Travel Scandinavia Tourism

Sweden boasts of many tourists attractions. The rich culture of the place makes it interesting for many tourists. If you are interested in getting around Sweden, read the article for some of the spots you shouldn't miss.

Operan

The Kungliga Opera or the Royal Swedish Opera is located in the center of Stockholm. It was founded in 1773 by King Gustav III. The opera was only officially opened in 1782. In this building, King Gustav III was assassinated during a masquerade ball. In 1892, a new building for the Operan was commissioned. The building portrayed modern architecture. This new house was known as the Royal Theater but was simply called the Operan. The Operan is a world-class opera house. It is accessible to the Liseberg theme park and Avenyn.

Skeppsholmen Island

This island is one of the pride of Stockholm. The island can be reached by crossing a bridge. This spot is ideal for those who want a peaceful retreat and those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city life in mainland Stockholm. One of the best attractions in the island is the Moderna Museet, or the Museum of Modern Art. This houses the modern works of Sweden's great artists. Here you will also find some works of the internationally acclaimed artists such as Picasso, Matisse, and Braque. There is also the af Chapman, which is a famous youth hostel in Sweden. There are a lot of military buildings in the island.

If you want to explore Sweden, visit Stockholm and you won't be disappointed with all the great things this place can offer.

Do you want to explore Denmark? There are many interesting tourist attractions you can find in this Scandinavian country. In Denmark, you will find historical sites and also natural wonders. Read on to know the places where you can go to in case you take a vacation to Denmark.

Bandholm - Knuthenborg Safari Park

This is actually one of the biggest safari parks in northern Europe. Here, there are many unique things to see for both youngsters and adults. Knuthenborg Safari Park is home to various species of exotic animals. Aside from having the chance to see the wild animals, you can also get the chance to rest as you enjoy your meals amidst the place's greenery. You will also love a tour through the Monkey Forest where you will see Pavian monkeys hanging off the windows of the monkey bus.


Bornholm - Hammershus Castle Ruins

The ruins of Hammershus lie on the on a rocky plateau. This medieval castle ruins are one of the largest in northern Europe. The castle was built in 1250 to serve as a protection against the Danish Kings. There are various interesting sites surrounding the ruins, and these include marvelous cliffs, lighthouse, and stretches of verdant hills. When you see the ruins, you will surely remember the stories and legends of knights and royalties from the pages of historical books and works of fiction.

The Knuthenborg Safari Park and Hammershus Castle Ruins are just some of the interesting and marvelous sites you will see in Denmark. So if you are planning on a northern Europe vacation, you should not miss visiting these two interesting locations.

In Scandinavia, the cuisine is usually composed of fish, meat, and rootcrops such as potato. Whether you are dining in a less expensive restaurant or a very luxurious one, keep in mind that you must show good manners. Read on to know more things about dining in Scandinavia or specifically in Denmark.

Scandinavian tourist guide: dining etiquette

When you dine in a restaurant or in your host's home in Denmark, you have to exhibit social graces. It is best that you arrive at the dinner place or meeting area on time. In fancy restaurants, you have to wait to be told where to sit because there maybe a seating plan. If you are offered a second helping and you don't want to eat anymore, refuse it in a way that would not offend your host. The most important thing to remember is to finish everything on your plate. Danes don't really like wasting food.

Scandinavian tourist information: specialties in Denmark

Scandinavia is popular for its fish dishes. In Norway and Denmark, cured salmon is a famous cuisine. Smoked salmon is a popular cuisine not just in Denmark but in the rest of Scandinavian countries. You should not also miss sampling the Scandinavian dessert Fiskepudding.

If you are planning to go to Scandinavia for your holiday vacation, you must find more info about the different dishes that the place offers. In this way you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest.

When traveling to some destination, we often think about the main attractions and how to spend the rest of the vacation. We
barely think about the dos and don'ts. If you want to learn more about Sweden and some helpful traveler's guide, read on.

Sweden travel guide: The Dos

As with any other Scandinavian country, you must be polite with the locals. Try your best not to offend them. Show
appreciation by saying thank you and receiving their greetings with a warm smile. Make sure that you're dressed well for the
occasion. If you're invited to a part or even a simple gathering, always be polite to the host. Allow him or her to make a
toast before you start drinking. You can dress casually for everyday affairs, but wear something more appropriate for social
occasions, formal gatherings, and when dining in an exclusive restaurant. Some clubs and social gatherings require black tie
attire.

Sweden tourism guide: The Don'ts

Refrain from smoking in public transportation or when inside a public building. Don't get too personal with people you've
met for the first time. A warm smile and firm handshake are good enough for greetings. Don't be rude and offend the Swedish people. It will help if you can learn some Swedish words to communicate better.

More tips for travelers in Sweden

Arm yourself with a map. Don't travel without one if you're exploring the city or town. You must at least get some guide on the local transport so you won't get lost. Also secure your travel documents such as passports and your credit card. You must have some emergency numbers on your phone such as the number of your embassy in case of any problem.

Wherever you go, there are some unspoken rules to follow if you want to get along with the locals. You must try your best
not to offend them and to act accordingly. So before you set foot on Denmark, you must learn some basic etiquette to make
your stay more enjoyable and prevent running into some trouble with the locals.

Basic etiquette in Denmark when greeting people

Greetings are done with a casual handshake, whether you're saying good bye or meeting a Dane for the first time. Remember to
maintain eye contact and smile to show friendliness and sincerity. As a sign of respect, shake hands with ladies first.
Unlike in America, "How are you?" is not a casual form of greeting here. This line of questioning is reserved for people
with personal relationships. Even if you're very affectionate and probably mean no harm, don't make the mistake of being
touchy-feely. Best of all, don't call a Dane a Swedish or Norwegian. They appreciate the distinction.

Basic etiquette in Denmark when visiting homes

If you're to visit a Danish home or friend, make sure that you arrive on time. They don't appreciate it if you're late for
more than 15 minutes. Also take time to remove your shoes before you set foot inside the house. Make sure that you're
dressed well and that you at least bring some thing, be it a dessert or a bottle of wine. After the dinner or meal, offer
some help on cleaning up. It will also do you good if you say thank you every now and then as a sign of courtesy and
appreciation.

Basic etiquette in Denmark when giving gifts

Birthdays and Christmas are times for gift-giving to family and some close friends. If you're invited for meal, might as
well bring some flowers, wine, or even chocolates as courtesy. Just make sure that the flowers are neatly wrapped. For
parties and formal dinners, you can send a bouquet flowers prior to the event. When Danes receive gifts, expect them to open
it instantly.

Part of many people's amusement is the Norwegian drinking, which seem outrageous for some. If you want to learn more, read
on.

Why Norwegians love to drink

Norwegians do love to drink as part of their history and tradition. Olav Tryggvason, a Viking hero, would get people drunk.
This allows him to burn their houses if they refuse to convert to Christianity. Early on, Vikings wouldn't mind going to
far-off places just to get their precious wine or intoxicating drink. They made plundering trips to the Mediterranean.
Alcohol distilling had been done in Norway as early as 1530 through Archbishop Olav Engelbrektsson who taught people about
its methods. From then one, distilling apparatus are everywhere. They are said to be a staple in every household, like
another cookware or kitchen utensil.

Drinking laws in Norway

Because of the locals' penchant for drinking and getting drunk, laws came in the way to limit their drinking. Sometime in
the mid-16th century, serving spirits or hard liquor was prohibited on holidays and Sundays. However, this didn't stop the
Norwegians from making their own spirits using grain and potatoes. There was a time when distilling was declared illegal.
But when the governed lifted the ban in 1816, there was a recorded increase in consumption of alcoholic drinks, which called
for a temperance movement. In 1848, home distilling was prohibited but not industrial distilling. The number of
distilleries eventually dropped, which paved the way for the decreased consumption of spirits in the country.

Some drinking laws in Norway do seem quite humorous to some people. While you can buy a crate of beer, buying a bottle at a
local store is impossible. A local may be refused a drink while staying in a hotel or lounging in its terrace, but somewhere
in the neighboring town are people who get to order and drink as much as they can.

Tips when drinking during your Norwegian travel and tour

Before you order a drink or bring out a bottle of wine, as a tourist, you should be aware of the drinking laws in Norway. If
you're refused a drink, it doesn't mean that your rights are being violated or you're picked upon. It could very well be
part of their drinking laws.

Part of many people's amusement is the Norwegian drinking, which seem outrageous for some. If you want to learn more, read
on.

Why Norwegians love to drink

Norwegians do love to drink as part of their history and tradition. Olav Tryggvason, a Viking hero, would get people drunk.
This allows him to burn their houses if they refuse to convert to Christianity. Early on, Vikings wouldn't mind going to
far-off places just to get their precious wine or intoxicating drink. They made plundering trips to the Mediterranean.
Alcohol distilling had been done in Norway as early as 1530 through Archbishop Olav Engelbrektsson who taught people about
its methods. From then one, distilling apparatus are everywhere. They are said to be a staple in every household, like
another cookware or kitchen utensil.

Drinking laws in Norway

Because of the locals' penchant for drinking and getting drunk, laws came in the way to limit their drinking. Sometime in
the mid-16th century, serving spirits or hard liquor was prohibited on holidays and Sundays. However, this didn't stop the
Norwegians from making their own spirits using grain and potatoes. There was a time when distilling was declared illegal.
But when the governed lifted the ban in 1816, there was a recorded increase in consumption of alcoholic drinks, which called
for a temperance movement. In 1848, home distilling was prohibited but not industrial distilling. The number of
distilleries eventually dropped, which paved the way for the decreased consumption of spirits in the country.

Some drinking laws in Norway do seem quite humorous to some people. While you can buy a crate of beer, buying a bottle at a
local store is impossible. A local may be refused a drink while staying in a hotel or lounging in its terrace, but somewhere
in the neighboring town are people who get to order and drink as much as they can.

Tips when drinking during your Norwegian travel and tour

Before you order a drink or bring out a bottle of wine, as a tourist, you should be aware of the drinking laws in Norway. If
you're refused a drink, it doesn't mean that your rights are being violated or you're picked upon. It could very well be
part of their drinking laws.

Finland has a number of airlines which give superb airline services to millions of passengers worldwide. Among the top airlines in Finland is Finnair. Noted as among the oldest existing airline in the world, Finnair proudly announced its over eight million passengers, in year 2004 alone.

Starting operations in year 1923, Finland's Finnair Group covers various airline operating functions, such as scheduling passenger traffic and leisure, and handling ground and technical operations, travel agencies, airline ticket reservation, catering, and travel information. This year, the total number of Finnair staff reached to an approximate number of 9,500 employees. Finnair subsidiaries also give support services and other functions related to the main role of Finnair. The company's major shareowner is the Finland government, with more than 50 percent hold of shares. Private individuals, various big companies, and even big-time insurance companies are the co-shareholders of Finnair Group.

Moreover, Finnair provides airline services to both domestic and international destinations. The airline covers almost all cities and regions of Finland. On the other hand, international destinations include all major cities of European countries and other countries in Asia. Even today, Finnair Group is among the prime airline companies that continuously provide excellent airline services in Finland, both domestic and international.

I am planning to redesign my house and I really wanted to adopt a modern or contemporary Scandinavia type of house interior. When I asked for help from my niece, who is a professional Interior Designer, she said I would have to start off with the furnitures. She explained that the interior design of my house is no longer a problem, since it already shows an aura of modernism. So I asked my niece where I could find the best furniture shops that offer fine Scandinavian furnitures and she told me that the Internet has a number of popular sites that I can choose from.

As I browsed through the Internet for contemporary Scandinavian furnitures, I came across a website -- Contemporary Furniture.com. The site offers the finest and latest domestic and imported modern Scandinavian furnitures. The site is great since I can choose from a variety of Scandinavian furnishings that I can use in my home redesigning. Aside from the convenience of shopping, the site also features special discounts on some of its best products and furnitures.

As I have said awhile ago, Contemporary Furniture.com features a whole line of finest Scandinavian furnitures. It offers coffee tables, recliners, sofa products, barstool, bedroom furnitures, and dining paraphernalia. The site has a comprehensive furniture selections with the most noted and spectacular Scandinavian furniture designs. To browse through the site's selections, all you need to do is to simply click all the links found in the site.

Many travelers say that Norway's Grunerlokka is home to those who are both bohemian or creative. Located in Oslo's Greenwich Village, the place is a charming and exciting tourist destination in Norway. Before, Grunerlokka was an unattractive and worn down area of Oslo. Now, the place is transformed into one trendy and multicultural area. Though, the place is not known to many, Grunerlokka is a perfect destination for witty trend setters and young artists.

Grunerlokka is noted for being the prime fashion region in Oslo, mainly because of its numerous shopping and leisure destinations. Fashionistas out there should also know that the internationally acclaimed Norway design institution, Norway Says, maintains a shop and office at Grunerlokka. If you are looking for fashionable accessories and jewelries, the DayDreams and Pearls shop at Grunerlokka is the perfect place for you to shop.

Aside from the exciting shopping escapades that you can do at Grunerlokka, the place is also a prime place for attractive tourist destinations. Among the places that you can visit at Grunerlokka is the the popular Akerselva river. You can also visit the contemporary Jazz clubs the area, particularly the Club Bla. Club Bla features riverside dining and delicious regional cuisines. Grunerlokka also has superb night hangouts and concert theaters that you can go to.

Recently, many hotels inn Copenhagen Denmark are offering numerous package deals and rate reductions to decrease occupancy on July to August. Hence, if you plan to make a reservation during those months, it is best to check on various offer pages first to acquire the best bargain discounts you can avail. Take note that there are some prime hotels in Copenhagen that offer up to 50 percent discount on their rooms and service.

Copenhagen's Kong Arthur Hotel is a terrific four-star hotel. It was also given distinction as "2002 Hotel of the Year" by hotel-denmark.com. What's great about the hotel is its continuous sensible price listings. Also its accommodation service fees are way too cheap for a four star hotel facility. Imagine you have a reservation in one finest hotel in Denmark and the price you will pay is very low or minimal compared to the price range of other four star Copenhagen hotels.

Tired of the usual surroundings found in many luxurious hotel reservation, plus the fact that they are very costly, why not try some of the budget hotel accommodations in Copenhagen. Copenhagen has two best budget hotels for tourists who are slightly tight on their travel budget. One is the City Hotel Nebo that has a family or home-like environment, while the other one is the Tiffany Hotel that features superb refurbished kitchenette. Both hotels offer special low prices on its room and other hotel services.

Thanks to the rich and cold sea water of Norway, the country is currently noted as the largest fish exporter in the world. Since Norway is a cold region, fish tends to grow slowly in cold sea water. This means that fish in Norway develops a firmer structure compared to the fish living in warm waters. As such, Norwegians specialize on seafood cuisines that thousands of tourists truly appreciate. As for me, I always look forward to Norwegian fish dishes whenever I dine at the country’s fine restaurants.

For more than a thousand years, it is a tradition in Norway to hang cod in an open wind. As such, the country was known to be among the prime dried fish exporter in Europe. Norway locals usually beat their dried fish specialties using a hard mallet and soaked into water. Then, the already dried fish is also soaked in butter or mustard. Such methods are practiced by the Norwegians and their dried fish are regarded as a national specialty.

Another Norway specialty dish is the Lefse, which is a typical kind of flatbread potato. The locals prepare the dish by using flour, cream, and mashed potatoes or rice. When they finish preparing the essential dough ingredients, small dough is formed using the hands, then rolled as flat batter. After which, the batters are to be placed in the oven until they turn brown. When it’s ready, the Lefse pieces are sprinkled with cinnamon and butter. It’s really a delicious dish. I even prefer to eat such Norwegian delicacy with a tortilla filled with fruits, meat, or vegetables.

In case you're thinking of actually going to beautiful Netherlands, you probably haven't heard of the place Domburg even if I told you about it. The Netherlands is among the most beautiful countries to visit, and it also has good people as much as good food. But in Domburg, the Castle Hostel is among the best hotels in this region of the world! You could probably get a digital image of the place from one of those satellite mapping service providers.

The Castle Hostel is surrounded by an actual moat that is well-kept by the maintenance crew of the hotel. Now don't you think spending a night in this place would give you bad dreams and all about medieval times? Witches, sorcerers, etc. Yes, and this place is even surrounded by a damn forest! Talk about aura, man! But this hotel serves the best food I have ever tasted, and it's probably because they prepare Scandinavian food as how it should always be prepared: elegantly!

Biking in the grounds is the main pastime of the tourists here in the Domburg Castle Hostel. Even the locals of this place use bikes for their regular commuting needs. This is because the forest that surrounds the Castle Hostel is too magnificent to miss out on a fast car ride. You should be prepared for wildlife and more plantlife than you have probably ever seen in all your holiday trips!

Even with modern satellite technology, we still can't detect every bit of rock that enters our world's atmosphere. This is because most of the time, the rocks or meteors that enter our planet's atmosphere get vaporized, or they're all just too damn small for anyone to notice. But early last week, a 12-kilo chunk of meteorite debris fell on the town of Reisadalen in Norway. Of course, this caused quite a stir, especially with the military patrolling its skies! Plus, a certain astronomer from Oslo's local university almost caused a statewide panic!

Reisadalen, a valley somewhere in Norway's county Nord-Troms, was shaken last week. This was due to the impact of a 12-kilo chunk of meteorite debris which fell from the sky right smack on it! Now residents of this town were rather given the wrong information by a certain Knut Jørgen Røed Ødegaard, an astronomer who works at the local Oslo university. But other astronomers from the Northern Lights Observatory corrected the information given to the public just at the right time to prevent any state-wide panic. They dismissed it as an actual exaggeration of factual evidence.