Travel to Faroe Island.
The Faroe Islands are a remote and inviting archipelago consisting of 18 huge volcanic basalts that cross the North Atlantic Ocean, located between Norway and Iceland. Originally settled here by the Vikings of Norway in the ninth and tenth centuries, today it is an overseas autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark and a haven for hikers, climbers and sheep, with 80,000 "furry herbivores" but only 50,000 inhabitants. These lush islands have yet to become popular tourist attractions, but this precious tranquility is slowly changing.
By 2020, three new large hotels will open off the faroe islands coast. The increase in cheap flights from Copenhagen, Edinburgh and Reykjavik means that the number of tourists has increased by around 10% per year over the past five years. In other words, before overtourism in the Faroe Islands becomes a reality, it's time to head out and enjoy this precious tranquility. You can follow the misty trails to see flocks of puffins, doves and petrels, or drive a boat with a mast along the coastline like in the movie.
Sailing
To fully appreciate these dazzling magnificences, you can take a boat and look out over the deep blue sea. Here you will experience the full power of the Atlantic Ocean, and no doubt when you see ships sailing fast in powerful currents, you will have more respect for these foul-mouthed Faroe Island captains.
Breathing in the fresh air at the stern and watching the white foam rise slowly in the aftermath behind the boat may remind you that 100 years ago, this was the local mode of transport. Today, whether you're on a modern ship or a famous 19th-century schooner, you can buy tickets for the day's departure at newsstands along the harbor of the main city of Tolsven.
Sheep sheep
These cozy herbivores not only provided the locals with warm wool clothing (and stylish furniture decorations), but also made the Faroe Islands even more famous. The Faroe Islands even partnered with Google Maps to install cameras on sheep's backs to map the island's roads, and you can see the "Sheep View" option in Google Street View. Thanks to the "hard work" of the sheep and the navigation of Google Maps, it is much easier to rent a car on the island.
Kalsoy Island, Kalsoy Island
Known for its slender shape, steep peaks and rugged mountain paths, Karsoy Island is one of the most popular hiking spots in the archipelago. A 45-minute hike to the northernmost lighthouse, you're likely to encounter a variety of local birds, such as the red-legged Black Seabird. Considering that the local storm came very suddenly, hiking with a local guide was the best option.
Driving
The happiest thing to do in the Faroe Islands is to drive. Thanks to the modern infrastructure of roads, bridges and undersea tunnels that connect the islands, you can travel to many places by car. (Avis and Hertz both have rental locations at the airport) Here's the old mountain road to Tolsvin, from which you can see a wonderful view of Koltur Island. Cortur Island is a Viking village inhabited by two reclusive shepherds, accessible only by helicopter.
Hiking Eysturoy Island on Esturoy Island
Eysturoy Island is the second largest island in the Faroe Islands, with tranquil fishing villages and 66 peaks containing the highest peaks in the entire archipelago. All you need is a pair of sturdy hiking boots and waterproof pants to hike around the island, as long as you're not too afraid of heights, the terrain is good and perfect for beginners. (The scenery here is perfect for the scene from the first episode of Game of Thrones)
Rowing Culture
For the Faroese, rowing was a national sport, dating back to the area's Viking settlers, who had to row quickly in order to survive. When they spot the whale-rich pilot whales, the most agile rowers are the fastest to catch them (whales were also an important food source for them before), and rowing is now a very popular club sport, starting in Klaksvik every June and ending in Olavsoka at the end of July.
KOKS Restaurant KOKS Restaurant
Koks, Faroe's first Michelin restaurant, has an unusual ritual: waiters dressed in road worker costumes greet you at the door of the car and escort you to the whale warehouse for a 21-course meal. In this pictured cabin, a back door leads to a chic candlelit living room covered with sheepskin and salted dried whales and cod with local butter. Next, you might be taken by the driver to a cabin by the lake, where there are burning campfires. Sounds risky, right! That's right, Chef Poul Andrias Ziska's menu will surprise you differently.
A meal worth the Trip
The picture here is of the pilot whale dried whale and cod in the KOKS restaurant mentioned earlier, and throughout the fall and winter, the pilot whale jerky matures in the cold ocean air, slowly drying, producing a rich flavor. This Nordic-style dish is designed to introduce guests to faroe's cooking methods, which have relied on the preservation of meat and fish since the Viking Age. The dishes that follow also emphasize local ingredients, think of the seawater-scented mussels and sea urchins, which are so fresh that they can almost climb off the table (Ps: the author is very skinny), or the North Atlantic flounder, plated on a watercress with dew.
Faroese Architecture, a building in the Faroe Islands
The architecture of the Faroe Islands is very characteristic of the island: traditional dwellings usually consist of dark basalt and roofs with lawns (lawns, like hair, need to be regularly trimmed).
Contemporary Design
Farrow's architects are young and ambitious, and the number of designers is growing. A prominent example is Jacobsen of henning Larsen Architects, who recently completed the Eysturm-kommuna Town Hall, where the design is photographed in kind. Eysturm-kommuna Town Hall pays homage to the stunning Nordic landscape and traditional ways of building, but at the same time defines a new path for contemporary Faroese architecture.
"Many contemporary designs of Faroese architecture draw directly on elements of traditional architecture. I find it more interesting to study the inner minds of traditional architecture. The central theme of the Faroese architectural tradition is to blur the boundaries between nature and architecture, and in fact it is difficult for the viewer to distinguish between the end of the landscape and the beginning of the building. The main concept behind the town hall design is driven by the fleeting boundaries between the landscape and the building. I believe this is a modern interpretation of Faroese architecture. Jacobson said.
Family hospitality Heimablidni
Translated as "family hospitality," Heimablidni refers to the Faroese banquet held by local farmers at their homes. They provide an intimate platform for farmers to share the fruits of their labor, as well as their meager side income. For visitors, dinner is an opportunity to taste Faroese cuisine and experience Faroese customs, and this banquet can be easily booked by phone.
At the home of award-winning farmers Anna and Oli Rubeksen, visitors of 10 to 15 people were taken to a beachfront restaurant decorated with a wall-mounted whale gun, greeted by a full-bodied round of French gin. The first course is usually a simple dish of land flora and fauna, such as vegetable soup or jerky, followed by a plate of freshly caught cod and flounder. As a main course, they prepared blood sausages and sheep's head meat. The whole evening was like a family holiday, and the large amount of Faroese beer produced by the island's two local breweries added to the energy of the whole evening.
Where to Stay
Opened in April 2018 with only 14 rooms, the Hargrim is currently the only boutique hotel in the Faroe region. Located in a private estate a few minutes' drive from Torshavn Harbor, you can enjoy unobstructed views of the sea and Nolsoy Island. Originally built in 1948 by Havgrimur Johannesen, the hotel has a pivotal position at sea and was once occupied by the Danish Navy. What's more, with its high-speed WiFi and friendly staff, it's a comfortable place to start your Faroese adventure.
☻
Author：Jennifer Parker
Editor：Simon