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 Bnesim because it works in most countries and has reliable coverage. You can buy packages directly in the app, including multi-country plans perfect for roadtrips.

Approximate prices:

• 1 GB – €1.49
• 3 GB – €3.49

Use code DUO30 for a discount.

💳 Revolut - Best Travel Card 

Revolut is our go-to travel card thanks to great exchange rates, low fees, and multi-currency support. Premium plans also include travel insurance and extra perks.

🎟️ GetYourGuide – Activities & Experiences

One of the easiest ways to book tours and experiences worldwide.
Use code DUOTRAVELMONKEYS5 for a discount on your first activity. 

💡 Life Hack

If you have over 3000 followers on Instagram or TikTok, you can sometimes get free sponsored activities in exchange for content. 

🏨 Booking.com & Agoda.com – Accommodation

These are the platforms we use most because they usually offer better prices than Airbnb.

💡 Tip 1:
Check prices again in the evening — hotels often lower rates for unsold rooms.

💡 Tip 2:
Always check the map. Accommodation just outside the city can be much cheaper.

💡 Tip 3:
Don't focus only on distance. A slightly farther hotel may have much better public transport access.

🚧 Roads in 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 2 – Husfjellet Hike & Scenic Route

Near Skaland (with a Joker shop and toilets), we started the Husfjellet hike (632 m). Parking cost around €5 for 4 hours.

❄️ Snow conditions were tough — sometimes sinking deep, plus dangerous snow cornices along the way.

🌄 At the top, we got rewarded with turquoise fjords, small islands, snowy peaks, and unreal water colors — one of the best views in Norway.

🚗 The Senja Scenic Route (~120 km) took us through highlights like Gryllefjord, Tungeneset, Bergsbotn, Ersfjordstranda, Husøy, and Botnhamn.

That night we stayed at Skoghus Camping — completely alone, since the season hadn't started yet. It was also our coldest night.

Day 3 – Lofoten Islands

We left Senja and drove toward Lofoten.

Distance: ~325 km (about 5 hours)

After two cold nights in a tent, we were very excited for our first hotel 😄 We stayed at Nordis Hotel Svolvær — one of the best-value stays on the islands.

Svolvær feels like the gateway to Lofoten: red fishing cabins, cod racks, dramatic mountains, and small harbors — the classic Lofoten atmosphere.

Day 4 – Across Lofoten to Å

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

Along the way we visited:

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

Later we packed our gear and hiked to Kvalvika Beach (no drone zone !), where we camped directly on one of Lofoten's most iconic beaches. The sunset was unreal… the night wind, less so 😄

Day 5 – Ryten Hike

The next morning we hiked Ryten, one of Lofoten's most famous viewpoints.

After about 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 after camping, proper beds felt like pure luxury 😄

Day 6 – Silent Cruise & Sweden Border

We joined the Silent Trollfjord Cruise from Svolvær on a modern, quiet boat equipped with an underwater drone.

We sailed through Trollfjord, watched sea eagles, and even spotted orcas. We recommend this activity so much ! It was so beautiful and unbelievable  - you don´ t have to hike (only) in Lofoten to see the beauty of this place.

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 and felt 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. 🚗✨