Hi Ebba, how’s your summer been?
So far it’s been the best mix of mountains, oceans and even a little city life. I’ve been hiking along the Turkish South coast, skiing on a glacier in Italy and had a very fulfilling social life in Stockholm. I’m currently in Menorca in the Balearics, where days are spent on a boat, snorkeling, reading books, and eating tapas. Gracias!!
You recently packed a full car and went to Lofoten. Why?
Because it’s one of my favorite places on Earth. I’ve been a few times before, but it’s impossible to get tired of the nature and the possibilities it offers. And when one of my best friends AND my parents wanted to see what it’s about this year, I had the perfect reason to return.
Three things to pack, and three things to leave at home when leaving for an active vacation?
Trail running shoes you can also hike in. A big blanket for picnics, sunbathing and general chilling (I use the Midnatt bed spread and it’s huge and perfect). Portable speaker you can bring on hikes and camp hangouts. Scale down on toiletries and only bring the most necessary stuff. Don’t bring too many nice clothes – it’s great not to have to worry about your favorite stuff getting dirty or ripped etc. Instead of books — bring a Storytel reader or a Kindle.
Rumor has it that you sleep in a tent full of fluffy duvets on the car’s roof when you’re out hiking.
Rumor speaks the truth. I had two duvets and a bunch of pillows. When you roadtrip with a rooftop tent you don’t have to travel light so I brought all the necessities for cozy sleeps.
Best meal cooked outside this summer?
Before leaving for Lofoten, I harvested my mom’s potatoes from our country house. They were frequently boiled on my gas stove and enjoyed with different stir-fries of veggies, lentils, beans, canned tuna, pesto, tomato sauce, curries… all cooked and eaten on different beaches or rock patios, or right next to my car on my camping table. Cooking outside is one of my favorite parts of camp life.
Favorite mountain climbed?
In Lofoten? Blekktinden. It’s a special one.
Best sunset enjoyed?
I actually have to say the same as my answer above. We hiked up that mountain around 8 pm one night, got up at 10, and then had a never-ending midnight sun situation with some of the most breathtaking views and light of my life. I slept maybe between 3-6 am. Under open sky, I might add — we didn’t even have to pitch our tent because the sun was actually warm enough, and the ground was fuzzy with blueberry bushes.
Any advice for us who might plan a more active vacation next summer?
I have to say that road trips are my favorite way of traveling (especially when you have some sort of sleep situation right out of your car — either a rooftop tent like me, maybe a van or an RV or even just a regular tent you pitch next to your car/on top of mountains/on beaches). Road trips give you such freedom and flexibility. And you can travel with so much stuff, hehe. So you can bring everything you need for all your favorite activities, and set out. Don’t be afraid to push the limits of space in your car, implosions are fun. My top recommendation is Norway because 1) it is the most beautiful country and right next door, 2) they have the “Allemannsretten” so you can camp anywhere as long as it’s 150 meters from the closest house and 3) Norwegians are awesome people, and they really know how to party. Just FYI.
Your 3 best hiking spots in Scandinavia?
Lofoten (big surprise). Sarek. Åre (my hometown).
Text by: Josephine Blix
Photo by: Ebba Forsgren
