Emma Gillies

Wanderlust has taken Emma across much of the world, but it was Scotland that she made her adopted home. Aside from enjoying countryside walks, campervan weekends and gigs in Glasgow, you’ll often find her writing about European travel and plotting her next trip.

Posts by Emma Gillies

ICEHOTEL in Sweden: Your Complete Guide

There are some pretty extraordinary experiences awaiting you in Lapland. Think dog sledding, snowmobiling, northern lights gazing, and meeting Santa in his homeland. But perhaps the most unusual thi..

Blogs, Nordic, Northern Lights, Scandinavia, Lapland, Sweden, Guides

Finland in Winter: What to Do & Where to Go

First things first, it’s important to tell you that Finland in winter is rather magical. Snow, northern lights and Santa are just a few of the things you’ll love about it. You can enjo..

Blogs, Nordic, Northern Lights, Scandinavia, Lapland, Finland, Guides, Romance, Things to Do

Top Sweden Road Trips: Ideas for Scenic Swedish Drives

Rolling green countryside, sandy beaches and red cottages await you on a Sweden road trip. Imagine the freedom of driving at your own pace and stopping at charming villages or pretty lakes en route..

Blogs, Nordic, Scandinavia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Road Trips, Guides

Where & When to See the Northern Lights in Scotland

Think of Scottish nature and an image of mountains, lochs (lakes) and forests might spring to mind. Or perhaps you imagine white beaches and windswept coastline. But another less common natural wond..

Blogs, Northern Lights, Scotland, Guides, Things to Do

Why Scotland is Perfect for Romantic Breaks and Getaways

Sometimes you just need to get away from it all and enjoy a romantic break with your loved one. Whether a short weekend trip, luxurious honeymoon or anything in-between, deciding where to escape to..

Blogs, Scotland, Guides, Romance, Things to Do

The Best Ice Hotel in Norway

There’s so much to look forward to on a trip to Norway in winter. You have the chance to see the northern lights, enjoy activities in the snow like dog sledding, and admire the gorgeous coasta..

Blogs, Nordic, Northern Lights, Scandinavia, Norway

Top 5 Northern Lights Hotels in Iceland

Iceland is known for being an extraordinary place. It’s a land where you can admire nature at its most extreme, where glaciers and volcanoes meet, where thundering waterfalls and steaming hot..

Blogs, Iceland, Northern Lights, Guides, Romance

Snowmobiling in Iceland: Your Complete Guide

If you’re looking for a trip packed with adventure and thrilling activities, Iceland is the place to go. In just a few days you could go caving in glaciers and lava tunnels, ride ATVs on black..

Blogs, Activity, Iceland, Guides, Things to Do

Where Was Love on Iceland Filmed?

Have you watched Love on Iceland yet? This Hallmark movie is a romantic winter tale of love and friendship, set in the beautiful Land of Fire and Ice. But where was Love on Iceland filmed? In Icel..

Blogs, Iceland, TV and Movies, Romance

Best Iceland Luxury & Boutique Hotels

If you’re thinking about taking a luxury trip to Iceland, experiencing the country’s stunning natural beauty is probably at the forefront of your mind. But rest assured you’ll get..

Blogs, Iceland, Guides, Romance

Is Iceland Safe to Visit?

Wherever you travel, it's important to know that you're not at risk. Iceland has for many years been a safe country to visit, thanks to its excellent healthcare standards, low crime rate, an..

Blogs, Nordic, Iceland, In Focus

How Many Days Do You Need in Iceland?

With its treasure trove of natural wonders, Iceland is one of the best places in the world to visit. On the same day you could see a waterfall, volcano, glacier, black sand beach, and more. The vari..

Blogs, Nordic, Iceland, Road Trips, Guides

Best Times & Places to See the Northern Lights in Europe

The northern lights are a naturally occurring phenomenon that bewitch you with their magic. The Vikings believed the shimmering aurora were reflections of the shining shields and armour of the gods...

Blogs, Nordic, Iceland, Northern Lights, Scandinavia, Lapland, Sweden, Norway, Svalbard, Finland, Guides

Lapland for Grown-ups: Why Lapland Isn’t Just for Kids

You might have heard about Santa’s home in the North Pole. And yes, Lapland is indeed a fantastic place to go with the kids to meet the man in red. But did you know a Lapland holiday for adult..

Blogs, Nordic, Scandinavia, Lapland, Sweden, Finland, Guides, Romance, Things to Do

Iceland Travel Tips: How to Explore Iceland

Iceland is like nowhere else on earth. It’s a land where glaciers, hot springs and waterfalls reign supreme. A place where adventures abound. Where you can experience four seasons in a day, an..

Blogs, Iceland, Northern Lights, Road Trips, Guides

Best Iceland Tours to Add to Your Itinerary

Iceland is a place of beautiful contrasts. A land formed by both fire and ice, this Nordic nation is home to so many natural attractions you can explore. Imagine a fusion of mountains, caves, glac..

Blogs, Activity, Iceland, Guides, Things to Do

18 Top Things to Do in Iceland: The Best Activities & Sights

Iceland may be small, but it’s got personality in spades – and it’s the perfect destination if you love being in nature. Whether you’re hiking across glaciers, spotting puf..

Activity, Iceland, Guides, Things to Do

Greenland Travel: Top 10 Things to Do

A trip to Greenland takes you to one of the planet’s last great wildernesses, a remote land of ice and snow. With otherworldly landscapes and a beguiling mix of Viking history and contemporary..

Blogs, Greenland, Things to Do

Ice Hotels: The Complete Nordic Guide

If you’ve ever dreamed of staying in a room constructed entirely from ice and snow, then this is the guide for you. We’re taking a deep dive into the ice hotels of the Nordic region,&nbs..

Blogs, Nordic, Scandinavia, Lapland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Guides, Romance, Things to Do

A Photographer’s Guide to Scotland

If you love photography and have a passion for travel, there’s nothing more exciting than exploring the landscapes and cities of a foreign place. There are some countries that hit all the high..

Blogs, In Focus, Scotland, Guides

Disney Movies Set in Europe

Ever since Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs hit the silver screen, Walt Disney has fired our imaginations and our wanderlust for mythical lands. But what if we told you that you could step into tho..

Blogs, Scandinavia, Sweden, Norway, Scotland

Meet the People Behind Our 1,000 Reviews

Here at Nordic Visitor, we’re celebrating a very special milestone. We have reached an amazing 1,000 reviews on Tripadvisor! Best of all, more than 90% of those reviews are “Excellent&..

Blogs, Our People

5 Europe Road Trips to Add to Your Bucket List

From the Mediterranean to the Nordics, Europe offers such an inviting mix of cultures and landscapes for you to discover. Add to that the sense of freedom of a road trip, and you’ll find that..

Iceland, Scandinavia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Scotland, Road Trips, Ireland

Scotland's Clans: Scottish Ancestry in a Nutshell

Clans are an intrinsic part of Scotland’s heritage and a fascinating element of Scottish culture. Uncovering the legacy of Scottish clans provides an interesting insight into the country'..

Blogs, Scotland, Guides

Sweden in Winter: What to Do & Where to Go

Sweden in winter promises an escape like no other. Between December and March, this Nordic nation is swathed in snow and comes alive with a host of wintry traditions. Whatever your interests, you&..

Blogs, Northern Lights, Scandinavia, Lapland, Sweden

Stockholm Archipelago: Your Guide to the Best Parts

A stone’s throw from Sweden’s capital is the Stockholm Archipelago, made up of thousands of islands that stretch deep into the Baltic Sea. Island hopping across this archipelago gives..

Blogs, Scandinavia, Sweden, Guides

Best Lochs to Visit in Scotland

Scotland is famed for its spellbinding landscapes, characterised by mountains, forests, and of course, lochs. If you’re wondering what exactly a “loch” is, it’s simple. The..

Blogs, Destinations, Scotland

Iceland's Hot Springs & Geothermal Pools

If you’re planning to visit Iceland, hot springs should definitely be on your to-do list. The variety of geothermal pools Iceland has to offer provides the perfect reward to a day of sightse..

Blogs, Nordic, Iceland, Guides

Why Bergen is Called the Gateway to Norway's Fjords

Conjure pine-clad mountains, glittering fjords, and colourful clapboard houses peppering an emerald shore. This is Bergen, Norway’s second largest city – and its prettiest. Sheltered i..

Blogs, Scandinavia, Norway, Guides, Things to Do

Best Places to Visit in 2021 in the Nordics

It goes without saying that travel was off-limits for most of us in 2020. But that doesn't mean that our passion for exploring the world has gone anywhere. When you are able to travel again, whe..

Blogs, Nordic, Iceland, Scandinavia, Lapland, Sweden, Norway, Svalbard, Finland, Denmark, Guides