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Fjords, Vikings And The Northern Lights. Norway With David Nikel

From the stunning Northern Lights of Lofoten, to the fjords of the western coast, scenic train journeys across the mountains, Viking history, and the culture of the cities, David Nikel evokes a country that has much to explore. In this pandemic year, I’m certainly dreaming of kayaking the fjords!

David Nikel is a British writer specializing in all things Scandinavia. Since moving to Norway in 2011, he’s traveled the length and breadth of the country producing the first and second editions of The Moon Norway Guidebook. He also runs a successful website and podcast Life in Norway where he talks about everything from relocation and travel advice to stories from the Viking age.

Show Notes

Why fjords are such a feature of the Norwegian landscape
The Northern Lights at Lofoten
The different ways to explore Norway including by car and railway
Places to visit in cities like Oslo
On the New Nordic cuisine movement focused on simple, fresh ingredients
Locations for authentic Viking experiences
Aspects of Norwegian culture that are unique from the rest of Scandinavia
How Norse mythology fits into present-day life in Norway

You can find David Nikel at LifeInNorway.net

Southwark Cathedral, London

Places

Southwark Cathedral is the oldest Gothic church building in London, with over 1000 years of worship within its walls.

It was a convent in 606, a priory in 1106, a parish church in 1540, and a cathedral from 1905. Famous literary figures such as Shakespeare and Chaucer are associated with the church, and The Becket Way pilgrimage starts here on the way to Canterbury. The area has a rich cultural heritage, so if you’re in London, it’s definitely worth a visit. You can find more detail at cathedral.southwark.anglican.org

Southwark Cathedral Exterior, London. Photo by JFPenn

Always look up in a Gothic cathedral! Southwark’s vaulted nave is magnificent. When you enter the building, you can pay a few pounds extra for a photo permit. It’s definitely worth it.

Southwark Cathedral Nave, London. Photo by JFPenn

Life On The River. The Mississippi River Valley With Dean Klinkenberg

Unusual Places

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“The face of the water, in time, became a wonderful book … it was not a book to be read once and thrown aside, for it had a new story to tell every day.” Mark Twain, Life on the Mississippi

The Mississippi River runs through ten states and has brought life to countless generations, from the first Native Americans, through to the settlers, and into the modern, industrial age. There are great cities along the river, as well as remote wilderness, and a huge variation in landscape, ecology, and culture along the way.

In this interview, Dean Klinkenberg shares his passion for the Mississippi River Valley and gives his tips on where to go, what to see, and why the river continues to be a source of endless fascination and inspiration.

Dean Klinkenberg writes mysteries and travel-guide books about life along the Mississippi River in the USA.

Geography along the path of the Mississippi River
The changeable nature of rivers
Different spiritual meanings of the river
Cities and towns of interest along the Mississippi south to New Orleans
Areas of historical interest
Options for activities like hiking, canoeing, and kayaking on the river
Local specialties for food and drink
Recommended books about Mississippi

You can find Dean Klinkenberg at MississippiValleyTraveler.com

Life Obsessed. Cemeteries, Graveyards And Ossuaries With Loren Rhoads

Dark Travel

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“All that lives must die, passing through nature to eternity.” William Shakespeare, Hamlet

If you enjoy walking in cemeteries, exploring graveyards, and discovering the artistic bone structures of ossuaries, then you’ll love this interview with Loren Rhoads. We discuss our mutual love of these places where nature often reigns in peace and beauty, and share our favorite places in Europe and North America.

Loren Rhoads is the author of 199 Cemeteries to See Before You Die, and Wish You Were Here: Adventures in Cemetery Travel, as well as paranormal romance novels, short stories, and essays.

Show notes

Memento mori. We are life-obsessed, not death-obsessed!
Why we both love cemeteries and graveyards and some of our favorite places to visit
Graves that change the landscape
The difference in burial rituals and death culture between Europe and North America
Is there something more than just physical remains in a graveyard?
Recommended books on cemeteries and graveyards

You can find Loren Rhoads at cemeterytravel.com and LorenRhoads.com

Walk Your Own Race: Lessons Learned From Walking A 50km Ultramarathon

Walking

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“It’s not the mountain we conquer, it’s ourselves.” Edmund Hillary

As I write this, I’ve started four ultra-marathons and finished three of them. I did the Race to the Stones 100km in a weekend (2016); Cotswold Way 50km (2017); Isle of Wight 50km (2018 — I dropped out at 22km); Chiltern Challenge 50km (2020). I’ve learned something new each time and my most recent event went absolutely perfectly. In this episode, I’ll share some of my thoughts, tips, and lessons learned.

Why would you want to do an ultra-marathon anyway?
Preparation and practical tips. Here’s my day hike kit list.
Event day
Walk/run/live your own race
Enjoy the journey, not just the destination
Sometimes, it’s OK to give up. The importance of self-care.
What’s your next challenge?
Books about walking

Header photo by Fidel Fernando on Unsplash

Facing Fears And Changing Your Mind While Traveling. Cycling Around The World With Doug Walsh

Unusual Places

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If you spend years planning your dream trip, what happens when life gets in the way? Do you change your plans or do you plow on regardless? Is the journey more important than the destination, and are you living in a way that honors that choice?

In this wide-ranging interview with Doug Walsh, we talk about how fears and expectations can shape our travel experiences, and what we can learn about ourselves as well as the places we visit along the way.

Doug Walsh is a former game strategy author and travel writer. His novel, Tailwinds Past Florence, is a romantic adventure with a time travel twist based on cycling around the world with his wife Kristen.

Show notes

Planning a trip around the world for six years and some of the highlights
The generosity of strangers
Learning about ourselves on long trips — especially when we have to face our fears along the way
Holding plans lightly and pivoting when necessary
Dealing with travel burn-out
Maintaining a healthy relationship while traveling with a partner
What happens when you get home after a big trip?
Recommended books

You can find Doug Walsh at DougWalsh.com

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