Iceland
Reykjavik Food & Fun Festival February 24-28

Fresh Icelandic ingredients, special restaurant menus & an international Chef competition – the perfect recipe for FUN! For food lovers in the know, Iceland is an up and coming culinary destination where freshness is key. The annual Food & Fun Festival draws international chefs to collaborate on special restaurant menus throughout Reykjavik and to participate in a competition where the only rule is – Icelandic ingredients only! For more information please click here.

Lonely Planet names Iceland one of 2010's Best Value Destinations.
In Lonely Planet’s fifth annual collection of the best places to go and the best things to do around the world for the year, Iceland is one of only 10 countries or cities considered a “Best Value” destination for 2010. It shares the list with London, Las Vegas, and Thailand. Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2010 captures the world’s hottest travel trends, bringing together the expertise of Lonely Planet authors, staff and travelers. You can read the announcement here.

Holt on.
We stopped the presses for this one: The Hotel Holt, located in a quiet but central street in the old town of Reykjavík, is offering one of the best deals we have seen in recent memory. A double room is only $125 per night, and a single with a queen sized bed just $90 from January though March of 2010. The deal even includes the Value Added Tax and breakfast buffet. The Holt has Iceland´s largest private art collection adorning the walls. Please click here for more information.


Norway

Create your own Northern Lights
Now you can create your own Aurora Borealis, against a fairytale Norwegian backdrop at http://visitnorway.com/us/mynorthernlights. Paint the sky with your mouse to create your own Aurora Borealis, then share with your friends via Twitter, Facebook or email. The micro-site also includes useful destination information as well as special offers from our travel partners. To learn more about Northern Lights click here.

NY Times picks Norway as one of 31 places to visit in 2010
The NY Times article underscores Norway’s position as atop destination: “With an acclaimed new opera house and plenty of high-end dining options, Oslo is already a must-visit urban destination. But this year the focus should be on the wilds of the Norwegian countryside. With its dazzling Nordic light and dramatic landscape, Norway is perhaps the most unexplored and exotic corner of Europe.”

Hurtigruten – Theme cruises
Hurtigruten offers a broad variety of theme cruises in 2010, among them: Northern Lights cruises-a Edvarg Grieg themed cruise - Birdwatching along the Nordic Coast– The Ice Breakers/Norwegian polar heroes, Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen – and Tastes and Sounds of the Fjords; combining concerts, cooking classes, and wine tasting. Go to Hurtigruten.us for more information.

Sweden

Stockholm in the Millennium thrillers’ footsteps
Are you a fan of Stieg Larsson’s fiction trilogy about journalist Mikael Blomkvist and computer hacker Lisbeth Salander? Experience Stockholm from the characters' perspective. The last book in the Millennium trilogy, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest will be published by Alfred A. Knopf May 25, 2010.
Image: Millennium Tour, Bellmansgatan
Photo/copyright: Frederic Reglain/www.imagebank.sweden.se

Gothenburg to host Exhibition of Three Renaissance Rivals
Master works by the Italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael will be displayed in a first-time exhibition this spring in Gothenburg, Sweden. The exhibit “And There Was Light” will open on March 20 and run through August 15 as part of a world tour. Image: Poseidon statue Photo: Kjell Holmner Copyright: Kjell Holmner/Goteborg & Company/www.imagebank.sweden.se

Dog sledding in northern Sweden
The wilderness around Jukkasjärvi in northern Sweden is a landscape without roads. Experience the dream-like sensation of being close to everything – animals, snow and nature – with yourself at the center of it all. In winter there are several dog sledding tours to choose from in Jukkasjärvi, every day. Read all about it: www.icehotel.com.
Image: Dogs Photo/copyright: Peter Grand www.imagebank.sweden.se
For more info about Sweden: www.visitsweden.com

Denmark

Special happiness vacation offer
Enjoy an extra helping of happiness with the “Happiest Nation on Earth” packages! Several studies name Danes as the happiest people in the world. Now you too can enjoy happiness! The Copenhagen getaway presents your choice of perks that’ll make you happy: drinks at the ICEBAR CPH, an elegant three-course dinner, champagne & strawberries, and much more… Go toHappiness package to book your vacation.

New non-stop routes to Copenhagen
Are you planning a summer vacation in Denmark? Now you’ll have even more flights to choose from! Delta Air Lines will begin new non-stop service between New York (JFK) and Copenhagen on May 27, 2010. Flying from Canada? As the only airline in Canada, Air Canada will begin non-stop, daily flights between Toronto and Copenhagen on June 24, 2010. Go ahead, book your ticket and get ready for your next Denmark vacation!

Copenhagen among the top 5 destinations in the world!
New York Times recently ranked Copenhagen as one of the top 5 destinations to go to in 2010! Why? “The Danish capital has already emerged as one of the world’s greenest – and maybe coolest – cities. Copenhageners don’t simply preach the “progressive city” ethos, they live it.” Go to New York Times to read the full article or to learn more about Copenhagen click here.


Finland

Finlandia Ski Marathon in Lahti February 27th-28th
The 37th annual Finlandia Ski Race attracts over 5,000 skiers from all over the world. Skiers can opt for the classical 32km and 50km events or for the free style 50km and 20km. The start and finish will be at the Lahti Ski Stadium. The enthusiasm for cross-country skiing shows good rising. At the moment there are already 2500 skiers registered to 2010 Finlandia ski marathon. Please click here for more information.

Turku Jazz in Turku March 11th-14th
Welcome to the second oldest jazz happening in Finland! Performers at this unique city celebration will be leading Finnish jazz musicians and special international guests with concerts held in restaurants and other venues in the heart of the city.
Please click here for more information.


The European Championship in Snowball Battle
Kemijärvi will host the 15th European Championship Yukigassen tournament. This sport of Snowball Battle takes place on a specially marked field (or court) with rules and referees. Collect a small group of friends and come to play. Please click here for more information.