Dreaming of the North?
The Hidden North Travel Guide
The Hidden North is an online travel guide designed to help you plan your dream trip to Northern Europe. I specialise in road-trip guides, self-guided walks, Norway’s coastal ferry, the northern lights, and customised planned trips to Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Iceland, Norway, Svalbard and Sweden.
The Hidden North is written by Emma Vestrheim – that’s me! – an experienced tour leader and guide who has travelled around Northern Europe countless times during her eight years in Norway.
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Online Travel Guide
Explore our travel guide for detailed information on every country.
New on the Blog
Bergen Events & Public Holidays 2025
Here’s all the major events & public holidays in Bergen for 2025.
Visiting the Viking Museum at Borg in Lofoten
Here’s my guide for what you can see and do when visiting the Viking Museum Borg in Lofoten
Preparation & Embarking the Hurtigruten in Bergen
Here’s everything you need to know when preparing for and embarking the Hurtigruten in Bergen.
Everything You Need to Know When Visiting Nidaros Cathedral
Here’s my detailed guide for Nidaros Cathedral, including history & what you can see inside.
The History of Vadsø, the Kven Capital of Norway
Vadsø is an important historic city in Eastern Finnmark. Here’s my overview of the history of the area.
Visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Viking Site of Birka
Here’s a practical guide for what you can see when you visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Birka, just out of Stockholm.
The Polar Museum in Tromsø
Here’s my detailed guide for what you can see and do at the Polar Museum
How to See the Northern Lights in Tromsø
Here’s my guide to observing the northern lights in Tromsø, with tips and tricks on where to go and how to prepare.
Where to Stay in Geiranger, from a Tour Leader’s Perspective
Choose the best place to stay in Geiranger based on my experience!
Meet the writer
Hello, I'm Emma
Originally from Australia, I moved to Norway eight years ago after falling in love with a guy from Bergen. I started as a local guide but eventually became a tour leader, taking groups all over Northern Europe. The Hidden North is a collection of my notes, tips and tricks from my eight years of experience travelling around this part of the world.