October 14th 2013. What a magical day. It was the day that I first saw the Faroe Islands, when I first stepped foot in the country that quickly became my forever favourite. A country I’d been dreaming about visiting for as long as I can remember. Because unlike most of the human population, I had actually heard of the small archipelago before. Being an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, I’d known of the country my entire life, but never knew much about it. But the thought of a remote group of islands in the North Atlantic always intrigued me. I wanted to know more, and most of all, I wanted to visit the place. To see it with my own eyes, and not just through books and my imagination.

2013 became the year that I finally went there, on a cruise with my mum to both the Faroe Islands and Iceland. I remember sitting in the bus, on a trip from Tórshavn to Klaksvík, looking at the young people and wondering what it had been like for them to grow up in such a beautiful, remote place. Everything about it interested me. And as you might have guessed, I fell head over heels in love with the place. Beforehand, people were telling me that I would like Iceland more, but while I definitely love Iceland as well, it was the Faroe Islands that stole my heart. And they have kept it ever since. I’ve even got a map of the country tattood on my right leg!

While the country isn’t as much of a mystery to me now as it was back in 2013, I’m still as intrigued as ever. Not a day goes by where I don’t think about the Faroe Islands. Even when I’m travelling in other countries. I dream about the mountains, the song of the birds, the sound of the waterfalls. I want to see EVERYTHING, turn around every corner, climb to every mountain peak. And do it all again and again. Is that what it means to be in love? I’ve travelled to many countries throughout this globe, but I’ve never felt what I feel about the Faroe Islands. I love many countries and I want to revisit so many of them, but I can’t imagine loving any place as much as the Faroes. They will forever be the home of my heart.

Six days ago, on October 14th 2018, it was exactly five years ago since I first stepped foot on the Faroe Islands. I’ve since visited eight more times. And so to celebrate my five years of being in love with the world’s most beautiful country, here’s a recap of my nine amazing trips to the archipelago. Maybe you’ll be inspired to follow in my footsteps – but be careful, it’s very easy to lose your heart to the Faroe Islands!

October 2013

• Days spent: 2
• Islands visited: Streymoy and Eysturoy
• Nights spent in: Tórshavn (on the Norröna)
• Hikes done: None
• Best moment: Stepping off the ferry in Tórshavn

My first ever visit to the Faroe Islands. I went on a so-called Viking Cruise with Smyril Line, and took my mum along with me. I had originally planned on going with a friend from high school, but when she bailed and my mum saw how sad I was about it, she surprised me by saying that she would go instead! It turned out perfect, as it was one of my favourite mother-daughter trips ever.

The cruise was one week long and took us to the Faroe Islands, then to Iceland and then back to the Faroes. Because of the sailing time, we only got to spend two days in each destination, but it was enough to fall absolutely head over heels in love with the Faroes (and also Iceland, although not quiiiite as much). We spent the first day exploring Tórshavn, the nation’s tiny capital, and the next day was spent on a two-hour bus ride to Klaksvík, where we had about 1,5 hours to explore. We got to see a lot of the country by doing it that way, but I knew that it wasn’t enough for me. I knew now that my fascination for the Faroe Islands would become an obsession.

March 2015

• Days spent: 21
• Islands visited: Streymoy, Eysturoy, Vágar, Eysturoy, Nólsoy, Borðoy, Kunoy and Viðoy
• Nights spent in: Tórshavn, Skála and Saksun
• Hikes done: Tórshavn to Kirkjubøur, Mt. Knúkur in Leirvík and to the end of the tidal lagoon in Saksun
• Best moment: Total Solar Eclipse on March 20th

1,5 years later, I finally went back. I actually can’t believe it took me so long, but I was still in high school at the time. When I finally finished, I decided to take two gap years, and for my first solo journey, the Faroe Islands was my first destination. I went back for two reasons. First of all, there was a total solar eclipse coming up that I simply could not miss, and secondly, I was dying to go back, to revisit the places that my mum and I saw and to visit many new ones. To fall in love all over again. And guess what? I did. I took the ferry and arrived two days later in Tórshavn, with four new friends from Australia, Belgium and Hungary.

My plan was to camp throughout the country, but those plans were quickly changed when a storm on the first night ruined my cheap tent. Steve, Ildi and I were camping together, and were lucky to be saved and invited to stay with the family that Elien and Liam were staying with. The ferry crew was united once again, and I got to know the amazing family of Rigmor and Jens and their three sons and dog, who I’ve since visited many times and even stayed with a few times! A few days later, when the storm was finally over, Ildi and Steve moved back to their tent, and I found another family that I could stay with in Tórshavn. And thus I got to know and love another amazing Faroese family, as Ása and Erling and their grandson Regin welcomed me into their home for the next two weeks.

The next few weeks were a bliss. I continued spending time with my new friends, explored new parts of the country, went for some of my first hikes ever (I know right, so weird to think about now!), partied in Tórshavn and watched the total solar eclipse with Regin. Three weeks went by so quick, but I knew for sure that I would be back. I now had friends and families in the country, and I was too in love with the place to stay away for long. Still, I couldn’t help but let out a few tears as I sailed off en route to East Iceland.

August 2015

• Days spent: 8
• Islands visited: Vágar, Streymoy, Mykines, Eysturoy, Borðoy, Nólsoy and Suðuroy
• Nights spent in: Tórshavn
• Hikes done: To the lighthouse on Mykinesholmur, to Borðan on Nólsoy and to Skarð on Kunoy
• Best moment: Seeing puffins for the first time on Mykines

A holiday fling in March had me back in the country just a few months later. I stayed with Ása and Erling again, and spent my time travelling to new places, as well as visiting some old favourites. And for the first time, I flew into the country, which was quite an experience! On my first day, I went on a solo trip to Mykines, an island that is famous for its many puffins during the summer. On the ferry out there, I met a new friend, who was much more affected by the high waves than me (poor guy!). We decided to go on a hike together, and that lead to a beautiful friendship that we still have today.

For the rest of the week, I spent more time with Mads, Regin and my two families, and since I’d now started to love hiking, I went for a few long ones on Nólsoy and Kunoy. It was my first time experiencing the Faroe Islands during the summer, where everything is green, and it made me fall even more in love with the place (as if that was even possible!).

August 2016

• Days spent: 18
• Islands visited: Vágar, Mykines, Streymoy, Eysturoy, Borðoy, Viðoy, Kalsoy, Koltur, Stóra Dímun, Skúvoy, Sandoy and Nólsoy
• Nights spent in: Mykines, Sandavágur, Klaksvík, Tórshavn, Koltur and Skúvoy
• Hikes done: To Mt. Knúkur on Mykines, to the lighthouse on Mykinesholmur, to Trælanípa and Bøsdalafossur on Vágar, to Skálatoftir on Borðoy, Mt. Klakkur in Klaksvík, Mt. Villingadalsfjall and Enniberg on Viðoy, to the Kallur Lighthouse on Kalsoy, to Ambadalur in Gjógv, Saksun to Tjørnuvík and to Høvdin on Skúvoy
• Best moment: Reaching Enniberg, the northernmost point in the country

An entire year had gone by without me going to the Faroe Islands! I swore to never let that happen again – and ever since, I’ve actually been there twice a year. In August 2016, I arranged for an 18-day trip with my friend Katrine, who had her first of many trips to the country then. She has since also fallen in love, not just with the country, but also with a Faroese man. We – mostly successfully – camped throughout the country, staying on small islands such as Koltur and Skúvoy, but also spent quite a lot of time in Tórshavn, where we had borrowed a house from Katrine’s friend Andras, who also became a good friend of mine.

We did a lot in those 18 days; hiked, explored, partied, visited friends. Personally, I visited four new islands and went on many new and challenging hikes. I also made sure to show Katrine some of the classics and my favourite places, so she could get a good taste of the place. And for my first time, we took helicopters out to the smaller islands, which was a great experience. I absolutely loved showing a friend around and acting as a tour guide in the place that I love, and I’ve since done it with other friends as well! It’s always fun for me to show off the Faroe Islands, and I love visiting the same places over and over again – I can’t get enough!

October 2016

• Days spent: 2
• Islands visited: Streymoy and Eysturoy
• Nights spent in: Tórshavn (on the Norröna)
• Hikes done: None
• Best moments: Bringing my biological family together with my two Faroese families

This trip was very special to me. While my mum had already been to the Faroe Islands, the rest of my family hadn’t, so it was exciting to be able to get them all together for a Viking Cruise to the Faroe Islands and Iceland. It was like a redo of the trip with my mum in October 2013! We spent our two days in the Faroe Islands driving around to some classic sites that I’d picked out, and visiting my two Faroese families.

Those moments were absolutely golden to me. To be able to bring my biological family together with my Faroese adopted families were moments that I’ll never forget. All in all, we had an amazing trip, and it made me so happy to see the faces of my family when I showed them the beautiful places. I could tell that they were loving it, and my dad even said that he wanted to go back! Mission complete!

April 2017

• Days spent: 10
• Islands visited: Streymoy, Eysturoy, Vágar and Hestur
• Nights spent in: Hoyvík, Vestmanna and Hestur
• Hikes done: To King’s Cairns in Tórshavn, Mt. Ritubergsnøva and Trælanípa on Vágar, to Kalvadalur on Vágar, Mt. Eystnes on Eysturoy and all mountains on Hestur
• Best moment: Reaching the top of Mt. Múlin on Hestur

Katrine and I had originally planned to go back to the Faroe Islands together for New Years, but when that didn’t work out because of exams, we decided to go for Easter instead! Poul Magni, a great friend who we’d met in a bar in Tórshavn back in August, invited us into his family’s home in Hoyvík, where we stayed for most of our trip. The trip was much more relaxed than the one in August, since Katrine had now seen the country. But we still did some hikes and even visited a new island, Hestur, where Poul Magni and I went for a 30 kilometer hike to all the mountains on the island – one of the best and hardest hikes I’ve ever done!

Three of our nights were spent with Rigmor and Jens in Vestmanna, where we also got to hang out with my insta-friends Sheena and Michelle from Shinimichi.com. It was exciting to go on adventures with them, as they are both lovers of the Nordics as well! Unfortunately, because of work, I had to head home three days earlier than originally planned, and we also lost a day because the flight in could not land in the fog, but still it was an amazing trip spent with some of my favourite friends!

November 2017

• Days spent: 11
• Islands visited: Streymoy, Eysturoy, Vágar and Nólsoy
• Nights spent in: Vestmanna
• Hikes done: Kvivík to Skælingur on Streymoy and Mt. Húsklond on Eysturoy
• Best moment: The first snow of the year in Skælingur

One of my most memorable trips to the Faroe Islands was spent with Solveig, one of my absolute best friends! I was so excited when she told me that she wanted to go there, so I urged her to contact Rigmor and Jens, who offered to take her in for a month! And of course, I simply had to visit her while she was staying with them! I talked to my teachers at uni and they agreed to let me go despite missing some lectures – I think they could tell how much I love the place, haha!

And so I went, for my first ever winter trip to the Faroe Islands! I stayed with Rigmor and Jens for the entire 11 days, and I had a blast. Solveig and I spent most of the short days walking and hitchhiking around the country and going sailing with Jens on their new boat. Other days were slower, spent at home with the family and walking the dog Alex around Vestmanna. Visiting the Faroe Islands in winter was absolutely magical, and it was so exciting to be able to share it with Solveig! I really hope we can do that again someday (soon!).

March-April 2018

• Days spent: 6
• Islands visited: Vágar and Streymoy
• Nights spent in: Sandavágur and Tórshavn
• Hikes done: Skansin to Hoyvíkshólmur in Tórshavn, Mt. Nónfjall, Mt. Bolafløttur and Mt. Høgafjall on Vágar and Mt. Húsareyn, Mt. Fjallið and Mt. Lítlafjall in Tórshavn
• Best moment: Reaching the top of Mt. Høgafjall on Vágar

Another Easter, another trip to the Faroe Islands! Andras had invited me to stay with his family in Sandavágur for Easter, and I simply could not say no to that! Unfortunately, I only had time to go for 6 days, but still it was great to just go there, even for a short time. We were lucky to have great weather for most of my days there, so Andras and I went on a few hikes together, including a really challenging one to the top of three mountains on Vágar. We also spent time with Katrine, who was visiting her boyfriend’s family; I went on a hike with Poul Magni; I visited my two families and made a new friend who was a workawayer at Rigmor and Jens’; and I had a lovely Easter together with Andras’ big family and six adorable dogs!

July-August 2018

• Days spent: 10
• Islands visited: Vágar, Streymoy, Eysturoy, Borðoy, Viðoy, Svínoy and Sandoy
• Nights spent in: By Lake Leitisvatn, Tórshavn, Svínoy, Sandur, by the airport on Vágar and Vestmanna
• Hikes done: To Trælanípa on Vágar and to Trøllhøvdi in Skopun
• Best moment: Experiencing Ólavsøka for the first time

Not long after the Easter trip, I started to plan my next one – and I brought a new friend along! Ever since I’d started travelling to the Faroe Islands, I had wanted to attend Ólavsøka, the national days of the country, but my summers are always packed with work and other travels, so it had been hard to fit it in. Luckily, in the summer of 2018, I made it work! My friend Amanda decided to join me for a week of camping and hiking through the country! I had bought a new – expensive – tent for the trip, which worked out much better than the other one… But we actually only used it for two nights, as we usually found ways to sleep inside instead, either at the camping site or at Andras’ family’s house in Tórshavn.

It was a great trip, where I showed Amanda some of my favourite places, and we also went to a new island, Svínoy, visited my two families and attended Ólavsøka, which was absolutely incredible to experience. I still can’t believe it took me so long! After Amanda had left, I still had a few days left, the first of which I spent with another friend, Laura, who was visiting the country for the first time with some friends from high school. We spent the afternoon on Nólsoy, my favourite island, and it was so lovely to see how much Laura was loving it! The last day and night was spent at Rigmor and Jens’ place, meeting their new workawayers and showing them around the next day, before having to go to the airport to fly back to Denmark.

Future plans for my favourite country and I

My love for the Faroe Islands is continuing to grow, and I’m already dreaming of the next time I’ll go there (even though I’m on Greenland right now, which I also looooove). I’ve already decided when I’ll go next, as I’m heading to Nólsoy on April 1st 2019. I plan to stay there for about two months. I’m going to be writing my bachelor’s thesis while I’m there, so I plan on doing that on the rainy days and then going on hikes and visiting my friends and families on the sunny days. I can’t wait!

Eg elski Føroyar