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The Versailles of the North

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November 8, 2013

Clearly inspired by the style of Versailles, the official year-round home, Drottningholm Palace, of Sweden’s present-day King Carl Gustav XVI and Queen Silvia is widely held to be one of the most delightful European palaces.

On its own tree-covered island (Drottningholm means “queen’s island) in Lake Mälaren, the many-windowed rococo palace is open to the public even when the royal family is in residence. Built in 1622 for Sweden’s Queen Eleonora, the interior still dazzles with its collection of opulent 17th- to 19^th century art and furniture, gilt ceilings, and magnificent chandeliers. Fountains and formal gardens further encourage comparisons to the real Versailles.

Visit the unforgettable Drottingholm Court Theatre, the world’s most perfectly preserved 18^th-century theatre, where performances are still given using original sets and stage machinery. Originally lit by 400 candles, today it is illuminated by as many flickering flame-shaped electric bulbs.

The wooden theatre was built in 1766 at the request of Queen Lovisa Ulrika. The theatre is constructed of simple materials and the auditorium is playfully decorated using paint, stucco, and papier mâché. The wooden stage machinery is operated by hand. It includes wind, thunder and cloud machines, as well as traps ans moving waves. About 30 stage sets have been preserved, all decorated with themes from 18^th century repertoire.The 18^th-century operas and ballets performed today by some of Europe’s premier talents (and by an orchestra playing original period instruments) transport audiences back in time.

The first golden age of the theatre was initiated by King Gustaf III in 1777. Together with actors like Monvel, the composers Naumann and Kraus, the ballet master Gallodier and the architect Desprez Gustaf used Drotningholm to inject new life into Swedish theatre and opera. Up to his death in 1792, when the theatre was closed, the repertoire included Gluck’s latst works, péras comiques, French clkassical daramas and pantomime ballets.

When the literary historian Agne Beijer walked through the door in 1921 he discovered a sleeping beauty, untouched since the end of the 18^th century. After replacing the ropes, thorough cleaning and the installation of electricity, the magnificent theatre was reopened. Now the machinery could once again perform changements à vie, i. e. open scene changes in front of the audience.

Today the yearly summer Opera Festival offers new productions of 17^th and 18^th century operas and attracts audiences from all over the world. Since 1979 the Drottningholm Theatre Orchestra has performed in period instruments, and the repertoire includes works by Haydn, Handel, Gluck and Mozart, as well as Rameau and Monteverdi.

In 1991 the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO designated the theatre, together with Drottningholm Palace, the Chinese Pavillion and the surrounding park, as being of cultural heritage significance.

You’ll find the Palace and Theatre seven miles (11 km) west of Stockholm. Frequent one hour steamboat service (with guided tour along the way) leaves from Stadshusbron in Stockholm. www.dtm.se

Written by the Daily Scanidnavian team

A Scream of Joy at the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel in Oslo

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November 7, 2013

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A Scream of Joy at the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel in Oslo

Named after the famous Norwegian painter Edvard Munch, the Munch Conference Hall, with its 150 guest capacity, is finally open. Now, guests attending meetinmgs in the Munch Conference Hall can literally hear a scream of joy at the Radisson Blue Plaza Hotel in Oslo.

The Munch Conference Hall has been totally redecorated at a cost of six million Norwegian kroner. The hall now has the latest state of the art technical equipment, including 7.000 ansi light. Conference attendants claim they have never heard better sound systems.

– We have been missing rooms with capacity to 70 – 150 persons. Now we can accommodate all kind of meetings, from just a few persons to large groups of more than 1.000 people, says Tarje Hellebust, General Manager of Radisson Blu Oslo Plaza.

Light, modern and fantastic formed for meetings of the future
Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel has 30 meeting rooms, totaling 1.850 square meters, and is perfectly suited to accommodate all kinds of arrangements.

The newly renovated meeting room Munch has many features. It is on the first floor in the highest hotel in Northern Europe and the largest in Norway with 676 rooms. Munch is equipped with its own intermission- and exhibition area with coffee machines, the latest in light- and sound technology as well as AV equipment. The hall may, if desired, be divided into two.

The hotel is uniquely situated in downtown Oslo, and the conference hall Munch lets the daylight in, so that visitors feel the pulse of Norway’s capital whenever there’s a meeting. So if you’re looking for a conference hotel in Oslo, this is a good choice.

– With the reopening of Munch, we dare to say we are in the forefront of what is offered of modern ecofriendly conference facilities in Oslo, states Tarje Hellebust. – We deliver what we claim – experience meetings, even with brain food.

About Radisson Blu
Radisson Blu is Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group’s exclusive brand, offering first class service in modern, exclusive and hospitable surroundings. Radisson Blu has received several awards as best hotel group, and is famous for its “Yes I Can!” service attitude and its “100% satisfaction Guarantee”. Radisson Blu offers free Wi-Fi to all guests in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Most of the Radisson Blu properties in EMEA are managed by The Rezidor Hotel Group. The company has more than 260 hotels in operation or under construction. www.radissonblu.no

About Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group
The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group – established early in 2012 – is one of the world’s largest and most dynamic hotel companies. Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has more than 1300 hotels. The group of companies are present in 80 countries worldwide with strong global brands as Radisson Blu, Radisson®, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson^SM, Park Inn by Radisson, Hotel Missoni and Park Plaza®). At most of the hotels, managed by the group of companies, the guests may enjoy the loyalty program Club Carlson, one of the world’s best loyalty programs. Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group and the brands the group of companies employ more than 80 0000 people.

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group’s main offices are in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA and in Brussels, Belgium. www.carlson.com

Text and Photos: Tor Kjølberg (except feature image on top, photo by Radisson Hotels).

In search of the Sami in Scandinavia

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November 6, 2013

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Lapland means Santa to most holidaymakers, the home of Father Christmas. It’s a December destination complete with elves and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. But Lapland is home to the Sami people and a region to explore year-round, as Jo Durbridge reports.

It’s easy to think of Lapland – a land of snowy mountains, lakes and rivers, tundra and forest – as one big tourism factory dedicated to getting children close to that guy with the big white beard and the rest of us ‘back to nature’. If I needed reminding of it, I got it on a reindeer safari in northern Finland surrounded by jolly holidaymakers laughing nervously at the thought of being dragged across the frozen lakes by reindeer of all shapes and sizes.

This was a sanitised Sami experience, packaged by tour operators. We were on what seemed to be a reindeer farm a few miles outside of Levi in Finland, deep inside the Arctic Circle. However, our guide seemed reluctant to talk about whether this was a working farm or not, batting the question aside in favour of tedious health and safety briefings. You couldn’t blame her. After all, this was all about cute animals and fun on sleighs, not real life. But this is the real sami in Scandinavia.

But after our little safari through the stunning, frozen scenery, I did manage to find myself a Sami farmer who was happy to talk about his working farm a few miles away. While I gazed at chunks of reindeer meat hanging out in the freezing cold, drying in the air, he talked about how his reindeer roam free during much of the spring and summer in the local forests.

As autumn and winter beckons, he begins the process of rounding them up, ready for the time when quite a few of them will end up in the abbatoir. He couldn’t really tell me how many reindeer he had, but no doubt I’d eaten of few of them in Levi’s restaurants. And very delicious they were too, with creamy mash potato and berries. Their fur filled the souvenir shops.

Sadly, this may well be a dying annual cycle. The Sami– the only indigenous people in the European Union, living mainly in the northern regions of Finland, Norway and Sweden – are facing what many traditional societies are having to come to terms with. Young people are being drawn to the big towns and cities by better jobs and higher pay. Reindeer herding, fishing and hunting just can’t compete, despite pro-active attempts to protect the language and culture of the Sami in the Scandinavian countries.

The guide books try to reinforce the point by getting visitors to call the land Sápmi, which is how the locals know it. Whatever you do, don’t make the mistake of calling a Sami person a Lapp or Laplander. It’s a bit of a slap in the face.

As my reindeer safari proved, the Sami have always had a strong connection with the land, their ancient religion involving the spirit world and the power of nature. They believe that everything is connected to the earth. Mountains and fells, lakes and rivers, are worshipped. They also believe that everything organic has a soul. One of their more famous beliefs revolves around the Northern Lights; created when a fox ran across the night sky, sweeping the heavens with its tail and leaving behind a spectacular glow for the people of the north to see.

Shamanism has also been an essential part of their history and the Sami witch drum is today a popular souvenir among tourists.

The Sami way of life, its struggling languages and culture are all profiled in the Samiland exhibition at the Levi Summit Centre in Levi, part of a UNESCO effort to keep alive the memories and traditions of indigenous people around the world.

I was astonished to find that they were persecuted well into the 20th century even in hip, touchy-feely, left-leaning Finland. It’s a bit of a dry exhibition but outside are some traditional Sami buildings, including kotas (or tepees), turf huts and wooden storage rooms. Typically, there’s a small enclosure for some friendly reindeer.

Inside, some Sami slöjd, or handicraft, is either on show or available to buy. Look out for engraved reindeer horn, clothing, bracelets and other jewellery, bags and baskets.

In northern Norway, it’s possible to discover more about the Sami in their capital, Karasjok. The Sápmi Culture Park is a place to hear the Sami joik – the distinctive songs and singing style of the Sami, eat Sami food, meet the locals and see traditional homes and buildings. There are plenty of reindeer to meet and the town is home to the Norwegian Sami Parliament (pictured).

Karasjok is usually a pretty small capital, with just 3,000 inhabitants, unless you visit in the autumn. That’s when farmers bring about 60,000 reindeer to town.

There are certain times of the year when visitors can get a real taste of Sami culture, not least Sami National Dayon February 6. The day is marked differently depending on where you are but in Tromsø in Norway there are reindeer races, lasso championships and a Sami market.

Easter is another popular occasion, traditionally the time of year when the reindeer-herding Sami gather to celebrate the end of winter and to marry. In Karasjok and Kautokeino, events include the Sami Grand Prix – a sort of Eurovision Song Contest for Sami culture – and the annual reindeer race, concerts, theatre performances and exhibitions.

July sees the Riddu Riddu Sami Festival in Kåfjord, Norway, featuring music, film and art as well as activities for children.

In Sweden, a popular tourist destination in the height of summer is the Njarka Sami Camp by Lake Häggsjön, near the ski resort of Åre. At this farm, visitors can learn about reindeer, feed them and their calves, try lassoing and learn about Sami culture and customs.

Another great place to buy Sami handicraft is at the Jokkmokk winter market at the end of January and early in February – at 400 or so years old, it’s as traditional as traditional gets.
Written by John Durbridge for our friends at DailyTravelIdeas

Tivoli Gardens invites to Christmas party – and New Year’s eve celebration

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November 5, 2013

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Tivoli Gardens invites to Christmas party – and New Year’s eve celebration

Copenhagen Tivoli is always open during December, and has a different theme every year. We were there in December two years ago when they had built a Russian town on the half acre area. Tivoli was aesthetically beautiful, charming and entertaining as always.

Text and photos (when not otherwise stated) Tor Kjolberg

The copy of the Vasilij Cathedral, known from the Red Square in Moscow, was 21 meters high, and was of course equipped with its distinctive onion shaped dome and its own glockenspiel. The Vasilij Cathedral had its 450 years’ jubilee that year, and for those not being able to go to Moscow, Copenhagen provided a pleasant alternative. Tivoli Gardens invites to Christmas party.

Visitors to the Russian town could also take a ride on a miniature version of the Trans-Siberian railway, and enjoy Russian landscapes with the touch of mystical Christmas gnomes, angel choirs and extravagant Fabergé eggs.

Visit Tivoli Gardens this year (15 November to 31 December) and enjoy the many Christmas lights, try out five new Christmas rides and visit more than 50 Christmas stalls. There’s plenty of entertainment too, including the Pixie Band, Santa Claus in his living room at the Peacock Theatre and the Tivoli Boys Guard Christmas Parades. Every evening there is the beautiful Tivoli illuminations; a sensory bombardment of music, light, water, smoke, fire and laser light at the Tivoli Lake.

Yearly Theme Additions
– Tivoli, built as early as in 1843, will never be completed, said its founder Georg Carstensen. He was right. Tivoli’s history in Copenhagen has steadily evolved with more dashing and entertaining themes. Tivoli invested almost ten million Danish kroner to build the Russian town inspired by the age of the Tsar. Russian town also added a new ”drop tower” attraction called the Siberian Tower, with a stomach sucking ’free fall’ from a height of 115 meters.

Tivoli – an important tourist magnet
– Events create unique experiences and attract more tourists, says Lars Bernhard Jorgensen, managing director of Wonderful Copenhagen. – With this new initiative from Tivoli the tourists have even more reasons to visit Copenhagen during the winter months, and a visit to Tivoli is high on their list of priorities.

Manager of the Centre for Tourism and Culture Management, Copenhagen Business School, Lise Lyck, agrees. – Christmas is a family celebration, where traditions are transferred from generation to generation, she says. – Father Christmas, Christmas trees, Christmas dishes, red colors and Christmas lights are always ingredients of the Danish Christmas tradition. It is therefore a challenge and something new when Tivoli in addition to this creates and enriches the visitors with experiences from different Christmas traditions.

Fantastic contribution to please our many visitors
The work of making the Russian town lasted for two years. The architects and set designers of Tivoli made sketches, travelled, exchanged ideas and thought outside the box. That inspired among other things the traditional Christmas tree in the fountain outside the Concert hall to be moved to the Russian town where it stood as an iconic tower covered by thousands of lights.

And now – for the first time ever: New Year’s Eve in Tivoli
This year Tivoli in Copenhagen invites visitors to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the beautiful park. Attractions, games and shops are open from 11 am, and several thousand of lanterns will illuminate the park. At 10 pm a breathtaking fireworks, with a price tag of several million Danish kroner, will literally be thundering away.

Many tourists from Norway and Sweden
About 15 percent of visitors to Tivoli are tourists, mainly from Sweden and Norway. This is a good contribution to the tourism in Copenhagen, which, especially during the winter months, has a need for events to increase the number of visitors. Visit Denmark has studied different nations’ knowledge of places and attractions in Denmark, and Swedes and Norwegians have the same knowledge of Tivoli as to Copenhagen in general, 96 and 95 percent respectively. But not everybody knows that Tivoli is open from mid November to 30th of December, and this year even on New Year’s eve.

Last year Christmas opening of Tivoli was visited by more than 800.000 people.

Copenhagen Tivoli
Since Georg Carstensen opened the gate to Copenhagen Tivoli for the first time in 1843, the Garden has developed to a world class amusement and theme park with more than 25 attractions, activities, booths and restaurants, in addition to events, shows and high quality concerts. Tivoli is among the oldest amusement parks in the world and has with its traditions and attractions represented a strong entertainment offer for three generations. Tivoli is annually visited by around four million guests.

New aquarium in Copenhagen, Denmark

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November 4, 2013

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The Blue Planet is Northern Europe’s largest aquarium with more than 20,000 animals and 220,000 gallons of water.

Copenhagen celebrated recently the opening of The Blue Planet – northern Europe’s largest aquarium and a spectacular building in the shape of a giant seashell. Designed by local architects 3xN and located in Taarnby just outside Copenhagen on the edge of the Øresund Strait, the new aquarium in Copenhagen makes for a dramatic addition to the skyline of the capital of Denmark and looks set to become one of the city’s biggest attractions. The venue’s design was inspired by the circulating currents of the whirlpool, shoals of fish and swirling starlings turning the sky black. The aquarium is packed with fish and other marine life from around the world, with hammerhead sharks, giant schools of fish, crocodiles and vibrant coral reefs among the attractions.

Swirling architecture
Denmark now has a new architectural landmark in The Blue Planet on Amager.

From the entrance, the visitor steps into the vortex of the whirlpool, the round lobby, and is drawn inside the spiral towards the 52 aquariums and installations.

The building is located directly facing Øresund and is surrounded by a circular reflection pool. The Blue Planet is thus encircled by water on all four sides.

As Northern Europe’s largest and most modern aquarium, The Blue Planet is located at a central traffic junction close to the Metro, train connections, the motorway, and Copenhagen Airport.

In other words, it is difficult to overlook The Blue Planet whether you are arriving by land, water or by air. The entire floor space is approximately 2.5 acres (10.000 square meters).

The outdoor area covers 0.5 acre (2.000 square meters) in addition to parking facilities.

The story of Denmark’s Aquarium
Engineer Knud Højgaard and his soon, zoologist Mogens Højgaard took their annual walk through the forest on Christmas Eve 1934. Mogens described his dream of building greenhouses for amphibians and fish – if he owned the forest, that is.

With that the idea of Denmark’s aquarium came into being, as Knud Højgaard replied to his son: “It’s something worth talking about.”

Five years later, in 1939, Denmark’s Aquarium opened to the public.

Visitors faint in droves
The first public aquarium in Denmark, which in 1939 also was the second largest in Europe, was a huge crowd puller. In just one month nearly 77,000 people visited the new attraction.

Overcrowding inside the aquarium meant that visitors had to be allowed into the building in groups. And although the aquarium had a wide corridor with four side halls, the ventilation unfortunately was so poor that many visitors fainted.

War hits the aquarium
The second world war broke out same year as the aquarium opened. The war made it impossible for fish to be imported into the country but in spite of this, the aquarium managed to stay supplied with marine animals but the number of species on display was reduced.

During the summer of 1944, Denmark was affected by a general strike which was catastrophic for the aquarium as it meant no electricity for the fish tanks. With director Mogens Højgaard leading the way, the staff used pedal power to keep the tanks supplied with sufficient oxygen.

The Aquarium expands
By 1974 the aquarium was in need of refurbishment, and two new sections were opened. Visitors now had access to five new impressive landscape aquariums and a biological museum. More than a decade later, in 1989, Denmark’s Aquarium celebrated its 50th anniversary. To commemorate the event, Knud Højgaard’s Foundation donated an annex to the aquarium for use as a café, which was ready to welcome visitors a year later.

Charlottenlund becomes too small
More annexes were added as the year passed and the aquarium outgrew its buildings in Charlottenlund. More apace and modern facilities became a necessity in the mid-1990s. But the grounds of the buildings were protected, and this made it impossible to remain in Charlottenlund.

The Blue Planet comes into being
After a number of years spent raising funds through foundations and other means, an architecture competition was launched in 2007. A new aquarium was to be built, and Tårnby Municipality on Amager made a waterfront location available for the project. The Danish architect studio 3XN won the international architecture competition, and The Blue Planet is now a reality. In March this year 3,000 marine animals were moved from the old building to Amager, where they joined 17,000 new marine animals.

The Blue Planet now has 20,000 fish and marine animals in 53 tanks with a total of 220,000 gallons (seven million liters) of water.
The building’s architecture is inspired by the shape of a whirlpool, and even before The Blue Planet opened its doors, the building was heralded as “Denmark’s best flagship project” within the tourism and experience economy.

Source: The Blue Planet, Copenhagen

Pulpit Rock in Norway draws record visitors

Norway

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November 1, 2013

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Pulpit Rock in Norway draws record visitors

Norway’s famed high rocky plateau known as Preikestolen (The Pulpit Rock) has attracted a record number of visitors so far this year, up more than 20 percent over last year. Debate continues over safety, though, and over how many visitors the landmark can accommodate.

NTB reported that 205,000 persons have visited Preikestolen (Pulpit rock in Norway) this year, up from 170,000 last year. A foundation devoted to promoting the area high above the Lysefjord,Stiftelsen Preikestolen og Lysefjorden Utvikling, was delighted but also wonders how much traffic the area can handle.
– We are getting close to an amount that will require an analysis, and also the political bodies need to get involved,” Audun Rake of the foundation told Stavanger Aftenblad.

Safety concerns rose again last month when a Spanish tourist fell ftom the steep side of the plateau and died. There are no fences and a sheer drop of about 1970 feet (600 meters) down to the fjord. It was initially believed to be a tragic accident and police finished their investigation without filing any criminal charges.

Several acquaintances of the tourist, however, have since contacted Stavanger Aftenblad, pointing to what appeared to be a suicide note written by the deceased and timed for publication on social media after the fatal fall. Local police were made aware of the note and local sheriff Odd-Bjørn Næss confirmed there were indications that the fall was in fact planned.

Norwegian media rarely if ever reports suicides, which are prevalent but still largely a taboo subject in Norway. In this case, though, the local Stavanger paper made an exception because of the widespread debate over safety and whether the site should be better secured.

Innovation Norway joins forces with Disney

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October 31, 2013

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VISITNORWAY by Innovation Norway joins forces with Disney to showcase stunning inspiration for the look of the upcoming big-screen adventure “Frozen”.

VISITNORWAY, Norway’s national tourist board, officially joined forces with Disney to celebrate the upcoming big-screen comedy adventure “Frozen” and its stunning look and setting, inspired by Norway’s beautiful landscape, culture and heritage. The unique collaboration and marketing initiative is designed to drive tourism to Norway, while boosting enthusiasm for the film, which opens in U.S. theaters Nov. 27, 2013.

Visitnorway and Disney will begin working immediately to create a global marketing campaign around the new animated adventure. The campaign will see Norway’s spectacular scenery, folklore and culture showcased on an unprecedented scale and will position Norway on the world stage in a way not seen before.

The “Frozen” script called for a dramatic setting, complete with ice and snow, castles and mountains. Filmmakers from Walt Disney Animation Studios realized that Norway had it all. “We wanted to create an intimate world with an enchanting and dynamic setting that would be immediately identifiable for generations to come,” says Mike Giaimo, art director for the film. “Norway offered a cultural backdrop we’d never explored before and we thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to blend its dramatic natural environment, architecture and folk costume aesthetic?’ It feels like a world from a classic Disney film, but it’s completely new.”

The production team referenced details from Norway for the fictional kingdom of Arendelle, which sits on a fjord and includes elements of classic Norwegian architecture like a stave church. Its steep, majestic backdrop serves as the perfect setting for the journey Anna undertakes with rugged mountain man Kristoff in search of her sister Elsa. Filmmakers were also inspired by Norwegian bunad—traditional folk costumes that feature elaborate designs—and select characters actually speak Norwegian in the film or use an accent that is reminiscent of the region.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to promote Norway as a wonderful tourist destination,” says Per-Arne Tuftin, director of tourism at Innovation Norway. “Disney is well known around the world, and we hope that in providing the inspiration for the backdrop to this film, Norway will appeal to the film’s fans—viewers of all ages who will be inspired to visit Norway and explore our beautiful country in the years ahead.”

The campaign will feature joint promotional activities and special events throughout the film’s theatrical run and home entertainment window, plus social media and website exposure, including a dedicated section about “Frozen” on visitnorway.com.

Walt Disney Animation Studios, the studio behind “Tangled” and “Wreck-It Ralph,” presents “Frozen,” a stunning big-screen comedy adventure. Fearless optimist Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) sets off on an epic journey—teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff (voice of Jonathan Groff) and his loyal reindeer Sven—to find her sister Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel), whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf (voice of Josh Gad), Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom. The film is directed by Chris Buck (“Tarzan,” “Surf’s Up”) and Jennifer Lee (screenwriter, “Wreck-It Ralph”), who also wrote the screenplay. It is produced by Peter Del Vecho (“Winnie the Pooh,” “The Princess and the Frog”). Featuring original songs from Tony® winner Robert Lopez (“The Book of Mormon,” “Avenue Q”) and Kristen Anderson-Lopez (“In Transit,” “Winnie the Pooh”), and an original score by Christophe Beck (“The Muppets,” Oscar®-winning short “Paperman”), “Frozen” hits theaters in 3D on Nov. 27, 2013.

Disney.com/Frozen

Source: Innovation Norway

10 outdoor attractions in West Sweden

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October 30, 2013

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The majority of visitors to the west of Sweden find themselves in the bustling city of Gothenburg, but there’s plenty to enjoy in the great outdoors away from the city.

Depending on the time of year you visit, there’s a fine selection of sports events, foodie celebrations and natural wonders to tempt you.

Here’s our guide to some of the best attractions in West Sweden, so you may plan your trip to Sweden next summer:

A lobster safari
The region’s shellfish is celebrated by foodies thanks to the region’s cold, clean waters. Set out to sea with an expert fisherman to learn how to catch and prepare one of the sea’s real treats, lobster. If you prefer other seafood, try mussel, oyster, crayfish or prawn safaris instead. The lobster season starts on the first Monday after September 20 each year and runs until the end of April.

Do the Dalsland Canoe Marathon
Held in August, the Dalsland Canoe Marathon (pictured above) is Sweden’s largest canoe event. But at 55 km, it’s not exactly for the novices. The route takes in pretty lakes and waterways surrounded by forests, so it’s great for spectators, while competitors are likely to be aged anywhere from 12 to 75. Children can join in on a shorter course. The event is followed by a crayfish party.

Probe the Fjällbacka murders
Camilla Läckberg’s books are huge in Sweden, the country’s top-selling crime novelist, with such titles as The Ice Princess, The Lost Boy and The Lighthouse Keeper selling like hot cakes. She sets her detective stories in the fishing village of Fjällbacka (pictured), and there the locals have been quick to cash in on her success. Guided tours follow in the footsteps of her characters but also give visitors the chance to walk up Vetteberget Mountain, which towers over the village and offers fine views.

Take a trip on the Göta Canal
Connected to the country’s largest lakes – Lake Vänern and Lake Vättern in West Sweden – the Göta Canal stretches all the way from Gothenburg to Stockholm. Built by engineer Baltzar von Platen between 1810 and 1832, it was a mammoth undertaking and stretches 190 km. You can travel along it on an historic steamship, cycle or walk along its banks or rent boats, canoes and kayaks at many stops. There are more than 20 locks and 58 locks; at Berg, seven lock systems lift boats around 18 metres from Lake Roxen.

See thousands of cranes
Every year, from mid-March to mid-April, bird-watchers flock to see the stunning sight of 10,000 cranes dancing above Lake Hornborga. They perform as part of their mating ritual, flying in from Spain to their traditional breeding grounds. Stay nearby in Hotel Andrum’s tree-house, Seventh Heaven, and have breakfast hoisted up in a basket every morning.

Celebrate Midsummer
It’s not surprising that a people who have to endure long, dark winters feel the need to have a big knees-up come summer. Swedes celebrate its arrival on Midsummer Eve in June. Maypoles are raised in villages and everyone tucks into a Midsummer feast of such delicacies as pickled herring, boiled potatoes with dill, soured cream and red onion – washed down with schnapps. Strawberries are a popular, traditional dessert. One place to watch the Maypole dancing is at Victoriaparken in Lyckorna.

The Day of the Herring
Also in June is the national holiday known as the Day of the Herring, named after Sweden’s favourite fish. Locals started to make a living out of it on the west coast about 1,000 years ago, and fishing communities developed in the region between the 1500s and 1800s. Celebrate the day in Klädesholmen – known as Herring Island because 40% of Sweden’s herring comes from there. Tuck into a herring lunch on the pretty harbour and take a tour of the herring factory or a heritage walk around the island.

Watch sailing
You might not want to take part but why not watch the Stena Match Cup from historic Marstrand Island in July (a 45-minute drive north of Gothenburg). More than 100,000 visitors gather on the cliffs and quaysides of this picturesque island to follow the yacht races. Head further north to the coastal gem of Lysekil for another sailing spectacular in August – the world’s biggest match-racing competition for women, the Lysekil Women’s Match.

Enjoy a crayfish party
Sweden’s summertime crayfish parties are one of its greatest traditions and usually take place from mid-August to mid-September. While most are private affairs, those at at Väderöarnas Värdhus guesthouse on The Weather Islands are public affairs. Visitors have the chance to catch the seafood delicacies fresh from the ocean before a big crayfish feast is cooked up, accompanied by schnapps and traditional Swedish drinking songs. Guests can enjoy hot tubs by the sea, kayaking and relaxing walks too. www.vaderoarna.com

Music at the Way Out West Festival
Held every year in August since 2007, the Way Out West Festival attracts some of the biggest names in music and some of Sweden’s biggest clubs. Held in Gothenburg’s central Slottskogen Park, acts seen over the years have included Solange, Primal Scream, Azealia Banks, Neil Young and Lily Allen. The festival has strong eco credentials.

Written by our friends at DailyTravelIdeas.com

Norwegian town finally gets to see the sun

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October 29, 2013

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After years of winter darkness, the 100-year-old idea of a sun-tracking mirror, Rjukan, the Norwegian town finally gets to see the sun.

Six months of darkness

Rjukan is situated deep in the narrow Vestfjord Valley in Telemark. Due to the high mountains surrounding the valley, among them The Gaustadtoppen Mountain at 6 178 feet ( 1,883 meters) above sea level, there is no sunlight six months of the year (from September to March).

Sun-reflecting technology

This winter, the darkness will finally come to an end. The dark town has gone to desperate measures and installed three giant mirrors, of a total size of 538 square feet ( 50 square meters), to reflect the sun. The five million NOK invention will bring sunshine to an area of up to 6459 square feet ( 600 square meters).

The idea of a sun mirror was conceived in 1913 by Sam Eyde, who wanted to give his workers the opportunity to experience the sunlight during the winter. Eyde’s successors built a gondola up to the mountain. The Krossobane Cable Car was the first cable car in northern Europe. It was built in 1928 as a gift from Norsk Hydro to the townspeople so that they could get up high enough to see the sun during the winter. But it would take a hundred years before the sun mirror was completed.

The sun-tracking mirrors will capture the sunrays and direct them down to the center of Rjukan, Norway

Today’s technology has made it possible to realize Eyde’s original idea. A computer-driven heliostat, placed at the top of a steep mountain wall 1312 feet (400 meters) over the town, will capture the sunrays and direct them down to the center of Rjukan.

The sun mirrors will be launched on Tuesday this week, exactly 100 years after the idea was first presented in the local newspaper.

The official website for Rjukan visitrjukan.com

Source: Innovation Norway

World-class airport gastronomy in Denmark

dailyscandi

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October 28, 2013

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World-class airport gastronomy in Denmark

Copenhagen Airport won in three categories at the prestigious Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) Awards show in Dubai last Wednesday evening. Joe & The Juice and Le Sommelier Bar & Bistro put Copenhagen on the world map with awards for ‘Best Airport Coffee Shop’ and ‘Best Airport Chef-Led Dining’. Copenhagen Airport also won the ‘Best Food & Beverage Marketing & Promotions Campaign’ for the CPH Nordic Dining pop-up restaurant.

Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai was the venue of Wednesday night’s presentation of the prestigious FAB Awards for best airport bar, coffee shop and restaurant concepts worldwide. Led by Francis Cardenau, Copenhagen Airport’s Le Sommelier Bar & Bistro won the ‘Best Airport Chef-Led Dining’ award, while Joe & The Juice received the ‘Best Airport Coffee Shop’ award. In the category ‘Airport Food & Beverage Offer of the Year’, Copenhagen Airport was a proud second, only surpassed by Dubai International Airport.No doubt, there is world-class airport gastronomy in Denmark.

“These FAB awards really show that we have been successful in our strategy of raising the bar for the airport’s range of coffee shops and restaurants. Joe & The Juice is a strong Danish quality brand which has been very popular with travellers from day one: fresh produce, cool interior decoration and a concept that is so popular that Joe & The Juice opened a second unit at Copenhagen Airport this spring,” said Copenhagen Airport’s VP, Sales and Marketing, Carsten Nørland, adding:

“In Le Sommelier Bar & Bistro’s kitchen, everything is cooked from scratch and from the heart – they offer a standard of brasserie food that is very popular at Copenhagen Airport. Francis Cardenau was the first chef in Denmark to have two stars in the Michelin guide. With his charismatic personality, he is an important part of the food experience offered by Le Sommelier Bar & Bistro.”

The world’s strongest food event
Copenhagen Airport won even more recognition at the Dubai show, also pocketing the ‘Best Food & Beverage Marketing & Promotions Campaign’ award, for its pop-up-restaurant ‘CPH Nordic Dining’ which in 2012 became the first event where passengers were invited to taste exquisite Nordic cuisine cooked by some of the very best chefs in Denmark.

“CPH Nordic Dining is a powerful example of how we work to give passengers at Copenhagen Airport an extraordinary experience. Gastronomy is one of Denmark’s strongest trademarks, and we saw CPH Nordic Dining as a way to give travellers a taste of the latest and the very best of what Copenhagen and Denmark as a whole have to offer. The restaurant was such a great success in 2012 that we decided to invite star chefs Thomas Rode, Mikkel Marschall and David Johansen to create Michelin-class food in the middle of the airport terminal area. The FAB award shows that not only the passengers, but also the industry consider the pop-up restaurant a world-class event,” said Nørland.

Facts about FAB Awards 2013
The third FAB Awards ceremony was held at Atlantis, The Palm on 1 – 3 October 2013. Organised by the highly reputed industry report, The Moodie Report, the FAB awards are presented each year to the industry’s best food & beverage brands and concepts. This year’s jury consisted of Martin Moodie, Founder & Publisher of The Moodie Report, David King, Founder of The David King Partnership, and Wendy Bartlett, Managing Director of Bartlett Mitchell Ltd. You can read more about the FAB Awards 2013 and see all the category winners here.

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Sun-reflecting technology