Oslo, Norway - Copenhagen, Denmark 13 days trip

About Oslo

It unfolds in the shape of a horseshoe and overlooks about 40 islands that surround the “Sentrum – the city center. And in the background the mountains rise above the city covered with woods and forests and lakes, truly unforgettable views. Like most capital cities in the world, Oslo has many fascinating museums, art galleries, shops, restaurants as well as cruises that sail between the islands in the fjords.

It unfolds in the shape of a horseshoe and overlooks about 40 islands that surround the “Sentrum – the city center. And in the background the mountains rise above the city covered with woods and forests and lakes, truly unforgettable views. Like most capital cities in the world, Oslo has many fascinating museums, art galleries, shops, restaurants as well as cruises that sail between the islands in the fjords.

The city has managed to blend together the “old with the new” and thus the new neighborhoods with modern architecture fit in harmoniously with the historical buildings of the older parts of the city.  Many of the city's main attractions are concentrated in the center and are easily reachable and convenient to get to by foot, or one can easily take advantage of the efficient public transportation system. To get to main attractions, shopping, pubs and restaurants one can follow the main street - Karl Johans Gate, which starts at the Oslo Central Station and reaches the Royal Palace (Slott Kongelige Det) on the other side, passing the Oslo Cathedral which was refurbished and preserved from the late 1600’s. As well, as you continue, you will see Norway's special parliament building “Stortinge” and its well-kept gardens. Adjacent to them is the Spikersuppa Ice Skating Rink (free and open usually from the end of November – to the end of February). There is more to the Nasjonalgalleriet (National Gallery) than Edvard Munch’s icon painting "The Scream"!  It is now, after extensive renovations and updates, the largest gallery in all the Nordic countries. From the rooftop you have an incredible view of the Rådhusplassen (city hall square), the fjord and the popular Aker Brygge in the Sentrum area, known for its renovated pier, where entertainment and good food is the rigor of the day.  Oslo’s City Hall Rådhuset, where the annual Nobel Peace Prize is awarded is not only the seat of the city council but has the largest carillon in the Scandinavian countries. Down the street, in student park, Studenterlunden, in front of the National Theatre building, is a (well-deserved) statue of the playwright known as the father of realism, the playwright Henrik Ibsen.  There are a number of fascinating museums here, including the Kon-Tiki Museum, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, the Viking Ship Museum, the Fram Museum and the Norwegian Folk Museum (Norskfolke), which is a wonderful open-air museum displaying over 150 traditional houses from around Norway.  The Viking ship Museum (Vikingskipshuset) displays Viking ships that were discovered in various archeological excavations and have been masterfully preserved. The Kon-Tiki Museum displays maps and vessels from the expedition by the same name – which was a fascinating sea voyage on a raft from South America to Polynesia in 1947, which was led by Thor Heyerdahl.  A ship that is a museum! The Fram Museum Oslo is the actual ship that sailed with the Norwegian crew to explore the Arctic and Antarctic regions.  The Bygdøy Peninsula, on the western side of Oslo, has a large public park established by King Karl Johan and is a popular place for recreation and outdoor activities, especially during the spring and summer seasons. As well there are many museums of interest and the port area and the waterfront of the fjord have many exciting attractions in the city. The Akershus Fortress or Akershus Castle stands on the eastern side of the fjord, a medieval castle built as a residence and as a fortress. There is a magnificent view of the city as well where you can watch the ceremony of changing of the guard.  Towering over the harbor is Oslo's red-brick Rådhuset (Oslo City Hall) where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded.  The city hall, with its picture-windows offering a view of the harbor has alternating art exhibitions on the walls, with murals from everyday life. Next to the City Hall is the Nobel Peace Center, with a permanent exhibition of all the who were awarded the prize as well as temporary exhibitions. Further along, on the west side, is  Aker's Brygge pier (mentioned above) which overlooks the fjord as well as the impressive Akerschus medieval castle/fortress )Akershus Festning) from the early 14th century. The castle was eventually refurbished and renovated to make it suitable as a royal residence-a modern Renaissance castle for King Christian IV (1588-1648). At the end of the pier, on the banks of the fjord, is an unusual architectural structure, the privately owned Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art.  Then, if you’re looking for a grand view of the fjord and the city, go down to the southern end, make sure to take your camera and go up to the roof (which is known to be public space) of the Oslo Opera House. This unique building is home to the Norwegian opera and ballet companies. It was designed to look like a white glacier, either sliding into the fjord or arising from the fjord. On the eastern side of the Opera House, you have the Stenersen Museum of Fine Arts together with the Munch Museum. To the west of the city is the Frognerparken (Frogner Park) with more than 200 bronze and granite sculptures by Gustav Vigeland.  The sculpture garden is in the center of Frogner Manor, which is in the southern area of the park where you’ll also find the Oslo Museum. The Holmenkollen Mountain is a resort area and the 500-meter ski slope is a popular site for international competitions from the 19th century to this day. Holmenkollen is also a residential neighborhood and you can also visit the Ski Museum with the same name, being the oldest such museum in the world.  You can take the elevator to the top of the springboard from which skiers jump and “on a clear day, you can see forever”. North of Holmenkollen, Oslomarka's enchanting forests from the nearby Oslomarka are spread out, allowing for hiking trails into nature adorned with spectacular views Oslo's hidden attraction: Enjoy the eight-km walk along The Akerselva River, which flows through the whole city and into the Oslo fjord. The trail will take you through woods, parks, past waterfalls and over many bridges. The area where old factory buildings stood, getting its energy and being fueled by the many waterfalls, is now a trendy, popular place to get together in the cafes, restaurants, pubs with live music, galleries etc. Kodak Moment: One of the most photographed attractions is a one hundred and fifty-year old chain bridge. A “warning inscription” on one of the posts of the bridge reads:  "100 men I can carry, but l collapse from rhythmic marching." Open year-round and free, on top of a hill, overlooking the east bank of the fiord is the Sculpture Park Ekebergparken, which is also a national heritage park. Trees and natural vegetation make for a magical background, sharing the grounds with unusual works of art by internationally renowned artists.  Grünerløkka neighborhood fondly referred to as "Løkka" by the residents, was originally a working-class suburb and today it is a vibrant and exciting area, the buildings in the neighborhood have been renovated and vintage shops, second-hand shops, designer shops, galleries and cafes fill its streets and many artists have taken over. Grünerløkka is ”the soho” of Oslo wandering the neighborhood, shopping, dining, window-shopping or shopping you will enjoy being in its special ambiance  Oslo and music are synonyms! The city hosts hundreds of concerts and music festivals throughout the year, especially in the summer. Oslo is a city for everyone – you’ll find everything you could possibly dream of for the perfect vacation: culture, nature, special attractions and warm hospitality!

About Stockholm

The Stockholm Archipelago is the capital city of Sweden and is made up of fourteen islands (and about 50 bridges). It is the largest archipelago in the country and has gained the moniker “the Venice of the North”.  It is in the southwestern region of Sweden, situated where Lake Mälaren meets up with the Baltic Sea.

The Stockholm Archipelago is the capital city of Sweden and is made up of fourteen islands (and about 50 bridges). It is the largest archipelago in the country and has gained the moniker “the Venice of the North”.  It is in the southwestern region of Sweden, situated where Lake Mälaren meets up with the Baltic Sea.

The city has riveting and diverse landscapes which were sculpted over the centuries, with modern architecture stretching out between the blue waters of the Baltic Sea and the green lungs scattered across the islands. The beauty of the natural landscape complements the green forests in the perimeter of the city, a city that is known for its cleanliness and stylish modern buildings. Be ready when touring to capture the spectacular views, the quaint towns, the incredible monuments, castles, sculptures and the enchanting sceneries around every corner. A great place to start is on Södermalm Island on the northern cliff, where you can capture a stunning panoramic view of the city from the observation deck on Fjällgatan Street.  Like many European cities, Stockholm has its very own Old Town (Gamla Stan) which is where Stockholm was founded in the mid-13th century! It is on the island of Stadsholmen and three smaller islands – Helgeandsholmen, Riddarholmen and Strömsborg.  A labyrinth of narrow cobbled alleys and streets with picturesque houses painted in earthy colors make Stortoget -the main city square - a magnet for tourists. While there, you can visit, within walking distance, both the Baroque style Royal Palace (Kungliga Slottet) which is Europe’s largest palace, as well as the Gothic style splendid Royal Chapel (Storkyrkan) with the iconic statue of St. George and the dragon. Not all, but some areas of the palace complex are open to visitors, including the royal apartments and the treasury room which is where the royal family crowns are stored. As well, there are two museums in the palace; the Museum of Antiquities where the assemblage of classical sculptures collected by King Gustav III are on display, then in the basement of the palace visit the Museum Three Crowns (Tre Kronor), devoted to tell the story of the original Kronor Palace before a fire at the end of the 17th century destroyed it. For those who love ceremonies, there is the daily, traditional exchanging of the guards at noon.  The Old Town is very trendy and is packed with cafes, restaurants, galleries, shops and museums, including the Nobel Prize Museum and the Post Office Museum. You will see some of the most beautiful monuments and statues on one of the smaller islands mentioned above. At Riddarholmskyrkan you have the Statue of St. George, Evert Taube Statue, Birger Jarls, Iron Boy - Boy watching the moon and more. The Riddarholmen Church (1632) is the only preserved medieval abbey in Sweden and is the place for burial of Swedish Kings (with the exception of Queen Christina). If you look opposite the Church there is a magnificent baroque building, the Riddarhuset Knights' Hall, which holds and protects the historical items and artefacts  of the Swedish knights’ families.   One of the city’s most distinctive landmarks is the building of Stockholm City Hall (Stockholms stadshus).  Besides offices and conference rooms there are ceremonial halls, in particular, the Golden Hallas and the Blue Hall, which is the venue for the Nobel Prize banquet. About eight million red bricks were used to construct the building and you can get your “Kodak Moment’ if you get to the top of its 106-meter-tall tower which can be seen from near and far. Especially visible is The Three Crowns on top of the tower, a symbol for Sweden. There is a museum about half way up where you’ll find the blueprints and sketches of the makings of the City Hall. The building was constructed between 1911-1923 and is on the shores of Lake Mälaren.  Note about the red bricks: The red bricks used are what is called “Monks Bricks” because monasteries and churches were traditionally built from this kind of brick. On the island of Djurgården you have the “The Vasa (maritime) Museum” which holds its prized treasure - a 17th century 64-gun warship. It was found, rescued and is now on display in all its glory, telling the stories of the ship’s crew!  The island is also home to the Skansen open-air museum. Skansen was founded at the end of the 19th century. Historical buildings were dismantled from different places and then brought to Skansen to reassemble them and create a replica. The people of the town are adorned in period costumes to complete the atmosphere making you feel as if you have travelled back in time! Enjoy the Swedish way of life and culture on this island, as well as exploring what was once the hunting grounds for the royal family. During the summer get ready to participate in the various workshops, attend concerts and festivals and take time out to have fun at the Grona Lund amusement park, the zoo and aquarium – great adventures for the whole family.   The Segels Torg Square has lively streets around it as well as the Kulturhuset Cultural House for you to wander around and take a break or go for a fika!What is “Fika’ you ask?  If you want to “feel Swedish” then get up and get some company to go together for a fika (or a fik). A coffee break? Not just a coffee break – it is more like a traditional ritual - like ‘Afternoon Tea in the UK” or “Japanese tea ceremony”. If you take a coffee break at your desk at work – that is not a Fika! If you are standing outside with a cigarette and a cup of coffee – that is not a Fika. The Swedes feel one has to make time, stop and regroup and socialize. So find a charming café or bakery and be one of the gang! Stockholm also offers attractions of spectacular nature, embraced by forests adorned with flora and fauna. About 20 km south of Stockholm you will reach Tyresta National Park and Nature Reserve which includes ancient forests, lakes to swim in, berry fields (where you can pick during berry season) and unusual plants and animals.  A bustling market is held on weekends in the Hornstull neighborhood, which is west of Södermalm Island. The bustling and picturesque market stretches along the promenade next to the beach and you can go window-shopping or buy antiques and Art, second-hand “stuff” and vintage everything in the colorful stalls! As well they offer activities for the whole family including fishing, canoeing, sailing, golfing and island hopping by boat.  Stockholm, Solna and Lidingo are home to the Royal National City Park (Kungliga nationalstadsparken) and in the Solna district, you have Haga Parken (or just Haga) which has more than the expected forests, expansive greenery and a lake. First of all, the Royal Burial Ground where some ancestors of the Swedish royal family were laid to rest is in Haga since 1922. As well there is the Haga Palace, King Gustav III's Pavilion, the Chinese Pavilion, the Haga Ekoto Temple, the Turkish Kiosk, the Copper Tents and Butterfly House. There is so much to see and experience! Situated in the midst of Stockholm Archipelago, is the island and islets called Värmdö. In the center of the island is the museum Artipelag, a cultural and artistic center, surrounded by a nature and hiking trail with breathtaking views. The museum exhibits present-day modern art and culture with a waterside restaurant for enjoyment and relaxation. A visit to the museum and a tour of its magical territory is a must.Note:  Artipelag, is a combination of the word Art and Archipelago. The museum has art exhibits, inspiring workshops and good food!

About Lund

Lund is a city in southern Sweden. Along with Sigtuna, Lund is one of the oldest cities in present-day Sweden, believed to have been founded around 990. Several medieval buildings remain from the old town, including Lund Cathedral, Liberiet, the restaurant Stäket and parts of the Cathedral School. Lund hosts the largest open-air museum of Scania - Kulturen, which has large collections on Scanian art, crafts. local archaeology and history. The Lund carnival has been held every four years since the mid-nineteenth century. Arranged students from the local university. it is midway between a music and stage fair, a city festival, and an outpouring of satire, parody and general madness.

Lund is a city in southern Sweden. Along with Sigtuna, Lund is one of the oldest cities in present-day Sweden, believed to have been founded around 990. Several medieval buildings remain from the old town, including Lund Cathedral, Liberiet, the restaurant Stäket and parts of the Cathedral School. Lund hosts the largest open-air museum of Scania - Kulturen, which has large collections on Scanian art, crafts. local archaeology and history. The Lund carnival has been held every four years since the mid-nineteenth century. Arranged students from the local university. it is midway between a music and stage fair, a city festival, and an outpouring of satire, parody and general madness.

About Vejle

Vejle is a town in Denmark, in the southeast of the Jutland Peninsula, the head of Vejle Fjord, where the Vejle and Grejs Rivers and their valleys converge. The city is most known for its forested hills, fjord, harbour, shopping, pedestrian mall, and iconic windmill. Vejle is known regionally as a vibrant shopping town with a wide and varied offering of both chain and specialty shops, primarily located along the city's central pedestrian mall with Two shopping centres, Bryggen and Mary's also available.

Vejle is a town in Denmark, in the southeast of the Jutland Peninsula, the head of Vejle Fjord, where the Vejle and Grejs Rivers and their valleys converge. The city is most known for its forested hills, fjord, harbour, shopping, pedestrian mall, and iconic windmill. Vejle is known regionally as a vibrant shopping town with a wide and varied offering of both chain and specialty shops, primarily located along the city's central pedestrian mall with Two shopping centres, Bryggen and Mary's also available.

About Esbjerg

Esbjerg is a seaport town on the west coast of the Jutland peninsula in southwest Denmark. The town has several notable museums and entertainment venues, including Esbjerg Art Museum, Esbjerg Museum and the privately owned Fisheries and Maritime Museum which has a saltwater aquarium and a sealarium as well as indoor and outdoor exhibitions. Other landmarks in town include the Esbjerg Water Tower, the Man Meets the Sea monument and The Courthouse on the main square.

Esbjerg is a seaport town on the west coast of the Jutland peninsula in southwest Denmark. The town has several notable museums and entertainment venues, including Esbjerg Art Museum, Esbjerg Museum and the privately owned Fisheries and Maritime Museum which has a saltwater aquarium and a sealarium as well as indoor and outdoor exhibitions. Other landmarks in town include the Esbjerg Water Tower, the Man Meets the Sea monument and The Courthouse on the main square.

About Copenhagen

Copenhagen is the capital and most populated city of Denmark. The inner city of Copenhagen features many of Copenhagen's most popular monuments and attractions and the city's most distinctive district is Frederiksstaden, with the Amalienborg Palace at its centre. Copenhagen also serves as the cultural hub of Denmark and wider Scandinavia with a wide array of museums and a significant jazz scene. Strøget, a popular shopping area, hosts many street performers in the late afternoon and evening. Copenhagen is home to the two oldest amusement parks in the world - Dyrehavsbakken and Tivoli Gardens. The city also has many restaurants and bars with nightclub staing open until 5 or 6 in the morning.

Copenhagen is the capital and most populated city of Denmark. The inner city of Copenhagen features many of Copenhagen's most popular monuments and attractions and the city's most distinctive district is Frederiksstaden, with the Amalienborg Palace at its centre. Copenhagen also serves as the cultural hub of Denmark and wider Scandinavia with a wide array of museums and a significant jazz scene. Strøget, a popular shopping area, hosts many street performers in the late afternoon and evening. Copenhagen is home to the two oldest amusement parks in the world - Dyrehavsbakken and Tivoli Gardens. The city also has many restaurants and bars with nightclub staing open until 5 or 6 in the morning.