6 Scandi Travel Words to Fuel Your Wanderlust At Home (till it's safe to travel again)

Lockdown Longing!

Like everyone else, I've been on lockdown for 3 months and unable to travel beyond my neighbourhood let alone out of the country. I enviously ogle European cities on IG slowly easing out of lockdown and expressing their desire to re-open within the next month.

I'm a solo adventurer and love to explore history, food and culture stories of places I visit, including my own city, and the lockdown has made me miss all of this. Boo! 

One of my favourite cities is Copenhagen where I fall hard for Scandi culture. To fuel my love, I learn unique Scandinavian words that express the human condition and spirit better than English and I am mesmerized. Of course, I have to learn Scandi travel words and meanings and I'm not disappointed so here goes my favourite words:

HYGGE: I am introduced to this Danish word on my solo travel to Copenhagen that epitomizes warmth, coziness, hearth, fire, heavy woollens, socks, hot cuppa ... all of these together just ooze comfort, wellness and contentment. 

I try to recreate that feeling in my NYC apartment in winter but this hygge is just not the same without a hearth, rug and a certain je ne sais quoi.

ALLEMANSRATTEN: This Swedish word means, "right to roam the countryside", and is guaranteed by the Swedish Constitution. They really put their money where their mouth is ... sweet! 

Everyone has the legal right to camp, walk, cycle or roam the countryside so long as you do not disturb or destroy the environment. That is responsible travel right there! 

It's risky to roam freely in the U.S. because you might unknowingly trespass on private property and get shot, no questions asked. I would love to practice this freedom as I love nature and would absolutely love to explore the Swedish countryside and maybe try camping for the first time.

RESFEBER: Another fave Swedish word of mine with a meaning that accurately sums up my feeling: 

"the restless race of the traveller's heart before the journey begins; when anxiety and anticipation are tangled together. A travel fever."

Yes. This is me before every single solo travel I embark upon. All.the.time. I am filled with anxiety, excitement, anticipation, worry ... and it manifests in butterflies. I'm fine once I reach my destination and begin exploring.  

FIKA: Fika or fikarast is a coffee break and is an integral part of Swedish life, but it is so much more than a simple coffee break. It is the act of slowing down to enjoy friends, chat ... basically enjoy life. 

Where coffee break in the U.S. means gulping down scalding and bitter liquid while running back to your desk, fika is slow and enjoyable. I discover this pleasure in Malmo, on a day trip from Copenhagen.

Fika in Malmo, Sweden

KOS: This is a Norwegian word very similar to hygge and incorporating fika. Kos is so much more to Norwegians: it is a way of life, simplicity, with visions of open fire, coziness, and contentment. Just envisioning this scenario is de-stressing me somewhat.

TAGSKRYT: This sounds like a magical spell but is in fact Swedish for "train brag" - an alternative to flygskam or "flight shame". Since the advent of flygskam by Greta Thunberg, train travel has soared in Sweden and most European cities as residents re-discover the joys of trains. 

Even sleeper trains are making a comeback and might replace short haul flights between cities. Talk about sustainable travel. Alas, I get my tagskryt fix in European cities as train travel is quite expensive between major U.S. cities.

How are you fuelling your wanderlust during lockdown? Is your country easing travel and can you still travel domestic? Let me know in the comments. Also, if you're Scandinavian and know other poignant wanderlust words, let me know please.

Toodles!