🗓️ Day 1 – August 24: Arrival in Oslo ✈️

Your Scandinavian journey begins! ✨

You’ll arrive in Oslo around 3:00 PM, just in time for the golden afternoon light. 🌅 After checking into your hotel 🏨, take a gentle walk through the city center. Oslo is compact and walkable, so you’ll quickly get a feel for its charming mix of modern architecture and historic streets. 🏙️ Depending on your energy, enjoy a relaxed dinner at a local café ☕🥗, or simply soak up the atmosphere by the Oslo Opera House — its marble rooftop is perfect for watching the city glow at sunset. 🌊🎭

🗓️ Day 2 – August 25: First Full Day in Oslo 🌳🎨

Time to dive into Oslo’s cultural and natural treasures!

Morning: Start at Ekebergparken Sculpture Park 🗿🌿. This isn’t just an ordinary park — it’s a hilltop escape filled with modern sculptures, winding trails, and some of the best panoramic views over Oslofjord. 🌊⛰️ You’ll spot works from famous artists like Damien Hirst, alongside lush forest paths. Don’t forget your camera! 📸 Lunch: Grab a quick and delicious bite at Max Burgers 🍔🍟. It’s a Swedish chain loved for its quality and eco-conscious approach — perfect for a speedy, satisfying stop before more exploring. Afternoon: Stroll along Karl Johans gate, Oslo’s main street 🛍️, lined with shops, street performers, and historic buildings. You can wander all the way from the Royal Palace 👑 to the Oslo Central Station 🚉. If time allows, swing by the Oslo Opera House 🎶, where you can actually walk up onto the sloping rooftop for sweeping harbor views. Evening: Dinner can be flexible tonight. Try classic Norwegian flavors like grilled salmon 🐟, creamy fish soup, or even adventurous dishes like reindeer stew 🍲 for a true taste of Norway.

🗓️ Day 3 – August 26: Bygdøy Peninsula Adventure ⛴️🏛️

A day full of history, culture, and coastal charm!

Morning: Catch the ferry to Bygdøy ⛴️ — a short but scenic ride that gives you lovely views of Oslofjord. 🌊💙 First stop: Norwegian Museum of Cultural History 🏡🎭. This open-air museum is like stepping into the past, with traditional wooden houses, stave churches, and folk exhibits. It feels like walking through a living storybook. 📖✨ Second stop: Norwegian Maritime Museum ⚓🚢. Dive into Norway’s seafaring past, with interactive exhibits on shipbuilding, exploration, and the country’s deep connection to the sea. 🐚🌍 Perfect for history lovers and kids alike. Afternoon: Ferry back to the mainland ⛴️ — the ride at sunset is especially magical 🌅. Take a quiet moment by the harbor with a coffee or gelato 🍦 as you watch boats drift by. Evening: Dinner at Sultan 🍛🥘. This cozy spot serves hearty, flavorful dishes that’ll warm you up after a full day of exploring.

🗓️ Day 4 – August 27: Farewell Oslo, Hello Stockholm 👋🇸🇪

The last day in Oslo, but the adventure continues!

Morning: Pack your bags 🎒🧳 and check out of your hotel. Enjoy a relaxed brunch or coffee ☕ at a local café — Oslo is full of stylish coffeehouses where locals linger with pastries. 🥐 At 4:52 PM, board the train to Stockholm 🚆. The ride takes about 4.5 hours, but it’s no ordinary train trip — it’s a journey through endless forests, shimmering lakes, and charming Scandinavian towns. 🌲🏞️✨

By evening, you’ll roll into Stockholm, ready to start the next chapter of your Scandinavian adventure. 🇸🇪💙

After exploring Copenhagen, the journey continued north to Norway — a land of fjords, mountains, and colorful wooden houses. Here’s how three summer days unfolded between Bergen and the breathtaking fjords.

📅 Day 1 – August 22: Arrival in Bergen

👟 Walk to town – Started the day with a stroll down into Bergen, a charming city surrounded by mountains and water. The crisp sea air and narrow streets gave the town a cozy, welcoming feel 🌬️.

🥪 Quick lunch at 7-Eleven – Norway’s convenience stores are surprisingly good for sandwiches and easy meals — a budget-friendly traveler’s friend.

🚶 Exploring town – Wandered around Bergen’s lively center, past colorful wooden houses and the harbor ⚓.

🌭 Hot dog stop – Tried the famous “3 kroner hot dogs” 🌭 — simple, cheap, and a local favorite snack.

📅 Day 2 – August 23: Fjord Adventure

🚢 Fjord Cruise with Norled – Spent six hours cruising from Bergen to Flåm through Norway’s famous fjords. Towering cliffs, waterfalls tumbling into the water 💦, and tiny villages made the journey unforgettable.

🌲 Arrival in Flåm – A quiet, scenic village at the end of the fjord — perfect for walking around, snapping photos 📸, and soaking in the beauty.

🚌 Bus back to Bergen – A two-hour ride back through mountain roads and valleys, showing yet another side of Norway’s rugged landscape 🏔️.

📅 Day 3 – August 24: Bergen → Train Journey

🚆 Bergen to Oslo train – One of the most scenic train rides in the world, lasting about seven hours. Snowy mountain plateaus ❄️, green valleys 🌿, shimmering lakes 💧, and remote villages passed outside the window — a moving postcard the whole way.

📖 The perfect day for snacks, a good book, and staring out at the endless scenery.

✨ Final Thoughts

Norway is a country that feels like it was built by nature itself. Bergen’s charm 🏘️, the epic fjords 🚢, and the scenic train route 🚆 make for an unforgettable summer trip. Even just a few days here give you a taste of its magic 🌲⛰️💙.

A 5-Day Journey from Germany to Denmark (and beyond!)

This summer adventure took me from Germany 🚄 up through Hamburg 🌆, across the Danish countryside 🌾, and into the heart of Copenhagen 🇩🇰 — a city full of history, canals, cozy cafés, and a relaxed summer vibe. Here’s how the trip unfolded, day by day.

📅 Day 1 – August 17: Germany → Hamburg

The trip started bright and early 🌅 with the S9 train from Karlsruhe (6:26am) to the main station, where I caught the ICE to Hamburg (6:51am). The five-hour ride was smooth, with plenty of time for reading, podcasts, and gazing out at the rolling German countryside 🌳🚂.

By the time I reached Hamburg in the afternoon, there was just enough energy left for a simple dinner 🍝 and a walk around the neighborhood before heading to bed 🛏️. Tomorrow, the real journey north would begin!

📅 Day 2 – August 18: Hamburg → Copenhagen

After a quick breakfast ☕ and some time at a local playground 🛝 (perfect for stretching legs before another long train ride), it was time to board the train to Copenhagen at 10:53am.

The ride took about five hours 🚆 — passing through fields, lakes, and the pretty Danish countryside. Arriving in Copenhagen felt exciting: new energy, new streets, and bikes everywhere 🚲.

I checked into Urban House Copenhagen by Meininger 🏨, a lively hostel with a social vibe. After unpacking, I took a short evening walk 🚶‍♂️ around the city to get a feel for it. Tivoli Gardens glowed in the background with twinkling lights ✨, but instead of heading inside, I grabbed a quick dinner at McDonald’s 🍔 at the train station. Simple, but comforting after a long travel day.

📅 Day 3 – August 19: Classic Copenhagen

This was the first full day of sightseeing — and Copenhagen delivered.

⛵ Canal Tour – The best way to start! From the water, I passed the colorful houses of Nyhavn 🌈, old warehouses, and modern architecture. 🏛️ Christiansborg Palace – A striking building that houses Denmark’s parliament. The views from the tower gave a beautiful perspective of the city. 👑 Amalienborg Palace – The home of the Danish Royal Family. I was lucky enough to see the changing of the guards 🚶‍♂️. ☕ Café stop – Copenhagen is full of cozy cafés, perfect for a break between sightseeing. 🎡 Tivoli Gardens – The evening highlight! Opened in 1843, Tivoli is one of the world’s oldest amusement parks. I strolled through gardens, watched the lights come on, and soaked in the magic ✨.

Dinner was casual: sandwiches 🥪 from a local shop — a quick and tasty way to wrap up the day.

📅 Day 4 – August 20: Islands, Art & Street Food

This day was all about exploring beyond the obvious sights.

⛴️ Morning Ferry – A short boat ride to a nearby island, perfect for sea views and fresh air. 🪖 Kastellet Fortress – A star-shaped 17th-century fortress surrounded by grassy paths and historic buildings. Great for a calm walk. 🧜‍♀️ The Little Mermaid – Probably Copenhagen’s most famous statue. Small, but iconic — and definitely worth a photo stop. 🍴 Lunch at Reffen – A buzzing street food market by the water with stalls from all over the world 🌮🍜🍹. Great atmosphere and flavors! 🎨 Copenhagen Contemporary – A modern art center inside an old industrial building, with large-scale installations and unique exhibitions. 🚲 Bike ride – A quick spin around the city — Copenhagen is built for cycling 🚴. 🍗 Dinner at Chicky Grill – A casual, satisfying meal before winding down.

The day ended with a sunset walk 🌅 along the waterfront — the perfect way to see the city glow.

📅 Day 5 – August 21: Farewell Copenhagen

The last morning was about soaking in a few final sights before leaving Denmark.

🥐 Breakfast at the hostel + check-out 🧳. ⛪ Trinitatis Kirke – A peaceful church stop. 🔭 Round Tower (Rundetårn) – A gentle spiral walk to the top with panoramic city views 🌆. 🍽️ Lunch at Torvehallerne – A lively food hall full of Danish specialties like smørrebrød, fresh pastries, and more.

Finally, it was time to head to the airport ✈️ for the flight to Norway 🇳🇴, continuing the summer adventure northward.

✨ Final Thoughts

Copenhagen is a city of contrasts: historic palaces and modern art, busy food halls and quiet waterfronts, fairy-tale amusement parks and sleek bicycles zipping by 🚲. It’s easygoing, walkable, and full of little surprises.

Five days was just enough to see the highlights — but I could’ve easily stayed longer. Whether you’re into history, food, or just soaking in a relaxed summer vibe, Copenhagen has a little bit of everything 🌞.

This summer was a whirlwind of ✈️ planes, ⛴️ ferries, 🏊 pools, 🏔️ mountains, and more snacks 🍪 than I care to admit. Over three weeks, we explored South Carolina’s coastal charm 🐚, Ohio’s family fun 🛝, and Colorado’s mountain magic ⛰️. Here’s the play-by-play of our journey.

Day 1 – July 21: Flying to Dulles ✈️🇺🇸

We kicked things off with a 7.5-hour flight from Frankfurt to Dulles. One kid slept twice in the bassinet 👶💤 while the other happily watched TV 📺 and stayed cheerful 😄. A quick hotel shuttle 🚌 later, we settled into the Hyatt Regency Dulles 🏨 for some much-needed rest.

Day 2 – July 22: Hello, South Carolina 🏝️🐚

Shuttle back to the airport, then a 2-hour hop to Savannah 🛫. We were picked up 🚗 and drove 45 minutes to Haig Point Embarkation. From there, a 30-minute ferry ⛴️ carried us to Daufuskie Island.

First stop? The pool! 💦 The kids splashed for hours, and later there was plenty of shell collecting 🐚 along the beach with family.

Day 3 – July 23: Bloody Point & Beach Time 🌊

We explored Bloody Point, then enjoyed lunch at the clubhouse 🥪—classic club sandwich for the win. A relaxed, sunny day ☀️.

Day 4 – July 24: Pirate Adventures 🏴‍☠️⚓

A 1.5-hour pirate ship cruise kept everyone grinning 😁. One kid even napped through the whole thing 😴. Lunch at Quarterdeck was a fried chicken sandwich dream 🍗, followed by—what else?—more pool time 🏊.

Day 5 – July 25: Pool Day 🏊‍♀️☀️

Sometimes the best vacation days are the simplest—just sunshine, swims, and happy, waterlogged kids 🛟.

Day 6 – July 26: Farmers Market & Fine Dining 🥕🍷

A charming farmers market trip 🛍️ started the day. We wrapped up with a fancy dinner at Calibogue Club 🍽️, then an evening swim 💦.

Day 7 – July 27: Last Island Day 🌴

One last pool day 🏊 before packing up 🧳 for the next adventure.

Day 8 – July 28: Off to Cincinnati 🛫🏙️

A 2:40 ferry ⛴️ back to the mainland, drive to Savannah 🚗, and then a 1-hour 19-minute flight to Cincinnati ✈️. The little one slept most of the way 😴—always a blessing.

Day 9 – July 29: Hyde Park Stroll 👟🍕

Some light shopping for the kids 🛍️ (new shoes 👟!), pizza and swimming at a friend’s 🍕🏊, and a lovely walk to Hyde Park Square 🌳.

Day 10 – July 30: Aquarium Day 🐠🐧

Wide-eyed wonder at the aquarium 🐟🐢. Dinner with friends ❤️ rounded out the evening.

Day 11 – July 31: Rainy but Cozy 🌧️☕

Rainy day plans: my parents took one kid to an indoor playground 🛝 while the other stayed home for naps 💤. We ended the day with a cookout 🍔 with friends.

Day 12 – August 1: Summit Park 🌳🍝

Lunch with friends 🥗, then playtime at Summit Park 🎠. Dinner at Buca di Beppo meant plenty of pasta 🍝 and laughs 😂.

Day 13 – August 2: Colorado Bound 🏔️🛫

Early flight to Denver after lunch at Stanley’s 🍔. Dinner at Torchy’s 🌮 wrapped up the day.

Day 14 – August 3: A Little Shopping & A Lot of Food 🛍️🍜

Costco run 🛒, lunch at Noodles & Co 🍜, Ulta trip 💄, and a sunset walk to Chipotle for dinner 🌯.

Day 15 – August 4: Chill Day 🏡🔥

Social Security appointment, relaxing at home 🛋️, Domino’s pizza 🍕 for dinner, and gooey s’mores by the fire 🔥.

Day 16 – August 5: Denver Zoo & Game Night 🦁🎮

A behind-the-scenes zoo tour 🐒, animal fun, and a Mario Kart marathon 🏎️. Dinner at Stanley’s 🍔 and more s’mores 🔥 to end the night.

Day 17 – August 6: Small-Town Vibes 🍦🌾

Arrived at Meg’s, explored the farmers market 🥕, enjoyed ice cream 🍨, and watched Happy Gilmore 2 🎬.

Day 18 – August 7: Lake Day 🚤☀️

Quick Walmart run 🛍️, drive around the ranches 🐎, lunch at Cane’s 🍗, Dutch Bros coffee ☕, and boating at Chatfield Lake 🚤💦.

Day 19 – August 8: Missy’s & Birthday Fun 🎉🎂

Visited Missy’s, celebrated an early birthday 🥳, stopped at Dollar General 🛒 and TJ Maxx 👜.

Day 20 – August 9: Pikes Peak 🏔️🚗

Reached 14,115 ft at Pikes Peak 🌬️, then explored charming Manitou Springs ⛲.

Day 21 – August 10: Outlet Shopping 🛍️

A day at Castle Rock outlet mall 👗👟.

Day 22 – August 11: Flying Home ✈️

Flight from Denver to Frankfurt—goodbye, USA 🇺🇸👋.

Day 23 – August 12: Home Sweet Home 🏡❤️

Arrived back in Frankfurt, tired but so happy with our summer adventure memories.