When I touched down from Vancouver at the end of last month I breathed a deep sigh of relief that I was going to be on the ground for the next 17 days – for most people that seems crazy but with the combination of work and vacation travel, for me, that is now an extended period in my life. I have three more short trips, the longest is four days, before May is over but what I am really starting to get excited about is Scandinavia! I leave at the end of June and over the 4th of July holiday and following week I will be exploring four countries I have never been to; Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Norway!
Now for my trip is to London for over Easter there was not much planning involved but for Scandinavia this Summer on the other hand? I need all the help I can get! When putting together the itinerary for my last two Eurotrips – Budapest, Vienna, and Prague in 2015 and my trip to Ireland last year I loved all of the suggestions you all gave me and I thought I would try it again! I will be heading to Denmark in July and while I am in Scandinavia this tentatively what I have planned.
Copenhagen, Denmark: I keep thinking of the Prince & Me so let’s keep our fingers crossed, shall we?
- Amalienborg Palace
- Christiania, aka Freetown
- Chrstiansborg Palace
- Church of Our Saviour
- Free Walking Tour
- Little Mermaid
- Nyhavn Canals
- Rosenborg Castle
- Tivoli Gardens
- Torvehallerne
Helsinki, Finland: Depending on how many things I decide to squeeze in while in Copenhagen that will determine the amount of time I am in Helsinki. I was originally not planning to visit at all but after looking at the proximity and affordableness I realized I would be remiss not to.
- Fortress of Suomenlinna
- Habor and Old Market Hall (Vanhakauppahalli)
- Hakaniemi Market Hall
- Helsinki Cathedral / Senate Square
- Kotiharjun public sauna
- KuuKuu Restaurant
- Rock Church (Temppeliaukio Kirkko)
- Sibelius Monument
- Uspenskin Cathedral (Uspenskin Katedraali)
Stockholm, Sweden: After Helsinki I will be spending a few days based out of Stockholm
- Boqueria Tapas
- City Hall
- Djurgarden
- Drop Coffee
- Drottningholm Palace
- Fotografiska Photography Museum
- Gamla Stan (Old Town)
- Gondolen(Sceinc Drink Spot)
- Kungliga Slottet (Stockholm’s Royal Palace)
- Royal Canal Tour Boat
- Skansen Open-Air Museum
- Sveriges Riksdag – Swedish Parliament
- The Stockholm Archipelago (Skärgård)
- Vasa Museum
Oslo, Norway: Oslo is my last city stop and the one I will be flying ou t of but I will also be using it is a my home base in Norway for when I travel on a multi day trip to the Norwegian Fjords.
- Birkelunden market
- Changing of the guards
- Ekeberg Park
- Frogner Park
- Kragstotten Sculpture & Viewpoint
- The Norwegian Fjords
- My top idea right now is a two day tour with Norway in a Nutsheel with that includes Bergen Railway, the Flåm Railway, the Aurlandsfjord, the narrow and dramatic UNESCO-protected Nærøyfjord and the Stalheimskleiva
- Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget)
- Oslo Opera House
- Royal Palace (Slottet)
- Viking Ship Museum
- Walking Tour
If you have been to any of these places or have recommendations I would LOVE to hear them please!
Kelly says
Omg! This all sounds so amazing! Can’t wait to see your photos!
DeidreSH says
I am super excited to hear more about your trip later this summer!
I would suggest checking out Kevin and Amanda. Amanda travels all over and then has the best travel guide blog posts. Sometime a while back she went to Sweden and wrote several different posts you can see some of them here: http://www.kevinandamanda.com/category/travel/europe/page/5/
There is a “Where to Stay” post on Copenhagen, Denmark as well: http://www.kevinandamanda.com/our-hot-pink-hotel-room-in-copenhagen/
Sarah says
I’ve never been but those candy colored townhouses are so pretty! I can not wait to see all of your photos from the trip!
Pam says
I have not been to those countries in quite some time but I do remember the friendliness of the people, the very clean air and the fjords were spectacular. I look forward to reading your travel tips and experiences.
Safe travels!