Highlights of Scandinavia

Oslo, the capital and largest city of Norway, is also the third largest Scandinavian city. The history of the city can be traced back over 1000 years, and this is evident in its rich historical architecture and culture. Check out The Opera house, The Royal Palace, University in Oslo, Oslo Cathedral, and Kirkeristen, an old bazaar surrounding the church. Also see Oslo's City Hall by the waterfront. Akershus Fortress, a medieval castle built in 1299, should also be visited. For great seafood, visit Aker Brygge, a coastal area located south of the city hall. There are also hundreds of excellent bars and nightclubs in Oslo, and there will be no boredom for you at night.

The second largest city in Norway, Bergen is the country's cultural capital, and is home to such international events as the Bergen International Festival, Nattjazz and Bergenfest. An ancient city, Bergen was founded around 1070 AD, and quickly became one the most important cities in the country, and was the administrative capital in the 13th century. An important bureau city of the Hanseatic League, it was interconnected with continental Europe and with the northern and coastal parts of Norway, becoming a commercial hot spot of Norway. It was the largest city in Norway until the 1830's, and has a long maritime history in shipping and finance.

The best places to be visited include the beautiful old harbour of Bryggen, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as: Bergen Art Museum, the famous fish market at Torget, the great view from Floien, Bergen Aquarium, and St. Mary's Church. The Bergenhus Fortress is also must visit, and is one of the oldest and best preserved forts of Norway.

The capital of Denmark, Copenhagen is one of the most enjoyable cities of Europe, bursting with wonders of culture, entertainment, and architecture. This free city has a reputation for tolerance, and strives to be an equal and just consensus-governed democracy. Copenhagen has thus been voted as the Most Liveable City in the world in 2008. Also the home of the famous Carlsberg breweries, it is located by the sea shore and has a large and busy port, as well as a number of beautiful canals and lakes. Places to visit include the Rosenborg Castle, Ny Carlsberg Glypotek, Carlsberg Brewery, Cisternerne - The Museum of Modern Art, the Royal Theatre, Copenhagen Zoo, Tivoli Gardens, the Museum of Copenhagen, Somods Bolcher, the new Opera, and Bakkehus museum.

The capital of Sweden and the cultural, economical, and political centre of the country, Stockholm is where all the action happens. It is a city built on 14 islands at the mouth of Lake Malaren, and is also known by some as the Venice of the North. With its strategic location, it has been a prominent hub of commerce in Europe since the 16th century. With typical Scandinavian beauty, the city is refreshingly alive below the clear skies filled with high-flying clouds. There is much to do and see in Stockholm, such as visiting the many, many, many museums. There are over 100 museums, the most notable being Stockholm City Museum; Skansen, one of the first open air museums in the world; Nordic Museum; and the The Vasa Museum, complete with a reconstruction of the missing parts of the Vasa Ship. You can also take a city tour, and enjoy the beautiful architecture of this ancient town. There is also the Grona Lund amusement park on Djurgarden Island, which is definitely worth a visit. The Old Town, Gamla Stan, is notable for its medieval street layout, churches and mansions.

Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe, and very friendly to tourists. Located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland by the Baltic Sea, Helsinki was founded in 1550 by King Gustav I of Sweden, intended to be a serious rival to the city of Reval, which is known today as Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. However, the city of Helsinki was initially troubled by many problems, and wars, diseases and poverty did not let it become more than a small coastal fishing town in the Baltic. Today it is one of the most successful cities in the region, and the fasting growing metropolitan area in Europe. The best time to visit is in the summer, when the sea and the vast archipelago are truly glorious to see, and the locals throng to outdoor bars and cafes.

There are plenty of sights to be seen in Helsinki, but first, the best way to understand the culture is to take a cruise out to the archipelago, touring all the major islands and some of the smaller ones. A popular attraction is the Suomenlinna Fortress, which is considered to have been the greatest sea fortress on the Baltic, and a World Heritage Site. Also see Seurasaari, filled with beautiful landscapes and ideal for a walk through the countryside. Korkeasaari, another island, is most famous for housing the Helsinki Zoo.

If a relaxing atmosphere is what you are looking for, then strolling or lounging in one of the many parks in Helsinki is recommended, such as the Esplanadin puisto, Kaivopuisto, Toolonlahti, and Keskuspuisto. When sufficiently relaxed, begin your sightseeing of the city, starting with the monument that is most readily identified with Helsinki, the Lutheran Cathedral, which was built in 1852. Also see the Church in the Rock, the Uspenski Cathedral, and St. John's Church. Next on the list are any of the fine museums in Helsinki, such as the Ateneum Art Museum, the Design Museum, the Helsinki City Museum, and the famous Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art. Helsinki was also host to the 1952 Olympic Games, and that heritage is visible in the form of the Olympic Stadium, and the view from its modernistic tower. The Parliament House and the Finlandia Hall are also must sees.

When in Helsinki, do not miss the amazing seafood! The city is also very, very cosmopolitan, letting you find almost every cuisine on earth from Nepalese to Greek, Italian to Russian and Finnish.