2026 Photo Contest Winner from Åndalsnes, Norway

Every year our photo contest brings shots from Aviator customers around the world, and every year picking one is harder than the last. This year’s winner is Stu, and his photo is hard to argue with: a mid-air jump against the mountains above Åndalsnes, Norway.

Where exactly was your winning photo taken, and what was happening in that moment?

This “jump” photo was taken in Åndalsnes, Norway, with one of the most incredible views as a backdrop!

Years ago, I started taking jump pictures wherever our travels took us. It all began as a friendly competition between two friends to see who could jump the highest. What started as a little fun has turned into a tradition that has followed me around the world.

Now, I have so many jump pictures that my wife probably knows what's coming whenever we arrive somewhere with a great view. I'm always asking her to take just one more! Each picture captures not only a place we've visited, but also a fun memory of being there. And honestly, the more beautiful the setting, the harder it is to resist another jump!

What inspired you to take this trip?

We absolutely love to travel, and for us, the joy begins long before we ever leave home. There’s something special about every part of the experience: dreaming about where to go next, researching new places, planning the details, and counting down the days until the adventure begins.

Our planning usually starts at least a year in advance, which means we get to enjoy the excitement of travel all year long, not just during the trip itself. We spend months discovering places we’ve never been, imagining the experiences ahead, and slowly putting all the pieces together. In many ways, the dreaming and planning are almost as much fun as the trip itself! (Well... almost.)

Our latest adventure took us from Atlanta, USA, to Copenhagen, Denmark, and on to some truly amazing places throughout Norway, Scotland, Ireland, and Northern Ireland. Twenty-five days of exploring, discovering new places, and making memories that will stay with us for a long time. One of the things we love most about traveling is how different each destination feels, and how much there is to discover when you take the time to really experience a place.

Travel has also become a family tradition in its own way. We loved taking our children on adventures when they were growing up, introducing them to new places and experiences. Now that they're grown, it's wonderful to see that same adventurous spirit in them. They love exploring the world just as much as we do, and there's something special about knowing that our love of travel has become something we can all share.

And the experience doesn't stop when we leave home. Along the way, we take lots of pictures, capture little moments, and FaceTime our grown children to share what we're seeing. It's never about bragging or showing off where we've been. It's simply about letting them be a part of our adventure, even when we're thousands of miles apart. Sharing a beautiful view, a funny moment, or something unexpected we discovered makes the experience even more meaningful.

For us, travel isn't just about the 25 days we're away. It's the months of anticipation beforehand, the experiences and memories we make along the way, and all the stories and pictures we enjoy sharing afterward. And just as one trip comes to an end, we're often already dreaming about the next one. In a way, we get to enjoy every trip three times: when we plan it, when we experience it, and when we look back on it. That's what makes travel such a big part of our lives, and why the joy of a trip lasts so much longer than the time we're actually away.

How long were you there, and how did you plan your itinerary? What would you consider must-sees or must-dos?

We spent 25 days traveling by land and sea, and it was an incredible experience. We especially love smaller ships, like Windstar, with fewer than 300 people on board. There’s something special about the intimate atmosphere, the unique destinations, and the feeling of discovering places that larger ships often can’t reach.

Our planning usually starts about a year in advance, when we begin looking for places we’ve never been. We have one simple rule: we can revisit only one city on any given trip. That keeps us exploring, discovering new places, and always having something new to look forward to. This trip was a perfect example, with every city being somewhere new to us.

Once we choose our destinations, the fun of planning really begins. We research each place and start building a list of things that interest us. Since 18 of our 25 days were spent on a cruise, much of our planning revolved around each port. We love finding hidden gems, exploring places away from the tourist crowds, and tracking down those little mom-and-pop restaurants we might never have discovered otherwise.

A big part of how we explore is on foot. We typically walk between 8 and 10 miles a day, which allows us to see so much more than we might from a car or tour bus. We notice the little details, discover charming streets, and often stumble upon places we never would have found if we had stuck to a set itinerary. And sometimes, those walks lead to experiences we’ll remember forever.

Our favorite walk of the entire trip was in Åndalsnes, Norway. Once we reached the top and took in the view, all we could say was WOW! Seriously, WOW, WOW, WOW! The mountains, the scenery, the sheer beauty of it all were absolutely breathtaking. Some views are so spectacular that words simply don’t do them justice, and this was one of those moments when you stop, take it all in, and feel incredibly lucky to be there. It was also the reason I just had to get a jump photo taken there!

As much as we love planning, though, some of our favorite memories come from the days when we have no real plan at all. Just wandering through a city, turning down a street because it looks interesting, or stopping somewhere simply because it catches our eye. Sometimes, the best discoveries happen when you aren’t looking for anything in particular. For us, that’s part of the magic of travel: having a plan that gets us there, but leaving enough room for the unexpected along the way.

How did you get around, and were there any unexpected challenges along the way?

We often enjoy flying into a U.S. city a day early, spending the day exploring, and then catching a nonstop flight to Europe the following day. We’ve discovered that there are some really fun day trips near major airports, and it’s a great way to turn a travel day into part of the adventure.

My favorite? By far, it’s flying into Dulles and spending the day at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, the incredible air and space museum. Atlanta comes in a close second, with the Georgia Aquarium and a Coca-Cola tour making for a fun day of exploring.

We love this approach because it gives us a chance to enjoy a new place without feeling rushed. We can spend a relaxed day seeing something interesting, enjoy a good meal, get a good night’s sleep, and head to Europe the next day feeling refreshed and ready to go.

Sometimes, the vacation really does begin before you ever leave the country!

Tell us about the local food scene. Was there a standout meal, restaurant, or dish you still think about? 

Full confession: we don’t often eat at Michelin-starred restaurants. Instead, we love finding a local spot, away from the tourist crowds, where the locals go to eat. For us, a great meal isn’t about fancy table settings or an impressive menu. It’s about good food, a welcoming atmosphere, and the experience of discovering somewhere special.

We once stumbled upon a little place in Budapest that seemed to be visited by very few tourists. We sat down for lunch and found ourselves smiling the entire time. There was just something special about discovering a hidden gem in a city we had never visited before.

And speaking of unexpected food favorites, guess what we loved most on this trip? The hot dog vendors in Copenhagen! Funny, huh? Of all the amazing places we visited, some of our favorite bites came from a simple hot dog stand. Sometimes, it’s the most ordinary things that surprise you and become part of your favorite travel memories.

Maybe it’s the food, the atmosphere, or simply the feeling of finding a place that isn’t on everyone else’s itinerary. Whatever it is, we’re reminded that some of the best travel experiences aren’t found in guidebooks or on a list of must-see attractions. Sometimes, they’re found at a little table in a restaurant you almost walked right past—or standing on a Copenhagen street, enjoying a hot dog and realizing that something so simple can be so memorable.

What surprised you most about the destination? 

We’re always surprised by just how welcoming people can be when we visit somewhere new. We try to appreciate each destination for what makes it special and immerse ourselves in the local culture as much as possible. For us, travel is about more than just seeing the sights. It’s about getting a feel for what life is really like in the places we visit.

Of course, we visit some of the well-known tourist spots, but we often find the greatest joy in discovering the things others might pass by. A little restaurant tucked away on a side street, a conversation with a local who shares a bit about their culture, or simply sitting in a town square and watching the world go by.

Sometimes, it’s those unexpected moments and simple experiences that become our favorite memories. They’re the ones that help us connect with a place and make us feel like we’ve experienced a little piece of its everyday life, rather than just passed through.

What's one tip or recommendation you'd share with someone planning a similar trip?

The days before and after a trip can be what turn a good trip into an A+ experience. We try to pay attention to the little things, like getting from the airport to the hotel. There’s a big difference between a quick 15-minute ride to a well-chosen hotel and an hour-long journey filled with stops, uncertainty, and unnecessary stress.

This is even more important on the way home. We always try to keep the return journey as simple and predictable as possible, with as few variables as we can control. Starting and ending a trip with as little stress as possible makes a real difference. After all, the experience isn’t just about where you go or what you see. It’s also about how you get there—and how you get home.

SHOP WOMENS

SHOP MENS