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explore
Scandinavia
North of The Beaten Track.
Scandinavia is a historical and geographical region of Northern Europe. Scandinavia is defined as the three kingdoms that historically shared the Peninsula. They are Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Today it also includes Finland and Iceland. Each country
has distinct charms and irresistible highlights. Together they offer a smorgasbord of thrills, entertainment, and unique natural attractions. But first a brief introduction to help you get acquainted with the countries that make up this incredible region.
Denmark is the southern-most Scandinavian country. It is also the smallest. It consists of the Jutland peninsula and over 400 islands. Bridges link some of the islands to the mainland. Denmark’s low lying terrain is dotted with low hills, windmills
and traditional thatched cottages. Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark and home to the little mermaid. This “friendly old girl of a town” is a bustling metropolis with shopping, culture and nightlife par excellence, yet is still small enough to be intimate, safe and easy
to navigate.
Also called “The Land of Vikings” and the “Land of the Midnight Sun” because here the sun doesn’t set for months on end. Norway is also the northernmost country in Europe. It’s famous for its deep fjords, trolls and wooden churches. Oslo, its capital is the largest city of Norway, and the third largest city in Scandinavia. In 2010 it was ranked as the most expensive city in the world. Still there are bargains to be enjoyed during the Oslo’s seasonal sales in January and August.
Sweden boasts numerous lakes
and is the largest of the Scandinavian countries - both in area and population. Stockholm, the capital is made up of 14 islands connected by some 50 bridges. The city is lively, and cosmopolitan with modern Scandinavian architecture featuring lots of brass and steel, complementing fairytale towers, a captivating Old Town (Gamla Stan) and lots of green space. Refreshingly, over two-thirds of the city is dedicated to waterways, parks and green spaces.
With a surprisingly mild climate, Iceland is Europe’s westernmost country, and the second largest island
in the North-Atlantic ocean. It’s an avid photographers paradise offering spectacular scenes of volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, and waterfalls. Reykjavík is the capital and largest city of Iceland. It is the center of Icelandic culture and the tourist capital of Iceland. Reykjavík still maintains its old world charm and visitors will have the opportunity to experience Icelandic life untouched by commercialism.
Finally there’s Finland. Hundreds of thousands of islands and lakes beckon to be explored. Helsinki or Helsingfors is the capital. Founded in 1550, the “Daughter of the Baltic” has been the Finnish capital since 1812, when it was rebuilt by the tsars of Russia along the lines of St Petersburg. Today, Helsinki is a vibrant metropolis with a charming a small-town feel. The best time to visit is in summer, when Finns peel off their overcoats and flock to outdoor bars and cafes to enjoy
the sunshine.
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