After two years of preparation, we left the French Alps on April 18th, 2022, to start our “Next Meridian Expedition.” We, Mathilde and Nick, both 28 years old, left everything behind to travel the world in our 2012 Land Rover Defender 110 TD4 nicknamed Albatross. We moved full-time into our vehicle for a three-year journey through seven continents and 88 countries.

DESTINATION SCANDINAVIA

The first leg of our trip took us to Scandinavia. While part of Europe, Scandinavia gives the impression it is further away: wilder and rougher, with a distinctive soul—home of the Vikings.

Scandinavia was our warm-up loop, so to speak, before shipping across the Atlantic. The region is safe, potable water everywhere, no visa needed, beautiful tracks and other outdoor pursuits. Wild camping is legally protected by an ancient concept called “Freedom to Roam,” “Right to Public Access,” or simply “everyman’s right.” In short, the overlander’s 101 for a stress-free and fulfilling journey.

We would drive 7,000 km north through Denmark, Sweden, and Norway to the North Cape, the northernmost point of the European continent. The return leg covered another 3,000 km through Finland.

At the outset of our journey, our minds were filled with images that led us to believe we could generalise the four countries as one, “we are going to Scandinavia.” But soon enough we discovered we were wrong. There is a Scandinavia for every overlander.