Sweden

Eco-Friendly Stockholm Wins First Ever European Green Capital Award 2010
Travelers seeking to put a “greener” emphasis on their travels may now want to move Stockholm to the top of their list. In March, Sweden’s environmentally-friendly capital won the first European Green Capital Award juried by the European Commission. The Green Capital Award 2010 recognizes Stockholm for its stellar success in improving the global environment. Photo: Boat ride Photographer: Bo Lind, Copyright: VisitSweden www.imagebank.sweden.se

Way Out West, music festival in Gothenburg August 14 and 15.
Sweden’s Way Out West festival has already earned its place as one of the 20 best festivals in Europe. For two days, the city’s beautiful central park, Slottsskogen, will be home to an impressive line of national and international music bands. Another major draw at Way Out West is the outstanding regional foods. Most notably fresh seafood.  www.goteborg.com. Photo: Poseidon statue, Photographer Kjell Holmner, Copyright: K Holmner + Goteborg.com, www.imagebank.sweden.se

Stockholm in Millennium thrillers’ footsteps
Author Stieg Larsson’s three Millennium books about the journalist Mikael Blomkvist and computer hacker Lisbeth Salander have been translated into more than 40 languages and read by tens of millions world over. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, received the Glass Key award for best Nordic thriller. The Girl Who Played with Fire - Best Swedish Thriller in 2006. Experience Stockholm from Salander and Blomkvists perspective. Photo: Millenium, Photographer + copyright: Frederic Reglain

Denmark

Castle Culture in Denmark
As Europe’s oldest continuous monarchy, Denmark is dotted with beautiful castles. Among the prettiest is Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød. Built for King Christian IV in the early 1600s, the castle’s beautiful location, ornate interiors and collections of paintings, furniture and fine objects make it a favorite day-trip from Copenhagen. Summer is an ideal time to visit and relax in the castle’s glorious baroque gardens. Royal palaces near Copenhagen. Photo: Frederiksborg Castle

Copenhagen events and great offers
Enjoy the many events in and around Copenhagen in the summertime. July brings two major musical events: Copenhagen Jazz Festival with indoor and outdoor concerts, and Roskilde Festival, Northern Europe’s biggest rock festival. In August, get a taste of Scandinavian cuisine at the Copenhagen Cooking Festival, and experience Danish design at the first-ever Danish Design Week. Find great offers for Copenhagen vacations at our Expedia special feature.  Photo: Danish food.

Fantastic SAS summer deals
Make it a truly Scandinavian vacation – at a great price! Scandinavian Airlines is offering great deals from the US to Scandinavia for travel this summer. It’s amazingly affordable to fly in Scandinavian comfort and style to visit Denmark during the most beautiful time of the year. Book now to get your preferred dates at a price you’ll love too. Go to SAS summer deals. Photo: SAS

Finland

Summer events and festivals in Finland.
Thousands of events and festivals take place in Finland during the main festival season in the summer. Events range from jazz, rock, classical, dance, visual arts, opera to more eccentric events like wife carrying contest. The Helsinki Festival is the biggest of the lot: it’s held in the capital from mid-August every year. For more information about events in Finland click here. 

Explore Finland’s Coastline.
A combination of beautiful island landscapes and a string of fascinating and welcoming ports of call make the coastline of southern Finland a unique cruise route, from the western Åland archipelago, through the past and present apitals of Turku and Helsinki, to the town of Kotka in the east. Variations include a cruise to St Petersburg, or a detour along the Saimaa Canal to the eastern Lakeland. Please read more about the coastline.
Wild Taiga.
Experience the wildlife watching in North-Eastern region of Kainuu. Wild Taiga, the recent winner of European Commission’s Destinations of Excellence award, offers bear watching and other outdoor activities supported by an insight into local heritage and traditions plus a world-class chamber music festival. Please read more about wildlife in Finland.


Iceland
Summer Super Saver Package
Prices continue to fall, now travelers can save up to $450 off regular package prices with the Summer Saver available through August. Early birds may stay at the Fosshotel Sudurgata in early June and pay just $759* per person based on double occupancy. The Fosshotel Sudurgata neighborhood includes the National Museum of Iceland, the Nordic House, the popular Vesturbaer geothermal pool, and a beautiful seacoast walking trail. Read more about summer savings here.

Travel the world at the Hotel Ranga
Four-star country resort Hotel Rangá, only an hour from Reykjavík, in the Southern lowlands between Hella and Hvolsvöllur, is built in a log cabin style with exquisite woodwork throughout. It offers views of Mt. Hekla, the country’s famous volcano in the north (which was once believed to be the entrance to Hell), and close proximity to the river Rangá, accompanied by all the luxuries of the civilized world. Read more here.

Run to Iceland
Runners, and even those who like to plod along at their own pace, should pay a visit to Iceland this summer to experience a series of running events starting with the Midnight Run – the Run to the Sun – on June 23 in Reykjavik. Although the start time is 9 p.m., better wear your shades because the sun will be shining brightly. It begins and ends at the swimming pool Laugardalslaug. For more information click here.

Norway

Spectacular train journeys with NSB
The Rauma Line gives you a unique opportunity to experience some of the most spectacular scenery Norway has to offer. In only one hour, the train will take you from beautiful fjords to the wild mountains. Onboard the train, all you need to do is sit back, gaze through the large windows and enjoy your journey through a landscape of wild magnificence. May 30th through August 30th. www.visitnorway.com Photo: Trollveggen, NSB

US Airways to Oslo
City and nature connect – Oslo from $688* roundtrip. US Airways now offer seasonal flights between their international gateway in Philadelphia and Oslo. You’ll enjoy culture and history characterized by Oslo’s 50 museums, many art galleries, opera house, Nobel Peace Centre and world-class dining and shopping. Visit nearby Lillehammer (1994’s Winter Olympics), the resort of Trysil or the scenic wilderness of Hedmark. www.visitnorway.com/us  Photo: Trysil/Utefoto.no

“From King to Obama” at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo
The exhibition will portray the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, that helped pave the way for Barack Obama's historic election victory. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a central figure in the Civil Rights Movement and, like Barack Obama, a source of inspiration to people worldwide. In 1964, when he was 35, King accepted the Nobel Peace Prize and became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate ever. Opens September 24. www.nobelpeacecenter.org Photo: Bob Adelman / Magnum Photos