Category: Northern Europe

Iceland is a country in Europe widely known for its beautiful glaciers and unmatched anywhere else in the world. It has an estimated population of over 300,000 people as of 2009. The language spoken in Iceland is Icelandic with a few other dialects in the small towns. Its capital city is known as Reykjavik and is much smaller in both population and size compared to other big European cities like Rome and Paris.

There are numerous places to spend your vacation or holiday but first you must grasp some travel facts before packing your bags. The best places for you to travel Iceland are found outside the cities where there are serene environments to be enjoyed throughout the day. If flying to Iceland for a short holiday, you can spend it anywhere as you will be there only for a short time. Always remember to have with you a good travel insurance cover as it is the only form of protection you can have away from home.

The main currency in Iceland is the kroner. You can always change your currency to the kroner from most local and international banks at competitive exchange rates. This is always important as most places accept payments only in the kroner. There are a few places where payments can be made in other major currencies but one should not rely on such places as things can change any minute.

Tourist destination are more than enough in Iceland and with a map of Iceland with you, you can get confused with where to start from. There are lakes, rivers, beautifulglaciers and awesome to look at waterfalls in different regions of the country. The longest water fall in Iceland is the Botnsa waterfall in Glymur falling at a remarkable height of 190 meters. The tallest mountain is Mount Hvannadalshnjúkurstanding at 2119 m. the largest glacier is the Vatnajökull glacier stretching 8300 km2 wide. These are just but a few tourist destination sites in Iceland. More information can be found at the Iceland tourism board.

Iceland experiences the four common seasons like any other European country. They are summer, autumn, winter and spring. Summers are generally cool and sunny with little or no showers at all. Winter on the other hand are very cold and can be extremely wet and damp sometimes. Spring is normally the best season to travel to Iceland as you can have the best time around with little or no fears of the weather.

If you do not enjoy sightseeing or travelling around the country, there are good theatres and museums in the city where you can have wonderful time by yourself and other theatre lovers. You can also go skiing or take a walk around the city and interact with the city dwellers. Some of them understand English and can converse pretty well with you in broken or perfect English. Language should be the least of your worries as most tour guides speak good English and can help you with the conversations. If you want to travel Europe then you can’t miss out Iceland as part of this experience.

Finland. It is the home of Nokia, Santa Claus, and the only country in the world that broadcasts its news in Latin!… And it is better seeing the place than just reading about it! When you travel Finland, its wonderfully eclectic culture and biodiversity can fascinate even the most fastidious of travellers!

Finland is situated in the northern part of Europe, and a map of Finland will reveal the country to be richly blessed with lakes and other bodies of water with more than 180,000 lakes! It even houses Europe’s fourth largest lake, Saimaa. It’s a Nordic country and it is officially known as the Republic of Finland, and its long history reveals that this water- laden country used to a part of Sweden. The country is largely agrarian, and its forest is one of the major sources of income, hardly surprising, really, with approximately more than 70% of Finland covered in trees and shrubs! It’s a veritable wilderness that is as strong as the spirit of the country is represents! Despite of its forests and mirror- smooth waters, it’s a nation whose bustling capital is as technologically advanced as the rest of the world!

Going to Finland on a holiday or vacation will be worth all the time and effort; one can feel the serenity and revitalizing atmosphere so much that all the stresses and hassles of everything you have left behind on another country just drains away. Take a trip to Lemmenjoki National Park and Oulanka National Park and hike through their treks, you’ll really appreciate the beauty and power of nature in the imposing heights of the conifers and clarity of the lakes, you’ll even get to see Finland’s national Bird, the Whooper swan!

For those who simply cannot let go of the city nightlife and all its excitement, then Corona Bar & Ka?e Mockba might just be the place for you! It is located in the city centre and is run by two of the most unique film makers in the industry! It has pool tables, dens and plenty of beer. It’s a great way to unwind after that long trek in the woods. If you’re feeling spoiled and you have that extra cash to spend for an exceptional bar experience, the Arctic Ice bar can cater to you. It’s expensive, but rightfully so with everything, from tables, bar, chairs all carved from ice! Plus, you get to wear a nice fluffy parka to keep you warm while sipping at your drink.

For individuals who prefer a *quieter* night out in Finland, then travel to Telakka in Tampere, its theatre offers its patrons with an inventive menu, theatre performances, and a bohemian air that can let you cut loose without losing your poise…or your consciousness!

When you travel Finland in June, be sure to drop by Olavinlinna Castle which is considered as the most outstanding and remarkable castle in North of Europe! By this month, you may be fortunate to catch some opera stars rehearsing for the Savonlinna Opera Festival which is celebrated the whole month!

Denmark is a land of rich history, fascinating monarchy and magnificent terrain. When you travel Denmark, one cannot help but be enthralled with the menagerie of places and hot spots to go to! Going around the area with a map of Denmark in hand is a great method for selecting the best sites to go to by highlighting the areas you want to visit, and before doing so, you can check out the great travel spots on the web and ask around for the most interesting sites.

The country is Scandinavian and sits at the Northern portion of Europe. It sports a temperate climate, which means no extremes of temperature all year round. Although their autumn is their wettest season, so one would think twice about traveling to the country walking in soggy socks and shoes. The place is ranked as one of the countries with the lowest unemployment rates and with this, you can expect very happy people, in fact, Denmark is statistically one of the happiest countries in the world! It’s also home to so many world wonders like the Viking boat burials, the bog mummies, and magnificent castles that simply take your breath away! It’s like living the fairy-tale only it’s real! Spending your holiday and vacation here are well worth the trip!

Copenhagen is Denmark’s capital, it boasts of cafes and restaurants that serve you with Denmark’s finest cuisine. Their cuisine, like any other Nordic nation, their meals consist primarily of fish and meat. Foods will include rye bread sandwiches and the main food of the day called Frokost that features smoked eel and pickled herring. One can also enjoy Copenhagen’s cold roast beef or liver pate with bacon and mushrooms. If you’re out to taste the best of Denmark, then opt top go out in the evenings and enjoy their Middag, the largest meal for the day that’s made of meat with plenty of rich gravy with boiled potatoes, pasta or rice.

Aside form the food, Copenhagen can offer the tourist more exciting places to go to. Downtown Centrum is the “Historical Center” of Copenhagen and is filled with splendid church spires, excellent shopping options, and historic buildings. Vesterbro is one cool district which has transformed tremendously over the years. Christianshaven is a neighborhood known for its canals.

Another interesting fact about Copenhagen is that it is the leader in the Bright Green Environmental Movement in Denmark and was cited as the key Cleantech cluster by Clean Edge.

Denmark has also contributed greatly to the world in terms of fashion, architecture, and graphic design, their flawless craftsmanship are exhibited in Denmark’s castles, paintings, artifacts, and buildings!

Denmark’s rolling plains is also an irresistible invitation to nature lovers. Its ground has been renowned for its burial rites and historic bog people, mummies which have been preserved by the high acid levels of the bog. Denmark’s castles are a major tourist attraction, too. You can’t help but feel awed by the sheer size and magnificence of these architectural wonders.