Norwegian Backroads

05/05/2024

Winter dump ❄️

I know I’m late to the game 😅 but I haven’t been really inspired to publish here for a while so here I am catching up a little.

This winter was intense, surprising, beautiful and exciting.

Here are a couple of things I’ve been up to:

1. Flying over Northern Norway 😍
2. A little tour at the Christmas market in Bergen
3. Exploring the Nordfjord region with
4. Spending time with loved ones and taking them to the mountain
5. & 6. Chasing sunset in Bergen
6. Exploring Hjørundfjord & with
7. Chasing the sun… always

15/11/2023

Sorry for being a party pooper 🥴

I cannot count how many of my conversations with clients start like this… “Hi! I have 10 days and I want to see Oslo, Bergen, Stryn, Lofoten & Tromsø”.

Not only it is not doable but it’s also a waste of time & money!
Distances in Norway are something else and it takes a long time to travel from one place to another. So if you don’t want to spend your time on the road and enjoy your trip, you will have to narrow down.

Enjoy a coffee & pastry at a local bakery, take the time to stop, to take a detour, to talk to locals… leave space for the unexpected! You will experience MUCH MORE than most people. Quality > Quantity

And let’s be honest here… Apart from a handful of small countries… There’s not a lot of countries in the world you can visit in 10 days!

10/11/2023

11 January 2023, 09:01, Lyngenfjord.

Some sunsets leave you unforgettable memories...
We had just finished breakfast and went out to get ready to leave when magic started right in front of our eyes. The sky just turned into fire as the sun was rising behind the mountain. The craggy mountain tops were drawing sharp cuts in this crazy colour... we were all in awe in front of this show.

It only lasted a few minutes but wow... I will never forget this moment!

This is in the middle of the "polar night" period... 😉

26/09/2023

🙏🏼 The best part of my job is to get feedback like these! It makes me so happy!

25/09/2023

🌞 Summer 2023

This picture pretty much sums up my Summer this year! A good mix of work, roadtrip, several personal events and some days off.

With this busy schedule, I fully prioritized my clients’ projects and official tasks so I haven’t been much around here! The autumn is dedicated to develop my partnerships, potential group travels in 2024 and some other projects - I’m super excited 🤗

Hope everyone had an exciting Summer (even if most people got back like a month ago 🤣 )

I’ll be back on here soon 😏

23/07/2023

🚗 Road trip mode: ON

This year has been full of events (both professional & personal) and long hours in front of my computer getting work done in between… and I haven’t been able to go on trips as much as I would have liked.

But this week a dear friend of mine is coming to Norway and we’ll be on the road for a week 😍 we have no plan, no checklist and we’ll just go where the good weather is ☀️ stay tuned as I’ll show you you can have an amazing trip wherever you go 😉

I can’t wait to be back on the road and to share this trip with my friend 💙

07/06/2023

🏔️ Feeling small

Something that will always strike me in Norway is how small you can feel in front of this grand Nature. I sometimes found myself almost scared and powerless in front of mountains of such size.

Whether it is a high mountain, a vast plateau or the infinity of the sea, it brings you back to how small humans are compared to Nature.

It’s pretty crazy to think how much impact we can have on something so big by being so small. Food for thoughts…

Have you already felt so small that it scared you? Tell me I’m not the only one 😆

07/05/2023

🌥️ Moody weather

Very often my clients tell me that they want to come to Norway in the summer to get nice weather… but it is not necessarily the case! And actually most of the nicer days I had in Norway were outside of the main summer season!

Weather is so unpredictable in Norway that it is hard to plan around it long time in advance… my best tip is to have flexibility in your itinerary and travel plans to easily adapt on the spot!

… and moody atmosphere can also be very picturesque 😏

Lodalen, 11 August 2022, 13:11

05/04/2023

💥🏔️ Energy shot

This was the perfect way to start this crazy month of April. A much needed energy shot to kick off a month full of travels around Norway, work events & a short trip to France to celebrate some friends.
I’ll be home only a couple of days for a month now so starting this with a day in Nature, enjoying the fresh air and the sun surrounded by awesome views was an absolute bliss.

I’ve also got a lot of exciting client projects going on and my challenge for the month will be keeping that up aside my travels. But I have been on a very good rhythm lately and I feel very ready for this! 💪🏼

My adventures start already on Friday for a destination I have been to several times… but not in a long time! It is also the destination that I have been asked by 80% of my clients this year (thanks to ) so I can’t wait to explore it again with my Norwegian Backroads eyes! 🤩
Can you guess which region it is?

I’ll document all these trips and events here so stay tuned and send me some energy!

28/03/2023

🚐 My first (& only) vanlife experience in Norway!

Throwback to October 2017, a couple months after I first arrived in Norway. We didn’t have much money, didn’t have a car but wanted to go on a trip…

So we rented a van, put an air mattress at the back, our duvets on top and hit the road! We didn’t have a plan but ended up driving 900km from Bergen to Lom and back.

Sometimes we overthink trips and plans but it doesn’t take much to make memories 💙

09/02/2023

Isn't Norway just about Northern Lights and fjords? 😂

Norway has a lot of different landscape and experiences to offer… and so much more than what we usually see on social media! From long sandy beaches to coastal towns, high plateaus, cute farms, mountains, harbours, cities, ocean, cliffs, deep forest, wild rivers… there is something for everyone.

What part of Norway do you want to explore next? 🇳🇴🤩

01/02/2023

🎒You may have noticed that I often use the word “Adventure” instead of saying trip or travel.

I choose to use this word because, for me, a “travel” is more than just seeing things or ticking boxes. For me, when you go out exploring, you also learn about others & yourself. You discover a place, its culture & its locals, you try something new, you go out of your comfort zone… and it also makes you reflect on your own culture & personality.

It doesn't have to be far - there are tons of adventures close to your home and they are very often way too underestimated so I couldn’t encourage you more to try them out. I believe we all have a lot to discover around us, if only we are willing to open up to these.

It doesn't always have to be big or difficult either. No matter what age & lifestyle you have… if you’re willing to discover & learn, your Adventure is only waiting for you! Sometimes it will be going on a solo travel or crossing the Atlantic on a sail boat. And other times, it will be going on a weekend to the neighbour town or sleeping in a tent in the garden. An adventure is not necessarily an expedition and it’s only up to you what you make of it 😉

Make your Adventure your own, have fun & create memories!

When was the last time you went on an Adventure?What was your best Adventure? 👇🏼

30/01/2023

🥺☀️ Am I the only one already dreaming of warm, long summer nights?

I love winter as well but sometimes I wish I could just have one day like this in the middle of the cold 🤣

It’s a good time to look at pictures and remember these moments though!

25/01/2023

✨1 YEAR OF NORWEGIAN BACKROADS

A few days ago, it had been 1 year exactly that my company was officially registered.

I think I can easily say that it has been the most challenging year for me, in both good & bad. I was prepared for the challenge and knew it was going to be difficult... But I 100% underestimated some aspects and didn’t see others coming at all.

The biggest one by far was the mere act of facing myself. I thought I was pretty clear about myself, what my assets & weaknesses were… oh well 😅 I never questioned myself so much, doubted my capacities so much and challenged my deep wishes. Finding the right balance of self-demand, handling the frustration and accepting that, despite of all the work, things take time… has been hard.

On the other hand, and as weird as it sounds, I have also felt very confident overall and at the right place. I know what I want and where I am heading and I am confident in what I offer as well as my abilities to do so.

Over the year, I have also received a lot of support & kind words from both close ones & strangers and I am extremely grateful for that! So THANK YOU for following & supporting my adventure 💙

I’ve spent the last week looking back at 2022 & preparing 2023 and I am super excited about what’s coming this year! I can’t wait to share even more here with you guys 🔥

17/11/2022

✨ Probably one of the most important values for me personally and naturally for Norwegian Backroads as well. For me, doing something with a meaning is about doing it with a purpose and understanding why you do it. It’s about doing something that makes sense for you, creating a connection which will make you care & involved.
 
For example, a lot of people lose their meaning at work at some point because many companies don’t take care of their employees’ purpose. Including them, giving back to them, showing them that what they do matters will make them understand why they do this job. When people are disconnected to what they do, they lose the purpose. They don’t know why they do it any longer, they stop caring… they lose the connection.
 
I believe that having meaningful experiences when travelling is just as important. When you stay at a small family guesthouse, for example, you get the big picture, the story behind it, you meet the owners… you create a connection with the people & the place. And that’s what you’ll remember, even a few years later: A meaningful adventure that made you experience the country and resonated in you. It also makes it worth the money you’re paying for.
 
Doing something meaningful is what made me quit my job twice, move abroad, create my own business. Because for me there is nothing more important that doing something I connect to & truly believe in.
 
Is it important for you as well to have a meaning? To understand why & connect to the things you do & experience? Let me know in the comments 👇🏼

                         

06/11/2022

👀 Behind the scenes

Norwegian Backroads, dressed as a pingouin, in action on board a boat in the rough Norwegian sea.

Well, okay, it was not that tough… and I got frozen hands… but what an awesome boat ride!
Swipe to see what my camera was seeing 😉

📸 1st pic by the talented Yasin

                           

19/10/2022

🌦️Probably THE question I get asked the most…
 
First of all, the most important thing to remember is that the weather in Norway is *very* unpredictable… it’s hard to really realize how quick it can change before actually experiencing it. But believe me, it changes very quickly. You can have bright sun in the morning and heavy rain within a few hours. It’s even more true up in the mountain and by the coast.
 
Otherwise, as a simplified view & generally speaking, here is how it goes:
 -       The Eastern part has a continental climate: fairly dry & warm (≈ 25 °C) in Summer and snowy & cold (≈-5 °C) in Winter.
-       The West Coast & the Fjords have more of a maritime climate: more humid & average temperatures all year around. Not very warm Summers (≈ 15/20°C) but mild Winters (≈0/5 °C).
-       Southern Norway is pretty dry all year around with a lot of sun. The temperatures go from mild in the Winter to warm in the Summer. It is by the way the #1 Summer destination in Norway for Norwegians.
-       Northern Norway has “wamer” temperatures that you could expect, especially on the coast: ≈ 10/15°C in the Summer & ≈ -5°C in the Winter. But as soon as you leave the coast, the temperatures get colder.
 
Of course, no matter where you are in the country, if you go higher up in the mountain, the temperatures & weather can be drastically different. So you should always be ready for any kind of weather!
 
Also, all this is of course to be put into perspective with the latitude where Norway is. If it was not for the Gulf Stream, Norway would almost be not possible to live in, with extreme weather & temperatures.
 
Disclaimer for the truth police: this is of course generally speaking and easily explained. Climate is a complex subject that would require way more than an Instagram post to be fully treated.
 

18/09/2022

Zac & Ine from World Wild Hearts are digital nomads travelling the world full time and sharing their adventures on YouTube. They were among my first clients and they made a video of their trip with a little interview of me 😍 go check it out and don’t miss their other videos!

The Lofoten Islands are located within the Arctic Circle in Northern Norway. With jaw-dropping landscapes, long stretches of white-sand beaches, narrow fjord...

12/09/2022

Autumn is slowly settling down all over Norway and I just love it!

It’s a wonderful time to travel around the country! The colours give a magical touch to the mountains and everything slows down & gets quieter… it’s time to enjoy the empty roads, the fresh air outside and getting all cosy inside 😍

Even though I’m having a busy start of the autumn, I’m trying to take it slow and work on some ground/more strategic work. But I’m off travelling again on Wednesday and I can’t wait to discover this part of Norway that I don’t know yet… I’ll share it in my stories and hopefully show you some Norwegian autumn vibes so make sure to stay tuned 🍂

    

29/07/2022

Summer nights by the fjords ✨

    

08/07/2022

Couple of weeks ago, I was invited by & to discover the region. We saw lovely places and heard many local stories. But three of them impacted me more than others.
 
where we met Elisa who has been cultivating this land with over 150 varieties of plants – from herbs & flowers to vegetables. She focuses on natural methods and long-lasting products and has even worked with Michelin star restaurants! Her passion, deep knowledge and link to the land was so impressive & inspiring!
 
where Mona took over the organic cheese farm some years ago after Bodil created it & ran it for decades. Here, the cows live free and come & go as they wish. The well-being of the animals is the priority #1 and their work was rewarded with several medals. I just loved hearing their story & seeing the link they have with the cows! (and, well, amazing cheese, of course)
 
Sula where Tom gave us a tour of the island and told us how life is on a remote place like this one. He also has an incredible knowledge about herbs that he picks up around and cooks all sorts of products with it. Walking around this peaceful island rhythmed by the weather and tasting Tom’s products for lunch was such a treat!
 
These experiences inspired me so much and have made me think a lot… Even weeks after. The one thing these people have in common is that they live simply and in accordance with Nature. Sustainability is then not necessarily a goal, it’s just the logic/natural way. They also have impressive knowledge about some very “basic” things such as growing plants, making food,… Why don’t we all learn that?
 
These people were so inspiring by their passion, life path, knowledge & view of things. I am extremely grateful to have experienced these places and have shared a moment with them! It’s unbelievable what travelling & discovering other cultures can bring to you.

    

05/07/2022

14/06/2022

12/05/2022

[🇳🇴Tell me you’re in Norway without telling me you’re in Norway]

I found this picture in my files a couple days ago and I thought « wow this is such a Norwegian cliché » 😄

I took this picture in September 2017 when I visited Lofoten for the first time. As a newbie in Norway my vision was completely different from the one I have now. I tried to think what was my « Norwegian clichés » at the time but I can’t remember… it was super interesting to read what comes to your minds when you guys think about Norway.

What do you guys think? Is this picture « typical Norwegian » for you?

    

08/05/2022

[💡TIPS: 5 tools for your travels in Norway]

When travelling abroad, a good planning before the trip is essential. It also means checking what local tools will be needed during the trip!

Here are 5 platforms you’ll most likely need during your trip in Norway:

1. 🌦Yr.no & Pent.no - weather forecast as precise as it gets in Norway 😆 remember to be as precise as possible for the location & check frequently cause it changes constantly!

2. 🏔Ut.no - if you want to enjoy the outdoors, this one is for you! Tons of trails & tips all around Norway gathered on one map. It’s only in Norwegian but easy to translate with Google 😉

3. 🚗Vegvesen.no/trafikk - Official map of the roads in Norway with live updates & cameras. Check it before you start driving so you can plan around if there’s a road closure!

4. 🚉Entur - Official platform for public transports in Norway. Saves you lots of time & energy when planning!

5. 📍Google Maps & Norgeskart - I use them aaaall the time for different purposes & it’s probably my #1 tool for planning a trip: looking for a place to camp, an alternative road, accommodation, restaurants,… with the different options, they are super useful!

Travelling in Norway requires extra flexibility & adaptability and these tools should help you a lot to face any unexpected situation during your adventure!

Let me know what you think in the comments👇🏼

    

10/03/2022

As you probably know, the Norwegian alphabet has 29 letters and these 3 often raise a lot of questions. Here is a little explanation on how to pronounce them.

Of course, this is without taking into account the variation of pronunciation in the different dialects… 🤪

You also find them in Danish and a variation of them in Swedish. Their international equivalents are “ae”, “oe” & “aa”.

Now I’m waiting for your videos of you pronouncing different Norwegian names with these letters 😜

 
     

26/02/2022

Tomorrow I’m heading out to the fjords again for a few days and I just can’t wait! It can be so majestic in the winter 😍

It won’t be the same fjord as on this picture though but just as beautiful that’s for sure! Can you guess which one I’m heading to? 😏

Check my story in the next few days for some winter adventures! 🤩
 
     

16/02/2022

Driving in Norway can be an adventure in itself and here are 5 things you should know before you hit the road!

It is fairly easy, super safe and keep in mind that you’ll be tempted to take 28853 pictures a minute as well 😉 also, finding your way shouldn’t be too much of a problem cause there’s usually one road leading to a place! 😄

I’ll share other ones soon so stay tuned!
 
       

06/02/2022

The weather has been really terrible lately and Spring couldn’t come fast enough this year!
Here is a 30-sec timelapse of one of the only nice sunset of the last few weeks.

       

03/02/2022

Obviously, I did learn some of these tips the hard way.. but that’s a story for later 😂
Don’t blame me - I grew up in Paris and while Montmartre is a pretty steep hill, I wouldn’t call that hiking 😉
So if you’re like me and that you are still a novice when it comes to hiking, here are my best tips for you!

Even though I am laughing about it now, I sometimes ended up in situations where I was really not comfortable and that is never good. The mountain is an unpredictable place where the weather can change very fast so it is important to be prepared and wear the right equipment.

It is easy to feel tempted by a nice photo spot or a picture we saw on Instagram but it is even more important to be aware and stay safe.