relaxed pace.
