A Scandinavian Summer
This summer, our family swapped the warm, glorious days of a Pacific Northwest summer for what we thought would be a cooler, wetter escape - but Scandinavia had a surprise for us. With its endless sunshine and a heatwave that followed us nearly everywhere (except, of course, Iceland), it turned out to be one of the sunniest (and hottest!) trips we've ever taken. For three unforgettable weeks, we explored Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland - and even squeezed in a quick hop to Estonia. Below is our travel itinerary, broken down by location, with highlights to help inspire your own journey through the land of happy people, high prices, and jaw-dropping beauty.
Iceland (4 Nights)
Our first stop was Iceland, a place that felt equal parts charming, remote, and otherworldly. The moment we landed, it was clear we weren’t in Washington anymore. Our rental car gave us the flexibility we needed to explore, and trust me, in Iceland, a car is non-negotiable!
We kicked things off with a visit to the Blue Lagoon, which was magical…until we learned that it’s best not to get your hair wet! Spoiler alert: Kendall is still dealing with the aftermath, think straw hair no matter how much conditioner we use! This Reykjavik Airbnb served as our home base for four nights as we tackled the Golden Circle (think Yellowstone vibes, but with possibly even more tourists), hiked to steaming hot springs, and stood behind thundering waterfalls on the South Coast.
It rained almost the entire time, and yes, the water really does smell like sulfur. But the landscapes? Unreal. Black sand beaches, moss-covered lava fields, and puffins on cliffs. It was like we were on another planet!
Iceland Highlights:
Blue Lagoon (don’t dunk your hair!)
Reykjadalur Hot Springs hike
Golden Circle: Kerið Crater, Gullfoss Waterfall, Strokkur Geysir, Thingvellir National Park
South Coast: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Vik and Black Sand Beaches, Puffin spotting
Braud & Co. for cinnamon rolls
Downtown Reykjavik stroll + Hallgrímskirkja Church views
Ice cream at Efstidalur II (en route from Golden Circle)
All you can eat tomato soup and freshly baked bread at Friðheimar (Note: Make reservations far in advance if possible! If you can’t get a reservation, keep checking regularly. We tried to get a reservation months in advance but everything was booked. Then, a week beforehand, a spot opened up!)
Bergen, Norway (4 Nights)
We arrived in Bergen just in time for an unexpected Scandinavian heat wave - 80 degrees and sunny for days. Our Airbnb sat on a hill just outside the city, with panoramic views that more than made up for the 10-minute drive into town.
With another rental car in hand, we wound our way through cliffside roads and fjord tunnels to explore the Hardangerfjord region, including the beautiful Steinsdalsfossen waterfall and the towering Hardanger Bridge. Our favorite day was a full excursion to the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord and Flam, complete with a scenic cruise, train ride, and a lunch stop at the Viking-themed Aegir Brewpub.
Sunday in Norway feels sacred. Most shops and even grocery stores are closed, and it was a lovely reminder that rest is part of the culture here. We leaned into the slower pace with funicular views over Bergen and neighborhood strolls.
Bergen Highlights:
Nærøyfjord and Flam cruise and railway (booked via Norway's Best)
Stegastein Viewpoint
Roadtripping to Eidfjord
Steinsdalsfossen Waterfall
Bergen Funicular + views from Fløyen
Rosenkratz Tower
Dinner at Dirty Vegan
Billund, Denmark (2 Nights)
This was Lucas’s dream stop! Billund is the birthplace of Lego, and our stay at the Legoland Resort Hotel included one full day at Legoland and a full day at Lego House. He took the lead planning this segment, and we were along for the ride!
Lego House stole the show. The interactive exhibits, the restaurant where robots serve your food, and the creativity flowing from every corner made it a full-day adventure. The park food, on the other hand, left a lot to be desired, especially for vegetarians.
Lucas left with a bag full of Legos and a plan to work for Lego one day. He’s already plotting his YouTube strategy to get noticed.
Billund Highlights:
Lego House + Mini Chef restaurant
Legoland Park. Miniland was my favorite with all the intricate dioramas!
Staying at the Legoland Hotel was a highlight for the kids, but it wasn’t for us adults! Rooms don’t have thermostats (it got super stuffy), and the food, similar to what you'd find at the park, was lacking. Definitely gives Great Wolf Lodge vibes!
Copenhagen, Denmark (3 Nights)
Copenhagen had an energy that set it apart from every other stop on our itinerary. It was youthful, vibrant, and just a little bit chaotic. With more relaxed drinking laws than elsewhere in Scandinavia, Copenhagen definitely has a party spirit, but the historic charm provides balance. We all loved it!
A highlight was our food tour, which gave us a delicious sampling of Copenhagen’s culinary scene. We spent an evening at Tivoli Gardens, where the kids rode every coaster at least twice and Tom Jones graced us with an outdoor performance.
Our Airbnb wasn’t the best, but the location near the beach made up for it. Copenhagen is a city that knows how to live.
Copenhagen Highlights:
Tivoli Gardens + Tom Jones concert
Amager Strandpark Beach
Rosenborg Castle
Gothenburg, Sweden (1 Night)
The drive from Copenhagen to Stockholm takes about 7 hours, so we decided to break up the journey with an overnight stay in Gothenburg. It was Dan’s birthday, so we let him pick the day’s agenda. Our stay fell on a Sunday, so similar to our Sunday in Bergen, Norway, many things were closed and the streets were quiet. It was the perfect opportunity to let the kids try e-scooters (with our supervision!), since they have been begging to do so on nearly every trip we’ve gone on over the last few years. Yes, technically, you are supposed to be 18 to ride, but a sleepy Sunday in Gothenburg seemed like an okay time to bend the rules.
We stayed at the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, which was a highlight of the trip! The rooms were spacious, the breakfast buffet outstanding, and the waitstaff surprised me with a breakfast birthday cake in the morning!
Gothenburg Highlights:
Dinner at V Italiano Moderno
Slottskogen Park (Winner of the best playground award on our trip!)
Cinnamon buns as big as our heads from Cafe Husaren
Exploring the Haga neighborhood
Stockholm, Sweden (3 Nights)
If I had to pick a favorite city from the trip, Stockholm wins. It had the vibrancy of Copenhagen with a little more polish and calm. We stayed close to Gamla Stan, the historic old town of Stockholm, at ultra cool Camper Scandic, and fell in love with this central location. We walked everywhere, some of our highest step count days of our trip were in Stockholm, and I won’t complain - everything was lovely to wander and explore!
A dining highlight? A farm-to-table dinner at Rosendals Trädgård, tucked away in a garden that felt like a fairy tale. I stumbled upon it while deep-diving on Google Maps, and I’m convinced we were the only tourists there.
Stockholm Highlights:
The best vegetarian dinner at Verte complete with Swedish meatballs
Vaxholm Island via Stromma Boat Tour
Drottningholm Palace Tour
Farm-to-table dinner at Rosendals Trädgård
Exploring Gamla Stan + Letiz Gelato
Breakfast at Pom & Flora
Vasa Museum - WOW! Just go!
Helsinki, Finland (4 Nights) + Day Trip to Tallinn, Estonia
Helsinki was the perfect place to slow down and wrap up our adventure. Never in all our years of staying at Airbnb's have we had a host cancel on us last minute, but it finally happened in Helsinki! Luckily, we found a last-minute Airbnb with harbor views that ended up being perfect for our needs.
The true highlight was our Loyly sauna experience. Helsinki taught us all about Finnish sauna culture, and now I’m convinced we need one at home! In Finland, there are over 3.3 million saunas for a population of just 5.5 million people (that’s more saunas than registered vehicles!). Loyly’s public saunas range from 80–100 °C (175–215 °F), offering a signature dry Finnish heat. The kids genuinely enjoyed the experience, but the high temps were a bit much for them to tolerate for longer than a few minutes. They much preferred the private sauna in our Airbnb, where we could set the temperature to a more manageable 80 °C. Beyond the well-documented health benefits, sauna culture plays a significant role in Finnish community life, with public saunas serving as a gathering space for conversation, rest, and reflection. It’s a tradition that blends wellness with connection, and it left a deep impression on all of us.
When I polled Instagram on what to do in Helsinki, ironically, the number one response was to leave Helsinki and take a day trip to Tallinn, Estonia! So that’s exactly what we did! Our day trip to Tallinn, Estonia, turned out to be a favorite of the trip. We spent the day exploring medieval towers, strolling cobblestone streets, and escaping the tourist crowds to birdwatch at Paljassaare. The ferry ride alone was an incredible experience and puts our ferries back home to shame. The two-hour trip each way felt more like a luxury cruise experience than a mode of transportation.
Helsinki Highlights:
Touring the Helsinki Library - a must see!
Temppeliaukio Church
Exploring Soumenlinna Island
Tallinn Highlights:
Ferry with Tallink to Tallinn
Exploring Tallinn’s Old Town and Patkuli Viewing Platform
Paljassaare bird reserve
Gelato at Gelato Ladies (the best Gelato of the trip!)
Scandinavia left a lasting impression in the most peaceful, quietly powerful way. Yes, it’s expensive (think $25 burgers). But what stood out the most wasn't just the breathtaking landscapes or charming old towns or even the high cost of living, it was actually the pace. The culture. The way life here feels less rushed and more intentional.
There’s a reason the Nordic countries are consistently ranked among the happiest in the world. It’s not just the robust social services or generous vacation policies - it’s the way they prioritize balance. People walk more. They unplug more. They linger longer over meals. They swim in the sea and warm up in saunas. They don’t cram their calendars or chase productivity at the expense of presence.
As a professional organizer, I often work with clients who are overwhelmed not just by stuff, but by the pace of life. Scandinavia reminded me what it looks like to build a life that has room to breathe. A life where systems and simplicity aren’t about control, but instead they’re about creating margin. Margin for family dinners, for nature walks, for wandering without a plan.
Traveling through these countries was like stepping into a living example of what organized living can create: more ease, more connection, more joy. And really, that’s what it’s all about.
Until the next adventure,
Jennifer
