While many tourists prioritize tropical beaches when planning a cruise, experienced travelers know that the best summer vacations are actually European coolcations. Those who opt for cooler places to visit in the summer experience minimal sweating, dramatic and diverse scenery, epic wildlife, Viking sites, world-class hiking, castles, the world’s safest cities, remarkable food traditions and maximum sunlight without the scorching temperatures. It’s honestly pretty unbeatable and, as a longtime travel writer with Nordic and Celtic roots, I’m a massive proponent — I will always pick coolcations over hotter destinations, and I’ve been urging travelers to do just that throughout my entire career.

As a longtime travel writer who’s been with my partner for nearly a decade, I firmly believe that there’s nothing more romantic than spending a 10-year anniversary somewhere new. After experiencing so much together, veteran couples can welcome the next decade of their relationship with an air of discovery.

You'll find some of the most amazing pastries, from croissants and rye bread to bagels and marital bliss cookies, on this list of best bakeries in Iceland.

An Icelandophile's pick of the Nordic island's top restaurants that showcase heritage, local flavors, and high-quality renditions of international favorites.

If you want to have your mind blown, come to Iceland. This is my favorite place in the world for its dramatic landscapes, local traditions, Viking fare, Nordic cultural activities, optimum hiking trails, quirky folklore and kind locals.

Explore 14 Scandinavian dishes that are hearty, bright, and deeply regional. From savory lefse to sweet trollkrem, these flavors are rooted in rich tradition.

In the 1800s, archaeologists dug up a major Norse find in Sweden. Recent studies reveal there's even more to get excited about.

Two friends found historically significant artifacts and, due to their refusal to report them, are now either in jail or on the run.

A frozen phenomenon has been uncovered in Greenland, and it’s changing the way scientists think about ice, volcanoes, and even climate change.

As climate change worsens, seashores are being reshaped around the Arctic.

According to the latest research, glaciers worldwide have lost 5% of their volume since 2000.

A volunteer archaeology group recently uncovered remnants of a sizeable late-Viking-age hall at a farmland

Frigid mountain air, old wooden ships, and herds of wild reindeer — these are all the scenes I was greeted with while in Tromsø, the northern lights capital of the world, a few winters back. Flying over the speckled sea icebergs, our little plane battled harsh Arctic winds and fleets of snow to reach this Nordic town at the top of the planet. We had already been delayed by a few days due to a severe storm, and my partner and I were prepared to drag our carryons for miles throu...

A fresh translation of ancient runes is causing experts to rethink their view of Viking treasures. Part of the Galloway Hoard (a buried stash of 11 pounds worth of gold and silver named after the Scottish region it was found in), a 1,100-year-old arm bracelet is making waves in the world of linguists, historians, archaeologists, and anyone even remotely interested in Viking history.

Archaeologists in Norway have just released a study that digs into the most ancient rune stone ever found. Published on Feb. 5, 2025, in Cambridge University Press’s Antiquity journal, the research reveals the discovery, history, and potential uses of the Hole rune stone (previously known as the Svingerud rune stone, named after the grave field in the Nordic nation).

While my mother’s side is Celtic and Bavarian, my father’s side is Danish and Norwegian (and British later on). I grew up feeling deeply connected to my ancestors’ traditions. We frequently ate traditional Nordic foods, celebrated holidays the Scandi way, and led lifestyles that were filled with northern practices such as hygge, layering clothing, and taking steams.

In Hlíðarfjall, a resort near Akureyri in northern Iceland, Mr. Kobayashi flew 291 meters, or 954.72 feet. Using the natural takeoff table, he hit a top speed of 107 kilometers per hour, or 66.5 miles per hour.

Out now, the brand's fall/winter 2024 assortment is made up of biophilic shapes, minimalistic concepts and earth tones. All of which appropriately align well with Nordic culture, blending in with the Danish buildings that they are being spotlit in. Specifically, Roche Bobois heads to historic sites such as the Ordrupgaard Museum to present its picks, using an extension designed by architect Zaha Hadid as a background for the Cigale table by Andrea Casati.

From Denmark to Norway, prestige is increasingly showing enthusiasm for the north. Luxury companies across categories are pouring resources into Nordic nations, framing them as the setting of fashion campaigns, hosting Arctic automotive retreats and, among other activations, opening five-star hotels in the area. As the international community discovers a love for all things hygge and biophilic, Scandinavia and its trademark trends are proving to be in the midst of defining the landscape of tomorrow.

German automaker Mercedes-Benz is hosting adventures in cold-weather climates come 2024. The company will offer consumers the chance to improve their driving skills on the frozen waters of Sweden's Lake Galtisjaure as soon as next year. Professionals will guide those of all experience levels through a series of three to five-day courses, as Mercedes-AMG's Experience on Ice program teaches participants how to safely navigate in winter conditions from the comfort of the brand's luxury models.