One day, the world will open up again. One day, crossing borders will be possible again. Countries will welcome tourists again. When that happens, overland journeys across multiple countries are what I plan to do. These many months of lockdowns and travel restrictions have me itching to get out there, to explore new destinations and revisit old favourites. Every day, I find myself daydreaming about faraway places. I just know that I’ll head out as soon as the borders open. Below are 14 months-long journeys that I’m currently dreaming about and hope to embark on post-Covid (in random order):
The great Middle East tour
Saudi Arabia has long been at the top of my list of dream destinations, and that dream only grew stronger when the country finally opened up for tourism in 2019. Unfortunately, Covid-19 came along before I could make that dream a reality, but when it is possible again, I want to spend at least two-three weeks in the country to truly get to know the Saudi culture and seek out some of its best nature and archaeological sights! In addition to Saudi Arabia, there are so many other countries in the glorious Middle East that I dream of visiting.
I want to sail amongst the fjords of Musandam in Oman, walk across the borders of the Madha and Nahwa exclaves/enclaves in the UAE, get a glimpse of Yemen’s wild side on the war-free island of Socotra, seek out archaeological wonders in Lebanon, learn about life in Syria, hike in the peaceful region of Kurdistan in Iraq, revisit my beloved Jerusalem and venture into the unknown in Palestine, sleep under the stars at Petra in Jordan, visit the pyramids in Egypt and get to know the microstates of Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar. I’d also try to visit Istanbul on my way back home to end my trip in a city where east meets west!
New countries: 12 (Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar)
Amount of time: 3-4 months
Russia west to east
Russia, the country of my dreams.
It’s the world’s largest country so naturally, there is an incredible amount of places to see. Russia, for me, is the epitome of mystery, of beauty and of thrilling adventure. I want to spend several months travelling from west to east, starting in the tiny village of Lavry, the westernmost point of mainland Russia. I’d continue east to the beautiful city of Smolensk and then to Moscow, one of my favourite cities on this planet. From Moscow, I would begin my journey on the Trans-Sibirian Railway, a lifelong dream of mine, taking me all the way east to the city of Vladivostok.
But I wouldn’t just whiz by the Siberian landscapes. I would spend at least two months on this trip to experience cities like Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk and Irkutsk. I also want to hike from Europe to Asia over the Ural Mountains, take a long detour to the mountainous Altai Republic, visit Olkhon Island on Lake Baikal and take another detour to the Sakhalin island just north of Hokkaido in Japan!
New countries: 0 (but sooo many new places in Russia!)
Amount of time: 2-3 months
Arctic Russia east to west
Perhaps as an extension of the previous trip through Russia, I would head back west through the remote, Arctic regions of the country. When talking about the Arctic, people often think Greenland, Svalbard or the North Pole, but did you know that about one-fifth of Russia’s landmass is located north of the Arctic Circle? Crazy, right!?
Russia’s Arctic offers wilderness beyond my wildest imaginations with prime locations for viewing northern lights, endless tundra and villages so remote that getting there would take several days – if it’s even possible!
I would start by heading to the far east, to Uelen, the easternmost settlement on the Eurasian continent, and hike out to Cape Dezhnyov, the easternmost point on the Eurasian continent and in mainland Russia. If possible, I would take a trip out to Big Diomede Island and peek out at Alaska’s Little Diomede Island, located just 4 km away but 21 hours behind in time! I would then head south to the mountainous Kamtjatka Peninsula before flying into Yakutsk, known as the coldest city in the world. Just because I’m a little crazy, I want to go there during the winter!
I would then continue way up north and follow the coast of the Arctic Ocean east, visiting islands such as Bolshevik, October Revolution, Komsomolets, Yuzhny and Severny as well as the Yamal Peninsula. I would also love to visit Norilsk, known as the most polluted city in Russia and one of the northernmost cities in the world. I have no idea whether or not all of these places are even accessible or possible to visit without going on expensive cruises, but I definitely want to try!
New countries: 0 (but again, so much of Russia!)
Amount of time: 2-3 months
Caucasus and Central Asia
Continuing with my Russia obsession, I have this dream of thoroughly exploring Russia’s republics in north Caucasus before continuing to the more well-visited countries of south Caucasus and then onto my beloved Central Asia.
I would start by flying into Volgograd and make my way south to the republics of Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Chechnya and Dagestan to visit exciting sights such as the dead city of Dargavs, the medieval towers of Erzi and the Rekom sanctuary. I would also love to climb Mt. Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe, and spend several days getting to know the partially recognized states of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Onwards to south Caucasus, I would start in Azerbaijan, a country I’ve already visited once and fell in love with. I would spend a few days in Baku before flying to Nakhchivan, an exclave of Azerbaijan. I would also try to visit Azerbaijan’s five other exclaves (Yukhari Askipara, Barkhudarli, Karki, Yaradullu north and Yaradullu south) as well as Armenia’s exclave, Artsvashen. I would then head to Georgia to go hiking in the mountains before making my way to Armenia, where my main focus would be seeking out some of the oldest churches and cathedrals in the world, and getting to know the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh (if it’s possible to enter at the time).
After Caucasus, I would head to Central Asia and the Stan’s, a region I’ve loved and longed to go back to ever since visiting for the first time in 2016. I would love to revisit Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, but my main focus would be travelling through the vast steppe landscapes of Kazakhstan, exploring the Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan and getting an insight into the secretive country of Turkmenistan. I would also spend some time travelling around to all the exclaves in the area, the Kyrgyz exclave of Barak, the Uzbek exclaves of Sokh, Shakhimardan, Chon-Qora and Jani-Ayil, and the Tajik exclaves of Vorukh, Kayragach and Sarvan. And maybe, just maybe, I might travel back to Afghanistan.
New countries: 5 (Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan)
New territories: 18 (Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Nakhchivan, Yukhari Askipara, Barkhudarli, Karki, Yaradullu north, Yaradullu south, Artsvashen, Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh, Barak, Sokh, Shakhimardan, Chon-Qora, Jani-Ayil, Vorukh, Kayragach and Sarvan)
Amount of time: 4-5 months
Scandinavia, the Baltics and West Russia
My very first solo trip was a two-month journey around the Nordic countries, and although I saw a lot in those months, it was nowhere near enough (I mean, there’s a reason why I’ve returned to the Faroe Islands 9 times since then!). Especially Norway, Sweden and Finland didn’t get enough attention from me on that trip, so I’ve long dreamt of doing a months-long roadtrip through these three neighbouring countries of mine, as well as the Baltics, three countries that I love – and a bit of Russia too, of course. Actually, I would visit Russia four times on this journey, and three of them visa-free. How? Read on!
With a car and a tent (or even better, a campervan?), I would begin in my home country of Denmark and drive over the bridge to Sweden. I would spend some time exploring the dreamy provinces of Scania and Småland before catching the ferry to the island of Gotland. I only saw Visby (a gorgeous town!) when I was there last, but I know that Gotland has so much more to offer. Afterwards, I would continue further up through Sweden, camping in the vast forests and hiking in the mountains. At some point, I would cross into Norway and follow the coast up north, stopping to explore places like Bodø, Lofoten and Tromsø. I would also hike to the Three-Country Cairn, located at the border of Norway, Sweden AND Finland! But I wouldn’t leave Norway just yet. I’d continue further north to Alta to see the world-famous petroglyphs and to Nordkapp (‘North Cape’), which is the northernmost point in Europe that can be reached by car. I’d also try to hike out to Cape Nordkinn, the northernmost point of mainland Europe!
Leaving Scandinavia behind, I’d head to the Russian Kola Peninsula to explore Murmansk, go on a hunt for the rare tugtupit crystal and get to know the culture of the local Sami people. I’d then cross the border to Finland and head to Enare at the very north of the country, before driving down to the city of Rovaniemi. I’d continue down the west coast, exploring cities like Oulu and Vaasa, visiting the island of Hailuoto and hiking around some of Finland’s thousands of lakes. Next, I’d head down south to the gorgeous Åland Islands, an archipelago that I once biked through and now often dream about revisiting. I would then head east to Finland’s capital of Helsinki to catch a cruise ship to Russia’s St Petersburg, which is possible to visit for up to 72 hours without a visa!
I’d then travel to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, to start my explorations of the Baltics. There’s a lot I want to see in Estonia, in particular the islands of Kihnu, Ruhnu, Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, Pädaste and Vormsi. Before leaving Estonia, I would visit Russia once again through a true map oddity. An Estonian road connecting the villages of Lutepää and Sesniki goes through a tiny corner of Russia known as the Saatse Boot, and crossing is permitted without a visa, although it’s forbidden to pass on foot or stop the car!
Next up would be Latvia where I dream of revisiting Gauja National Park, known as Latvian Switzerland, for lots of hiking. I would also love to see the view over the Gulf of Riga from Cape Kolka and explore the city of Jurmala. I would then drive into Lithuania to revisit my favourite Baltic capital, Vilnius, and get to know the cities of Kaunas and Klaipėda. But the main thing I want to see in Lithuania is the Curonian Spit, a 98 km long curved sand-dune spit that extends into the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. And right there comes my fourth visit to Russia on the trip. Since 2019, citizens of 54 countries (including all EU member states) can visit Kaliningrad with a free e-visa without an invitation (so basically visa-free), so of course I’d take advantage of this to visit the curious exclave. Places I want to visit in Kaliningrad include the capital of the same name, the Russian part of the Curonian Spit, the cat village of Zelenogradsk and the abandoned village of Narmeln/Polski, which is located on the Vistula Spit at the westernmost point of Russia. To get back to Denmark, I would drive through the north of Poland and Germany and possibly visit a few places in those two countries if I have time and funds for it!
New countries: 0 (but so much more of Scandinavia, the Baltics and Russia!)
New territories: 1 (Kaliningrad)
Amount of time: 4-5 months
Svalbard, Hopen, Bjørnøya, Jan Mayen and Franz Josefs Land
Brace yourself, because this journey also includes Russia… Hehe.
I went to Svalbard, Norway’s remote Arctic archipelago, in 2015 and fell completely in love with the place. I love the sense of adventure, the magnificent landscapes and the diverse cultures. I love that there is a Russian village and several abandoned villages dotted around the islands! And I want to go back, really I do.
I would love to see much more of Svalbard, maybe a cruise around all the islands that make up the archipelago. My dream is to visit Pyramiden, an abandoned Russian village which I only just missed due to ice breaking on my last trip. But I’d also return to Barentsburg, the Russian village, and try to get to Grumantbyen, Sveagruva and Ny-Ålesund.
If possible, I would love to extend the journey to include the remote islands of Hopen, Bjørnøya and Jan Mayen as well as the northernmost Russian archipelago, Franz Josefs Land, which is even more remote than Svalbard!
New countries: 0 (but lots more of Svalbard and Russia!)
Amount of time: 2-3 months
Tristan da Cunha, South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini
Tristan da Cunha is the most remote inhabited island in the world – and it’s my number one dream destination! It has been for years, but I’ve never had enough money to chase the dream. But one day, when I do, I would love to take the 5-10-day boat journey from Cape Town to the tiny archipelago, which is home to just 244 souls. I want to spend a while on Tristan, maybe a month if possible, so I can explore everything the island has to offer, including walking every street of its small capital, Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, and climbing Queen Mary’s Peak, the highest point on the island. If possible, I would also love to visit the nearby uninhabited islands; Inaccessible Island, Nightingale Island, Middle Island and Stoltenhoff Island.
Arriving back in Cape Town, I would of course spend some time getting to know the city, hiking to Cape of Good Hope and climbing Table Mountain before venturing further into South Africa on a roadtrip along the Garden Route to Port Elizabeth, a route which is said to be absolutely gorgeous. I would also take a detour to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of the African continent.
I would then drive inland towards the nation of Lesotho, a kingdom of immense green landscapes full of mountains, waterfalls and rivers. I would spend a few weeks on long treks and learn about the local Basotho culture. I can also imagine that horse trekking would be amazing in Lesotho!
Afterwards, I would continue to another small nation, which I know little about, the nation of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) where I would love to go on my first ever safari in Hlane Royal National Park. I would also pay a visit to the Ezulwini valley (translates to the Valley of Heaven, how beautiful is that!?), which is known as the country’s spiritual and cultural heart.
New countries: 3 (South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini)
New territories: 1 (Tristan da Cunha)
Amount of time: 3-4 months
Island hopping in Scotland
During my two months on the Isle of Skye (+ visits to Raasay and the Outer Hebrides) last winter, I realized just how much I love Scotland. And especially the Scottish islands.
I’ve since been dreaming of visiting each and every one of them (or at least the inhabited islands!), and I think an island hopping journey would be the perfect way to do it. I would begin my journey in the southern isles of the Inner Hebrides, visiting islands such as Arran, Islay, Jura, Mull, Tiree and Coll. I would make sure to go for long hikes in the most beautiful nature areas and learn about island culture before continuing further up north to the Small Isles, Canna, Rùm, Eigg and Muck.
Depending on time and funds, I might head back to the Outer Hebrides, where especially the Uists are found in many of my dreams. I would also love to finally visit the Isle of Scalpay to hike out to Eilean Glas Lighthouse, something I missed out on doing the last time I was there. Despite having seen most of Skye, I would head back to Portree to visit my friends and also explore the Elgol area, which I missed out on when I lived there. My time in the Hebrides would have to end with a visit to Raasay, my favourite island in Scotland, where I would love to spend a full month relaxing and exploring just about every corner of the island. I would also try to get to the (almost) uninhabited island of Rona, located just north of Raasay.
If affordable, I would take a trip out to the isolated islands of the St Kilda archipelago, the Flannan Isles, North Rona, Sula Sgeir and the Shiant Isles, before heading to the tiny islands that make up the Summer Isles. Then I would head up to the very north of Scotland, to the islands that make up Orkney and Shetland plus Fair Isle, a tiny island in between the two archipelagos. On Orkney, I would try to reach every island and – of course – visit the archaeological wonders of the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness, Maeshowe and Skara Brae.
Reaching the Shetland Islands, one of my ultimate dream destinations, I would spend lots of time on each of the 16 inhabited islands, including the remote Isle of Foula. My ultimate goal is to reach Muckle Flugga Lighthouse on the very north of Shetland, a lighthouse I’ve sailed past five times on my way to and from the Faroe Islands!
New countries: 0 (but lots more of Scotland!)
Amount of time: 3-4 months
Remote Greenland
Greenland is one of my absolute favourite countries in the world, and there’s so much I want to see there. In fact, I want to see every village in the entire country and someday, I dream of crossing the ice sheet.
But currently, my biggest Greenland dream is to go on a journey to its most remote corners. It will be expensive, crazy expensive, as flying and sailing are the only ways to get around, and tickets don’t come cheap. But one day, when I can afford it, I would like to undertake this journey, starting in Ittoqqortoormiit on the east coast, the most isolated village in the country. Then I would continue to the southeast and revisit Tasiilaq plus finally visit the villages of Sermiligaaq, Kuummiut and Isertoq that I missed out on the last time I was in the area.
I would then head to the west coast, first to the southernmost village in the country, Narsarmiit, and then work my way up the southern coast through villages like Tasiusaq, Nanortalik, Qassimiut and Ivigtut. At some point, I would catch a flight north to Uummannaq and spend some time travelling around to the small villages in the area before flying further north to Upernavik. I would end my journey in the northernmost villages, starting in Qaanaaq and then make my way up to Siorapaluk, the northernmost village in the country. If possible, I would also love to visit the abandoned village of Etah, once the northernmost settlement in the world.
As much as I love Nuuk and other more well known destinations like Qaqortoq, Ilulissat and the Disko Island, I would just love to get to know Greenland on a deeper level. And there’s just no better way to do that than to explore it’s most remote settlements.
New countries: 0 (but so many new regions in Greenland!)
Amount of time: 2-3 months
Australia and the islands of Oceania
After years of focusing mainly on Europe and Asia, I think it’s finally time to explore Oceania. I did travel to Australia back in 2015, but I “only” spent a month on the East coast. A month isn’t long in such a huge country!
I would begin this journey in Perth, Western Australia, and spend some time roadtripping through this vast desert state, hitting up places like Mount Augustus, the Pinnacles, Jewel Cave and meeting the adorable quokkas on Rottnest Island. And of course, being from Denmark, I’d also have to visit the town of Denmark! I’d then make my way inland through the Gibson Desert Nature Reserve to the Northern Territory to join the other tourists at Uluru and learn about local Aboriginal cultures. I would then head northeast to the northernmost point of mainland Australia and catch a ferry to the Torres Strait Islands to learn about the culture of the Torres Strait Islanders, a group of indigenous Australians that are ethnically distinct from the Aboriginal people. I would then catch a flight down south to revisit Melbourne, my favourite city in Australia, and to visit a dear friend of mine who lives there, before catching a ferry to my final destination in Australia – Tasmania, a true hiking paradise!
Leaving Australia behind, I would head to New Zealand, a country I’ve long wanted to visit. I would start in Auckland in the north of the North Island and make my way to the very south of the South Island, visiting places like Wellington, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, Piha Beach, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Cape Reinga, Lake Tekapo, Coromandel peninsula, Mount Taranaki, Wanaka, Wai-O-Tapu, Tongariro National Park and the Moeraki Boulders. I would also love to visit the gorgeous Stewart Island and the remote Chatham Islands. I won’t be spending any time on LOTR sites as I don’t like the movies (sorry, y’all!), but I will spend lots of time hiking in the mountains!
After New Zealand, the plan is to sail to as many island nations in the South Pacific as possible over several months. I would especially love to visit Papua New Guinea, the Pitcairn Islands, the Cook Islands, Samoa, Fiji, Nauru, the Solomon Islands, Micronesia, Vanuatu and Tuvalu, the world’s least visited country!
New countries: 1-13 (depending on how many I get to visit in the South Pacific after New Zealand)
New territories: 0-9 (depending on how many I get to visit in the South Pacific after New Zealand)
Amount of time: 4-5 months
Chile, Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and Easter Island
Antarctica is the ultimate dream destination for many travellers, and of course, it’s also one of mine. But not because it’s remote, off-the-beaten-path or because it’s the last continent to visit. It’s because it’s cold, barren and wild. But cruising Antarctica is expensive, crazy expensive. So my plan is to travel to Chile, explore the long country from north to south, ending up in the port city of Ushuaia from where the cruises to Antarctica leave. I’ll then try to get my hands on a last-minute deal, taking me to both the Falkland Islands and Antarctica – and if I’m extra lucky, the South Georgia and Sandwich Islands too. This journey would be a true dream come true. To meet the penguins of Antarctica, go kayaking amongst icebergs during sunset and hike through the gorgeous Falkland Islands!
Before ending the journey, I would fly out to the Easter Island to see the enormous moai statues and enjoy life in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean.
New countries: 1 (Chile)
New territories: 3 (Antarctica, Falkland Islands and Easter Island)
Amount of time: 2-3 months
Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang and Tibet
I’ve long been fascinated by China, but especially the outer republics that rarely attract visitors, specifically Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang and Tibet.
I would start this journey by flying into Beijing and then head north to Inner Mongolia, where I would love to go horseback riding through the vast grasslands and deserts and past dreamy lakes and tiny villages. Places like the Hulunbuir Grasslands (the birthplace of Genghis Khan!), Resonant Sand Gorge and the Xilinguole Grasslands would be on the list. I absolutely loved Mongolia (also known as Outer Mongolia!) when I travelled around the country in 2016, and I imagine that Inner Mongolia will be quite similar, but with a Chinese twist.
Afterwards, I would head west to Xinjiang, home to the Uyghur people. This republic is ridiculously scenic and culturally interesting, and there’s a lot to see and do. I think I would rent a car and go for long hikes to cover as much ground as possible, visiting places such as the Heavenly Lake (that really does look heavenly!), Kanas Nature Reserve with its turquoise lakes and vast forests, the alpine lake Sayram, Bayanbulak Grassland, Takla Makan Desert, the city of Ürümqi, the old town of Kashgar and the ancient city of Jiaohe. I would of course also drive the Karakoram Highway, the world’s highest paved highway, which extends into Pakistan.
The last region on my itinerary would be Tibet, magic, rugged, wild Tibet. A deeply religious land full of sacred places, a vibrant ancient culture and nature so beautiful that it might even give Greenland a run for its money. I would of course have to see Mt. Everest from the Tibetan side, hike up to Tibet’s Everest Base Camp, and go for a loooong trek through the Himalaya’s. I would also visit other gorgeous places such as the famous Potala Palace, the sacred Jokhang Temple, the turquoise Yamdrok Lake, the Sera Monastery, and the traditional capital of Lhasa.
New countries: 0 (but so much more of China!)
New territories: 3 (Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang and Tibet)
Amount of time: 2-3 months
Arctic Canada and Alaska
You might’ve noticed a theme by now… Yes, I truly love the Arctic!
But a country that I’ve always neglected on my journeys to the Arctic is Canada. One of the world’s largest and arguably most beautiful countries. I dream of learning about the local Inuit cultures first-hand, by travelling through the territories of Nunavut, Yukon and Northwest Territories before heading into Alaska to learn more about the local Yupik culture.
I wouldn’t know where to start as the area is overwhelmingly big, but I think I would rent a car and just drive. I do know that I want to cruise through the islands of Nunavut, visit Southampton Island, kayak on the lakes of the Northwest Territories, climb Canada’s highest mountain in Yukon and visit Alert, the northernmost settlement with a permanent population in the world! If possible, I would also love to travel to Hans Island, which is claimed by both Canada and Denmark (for Greenland), a “war” that is currently settled over whisky.
After Canada, I would drive into Alaska to explore its many gorgeous national parks, visit the remote Aleutian Islands and the islands of St Lawrence and Diomede on the border to Russia.
New countries: 0 (but lots more of Canada and the USA)
New territories: 1 (Alaska)
Amount of time: 2-3 months
Autumn roadtrip through northeast USA
I’ve long dreamt of exploring the northeastern corner of USA, a country I love for its incredible nature. I have an idea that I’ll love this part of the country the most.
I dream of roadtripping through Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine during the autumn, chasing colourful leaves and golden skies in beautiful nature areas such as Acadia National Park, Baxter State Park and White Mountain National Forest. I would also love to visit a friend of mine on North Haven Island and boat trip around Maine’s many other islands. As for cities, I think it’s mandatory to visit Boston and I’d also love to explore Portland, Montpelier and Concord.
New countries: 0 (but more of the US!)
New US states: 4 (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine)
Amount of time: 1-2 months
I dream of visiting just about every destination in the entire world, but these places are what currently occupy my dreams. Some days, I just can’t get Saudi Arabia out of my head. Other days, revisiting Russia or Greenland is all I can think about. I truly miss travelling, in fact I long for it. I long for the freedom, the excitement and the constant adventures that await around every corner. I can’t wait for the day when journeys like these will once again be possible to undertake.
Which destinations are you currently dreaming of?
Leave a Comment