Scandinavia

[kaneohebud]

Hi All:
My wife and I are going to Scandinavia for the first time in late August/early September. In addition to a cruise around the area, we will be spending three days in Copenhagen and three in Stockholm. Is there anyone on CIC who lives/is familiar with the area who can make recommendations on what to see/photograph? Many thanks.

[Brownbear]

Hi Bud,

My family is from Finland, and although it has been a while since I've been back home, and to Copenhagen or Stockholm (very short visits) but for scenery there are thousands of vistas of beautiful lakes and birch tree forests, and as you will be there only a couple of months after mid summers eve the days will be long and light will be beautiful.

If you will be visiting Finland, one of my cousins is an avid bird watcher so if you are interested in photographing birds I can ask him for the best places. In Copenhagen and Stockholm the old towns are especially beautiful (narrow cobblestone streets, colourful houses and boats) plus there are churches and palaces, and unique architecture (gothic), and wonderful museums of modern art and glass.

If you send me a PM saying what you are most interested in photographing I will email my cousins and ask for up to date recommendations.

One must do to experience the culture is to stay at a cabin on the lake and experience a true Scandinavian sauna! And feast on some black bread and herring, and fish smoked in a tin barrel over a campfire.

[Inkanyezi]

I second Christina's suggestion about a cabin at the lake with sauna in Finland.

About Stockholm, there's just too much, and I don't know what particular interests you might have. There are places that I like very much to revisit, but the whole town and surrounding area is just so full of them that I don't know what to suggest. One café/restaurant that I think is worth the visit is Fåfängan, on a hilltop not far from the centre of the city - provided it doesn't rain.



But I think what's most rewarding is just a stroll around the town and maybe a boat ride with one of the boats that makes tours around all the islands. A few days is such a brief time; I wouldn't know how to spend them.

[Brownbear]

For your one day in Helsinki one of my cousins says...


One day is a short time to spend in Helsinki when there is a lot to see, but I recommend in Helsinki

The Senate Square and its surroundings form a unique and cohesive example of Neoclassical architecture. The square is dominated by four buildings designed by Carl Ludvig Engel between 1822 and 1852: Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace, the main building of the University of Helsinki and the National Library of Finland. Helsinki Cathedral is arguably Finland's most famous and photographed building; it celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2002. The oldest stone building in Helsinki is the Sederholm House located on the southeast corner of the square.The main building of the City Museum can be found on the Sofiankatu museum street.

Suomenlinna (Viapori/Sveaborg) fortress is one of the biggest sea fortresses in the world. Founded in 1748 and built by Augustin Ehrensvärd on islands off the coast of Helsinki. Suomenlinna one of the most popular attractions in Finland and a place where people live. It was included in Unesco’s World Heritage List in 1991 as a unique monument to European military architecture. An important part of any visit to Suomenlinna is a good meal or a welcome break at one of the cafés. The fortress has a selection of restaurants and charming cafés. The Visitor Centre, situated in the middle of the fortress at Tykistölahti bay, is a base and information point for visitors and is the starting point for the walking tours. It also contains the Suomenlinna Museum exhibition. Suomenlinna is explored on foot. During the summer months there are daily guided tours in English around Suomenlinna.

Quarried out of the natural bedrock, Temppeliaukio Church is one of Helsinki's most popular tourist attractions. The interior walls are created naturally by the rock. The church was designed by architects Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen and opened in 1969. Due to its excellent acoustics the church is a popular venue for concerts.

When I hear back from others on Stockholm and Copenhagen I will post here.

[cliffmccartney]

Hi Bud,

I've been to Copenhagen many times, but it's been a while since I've been there. I remember Nyhavn as a very pretty part of the city, and there being a lot of color and texture to capture there. Tivoli Gardens is just a bit commercialized, but it's still pretty.

Cliff

[Inkanyezi]

If you arrive with a cruise ship, there are three spots that are likely for mooring, the most pleasant of them probably somewhere in the middle of that image I posted. Another nice spot is just below the hill where the café is, at the right. The third, not so nice spot is a harbour just opposite the island where I live.

If the ship is anchored in the middle of "Saltsjön", its tenders will be used for transportation ashore, and landing will be at Skeppsbron, in the Old Town. If moored in Värtahamnen, buses will be used to get downtown.

There are quite a few websites covering Stockholm for tourists, maybe the most prominent one http://www.visitstockholm.com/en/

It should perhaps be pointed out, that as any big city, Stockholm does not have many "attractions" particularly for foreign tourists, but the attractive parts of the city are part of our everyday life, including tourist magnets as Skansen (the open air museum) and the royal park at Haga, as well as the whole Old Town with the royal castle and houses of parliament. There is also a very nice park by the castle that is the residence of our king, Drottningholm, a bit outside of the town.

I think the visit Stockholm site will give a few more tips, and I might be able to help out somewhat as you arrive, although you might ask just anyone as many Swedish people are rather fluent in English. I live in an adjoining town in one of the islands in the archipelago, just about half a mile from where cruise ships often moor if those more central spots are occupied. In September though, there is a good chance that you will be in the centre of the town.

You might find a few starting points in http://www.haus.fi/midcom-serveattac...13_english.pdf

[davidedric]

One or two ideas for Stockholm - you can check them out on the Internet.

As Urban says, a stroll around town with a camera, specifically Gamla stan, the old town

Take a boat over to Djurgorden

I found the restoration of the Vasa warship absolutely fascinating

Lovely city!

Dave

[Inkanyezi]

The Vasa Museum is just a few minutes walk from where the vessel will land at the Djurgården side, if you take it from close to where tenders usually land at Gamla Stan, a place called Räntmästartrappan. And it really is a very interesting restoration of a sunken warship from long ago. Their website is:
http://www.vasamuseet.se/en/

Also the outdoor museum Skansen is close to this location, and there are several nice restaurants nearby, as well as the ABBA museum, if you happen to be fans of theirs.

http://www.skansen.se/en/kategori/english

http://www.abbathemuseum.com/en/

[kaneohebud]

Wow! Thanks all. Appreciate all the good information.

I hope to bring back some good photos to post. Still quite a ways off though.

[Brownbear]

Hi Bud,

Seems like most of my family has taken to vacationing in Turkey and Spain, and not so up to date on Copenhagen and Stockholm.


One more recommendation below, and waiting to hear back from one more person who is away for a few weeks on vacation.

Stockholm & Copenhagen are a bit older, while Helsinki is more 19th/20th Century "modern" which makes it cool, especially on architecture. I don't know much for landscapes, but each city has some great spots for streetscapes & architecture that he'll find no problem. Stockholm's Gamla Stan (old town) is one of the best in all of Europe - you can get lost in the little old side streets. Very recommended to spend time there, especially for photogs. Copenhagen has some lovely old palaces and gardens, there's Tivoli whihc has it's own charm, and Nyhavn harbour which is picturesque. Helsinki has some neat neo-Classical streetscapes and some more oriental architecture that allowed it to be used to stand in for Russia in western movies made during the Cold War. The harbourfront has a terrific farmer's & fish & produce market that has charm from a photographer's POV. Also recommended to go up to the top of Hotel Torni for an amazing view over the city! (free to visit the bar & terrace up there, or stay for a drink)

I would like to add that you have to have experience a traditional sauna, even if it is in Stockholm. Missing the experience is akin to visiting Mexico without trying at least one sip of Tequila.

I remember Nyhavn as being delightfully picturesque, and so colourful. But mostly what comes to my mind is food.

In Finland... Crayfish, Pulla (a sweet bread), Salmiakkie (salty licorice (Fazer & Panda sweet licorice), Soda Pop (Jaffa Brand) in flavours of pear, citrona and apple), Kissili (a type of berry porridge), Karlelian pirrika (type of rye pastry filled with rice or mashed potatoes), Blueberry soup and Swedish pancakes... And anywhere in Scandinavia open faced sandwiches in the outdoor cafes. All definite musts.

[kaneohebud]

Thanks again Christina. I'm saving all your, and others', tips in a document that we will take with us on our trip. Can't beat that local knowledge.

[Brownbear]

My pleasure. Enjoy your trip. I'm very much looking forward to viewing your images, and just a wee bit homesick.

Thanks again Christina. I'm saving all your, and others', tips in a document that we will take with us on our trip. Can't beat that local knowledge.