At 14, I embarked on a three-month solo school exchange to Germany, a transformative experience that started my passion for travel where I discovered the joy of exploration and immersion in another culture. This marked the beginning of a bit of an obsession with travel. I’ve since pursued every travel opportunity that has come my way, whether through my studies, work, or personal trips. Leaving my native France, I have now lived in five countries, Scotland and Sweden being my favorites, before settling in the USA.
While living and traveling through Scandinavia, I embraced cultural aspects such as the Danish hyyge lifestyle, a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality of living or again the Swedish Fika tradition where you have a meaningful break during the day to get a hot drink and snack and catch up with your colleagues or friends. Concepts that deeply resonate with me, along with the peaceful and nature oriented Norwegian lifestyle, enhanced by the serene and majestic landscapes you find in this country. These aspects have inspired me to further discover and share about this wonderful corner of the world.
Q&A with Amandine
What's your most vivid travel moment?
While traveling through the fjords of Norway, one of the hotels I was staying at had a floating sauna with a full-size window overlooking the fjord. After getting warmed up by the stifling dry heat while watching the sunset over the mountains, it was time to jump in the icy water of the fjord as per the traditional routine. A slightly scary but exhilarating experience, counting one, two, three, and jump, before rushing back to the heat of the sauna. After repeating the ritual several times, it ultimately leaves you in a deep state of relaxation, the most I’d been in a long time.
Where would you love to travel next?
The list is long, but the destination at the top for the moment is French Polynesia. I’ve heard it described as a tropical paradise, with its combination of luxury and natural beauty. It would be the ideal faraway escape for me, going to dive into the vibrant coral reefs, discovering the Polynesian culture and simply relaxing.
Which book, film or artwork captures Norway the most?
The 2022 Netflix movie, ‘Troll’ is for me the most recent movie that helps capture the beauty and legends of Norway, encompassing mountains, glaciers and deep coastal fjords and ancient folk stories. When an explosion in the Norwegian mountains awakens an ancient troll, officials appoint a fearless palaeontologist to stop it from wreaking deadly havoc. Based on actual Norwegian folklore, it made me re-think the enigmatic existence of these mythical creatures and even search for signs in the mountains while traveling through the country.