What You Shouldn't Travel Without

📱 4 Apps We Never Travel Without

• Booking.com & Agoda.com
• Bnesim – 30% discount code: DUO30
• Revolut – our favorite travel card
• GetYourGuide – activity discount code: DUOTRAVELMONKEYS5

Before crossing your first border, there are two important things you need to solve first: internet and money.

🌍 Bnesim – Global eSIM Card

We use the global eSIM card Bnesim, which covers most countries worldwide. We've had great experiences with its signal and coverage – it worked almost everywhere we traveled.

You can buy it easily through the app and use our discount code.

Approximate prices:

• 1 GB – €1.49
• 3 GB – €3.49

If you know you'll use more data, it's worth buying a larger package instead of constantly topping up. They also offer multi-country packages, which are perfect for roadtrips like this.

Download the app and use code DUO30.

💳 Revolut – The Best Card for Traveling

We use Revolut for everything. Great exchange rates, minimal fees, and the option to hold multiple currencies at once make it a must-have for travelers.

You can open an account online for free and start using the virtual card immediately. Premium plans also include travel insurance, Netflix, and other benefits.

🎟️ Experiences on the Road – GetYourGuide

Traveling isn't just about moving from place to place – it's about experiences. And GetYourGuide is one of the easiest ways to book them.

Use code DUOTRAVELMONKEYS5 for a discount on your first activity.

You'll find activities all around the world for great prices.

💡 Life Hack

If you have more than 3000 followers on Instagram or TikTok, you can sometimes get sponsored activities for free.

You simply register, apply for vouchers, and create content afterward. Pretty cool 😄

🏨 Booking.com & Agoda.com – Accommodation

These are the two platforms we use the most. In our experience, they almost always have better deals than Airbnb.

💡 Tip:

If you didn't book accommodation in advance, try checking prices again in the evening. Many hotels automatically lower prices when rooms stay unsold.

💡 Tip 2:

ALWAYS CHECK THE MAP.

For example, we searched "Stockholm" and found rooms for €80/night. After opening the map, we found accommodation nearby for €60/night.

💡 Tip 3:

It's not just about distance.

Booking often sorts places by distance, not accessibility. Sometimes a slightly farther hotel has much better public transport access.

🚧 Roads in Norway

Driving in Norway is slow mainly because of two things:

1. Fjords – you either drive around them or use ferries, where waiting times can range from 15 minutes to 2 hours.
2. Speed limits – most roads are limited to 80 km/h, sometimes 90 km/h.

💰 Toll Roads in Norway

Norwegian tolls are very random. One moment you cross a bridge, then a tunnel, then suddenly another scenic road with a toll.

It's not like traditional highways – individual sections are charged automatically.

Ferries are also paid and are a very common part of traveling through Norway.

💡 Autopass NO – Worth It for Long Trips

If you're driving longer distances in Norway, registering for Autopass NO is definitely worth it.

You pay a one-time registration fee and get discounted tolls automatically.

Day 1 – Leaving Alta (15.4.)

Winter is slowly ending in Alta. There's barely any snow left in town and temperatures are climbing to around 6°C.

Our car is packed to the roof:

• skis
• snowboard
• tent, sleeping mats, sleeping bags
• food for several days

And most importantly – our "Terminator," the Suzuki SX4, which gave us quite a few problems during winter… so hopefully it behaves now 😄

First Stop: Senja (15.04.2026)

Our first destination is Senja – a less touristy but absolutely stunning island.

• Distance: around 400 km from Alta
• Driving time: just under 6 hours

At first, the island surprised us. The landscape looked like endless swamps. But that changes quickly.

Soon dramatic mountains, fjords, and iconic Norwegian views appear everywhere. Senja is calmer than the famous Lofoten Islands, and that's exactly what makes it so special.

We originally planned to hike Segla – probably the most iconic mountain on Senja with amazing views from Hesten.

The hike starts from Fjordgård, accessible through several creepy tunnels carved directly into the rock. Dark, narrow, sometimes one-way tunnels… honestly terrifying 😄

In the end, we skipped the hike because of snow and dangerous conditions.

We later found an incredible camping spot at Ersfjordstranda (Ersfjord Beach), where we camped directly by the beach with fireplaces and tables nearby.

Our first night in the tent went surprisingly well… except for the nonstop rain 😄

And because our tent was single-layered, everything touching the walls became wet.

Day 2 – Husfjellet Hike & Scenic Route

Just 15 minutes away is Skaland – one of the few bigger villages on Senja. There's even a Joker supermarket and public toilets.

From here starts the hike to Husfjellet (632 m).

Parking costs around €5 for 4 hours.

❄️ Snow, Crampons & Careful Steps

Higher up, snow conditions became difficult. Sometimes we sank waist-deep into unstable snow.

The biggest danger? Snow cornices – overhanging snow edges that can collapse beneath you.

🌄 Summit of Husfjellet

At the top, we were rewarded with:

• turquoise fjords
• tiny islands
• snowy mountain ridges
• Caribbean-like water colors

One of the best views we saw in Norway.

🚗 Senja Scenic Route

This official Norwegian scenic road is around 120 km long and connects some of the island's most beautiful places.

Main highlights:

• Gryllefjord
• Tungeneset (Devil's Teeth / Oksehornan)
• Bergsbotn Viewpoint
• Ersfjordstranda
• Husøy
• Botnhamn

That night we camped at Skoghus Camping, completely alone because the season hadn't started yet.

It was also our coldest night of the trip.

Day 3 – Lofoten Islands

We finally leave Senja and drive toward the Lofoten Islands.

• Distance: around 325 km
• Driving time: 5 hours

After two freezing nights in a tent, we were unbelievably excited for our first proper hotel 😄

We stayed at Nordis Hotel Svolvær – honestly one of the best deals we found on the islands.

Svolvær feels like the gateway to Lofoten:

• red fishing cabins
• cod drying racks
• dramatic mountains
• tiny harbors

This is where the real "Lofoten vibe" begins.

Day 4 – Across Lofoten to Å

After finally showering and sleeping properly, we started driving all the way to Å – the village with the shortest name in the world 😄

Along the way we visited:

• Henningsvær and its famous football field
• Reine
• Å
• dramatic bridges and mountain roads

Later we packed our gear and hiked to Kvalvika Beach, where we camped directly on one of Lofoten's most famous beaches.

The sunset was unbelievable.

The wind during the night? Not so unbelievable 😄

Day 5 – Ryten Hike

The next morning we climbed Ryten – one of the most famous viewpoints in Lofoten.

After around 1.5 hours we reached the summit overlooking Kvalvika Beach.

Absolutely insane views.

Later we returned to Svolvær and booked the same hotel again because honestly… after camping, those pillows felt heavenly 😄

Day 6 – Silent Cruise & Sweden Border

We joined the famous Silent Trollfjord Cruise from Svolvær.

The boat was modern, comfortable, and even equipped with an underwater drone.

We sailed through Trollfjord, watched sea eagles, and even spotted orcas.

Afterward, we crossed into Sweden and eventually reached Kiruna, where we stayed in a tiny cozy cabin in the forest called Camp Caroli. You can check it HERE.

It looked like a fairytale.

Day 7 – The Tire Hunt Begins

Sweden banned studded winter tires after April 15th, and ours still had spikes.

We spent the entire day searching for tire shops while driving south.

Eventually we found a place willing to help… but only the next day 😄

That night we camped near a sports area in Skellefteå.

And yes, we googled whether Sweden has bears before sleeping 😄

Day 8 – "Sorry, The Mechanic Is Off Today"

We finally managed to replace the tires.

Total cost:

• around 5200 SEK (€450–470) including storage

Relieved, we continued south and booked a simple Airbnb in Sundsvall.

At that point, a kitchen and a bed felt like luxury.

Day 9 – Stockholm

After months in northern Scandinavia, Stockholm felt overwhelming.

Traffic.
People.
Noise.
Civilization 😄

We found an incredible hotel deal outside the city (30 minutes to Centre by city train) :

• breakfast included
• sauna
• parking
• modern rooms

For around €60/night.

Absolute heaven after weeks on the road.
The best accomodation in Stockholm with free parking and breakfast HERE. 

Day 10 – Stockholm Metro & Viking Pub

We explored Stockholm using the SL Card, which includes:

• metro
• buses
• ferries
• trams

We visited famous metro stations like:

• T-Centralen
• Solna Centrum
• Stadion
• Kungsträdgården

In the evening we went to the legendary Viking restaurant Aifur.

And yes – they really announce your name with a horn 😄

Day 11 – Archipelago Cruise & Crazy Ferry

We joined another collaboration cruise through the Stockholm Archipelago.

Fun fact:
Our guide turned out to be Slovak 😄

Later we drove toward Denmark and took the ferry from Helsingborg to Helsingør.

The ferry lasted only 20 minutes… but had:

• restaurants
• bars
• party DJ
• sundeck

We almost forgot to leave the ferry 😄

Day 12 – Copenhagen & Birthday Surprise

We explored Copenhagen with friends.

Highlights included:

• colorful streets
• beer tour
• alternative neighborhoods
• local breweries

And yes… The Little Mermaid was probably the biggest tourist disappointment of the entire trip 😄

Day 13 – Tivoli Gardens & Burgers

We spent the day in Tivoli Gardens.

Rollercoasters, old rides, fairy tale attractions…

And one of the best burgers we've ever had at Gasoline Grill.

Day 14 – Germany

We crossed into Germany by ferry from Gedser to Rostock.

Suddenly everything changed:

• highways
• no tolls
• faster driving
• cheaper food

After Scandinavia, Germany felt surprisingly affordable.

Day 15 – Prague & Cheap Beer

We reached Prague and finally enjoyed proper draft beer for normal prices again 😄

Parking in Prague is difficult, so we used P+R parking outside the center.

Day 16 – Medieval Tavern

We visited the famous medieval tavern U Pavouka in Prague.

Unlimited food, beer, wine, belly dancers, fire shows…

A completely different experience after all the mountains and camping.

Day 17 – Home

Finally, home.

After:

• 5000+ km
• 17 days on the road
• camping in nature
• ferries
• hikes
• collaborations
• birthdays
• cities
• mountains
• tire problems

…we made it back to Košice. 🚗✨

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