Norway

Architecture & design exhibit DETOUR in New York  

Detour is open at Parsons New School for Design in New York, through January 19, 2010. Along the fjords, waterfalls, mountains, coasts and countryside of Norway run 18 National Tourist Routes. Close to 200 architectural projects have sprung up along these routes, in the form of exciting and scenic stopping points, and observation platforms. Scanam World Tours offer a tour where you'll follow the famous National Scenic Routes. Photo credit: Trollstigen, Turistvegprosjektet

Christmas in Norway

Experience Norwegian Christmas traditions by visiting a Christmas market in Oslo or the Gingerbread Town in Bergen, shopping at the Christmas House in Drøbak or at the year-round Christmas Shop at Hadeland Glassworks. Catch a glimpse of the magical Northern Lights. According to Travel & Leisure Magazine, December 2009; Tromsø is one of the best places in the world to spend Christmas. In the meantime; Create your own Northern Lights here! Photo credit: Beitostølen, Thomas Skyum, Innovation Norway

Norway-The Best Destination in the World

Norway was rated by National Geographic Traveler as the Best Destination in the World. “If you have only a vague sense of Norway as fjords, cruise ships, snowflake sweaters, and dried fish, it’s long past time to update the internal wiki”. Norway, as the talented cover blurb writers at National Geographic Adventure recently put it, is Europe’s Next Adrenaline Capital. “In fact, Norway will blow you away with its beauty, it’s open space, and, most of all, its potential for adventure”, writes Steve Casimiro.
Read his article here. Photo credit: Steve Casimiro

Sweden

Christmas spirit in Stockholm

Christmas spirit: It is snow-clad rooftops, mulled wine, markets and concerts, streets with Christmas lighting and shopping. Go skating in Kungsträdgården, don’t miss the Christmas buffet cruises, Lucia Day celebrations on December 13, as well as traditional and somewhat untraditional Christmas markets from November 27 – December 23: www.stockholmtown.com, Image: Christmas market Old Town
Photo/copyright: Henrik Trygg/www.imagebank.sweden.se

Christmas at Liseberg

On 13 November around five million Christmas lights are lit in Liseberg, the greatest amusement park in Scandinavia. This is the place to experience a genuine old-fashioned Christmas market, complete with Ice Bar, sing-alongs and funny rides. www.goteborg.com
Image: Christmas Liseberg, Photo/copyright: Johan Palmborg/www.imagebanksweden.se

Love Stockholm 2010 – a fortnight of celebrations

On 19 June, the marriage between Crown Princess Victoria and Mr. Daniel Westling will take place in Stockholm.“Love Stockholm 2010” will commence with the inauguration at Sweden’s annual National Day Celebration, 6 June. The party then continues the following two weeks, peaking on the Royal Wedding Day. Image: Crown Princess Victoria and Mr. Daniel Westling, Photo: Leif R. Jansson Copyright: Leif R. Jansson/Scanpix www.imagebank.sweden.se

Denmark

The Little Mermaid, Here and There
Copenhagen’s famous statue of the Little Mermaid will be taking a vacation from her post in the harbor and traveling to World Expo 2010 in Shanghai from May through December 2010. But visitors to Denmark won’t miss her too much—they can visit her "sister" instead as Edvard Eriksen, who sculpted the Little Mermaid (using his wife as the model) in 1913, made a copy of the original. Read more about The Little Mermaid in Tivoli Gardens.

Jacob Holdt Turns His Lens on America

For 40 years, Danish photographer Jacob Holdt has photographed the flipside of the American dream—exposing urban life and struggles. Holdt’s remarkable photos, from the 1970s to the present are the subject of "Faith, Hope and Love—Jacob Holdt’s America" at the Louisiana Museum of Art. Visitors with cell phones can dial in to hear Holdt narrate the stories behind some of them. Through February 7. Read more about Jacob Holdt's lens on America.

Oprah gets happy

In October 2009, TV host Oprah Winfrey visited Copenhagen and discovered why Denmark is considered the happiest nation on earth. She praised the Danes’ environmental consciousness; excellent education, maternity leave, healthcare, social programs and rugbrød — the dark Danish rye bread that sums up life in Denmark: natural, unpretentious and cozy. Read more about Oprah and the Happy Danes.

Finland
Christmas markets in Finland
Picturesque Christmas markets fill the towns small and large in Finland in December. In Helsinki for example the Women's Christmas Market and the St Thomas Christmas Market offer a great variety of products including jewelry, knits, carpets, ceramics, leather and woodwork, clothing, baked goods and Christmas treats and decorations.
Please read more here.

Opening ceremony of the Snow Castle in Kemi

The Snow Castle by the Gulf of Bothnia is a true showcase of architectonic snow-work of the local constructors. Great light-effects will add to the charm of the snow- and ice-sculpting as well as to the structures of the Snow Castle. Please read more here.

New ways to experience the Northern Lights in Finland

The season for aurora watching is from September to March: Igloo Village Kakslauttanen near Ivalo pioneered the use of the glass igloo accommodation to enjoy this amazing phenomenon. This season they have introduced the Sky Panorama Bus. For trill seekers try a snowmobile “Aurora” Safari in Kemi. Or simply admire the Aurora Borealis from your private hot tub in one of the high class hotels above the Arctic Circle. Please read more here.


Iceland

We’ll Leave the Lights on For You –

Winter is the best time to see the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, and there are tours catering to those who hope to view this gorgeous celestial display flickering in the starry sky. The cozy 32-roomNorthern Light Inn, 30-minutes from the capital city of Reykjavik, is the perfect location to view the aurora. It offers low winter rates and shuttles to the nearby Blue Lagoon.

Steamy Winter Fun

Nature’s hot tubs are best experienced with the delicious contrast of cold air and hot, cozy water. The city of Reykjavik operates seven thermal pools, all with changing rooms, lockers, showers.The biggest thermal pool of them all, the Blue Lagoon, is the country’s most popular destination. You can get married there with your face smeared in white mud, attend rock concerts, have a business conference, eat fresh local gourmet cuisine, or just chillax.

Cooler than Cool

Ten percent of the country is covered in glaciers, including both the largest glacier in Europe, and the only glaciers that sit atop volcanoes. The best time to visit is from mid-February to mid-July when the surface is more stable. Guides can also arrange cross-country ski trips, or for speed freaks, drive-it-yourself snowmobile tours.