Scandinavia in a Nutshell

Here are a variety of web links to sites that provide additional information on Oslo, Norway; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Stockholm, Sweden.  Many sites list the same attraction, but may give additional information or a new perspective.

Oslo, Norway

OSLO, NORWAY

Rick Steves Oslo Travel Guide – contains information on sites to see and ways (watch, read, listen) to get familiar with Oslo.

Trip Advisor’s Top Ten Oslo – get lists and reviews of museums, historic sites, parks, and more.  Click on “See All” for more complete listing.

Oslo’s 10 Top Attractions

12 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions and Things to Do in Oslo – Planet Ware.

Copenhagen, Denmark

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

Rick Steves Copenhagen Travel Guide – contains information on sites to see and ways (watch, read, listen) to get familiar with Copenhagen.

Trip Advisor’s Things to Do in Copenhagen

Top 30 Attractions in Copenhagen

Top 10 Free Things to Do in Copenhagen – Lonely Planet

Best Things to Do in Copenhagen – US News and World Report

12 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions and Things to Do in Copenhagen – Planet Ware

Things to Do in Copenhagen – 10 Best Lists from USA Today

Top Ten Free Things to Do in Copenhagen – Conde Nast Traveler

Stockholm, Sweden

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

Rick Steves Stockholm Travel Guide – contains information on sites to see and ways (watch, read, listen) to get familiar with Stockholm.

Trip Advisor’s Things to Do in Stockholm

12 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions and Things to Do in Stockholm – Planet Ware

21 Stunning Things to Do in Stockholm

8 Best Things to Do in Stockholm – US News and World Report

Top 15 Attractions and Things to Do in Stockholm

Stockholm’s Must Dos – National Geographic City Guide

Stockholm: 10 Things to Do – Time

Top Things to Do in Stockholm – Lonely Planet

MAPS

Oslo City Map – Click to enlarge an area

Copenhagen City Map – Click to enlarge an area

Stockholm City Map – Click to enlarge an area

Scandinavia…in general

Rick Steves Travel Talk: Scandinavia – video travel class

Drottningholm Palace -- Stockholm, Sweden

Drottningholm Palace is the private resident palace of the royal family of Sweden and a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site since 1991.  Built in the French style in the 1600s and patterned after Versailles, it is located on the island of Lovön in Drottningholm outside of Stockholm.

Drottningholm Palace

The rooms in the southern wing are reserved for Their Majesties the King and Queen, but the rest of the palace and grounds are open to the public year round.

The palace was built by architect Nidocemus Tessin the Elder for Queen Hedvig Eleonora, but succeeding monarchs have changed it to fit their own taste and style.  Notable rooms are the bedchamber of Queen Hedvig and others pictured on this site.

The Royal Chapel was inaugurated in May 1746 where royal events have been held for over 250 years.  The Museum de Vries, housed in the old dragoon stables, features original bronze statues from Dutch sculpture Adriaen de Vries, booty that was captured and brought to Sweden in the 1700s.

Although the palace was mostly abandoned during the 1800s, it received much restoration during the 20^th century.

Drottningholm Park

The Palace Park, which has undergone many changes over the years, was established during the reign of Johan III, and at that time it was primarily a utility park where the parking lot is now.  The oldest, or baroque, garden, the one closest to the palace, dates from the time of Queen Hedvig and designed by architect Tessin and his son after French gardens which were strict and symmetrical.

At the center of the park stands the grand Hercules fountain with bronze sculptures by de Vries.  The seven cascades, a liberal free interpretation of the original Tessin cascades, lie on either side of the center avenue.

In the mid-1700s, the symmetrical design began to be abandoned for a more natural park design.  Large aviaries were built, but only one remains. Gustav III brought in this design patterned after English gardens.

The Chinese Pavilion and the Palace Theatre are separate buildings that may be seen as you stroll on the palace grounds, but require a separate admission fee to enter.

To reach the palace, cross Lake Mälaren on a century-old steamer.  Travel time is 50 minutes.  There is a restaurant on board the steamer, but riders must purchase food, not drinks only, to sit in there.  Sometimes the boat is crowded in peak season and there may not be enough seating for all passengers.  If the weather is pleasant, standing outdoors would make a memorable scenic journey.

Stockholm City Hall – Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm’s City Hall, which stands on the eastern tip of Kungsholmen Island, is one of the most famous buildings in the world, primarily for the event held there…the venue for the Nobel Prize Banquet held December 10 every year, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.

Stockholm City Hall

After 12 years of construction, the building, built in the national romantic style with eight million red brick, was dedicated on Midsummer’s Eve 1923.  The city hall tower rises 106 meters and is topped by three crowns and the Swedish national coat of arms.  It is a workplace for politicians and civil servants.

But its greatest claim to fame is the yearly Nobel Prize Banquet.  Since 1930, with few exceptions, awards are presented first at the Stockholm Concert Hall, then 1,300 guests dine in the Blue Hall at City Hall in one of the world’s most exclusive banquets.  The Nobel Laureates and their families, the Swedish Royal family, representatives of the Swedish national government, and foreign dignitaries all participate.

Swedish Royal Family 
at Nobel Prize Banquet

In fact, the Blue Hall is not blue at all.  Architect Ragnar Östberg originally designed the room to be decorated with blue glazed tiles.  The idea was abandoned, but the name stuck.  The organ with 10,270 pipes is the largest in Scandinavia.

After the meal, guests then proceed up the stairway to the lavish Golden Hall in Stockholm’s City Hall to dance.  Here the walls are covered in more than 18 million gold and glass mosaic pieces, the work of artist Einar Forseth.  Using a Byzantine style, the mosaics depict historical figures and events from Swedish history.

The Golden Hall is dominated by the “Queen of Lake Malaren” on the northern wall which represents Stockholm being honored by the east and the west.

Other notable rooms in the City Hall include the Council Chamber where Stockholm’s city council convenes every third Monday.  This majestic room was inspired by Sweden’s Viking Age.

The Oval is an antechamber decorated with a series of five 300-year-old tapestries made in Beauvais, France.  Every Saturday, civil weddings and partnership registrations are conducted here.  If you are looking for a “quicky” wedding, this is the place…ceremonies last only five minutes!

The Prince’s Gallery runs the length of the City Hall’s south side and is lined with French windows affording a fabulous view of Lake Malaren and Sodermalm.  This panorama is reflected on the opposite wall by an al fresco called “Stockholm’s Shores” created by Prince  Eugen, artist and brother to King Gustav V.  This area is used as a reception hall for special guests.

Golden Hall

The Three Crowns Chamber was named after the three chandeliers that hang from the beamed ceiling.  The northern and southern walls are covered in silk brocades made in China.

Walk up the staircases and narrow passages of the square tower for impressive views as it is situated on the verge of the archipelago.  There is an elevator that can take you half way up.  The Tower Museum is located in the middle of the tower.

There is an admission fee to the tower that can only be purchased on the day of the visit.  Only 30 tickets are sold at a time as only 30 people can be in the tower at one time.  On good weather days, tickets sell out early.

Stockholm’s City Hall is open to the public through guided tours only.  Due to the large number of events at City Hall, tours can be cancelled.

Peppermint Candy Shops – Gränna, Sweden

The overland trip between Copenhagen, Denmark, and Stockholm, Sweden, can be quite a ride, unless you have something to “sweeten” the journey a bit…literally.

 

Making polkagris in Granna, Sweden

Tucked into the tiny town of Gränna, Sweden, is a centuries old peppermint candy tradition—the village’s only claim to fame.  The polkagris, or striped peppermint candy, has been made here for over 150 years.  Polkagris literally means “polka,” a popular dance of the day, and “pig” (you figure out the connection).

Back in 1859, a poor widow named Amalia Ericksson began to make the peppermint confection to support her and her daughter.  Today Gränna’s streets are lined with a dozen or so shops, where you can watch the candy being made and purchase the finished product.

To make polkagris, sugar, water and vinegar are mixed and heated to 150°C (302°F).  Red coloring and peppermint flavoring are added to one part, and then the colored sugar dough is added to the white sugar dough, and they are pulled and stretched and kneaded and twisted until just the right consistency.  Simple, right?

Join this blogger as she walks you through the village with her narrative and photos.  And watch a candy maker in action as he makes authentic polkagris.

Candy store in Granna

Although peppermint sticks is its claim to fame, there is quite a variety of flavors in this “candy heaven” town. 

Gränna (population 2,500 or so) sits on the eastern shores of Vättern, the second largest inland lake in Sweden, on a busy highway that runs between Gothenburg and Stockholm, which was good business for Amalia…and today’s candy makers as well.

Located less than two miles from Gränna are the ruins of Brahehus Castle built by Count Per Brahe between 1637 and 1650, but abandoned by 1680.  In 1708, the castle was destroyed by fire and never rebuilt.  From the ruins is a fantastic view of Lake Vättern and its island Visingsö.

Scandinavia -- Overview of Norway, Denmark, Sweden

Get ready to explore three capital cities in three remarkable Scandinavian countries—Oslo, Norway; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Stockholm Sweden.  New adventures…new cultures…new direction – North!  

Here’s a general overview of what to expect.  Let’s cover some basics, like time, weather, language, and currency.  And then let travel guru Rick Steves take you on a short tour of each of the capitals.

The time in all three capitals is seven hours ahead of central standard time in the U.S.

Oslo, Norway

Land of Vikings

Oslo – Land of the Midnight Sun and home of Viking kings and canyon-cut fjords!  Expect the weather in June to be cooler than we are used to in the summer…and that could be a welcome change come June.  The average temperature for June is about 15 degrees Celsius or around 60 degrees Farenheit.  Try this weather calculator for other Celsius temps.  Nights of course are cooler, but during the day, as always, dress in layers.  In the “land of the midnight sun,” June days could have up to 19 hours of daylight!

Norwegian is the official language of Norway and the most widely spoken, however English is a common second language for most in the country.  Use Google Translate to learn a few basic courtesy phrases in Norwegian, such as hello, please, and thank you.  (Note: click the microphone button to hear the pronunciation.)

The cost of living in Norway is one of the most expensive in the world.  High taxation, which provides a variety of social services, is a contributing factor.  This, of course, affects tourists.  The Norwegian currency is the “krone,” (or plural kroner) which is worth roughly 12 cents US.  So something that costs 1000 kroner is about $118 US.  Use this currency calculator to better understand the exchange rate for NOK (Norwegian kroner). These financial travel tips from Visit Norway will help you plan our visit. 

To get an overview of Oslo, watch this video from travel guru Rick Steves: Oslo.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen

The average June day temperature here is also around 15 degrees Celsius, or 60 degrees Farhenheit.  Summer days in Denmark tend to be long with sunrise at 4:30 a.m. and sunset at 10 p.m. on its longest day.

Danish is the official language of Denmark, but English is commonly spoken here too.  Again, use Google Translate to learn some key phrases.

The Danish “krone” (plural kroner) is the official currency of Denmark.  It’s the same name as Norwegian, but a different currency.  Use the currency converter to learn the exchange for the DKK.  One Danish krone is about 14 cents US, so something that costs 1000 kroner in Denmark would cost about $142 US.  The cost of living in Denmark is also expensive.  Compare some costs of everyday things at this site.

To get an overview of Copenhagen, watch this video from Rick Steves: Copenhagen.

Stockholm, Sweden

Old Town Stockholm

Again expect June weather in Stockholm to be very similar to Oslo and Copenhagen with cooler summers around 60 degrees.  A day in June in Stockholm will also give you plenty of daylight…over 18 hours worth.

Swedish is the national language of Sweden, but here too, English is quite popular.  Get a feel for the native language by using Google Translate to hear some pronunciations of phrases you might encounter.

The Swedish “krona” (plural kronor)…sound familiar?... is the currency of Sweden.  And yes it is spelled a bit differently.  (They’ve got to be unique somehow, right?)  One krona (SEK) is worth about 11 cents US, so spending 1000 kronor would be about $111 US.

To get an overview of Stockholm, watch this video from Rick Steves: Stockholm.

Learn more about these Scandinavian countries in this hour long video from Rick Steves Travel Talk: Scandinavia.  It has a lot of pertinent and practical information about traveling to Oslo, Copenhagen, and Stockholm.

Tour forecast…remarkable journey!