When you think of Europe, the first destinations that come to mind are probably France, Italy, or Greece. This is completely understandable since these are the countries most of us dream of visiting at some point in our lives.
However, the more you travel the more you realize that there are hidden gems everywhere - especially in Europe.
Take the Northern Europe for instance. You don't commonly hear that someone went to Finland or Norway, let alone to Iceland. But these destinations hide some of the best natural sights in the world - along with amazing architecture, history, events, and food.
If you are preparing to visit these destinations, there are a few things you should know before you go.
The Best Time to Visit
There are many destinations that are considered to be in the Northern Europe - Scandinavian countries along with Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Each of them has their own peak season and when you’ll go depends on what you want to do. Busy travel times are usually May to September but it’s most crowded during these times. You can always opt to go in the winter - it can be a bit colder but if you don’t like the crowd, the winter will suit you. Besides, you may get to see Northern Lights or the Midnight sun.
The best time to visit the countries of northern Europe are:
- Visit Scandinavia in May and September for mild weather and less crowd, June - August for midnight sun and great weather, and winter months for no crowds, extreme cold but great sights of Aurora Borealis.
- Visit Northern Ireland from June to September for the best weather, avoid July and August if you hate crowds and visit in June for optimal conditions.
- Visit Scotland in the spring - late March to May and in autumn months from September to November. The scenery is beautiful then, there are not many tourists and the weather is mild. June would also be good if you like warm weather and lots of people.
The Cost
Again, the cost will depend on how you want to spend your time. If you are looking for luxury hotels and expensive food, you are likely to spend a lot of money. However, if you would rather save money and find a decent accommodation with simple yet authentic food, you can travel quite inexpensively.
Look for discounts and options before you go on your trip.
The Natural Sights
Depending on where you go, there are magical sights to be seen. If you want to see the Aurora Borealis, the Midnight Sun or Polar nights, you can visit the Scandinavian countries. If you are more interested in seeing the green, untouched scenes straight from Harry Potter, then Northern Ireland or Scotland will be more to your taste.
The Visa
If you are from an European Union country, you don’t need a visa to go to Northern Europe. Travelers from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most of South and Central America don’t need a Visa either.
Health Risks
There are no health risks in these areas. Be careful if you are travelling in the winter months as roads can get quite icy and slippery.
The Language
Most travelers going to Scandinavia are worried about the language because it does sound quite complicated. However, Scandinavians usually speak many languages including English so you should have an easy time communicating.
The same goes for Northern Ireland and Scotland where the native tongue is English - listen carefully because you might misunderstand each other due to different accents.
The Weather
As you would expect with most northern countries, it can get quite cold. Especially if you are visiting in the winter. Bring a lot of warm clothes and shoes to keep you comfortable.
During the summer, the weather is mostly mild and it will be good for anyone who doesn't like the cold,” says a Travel writer from Write My X and Academic Brits, Pauline Gregorson.
Outdoor Activities
There is plenty to be done outdoors in the Northern Europe. Winter activities are the most popular ones - skiing, snowboarding and so on. But there is a lot more that you could do.
Tourists love hiking and boat tours as well as looking for the best spots to see Northern Lights. You can go on a sightseeing trip to cities and see great architecture and monuments.
The Events
There are many events to see in Northern Europe. Copenhagen Jazz Festival is one of them, going on for two weeks in the summer. Next, you can go to Norway International Music Festival which lasts for four days. There is also Edinburgh roaring Nye Festival in winter months. Gothenburg culture festival in Sweden is also a fun event that you can visit.
The Food
The food in Northern Europe is versatile - you can get vegan food almost everywhere and cheap traditional meals are always an option. Depending on where you go, you'll be able to encounter different food and tradition,” says Carina George, a Travel blogger from 1Day2Write and OriginWritings.
No matter where in Northern Europe you go, you'll be happy that you did. With amazing sights, great food and fun events, you can never be bored in these countries.
