SCANDINAVIA

D E N M A R K • S W E D E N • N O R W A Y

E X P L O R E

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLER INDIA

CONTENTSINTRO

Many shades of Scandinavia

NORWAYStunning force

of nature

SWEDENCulture, nature, and great food

CRUISESTake in the sights

in style

STAYHotels that add to

the experience

DENMARKHappiness in the

little kingdom

THE GUIDEMake your dream

trip happen

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SWEDENSTOCKHOLM

A blend of old and new

LAPLANDExplore the last 

wilderness

E X P L O R E

04 06 08NORTHERN LIGHTS

Watch the drama in the skies

Visitors can participate in the Swedish midsum-mer tradition of

dancing around a maypole to bring good fortune and

health to all.

Scandinavia occupies a special spot in the travellers’ imagination. We’ve all exclaimed over pictures of the Northern Lights and the midnight sun, curled up with a noir thriller, been wowed by the leaps and bounds made in the realm of design, and dreamt of visiting the stunning fjords.

It’s a region where visitors can experience the confluence of Sámi heritage and a fierce Viking past, visit medieval towns with soaring church steeples, and walk through imposing castles. To relax, stroll along cheerful waterfronts or people-watch at buzzing restaurants and cafés. Outdoor lovers can hike through dense fir forests or embark on a boat ride through the fjords. And that’s just the showreel.

In winter, Scandinavia is a place of dramatic landscapes, with swirling cold winds and magical colours in the sky. Summer is glorious, with a burst of golden sunlight that envelops the land in a warm glow. For the Indian traveller, it is convenient to visit the three countries—Sweden, Norway, and Denmark—together. They have a lot in common besides history and landscape: a love of minimalist design, outdoor culture, a strong sense of personal space, and a sustainable way of life. Scratch the surface and different personalities emerge. Regardless of which city is your entry point, whether it is Oslo, Copenhagen, or Stockholm, the excellent infrastructure and transport options make it simple for the traveller to explore all three and discover their diversity.

SCANDINAVIAA U T H E N T I C

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SPIRITED STOCKHOLMCalled the Venice of the North, Stockholm is where Lake Mälaren meets

the Baltic Sea. The cobblestone pathways, medieval architecture, and futuristic, ultra-modern spaces blend into the city’s fabric seamlessly.

HOTSPOTS For sweeping views of this city built on 14 islands, head to the tower of Stadshuset (City Hall) where the annual Nobel Prize banquet is held in the Blue Hall. The cobblestone streets of the popular medieval old city, Gamla Stan, are dotted with old buildings. Upbeat Södermalm is the hipster hangout. While at Björkö Island, Birka, one of Stockholm’s first real towns, has excellent museums and a guided tour that afford time travel to the mid-800’s.

ROYAL RENDITIONS At astounding structures like The Royal Palace feel the pulse of the 700-year-old history of this country. For a possible royal sight-ing, stop at their residence Drottningholm Palace, one of Stockholm’s World Heritage Sites.

MUSEUM MANDATE Hop on a ferry to Djurgården

island for a day at the museums. At the Vasa Museum see an impressive restored 69-metre-long carved wooden warship that sunk within minutes of sailing. Perfect for a family visit is Skansen Museum, the world’s oldest open-air museum and time capsule for life in old Sweden.

DANCEATHON At the ABBA Museum don digital costumes, and sing and dance with holograms of the pop icons.

WHILE IN STOCKHOLM, SHOP H&M lies at every block. Stockholm is also

the home of Ikea, Happy Socks, and Sandquist. Shop in the glamorous Östermalm district, the affluent Bibliotekstan or the commercial centre, Norrmalm. Well-crafted clothes, glassware, jewellery, modern curios and home decor reflect a Nordic tradition of simple yet beautiful design.

EAT & DRINKSweden’s modern cuisine is complex and creative. Reindeer meat in all its forms as well as a smörgåsbord including pickled herring is a must-try. Fikapaus (coffee break) with a cinnamon bun is a national tradition. Savour husmanskost, a Swedish favourite.

Mårten Trotzigs Gränd at Gamla

Stan is Stockholm’s narrowest street, measuring only

three feet.

Read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo before visiting the city in which the grim story unfolds. The Millennium Tour covers areas featured in the novels and is a great way to experi-ence Stockholm’s non-touristy side.

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DAY TRIPS Decipher the mysteries of the runes of Sigtuna, Sweden’s oldest town lined with pretty pastel townhouses. Live the archipelago life starting with sailors’ hangout Sandhamn, historical Vaxholm and the old mining town of Utö. Soak in the laid back academic vibe of the university town of Uppsala by the River Fyris with the largest cathedral in Scandinavia watching over it. For a beachside town, there’s a lot to do in the fashionable Saltsjöbaden like a game of tennis or golf, a massage at the spa or a dip in its open-air bath house; it can get absolutely exhausting. The steamship S.S. Mariefred is a romantic way to get to Mariefred where the domed and turreted Gripsholm Castle with detailed frescoes and an interesting portrait gallery awaits.

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SONG OF FIRE AND ICEGet a taste of Sámi culture while staying in traditional tents in

Swedish Lapland and learn to make ice lanterns.

SWEDISH LAPLAND Sápmi, as the Sámi call their traditional lands stretching from the Artic north of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula of Russia, is a way of life, rather than a geographical border. For a sense of history of this shared world, visit Fatmomakke, a mix of tepees and cottages by a beautiful lake and a his-torical meeting place for the settlers and the Sámi. It is also on the famous 400-kilome-tre Wilderness Way; so motorheads might want to drive here.

Camping on the cold and beautiful ter-rain of the Swedish Lapland surrounded by snow-dusted forests of fir and birch in a lávvu (tent) with a Sámi guide and his pack of huskies or reindeer, is a Waldenesque experience. At Arjeplog’s Silver Museum, a stunning collection of Sámi silver is on display while the Båtsuoj Sami Center is a chance to live the Sámi way. Head to Jokkmokk, the annual 400-year-

old winter market, a big Sámi party that is the best place to eat souvas (smoked reindeer carpaccio) with lingonberries, buy Duodji (Sámi handicraft) items, see art exhibits, and participate in seasonal events.

SÁMI CULTURE Visit the Ájtte Museum for deeper insights on the cultural heritage of the Sámi. Experience the magic of ice lanterns and learn to make one at Vuollerim Ice Lantern Festival in winter. In the light of a lantern-guided tour, explore the church town of Gammelstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site outside Luleå, the largest in Scandinavia. Parishioners would make an arduous journey across the region to attend

Sunday mass at the 15th-century church and stay the night in one of its 428 cottages.

Let an enthusiastic pack of huskies pull your sled over the frozen Bay of Bothnia. Follow the paths of Sámi reindeer herders

who still fish and graze along the Padjelanta Trail in the Padjelanta National Park. Rein-deer are at the heart of Lapland’s calendar and calf marking is a significant event in Lapland. At Överkalix even guests can get involved at the Rokkas Reindeer Farm and help mark newborn calves with the herder’s mark. Under the night sky,

sitting around a bonfire listening to stories and joiks (Sámi songs), the Swedish Lapland, Europe’s last remaining wilder-ness, feels warm.

FOR MORE INFOWWW.SWEDISHLAPLAND.CO.UK/

Sámi language

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Traditional Sámi songs called the yoik (or joik) are one of Europe’s oldest living music traditions.M

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Relax along the Danish Riviera, which is dotted

with picturesque towns and family-friendly beaches.

THE LIGHT FANTASTICWatch the greatest magical show on Earth as bright lights dance in

the sky, and sled through a winter wonderland.

AURORA BOREALIS Between September and end-March, all roads or tracks lead to the North-ern Lights in the Arctic plains of Sweden. Everything else is a side attraction. Even if it is the Kiruna Kyrka, a neo-Gothic church voted the most beautiful public building in Sweden. Remember that this is the land of the midnight sun, so instead of sleeping you can snow-mobile, dog sled and take reindeer tours just outside the mining town of Kiruna. Nothing instils a sense of wonder in the universe like the stunning Aurora Borealis. To ensure you are taking no chances, head to the Aurora Sky Station for a guaran-teed good show. With its ideal location in the Abisko National Park, high platform and clear skies away from light pollution, it’s the best seat in the house. If the weather conditions dither, ski through

the classic, 440-kilometre-long King’s Trail, a winter wonderland of majestic peaks, dramatic valleys and frozen waterfalls. Lazy ones could just choose a snowmobile, dog sled or even go on horseback or moose it. The frozen waters of Torneträsk lake are nature’s spectacular stage where the Northern Lights is best photographed.

Stay in Abisko for three days and

there’s an 88 per cent chance of seeing a dazzling display of Northern Lights, provided the skies

are clear.

DENMARKCOPENHAGEN

Partake of the happy, cosy vibe

VIKINGSTales and folklore of

a warrior race

DANISH RIVIERAIndulgence by

the seaside

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Everything about the city of Copenhagen, located on the coastal islands of Zealand and Amager, is hygge (cosy). Local shops and cafés, dedicated cycling bridges, and communal barbecues go a long way in

making this a happy place.

FAVOURITE HOTSPOTS Ease into the Copenhagen state of mind at Nyhavn, Copenhagen’s idyllic waterfront with 17th-century townhouses (tip: Writer Hans Christian Anderson lived in nos. 20, 67, and 18 at various points in his life).

Visit the horse stables and get a beer-making tour at the Carlsberg brewery. Hang out in higgledy-piggledy Christiania, a vibrant community with a unique auton-omous status. Also known as “freetown”, alternative Copenhagen thrives in its artsy cafés and fun bars.

THE USUAL SUSPECTS Visit Runde-tårn, a 17th-century vertigo-inducing observatory with a helical ramp, that has graced the pages of many an architectural magazine.

The inspiration for Disney-land, Tivoli Gardens checks all the boxes with

a world-famous theme-park, thrilling rides, entertaining shows, outdoor cafés, and splendid 18th-century landscaped gardens too.

A dose of art is essential at the National Gallery with artists Picasso, Rembrandt and Asger Jorn in their collection.

OFFBEAT Pedal to the beach at Amager Strandpark on a sun-soused day to blokart, kayak, or play a game of beach volleyball.

COPENHAGEN KNOWS HOW TO SHOP Check out houseware geniuses,

Hay and Illum Bolighus at one of Europe’s longest pedestrian streets and shopping mecca, Strøget. Take a detour to the Latin Quarter or Kronprin-sensgade for something more unique. Auctions at Bredgade and Store Kongensgade offer exclusive finds.

EAT & DRINK World’s best restaurant, Noma (reopens in 2017) is the calling card for Copenhagen’s inventive food scene. Whether it’s a hearty bowl of Grød (porridge), organic hotdogs, formel B or Amass’s new Nordic cuisine, or recycled food, the city is a foodie lab. Head to Copenhagen Street Food, a food truck station and Torvehallerne market for gastronomic experiments. Wash it all down with a drink at the hip Meatpacking District.

“Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen” Frank Loesser’s song from the 1952 film Hans Christian Andersen also inspired the

city’s motto.

DAY TRIPS Admire the ornate craftsman-ship of 39 tombs of queens and kings at the imposing 12th-century Roskilde Domkirke, Europe’s first gothic cathedral in brick. Get your Viking helmet on at Vikingeskibsmu-seet, where five ships that sat at the bottom of Roskilde Fjord stand proud. Travel to the vibrant Swedish town of Malmö taking the impressive Øresund Bridge connecting Denmark and Sweden. Even locals think Møns Klint’s breathtaking white cliffs and its turquoise sea is the most beautiful place in Denmark. Every August, watch the Shakespearian classic Hamlet in the backdrop of Kronborg Castle, which the inspired Elsinore castle in his tragic play. There’s good reason why so many royal weddings take place at turreted fairy-tale Frederiksborg Castle, surrounded by glistening waters. Bliss out in Bornholm, known to be Denmark’s sunniest spot dot-ted with red-roofed fishing villages, historic smokehouses and artisanal industries.

Visit the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art by the sea.

Catch an event at Huset KBH, Denmark’s largest cultural house.

Eat at “Paper Island” (Papir-øen), Copenha-gen’s destina-tion for great street food.

Haggle for a good bargain at the flea markets of the popu-lar Remisen.

Get a photo-op with the statue of Hans Christian An-derson’s Little Mermaid.

5 MUST DOS

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WONDERFUL COPENHAGEN

BEST VIEW Vor Frelsers Kirke (Church of Our Sav-iour) on Christian-shavn with its glori-ous golden corkscrew spire is a local secret. It offers an amazing view of Copenhagen.

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VIKING HEADQUARTERS The Vikings chose Aarhus as an important port town because of its strategic location at the point where River Aarhus meets Aarhus Bay. The second largest city in Denmark, this university town is a kaleidoscope of art, museums, and cafés. Life from the 18th to 20th centuries comes alive in the chatter of pretend schoolhouses and workhouses of Den Gamle By (The Old Town), a bril-liant open-air museum. Undoubtedly, this collection of 75 historic buildings, meticu-lously recreated at Old Town should be the first stop.

The ARoS (Aarhus Art Museum), Scandinavia’s largest museum, houses the works of exciting contem-porary artists. Hunt for that elusive pot of gold at the end of artist Olafur Eliasson’s 360-degree coloured glass

walkway, Your Rainbow Panorama, perched atop the museum roof. ARoS is surrounded by innovative museums that include the Danish Poster Museum, Women’s Museum, and Occupation Museum.

Located on the old stomping grounds of the Vikings, the architecturally breathtak-ing Moesgård Museum reveals fascinating aspects of early Viking life (and even mor-bid ones, like the famous Grauballe Man, a corpse preserved in a bog, suspected to be evidence of human sacrifice).

Explore the spot where Vikings first settled in Aarhus at the Viking Museum, where an entire Viking town was excavated. With so much to see, make time to sit back and enjoy the relaxed cafés and stroll through the old Latin Quarter and enjoy a spot of jazz at the legendary bar Bent J.

DANISH RIVIERA The best beaches in Denmark stretch for around 230 kilometres along the winding coastal roads of the Dan-ish Riviera or North Zealand. Enjoy shallow beaches, warm summer sun, and spar-kling white sand between Sejerøbugten to Øresund. Watch for blue flags that flutter throughout Denmark on beaches that meet stringent standards of water quality, safety, and sustainability. Many Danes cycle down this coastal trail dotted with wild-flowering chicory in a slow languorous journey that embraces nature, history, and culture. The soft white dunes and wild deep-pink roses of Hornbaek, the charming fishing town of Gilleleje, and designer

Arne Jacobsen’s distinctive striped life-guard towers at Bellevue are top favourites.

On non-beach days, the Kronberg Castle (of Hamlet fame) at Helsingør, the Frederiksborg Castle at Hillerød, and the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, with its winning combo of sculptures and sea air, are perfect alternatives. The geriatric

82-year-old wooden roller coaster at Bakken, the world’s oldest amusement park in the woods of Dryehaven is a throwback to sepia-tinged images of a funfair. There is no better place in the world to pig out on excellent seafood and indulge in Gammeldags (old fashioned ice-cream) than at Tisvildeleje, a quiet seaside village.

In July, the Moesgård Viking Moot, an

annual festival, attracts aspiring Vikings in

full regalia to celebrate age-old lore and customs.

In Rungsted, author Karen Blixen’s home, which houses a mu-

seum, a library and a café, is an interesting

detour. Her books inspired several film adaptations like Out

of Africa and Babette’s Feast, among others.

CITY OF SMILES SUMMER LIVINGDelve into Viking culture on a visit to the warrior race’s first settlement

in the country.Explore this hidden gem with laid-back beaches and coastal trails.

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Create an unfor-gettable holiday

memory with a family picnic

overlooking the iconic

Geirangerfjord.

STORIES IN FUNEN Funen (Fyn in Danish), or rather Odense, its capital, is the birthplace of writer Hans Christian Andersen. With its green pastoral hills, atmospheric inns and historic houses, it’s easy to see how Funen played muse to the writer. See the island through the imagina-tive eye of the man who gave us fairy tales like The Ugly Duckling, The Princess and the Pea and The Little Match Girl.

Andersen called Egeskov Castle, the “finest and most beautiful on Fyn” in a diary entry. Born-holm Castle left its mark on the writer who describes it vividly in his novel, Only a Fiddler. Hindsgavl Castle was recommended to an acquain-tance for having “the finest

view in Fyn”. He remembers Valdemar’s Castle for its fine portraits and a lady with a face that touched his heart. A stay at a castle or manor, many of which are partly convert-ed hotels, is a true experience of old Funen.

Celebrate Odense’s most important resi-dent at a museum dedicated to the writer. Keep your eyes peeled for tributes to the man in the form of nooks, gardens,

statues and cute Andersen-shaped silhouettes in “Walk/Don’t Walk” signs.

Finally, take the time to stop for a picnic with a basket laden with goodies from the farmer’s market, while pass-ing through villages with thatched roofed homes and windmills.

The playful world of Legoland in nearby

Billund is the original Legoland Park and also features a 3D

Lego figure of Hans Christian Andersen.

FAIRY-TALE LAND Relive childhood stories in Hans Christian Anderson’s home. NORWAY

OSLO FJORDS FLÅMA place where culture

and nature uniteNature’s gorgeous

works of artA wild and

beautiful land

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Oslo is surrounded by verdant forests, deep blue fjords, and lofty mountains. This seat of the Viking kingdom is a bustling modern city, with new wave restaurants, contemporary architecture, trendsetting

design, and cultural vibrancy.

HOTSPOTS Go café hopping and yacht spotting to immerse in waterfront life at the Aker Brygge wharf. Catch a world-class per-formance at the glacier-inspired Oslo Opera House or enjoy unbeatable views of the fjord from its rooftop. Take a guided tour at the Arkeshus Fortress, better known as the castle that inspired scenes in the animated film Frozen. The eccentric Vigeland Park has 200 sculptures featuring Gustav Vigeland’s interpretation of man’s journey from cradle to grave. On the museum trail, put Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art and Munch Museum on your list, although the oldest version of “Scream” by Edvard Munch is at the National Gallery.

SHOP Savvy shoppers browse at Markveien street at Grünerløkka’s indepen-dent stores and at Karl Johans gate, which features a mix of haute couture, high street, and pret lines. Buy local at Basarhallene, Friends Fair Trade, Moods of Norway, and Norway Designs.

EAT & DRINK Indoor food hall, Mathallen serves everything from brunost (a kind of brown cheese) and the famed Norwe-gian salmon to smalahove (sheep’s head). Try the spiced potato-based spirit akvavit, the national drink.

The Nobel Peace Prize is presented at the City Hall on 10

December. Take part in the pageantry by

joining the traditional torchlight parade.

VIBRANT OSLOCanoe at Oslomarka and stay in a forest hytte (hut)

Check out music spaces Bla and Kulturkirken Jakob 

Go see quaint wooden houses at Kampen

Visit the Ibsen Museum, the home of play-wright and poet Henrik Ibsen

Take a two-hour cruise around the Oslofjord

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The path along Aker River (Ak-erselva), Oslo’s green lung, is a perfect trail that follows waterfalls, old mills, cafés, and riverside lawns.

DAY TRIPS While in Bygdøy, gawk at exquisitely artful seafaring vessels used as tombs and artefacts from the pre-Christian era at the Viking Ship Museum. Skiers can marvel at the 1,000-ton modern ski jump at Holmenkollen, which has marvellous views of the fjords. Non-skiers can cultivate an appreciation for skiing at the world’s oldest ski museum. Watch the magic of glass-blowing at Hadeland Glassverk in Jevnaker, Oslo’s oldest glassworks factory. Follow the winding trails in the woodlands of Nordmarka either on foot or bike, ending with a picnic at the lake.

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WATER WONDERLAND The deep, calm sea flows in the mountainous veins of Norway, the blue-blood infusing life into the craggy mountainsides. Everywhere, stagger-ing landscapes unravel along the time-tested trails of historical chugging ferries favoured by modern-day cruise liners, and roads like the Atlantic Road. With old wooden houses and charming streets shops, Stavanger is a good launch point to start exploring the fjords of Norway. Combine a hike to Pulpit Rock, the popular and sometimes crowded hangout on a perch above the fjords in Ryfylke (600 metres above Lysefjord), with a boat trip. A hike called the Troll’s tongue should be warn-ing enough but at Trolltunga, another superb perch hang-ing 700 metres above Lake Ringedalsvatnet awaits. Rest your adventure gear at Bergen, the gateway to Norway’s fjords which offers a historical

The first cruise sailed into the Geiranger-fjord in 1869, after it

was “discovered” as a travel destination by British mountaineers

in the mid-1800s.

TROLL HUNTING The origin of the word troll finds its roots in Norwegian folklore. There are some pretty friendly looking trolls, especially at Karl Johans gate. “Trolls not Allowed” is a fun sign put out by some shops. In Trollstigen, and elsewhere, look out for ‘Troll Crossing” road signs. On your ride up the Fløibanen funicular, keep your eyes open for troll totems. Although they live mostly online now, the traditional home of the troll was Trollheimen. Henrik Ibsen’s Peer Gynt met the Troll King in Rondane National Park. Meet the world’s largest troll, the Senja Troll who lives in a folk tale-themed family park on the ocean side of Senja. Many places are named after trolls such as Troll Church, Troll Wall, Troll Path, and Troll’s Tongue. Remem-ber to get a troll as souvenir; they are considered a good luck charm!

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FJORD TRAILClick a thousand pictures surrounded by the beauty of Norway’s fjords.

FOR MORE INFOWWW.FJORDNORWAY.COM

WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE The king of the Norwegian fjords, Geirang-erfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is Norway’s star attraction. There are two routes to Geiranger via meandering sea inlets and the Geiranger–Trollstigen road (closed in winter) with hairpin bends and steep inclines. Doubtlessly, the magnificent fjord warrants a top-down view and the best vantage points are Dalsnibba, Flydal-sjuvet, and Ørnesvingen. The thundering

waterfalls of Brudesløret (Bridal Veil) and De syv søstre (The Seven Sisters) flow down emerald-green mountainsides. Across the fjord, is a waterfall called Friaren (the Suitor), said to try to woo the Seven Sisters. Once docked at the village of Geiranger, a cup of java at cafes that offer one of the best views in the world is recommended. The hillside is dotted with abandoned fjord farms that have been preserved to give trav-ellers a perspective of life in the region.

perspective on the region. The wharf at Bryggen, is best seen through a guided tour taking you through its medieval past. For a spectacular view of the city and the fjords, take the Fløibanen funicular cable car up the Fløyen Mountain. In Ålesund, the town that rose from its ashes after a terrible fire, checking out the art nouveau tableau of turrets and spires is what the travel experts prescribe. Get up close and personal with tiny cottages, farmlands and the wildlife in Nærøyfjord, whose narrowest point is only 250 meters wide. Voss is an adrenaline fix

with adventure fare like white water rafting, parasailing, and bungee jumping. Glacier walking in Stryn, at the Nigardsbreen glacier is a way to glimpse the Ice Age.

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THE FLÅM LIFE Flåm visitors travel in style. Choose between the gleaming Flåmsbana train and several cruises that tour the region. The railway cuts through 20 kilometres of wild landscapes, and with its almost spiral turns through 20 tunnels, this is one hair-raising ride. Flåm village is located on the bank of Aurlandsfjord and it is the last settlement at the end of the innermost arm of the Sognefjord, one of the longest and deepest fjords in the world. Decompress after your journey with a half-an-hour film, Living with the Fjord, screened daily. The famous, handmade Aurland shoe is only made at the Aurland Shoe Factory, so owning a pair that inspired the classic penny loafer style in America is like buying wearable art. Cycle to Otternes Bygdetun farm, which is still much like it used to be in the 1700s. Enjoy a guided tour and a communal meal of sour cream porridge, cured goat meat, smoked salmon, and other seasonal treats. Continue this culinary sampling at nearby Undredal or squeeze into the cosy Undredal Stave Church, the smallest stave church (made of wooden planks) in Norway. A

day of kayaking on the still waters of Aurlandsfjord should restore your faith in the world. The journey is as much part of the experience as the destination.

FOR MORE INFO WWW.VISITFLAM.COM &

WWW.FLAMSBANA.NO

LAND AHOY In a way, the story of Hur-tigruten’s ships is the story of the fjords. A working passenger and freight service since 1893, this Norwegian coastal express traversing the jagged fjords is a vital supply line for the 34 ports along its route. The 11 coastal ships that sail the length of Norway started with one ship, Captain Richard With’s steamer, D.S. Vesteraalen. Hop on at any point between Kirkenes and Bergen, or do the 12-day round trip, which includes

the mesmerising Geiranger fjord, awe-inspiring glaciers, and islands like those in the Lofoten, which are dotted with grass-thatched cabins. It offers the voyage of a life-time. Since it sails through delicate environments, there is a great emphasis on sustainable travel.

The Navvies Road is an old service road used

by railway workers. Disembark from the

train early and hike or cycle to Flåm along a theatrical backdrop.

A WILD LAND CRUISIN’ SCANDINAVIAVOYAGES ON THE

HURTIGRUTENLive it up aboard the Hur-tigruten ships. Based on the season in which you’re visiting, you can choose from its range of excellent coastal voyages. The relaxed vibe of its well-appointed cabins punctuated with the excitement of seeing each stunning locale that the ship travels through is unparalleled. Cabins on the higher deck come with picture windows while the lower ones have portholes.

Whether you select the 12-Day Classic Roundtrip Voyage, 11-Day Classic Norwegian Discovery Voy-age, 7-Day Voyage North or 6-Day Voyage South, breathtaking scenery (both in summer and winter), world-class hospitality, and unique excursions make the Hurtigruten ships a perfect travel partner (hurtigruten.com; the classic 12-day round-trip starts from €1,206/`86,700 per person; a six-day voyage south from Kirkenes to Bergen costs €770/`55,350 per person).

EASY CONNECTIONS

ON DFDSFor travellers, making con-nections are a dreaded task. DFDS Seaways has a great network of ferries across Europe. In Scandinavia, Crown Seaways or the Pearl Seaways, with the biggest ships on the fleet, provide one of the best ways to travel between the two main capitals of Scandinavia, Copenhagen and Oslo. With two classes of cabin—Com-modore Class, a premium cabin, and Seaways Class, a standard inner cabin--the overnight journey is comfortable. An entertain-ing evening is assured with several restaurants, clubs, shops, and bars on board. Passengers are allowed to bring their vehicle (bicycle, car, or caravan) on board at an added cost. (dfds-seaways.com; cabins start at €170/`12,250 per person and go up to €379/`27,250 depending on cabin and number of people).

PARTY SHIP TO

STOCKHOLM To make the most of the scenery of the beautiful archipelagos of the Bal-tic Sea, take a round-trip from Stockholm to various ports on the well-known Viking Line. On board, the reputation of Viking as a party ship is well-founded. There’s always a line-up of great entertainment and music acts, grand smörgås-bords at the restaurants, steaming saunas, and bars that are buzzing round the clock (vikingline.se; there are different levels of suites available, overnight cruise starts from €21/`1,500 per couple).

*Rates can vary between summer and winter, and during holiday season. Please reconfirm before booking.

Embark on train and boat journeys through dramatic landscapes.

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THE GUIDEORIENTATIONScandinavia, which com-prises Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, is part of Northern Europe. It is Europe’s largest peninsula and extends from the Arc-tic circle to the North and Baltic seas.

GETTING THEREThere are frequent flights from India to Copenha-gen, Stockholm, and Oslo (11-16 hours, depending on layover) with a stopover at a Middle-Eastern hub like Doha or Dubai, or Euro-pean cities like Moscow, Paris, Amsterdam, Munich, or Zurich.

Copenhagen Airport has been voted Europe’s most efficient airport 10 times in the last 12 years, so it’s a good option for a smooth entry to the region (www.cph.dk).

GETTING AROUNDBy Air For travellers pressed for time, air travel is a convenient way to travel within Scandinavia. The largest domestic operator is SAS which offers convenient connections to major airports (www.flysas.com). Other airlines include Widerøe Flyveselskap in Norway and Malmö Aviation in Sweden, among others.By Rail In Scandinavia, rail travel is first-rate and a

convenient way to navigate between the three capi-tals as well as to other destinations in the penin-sula. There are a number of scenic train journeys, like the Bergen railway, which are a great way to see more of Scandinavia (details of routes and deals at scandi-naviarail.com). It’s key to plan and book ahead.By road All major car rental firms like Hertz, Avis and Europcar operate in Scandinavia and have kiosks at major airports.

VISASSince all three are Schengen countries, visitors need to apply for a single visa covering all the days of their visit in the country of longest stay. Flight and hotel bookings have to be submitted with the visa application.Denmark A tourist visa is given for valid passport holders for a travel period of less than 90 days. The cost of the visa is `4,300 while the VFS fee is `1,432. Visas take a minimum of 15 days to process (dk.vfsglobal.co.in).Norway A 90-day, mul-tiple entry visa costs €60/`4,390. In addition, there is a VFS fee of `1,450. Applicants have to register and pay online (selfservice.udi.no). Processing time is 15 days (www.vfsglobal.com/Norway/India).

Sweden The cost of the Swedish visa is `4,300 for adults. Fees are to be paid in cash at the Swedish Visa Application Centre, along with a service charge of `760 and a cash handling charge of `57. The visa is processed within 12-15 days (www.vfsglobal.se/india/Index.html).

SEASONSScandinavia takes on new avatars through the year. In May-August, daytime temperature rises to 20°C, making the weather balmy and the landscape a lush green. It’s the time of the gorgeous midnight sun, and all of Scandinavia puts the daylight to good use with food, culture, and music festivals. This is also when camping grounds re-open. During spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) the weather is pleasant at about 18°C, and a buoyant mood takes over the cities. Travelling in winter (October-March) has its own charm too. Though the temperatures range between 2°C and -10°C, there are colourful Christmas markets to bring good cheer. This is also a popular time for winter sports like skiing and sledding. And for spotting that amazing visitor draw, the Northern Lights.

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www.visitsweden.com

www.visitnorway.com

www.visitdenmark.com

www.vasamuseet.se/en/

www.hurtigruten.com

www.dfds.com

www.swedishlapland.

com

www.hotel-geiranger.no

www.visitstockholm.com

www.nordicchoicehotels.

com

www.visitcopenhagen.

com

www.visitflam.com

www.vikingline.com

DENMARKBUDGET COPENHAGENWake Up Copenhagen has two centrally located hotels, with slick, modern interiors and well-planned rooms (+45-44800090 and +45-44800010; wakeupco-penhagen.com; doubles from DKK500/`4,928)

COMFORT COPENHAGENSkt. Petri is a contemporary chic hotel in the medieval centre of the city, with wooden parquet balconies that overlook Copenha-gen’s rooftops and spires (+45-33459100; sktpetri.com; standard doubles from DKK801/`7,740).

EXCLUSIVE COPENHAGEND’angleterre is a historic hotel dating back to 1755. It was built as a neoclassi-cal palace, offering guests an old-world elegance with modern style and technology (+45-33120095; dangleterre.com; doubles from DKK3,250/`31,408).

SWEDENBUDGET STOCKHOLMComfort Hotel Stockholm has quirky, colourful inte-riors that give it a friendly air and is centrally located (+46-856622200; nordic-choicehotels.se/comfort/com-fort-hotel-stockholm; doubles from SEK710/`5,587).

COMFORT STOCKHOLMClarion Hotel Sign is a model granite and glass building. Design connois-seurs will enjoy sinking

into the Arne Jacobsen’s Egg and Swan chairs in the lobby and going up to rooms named after design icons (+46-86769800; nordicchoicehotels.se/clarion/clarion-hotel-sign; doubles from SEK2,029/`15,750).

EXCLUSIVE STOCKHOLMGrand Hotel Stockholm is a waterfront property overlooking the Royal Pal-ace and Gamla Stan. This is where the Nobel Laure-ates stay, ever since the first Nobel banquet in 1901 (+46-086793500; grandho-tel.se/en; doubles from SEK 3,145/`24,747 with breakfast).

SWEDISH LAPLANDIce Hotel is made anew each year, sculpted en-tirely out of ice each winter, only to melt back into the River Torne in summer (+46-98066800; icehotel.com; doubles from SEK2,500/`19,672; warm boots, a snowsuit, mittens, and a balaclava are provided during your stay).

Tree Hotel has a unique selling point: Guest rooms are located in pods that hang among the treetops in the forests of Lapland, just south of the Arctic Circle (+46-92810403; treehotel.se; doubles from SEK4,700/`36,984). NORWAYBUDGET OSLOThon Hotel Oslo Pan-orama has rooms with clean lines with cheery

accents, and balconies that offer panoramic views of the beautiful bay and city lights (+47-23310800; thonhotels.no/hoteller/land/norge/oslo/thon-hotel-oslo-panorama; doubles from NOK2,090/`15,750).

COMFORT OSLOThe Thief is a trendy hotel located in Tjuvholmen, an area that was known as a den for thieves in the 18th century. Now it is a centre for contempo-rary art and good living projects (+47-24004000; thethief.com; doubles from NOK2,390/`18,475).

EXCLUSIVE OSLO Hotel Continental is one of Norway’s finest five-star hotels and has stayed with the same family for four generations since 1899 (+47-22824040; hotelcon-tinental.no; doubles from NOK2,995/`23,152).

FLÅM Fretheim Hotel used to be a farm that hosted English lords who came to fish in rivers rich with salmon (+47-57636300; fretheimhotel.no; doubles from NOK1,350/`10,436).

GEIRANGERHotell Geiranger is located in one of the world’s most beautiful spots. Not surpris-ingly, each window looks out over a breathtaking view (+47-70263005; hotel-geiranger.no; doubles from NOK1,300/`10,049).

STAY

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ONLY IN SCANDINAVIAfjords | northern lights | midnight sun | royal history |

nordic cuisine | design | sustainable living | unesco world heritage sites | sámi culture | vikings

SWEDEN

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GERMANY

POLAND

UNITED KINGDOM

NORWAY

DENMARK

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