>>2843792The Alps, there are greater changes and it might get far worse whilst Scandinavia in 7 years is probably going to be very similar. However I would recommend you to visit both if possible.
The Alps are a cultural landscape with accessible history, in the center of fantastic major cultures in Europe. A lot of money has poured into the Alps in the last 200 years and it shows. You can go on high mountain ridges for days from hut to hut on an excellent trail network, meeting lots of mountaineers without the need of descending into a valley. The smaller mountain huts (below ~50 beds) can be very cozy, the bigger ones not so much.
In Scandinavia you will experience wilderness, quietness and relaxation. You can camp and fish easily, you will feel more free. Unless you are taking a very popular route, you will be usually alone in the Scandinavian mountains outside of the parking lot. Usually you won't hear anything. The mountains are smaller but should not be underestimated, you have often the same experience as in the Alps.
Don't expect to see that much wildlife in any case. The vegetation of the Alps is more interesting and the northern part of Scandinavia is just birch swamp forests. In Norway you can see mountains going right out of/into the Ocean, Sweden has vast forests of wilderness.
Check this out:
https://www.norgesnasjonalparker.no/en/>Are there any good cheaper alternatives?Considerably cheaper: Caucasus (Georgia). Balkan and Carpathian Mountains are enjoyable too but imo less interesting. Worth if you are interested in the respective countries/cultures.
>>2843793>Norway: better foodWhat exactly? Almost everyone I know complains about the food here.
