Say Northern Europe and you think of the Land of Vikings, the Land of the Midnight Sun,
and the land of snow and ice but it is so much more. Vikings originated from Northern Europe
and became feared throughout Europe. Many traces of Vikings can be seen in Northern Europe.
Excellent seafood of all types is available. Why not try some cod, herring. salmon, or even
whale. Many outdoor sporting activities are available throughout the region, and they
are not confined to winter sports. Visit some of the beautiful fjords and rivers during the
summer months. Take an exhilarating cross country skiing expeditions in the winter months.
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TRAVEL TO DENMARK
Denmark's capital is Copenhagen. Denmark
is the birthplace of the Lego. A visit to Denmark must include a trip to Legoland Park
in Billund. Denmark was a hub for the Vikings during 800-1050 A.D. Visit Ribe, the
oldest town in Denmark to experience some of the Vikings' impact. The Ribe Viking Centre
recreates Viking life. Hans Christian Andersen is one of Denmark’s most famous citizens.
He was a world renowned writer of children’s fairy tales. In Copenhagen, make sure
to visit the famous Little Mermaid Statue. Also visit the Carlsberg Brewery, the
Bakkehus Museum, and Amalienborg Palace (home of the Royal family). A visit to
Odense is a pleasant combination of nightlife, shopping, and history. Interesting
places worth visiting include the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, the Carl Nielsen Museum,
Egeskov Castle, and Saint Knuds Kirk.
TRAVEL TO SWEDEN
Sweden is the largest country in Northern Europe.
Its wild and varied landscape lends itself to multiple outdoor activities, all while being
eco-friendly. Outdoor activities throughout Sweden include fishing, hiking, skiing, dog sledding,
caving, horseback riding, biking, and almost anything else you can think of. Stockholm, the
capital, is a superb launching point to Sweden. In Stockholm, try a bit of urban adventure
before heading out of the city. Make sure to visit Gamla Stan (the Historic city centre), the
Royal Palace, Stockholm Cathedral, and Vasamuseet (featuring a recently recovered warship
from 1628). Gothenburg was founded in the early 17th century. Make sure to visit the
Gothenburg Art Museum, the Gothenburg City Museum, the Volvo Museum, Gothenburg Cathedral,
and many others.
TRAVEL TO NORWAY
Norway, ‘the Land of the Midnight Sun’, has
unrivaled scenery. Norway has a long jagged coastline, countless fjords, and thousands of
islands. Norway’s standard of living is one of the highest in the world. Outdoor activities
abound throughout Norway including hiking, biking, kayaking, rafting, paragliding,
caving, skiing, and snowboarding. Oslo,the capital of Norway, is one of the largest
capitals in the world due to its expansive green space. Visit the Royal Palace,
the Oslo Cathedral, the Henrik Ibsen Museum, the Nobel Peace Centre, and the Viking Ship Museum.
Bergen is a beautiful city surrounded by fjords and mountains. Bergen is over 900 years
old, and a World Heritage City. Enjoy fresh seafood at the Fish Market.Take a cable car up to
Ulriken to view a stunning view of the city. Also visit the Bergen Art Museum, the Leprosy
Museum at St Jorgen’s Hospital, Bergenhus Fort, and Troldhaugen (the house of Edvard Grieg).Haugesund is an excellent launching point for visiting fjords. Also visit the Nordvegen
History Centre, St. Olav’s Church, and the Viking farm at Avaldsnes.
TRAVEL TO ICELAND
Iceland is one of the least populated countries
of the world. Iceland is a land of fire and ice with rugged geography, glaciers,
geothermal springs, active volcanoes, lava tubes, waterfalls, and fjords. Despite its name,
the weather is comparable to New England. In Reykjavik make sure to visit the world
famous Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa. Also visit the Gullfoss waterfall, Pingvellar National Park,
and Geysir. When visiting during the summer months make sure to bring eye masks for sleep
as the sun barely sets. In the winter amazing views of the Aurora Borealis are available
anyplace beyond city lights. Many outdoor sports are available including hiking, biking,
golfing, horseback riding, river rafting, kayaking, sport fishing, and skiing. Iceland is an
excellent location for bird watching, including watching Puffins. Glacier tours and whale
watching tours are readily available.
TRAVEL TO FINLAND
Finland is a modern country with
vast areas of untouched nature. The first stop in Finland should be Helsinki,
the daughter of the Baltic. Helsinki’s architecture is of the same style of
St Petersburg, in neighboring Russia. The similarity is so great that Helsinki
is frequently used as a double for St Petersburg in the movies. When in Helsinki
make sure to visit the Lutheran Cathedral, St John’s Cathedral, Ateneum Art Museum,
the National Museum of Finland, the Sibelius Monument, the Parliament house,
and a visit to Kotiharjun sauna. Finnish legend claims Mr and Mrs. Santa Claus,
and their elves, live on the mythical of Korvatunturi in Finnish Lapland.
Visit Rovaniemi, the gateway to Finnish Lapland. Make sure to visit
Santa Claus village. Take an Artic Safari. In the wintertime, the Aurora Borealis can
be seen on most clear nights. Visit Turku, a city with historical significance, and
close to the nearby archipelago. Visit Turku Castle, which dates from 1280. Also visit
Turku Cathedral, Luostarinmaki ( a historic handicrafts museum), and the Sibelius Museum.
