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Penguin Trampoline: The blog

With Penguin Trampoline, adventures soar to new heights!

Are you ready to bounce into a world of awe-inspiring destinations, where the thrill of exploration meets the grace of a penguin's waddle?

From the icy wonderlands of polar regions to the sun-kissed Mediterranean beaches, our travel blog is your ultimate ticket to discovering hidden gems, unlocking travel tips, and embracing the sheer joy of discovering new horizons.

We're not just about sightseeing; we're about experiencing the heartbeat, culture and gastronomy of each destination, bouncing into moments that leave an indelible mark on our souls.

Join our community of dreamers and explorers as we leap from continent to continent, propelled by curiosity and an insatiable wa/onderlust.

So, buckle up, grab your passport, and prepare to spring into the exhilarating world of Penguin Trampoline!

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The Ultimate Arctic Travel Guide: How to Explore, Survive, and Avoid Becoming a Polar Bear’s Lunch

If you’ve been reading us for a while, you know we’re in love with Arctic regions. And a lot of people turn to us for advice, and even want us to go with them on an Arctic trip!.

We’ve been there. We’ve hiked across frozen tundras, stood under the shimmering Northern Lights in absolute silence, and yes, once questioned our life choices while knee-deep in snow, miles from civilization.

The Arctic isn’t just a place — it’s a feeling, a test of resilience, and a reward for those who seek the extraordinary. So, this guide is for you, adventurous penguins, and all of our friends and relatives who keep asking us stuff (we love you)!

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The Northernmost Everythings: Bars, Churches, Malls and Saunas at the Edge of the World

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from our Arctic adventures, it’s that human stubbornness knows no latitude. Where most creatures call it quits, slap on some fur, and hibernate, humans build bars, churches, and—of course — saunas. Because what’s a little darkness, ice, and bone-snapping wind when there’s beer to drink, sins to confess, and steam to sweat out?

We’ve been there, frozen that — from sipping local brews in Svalbard to sweating it out in a sauna shaped like a golden egg in Sweden. So here’s our firsthand guide to the northernmost everythings—places so absurdly remote that you’ll question why (and how) they even exist.

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Kiruna vs. Rovaniemi - Swedish Lapland vs. Finnish Lapland

If you're planning a winter trip to Lapland, you're probably torn between magical Rovaniemi, the "official" hometown of Santa Claus in Finland, and Kiruna, Sweden's Arctic gem. But wait — there’s more! Other Lapland destinations like Tromsø, Norway, and other less known towns, might also be calling your name. So, which icy wonderland should you choose? Let’s break it down.

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Northern Lights for Dummies: Your ultimate guide to see them

The northern lights seem to be everywhere on social media. A couple of decades ago, this breathtaking natural phenomenon was only accessible to just a few lucky people. Now, it’s easier than ever to try and see them.

But between the best locations, when to go, the weather forecast, and the more scientific details such as the Kp-index (Kp-what?), it's not always easy to know where to start.

So if the northern lights have been on your bucket list for a while, keep reading for a few northern lights tips!

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Things to do in Swedish Lapland: Why we love Kiruna

Kiruna is one of our happy places.

Eli has been there no less than 6 times and counting, and it was the first Arctic destination she took Jake to when he moved to Europe.

Yet, Swedish Lapland is not the most visited. Finnish Lapland is more popular due to Rovaniemi’s Santa Village, and Norway’s Troms and Finnmark regions attract visitors from all over the world.

Find out why Kiruna is so special to us, and our best tips to explore this beautiful corner of the Arctic!

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Our Svalbard travel guide (and Jan Mayen) - Next level Arctic

Svalbard had been on our bucket list for a long time. And we finally took the leap… with a little help from a Black Friday offer on flights!

Remote… Freezing… Empty… Dark… Everyone asked us why on earth we decided to go there.

Well, because it’s the northernmost place you can go without an expedition, which means flights are actually affordable.

Yep, the northernmost, so close to the North Pole… How could we NOT want to go there? And in the heart of the winter, of course!

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Finnish Lapland in fall: Cozy wilderness beyond Rovaniemi

If you’re yearning for the perfect fall escape, Finnish Lapland is your dream come true. Vast toundra and taiga landscapes stretching as far as the eye can see, vivid fall colors, cozy log cabins with crackling fireplaces, warm saunas, cold lakes, and the northern lights dancing overhead.

Whether you’re an intrepid adventurer or someone who just wants to snuggle up with a good book and hot cocoa, Finnish Lapland offers the perfect blend of wild and warm.

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Churchill, Manitoba: The town of polar bears

Welcome to Churchill, Manitoba, where the frosty wilderness meets the adorable, yet very respected locals—and by locals, we mean the polar bears!

Seeing polar bears in the wild… I (Eli) had this lifelong dream. So, when I finally gathered enough savings, and taking advantage of a trip to Canada, I booked a tour from Winnipeg to Churchill.

So grab your warmest jacket, pack your sense of adventure, and follow me into the Hudson Bay wilderness, where the polar bears rule and humans are just “guests”.

Feat. an interview with Polar Bears International!

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Why Alta, Norway? The underrated Finnmark town

When we got to Alta, locals kept asking us: “Why Alta”?

Indeed, many visitors skip Alta on their way to the North Cape, or just stop in Tromsø. And you know what? They’re missing out. Big time.

Alta might not be plastered all over Instagram, but that’s the beauty of it. And, as you know, our kind of destinations at Penguin Trampoline!

Interestingly for us, Arctic addicts, Alta is considered the northernmost city in the world with a population surpassing 10,000.

So, keep reading to find out why visit Alta, Norway!

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What to do in Luleå, Swedish Lapland - Island hopping on foot

Sweden is always a good idea, no matter where you go.

This time, to satiate our winterlust, we decided to head a little more South than usual and spend a week in Luleå.

The largest city in Swedish Lapland seemed to have it all, with a well-connected airport, snowy landscapes, cozy cafés and restaurants, and, of course, the frozen Bothnian archipelago. It’s a university town with very few tourists — exactly our kind of places!

Ready to travel to Luleå with us?

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Why the Faroe Islands are the next Iceland: Our Travel Guide

We were looking for a nature destination with whimsical, dramatic landscapes for our unofficial wedding. Iceland had gotten way too popular, and the Lofoten Islands seemed to be next…

We found the perfect Faroese photographer, so we decided to travel to the Faroe Islands to symbolically get married, and, of course, explore this one-of-a-kind destination!

Will you join us on an unforgettable trip to the Faroe Islands?

Spoiler alert: A very famous character died there!

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Hiking in the Lofoten Islands: An Arctic paradise

The Lofoten Islands are a stunning playground for hikers. So picture-perfect, in fact, that the first time you’ll go there, you’ll have a hard time believing it’s a real place — and not something out of Arendelle!

If you’re physically able to hike, that’s how you’ll breathe and feel the Lofoten Islands. And forever fall in love.

While increasingly popular, these gems are still not crowded with tourists. But hurry, it won’t last long.

So, put on your hiking shoes and follow us on our favorite trails!

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Arctic Foods: The best of nature

Nordic gastronomy is still under the radar. However, after dozens of trips to Fenoscandia, we can ensure you that we tried some of the best food we ever had up North.

And there’s a good reason for this: while most of the Western world is “suffering” from processed food and a disconnection from nature, Nordic cuisine is still heavily based on natural resources and deeply rooted in tradition.

So, follow us on a delicious culinary journey through Arctic Europe!

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Interview with Barbara Nielsen, Polar Bears International

If you enjoyed our article on Churchill, the town of polar bears, and want to learn more about polar bears, this article is for you!

We had the honor to interview Barbara Nielsen, Senior Director of Communications at Polar Bears International.

Keep reading to find out more about their mission, their work, and polar bears!

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Into the Wild: 10 things to do in Alaska

Alaska is more accessible than it seems.

If, as a child, you dreamed of National Geographic documentaries on bears, salmon and gold diggers, we invite you to discover this wild land on a trip to Alaska that will awaken all your senses...

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