Travel
A Scandinavian Road Trip
Scandinavia is a beautiful part of Europe and also one of the most environment-friendly regions of the world. In our road trip, we were lucky this summer to have seen the three beautiful countries that make up Scandinavia.
We begin with the Swedish capital Stockholm – a cluster of islands. June/July is the best month to visit but take some woollies with you as temperature can dip down into single digits. Gamla Stan or Old Stockholm is a must visit for every tourist. One can simple lose oneself walking through these narrow streets, where around one corner, you may see the Royal Palace, and if you take another turn you will end up at the famous Nobel Prize Museum. The quaint souvenir shops are a must-see even if you are just window-shopping, as Scandinavia with its high taxes and salaries is not easy on the wallet.
When in Stockholm one must visit the maritime museum, only a ferry away from the main island here at the Vasa Museum you’ll see the 16th century Viking ship called ‘Vasa’ – which sank on its maiden voyage. The ship was excavated in its full form and is a marvel to see in its fully restored glory.
Last but not the least, how can one visit Stockholm and not go to the Abba Museum. This interactive museum is a treat for every Abba fan.
From Stockholm we set off for Oslo, the Norwegian capital. We reached very late in the night but were awestruck to see the land of the midnight sun. This is truly an experience of a lifetime. Make sure your hotel has dark curtains. Oslo is full of modern contemporary Scandinavian architecture. The Oslo Opera House is situated on the harbor, where one can walk right up to the rooftop which is made slant. The view from up here is simply stunning.
We took a ferry ride to see the Oslo fjord and our favorite island here was Hovedøya. Ruins of the 12th century monastery on this island take you back in time. You can stop by for a treat at any of the local cafes for some Norwegian pastries and a hot cup of coffee. Although Oslo is painfully expensive on the pocket, do save some extra cash to enjoy delicacies made with the Norwegian salmon.
From Oslo we set off on our journey back into Sweden to our next destination, the city of Gothenburg. On this scenic road trip, you will take memories of electric environment-friendly Tesla cars which will last you a lifetime. Gothenburg is a port city with beautiful canals and bridges. We visited the Haga district with its traditional wood buildings and cobbled streets. It was here that the workers uprising began in the early 20th century. Now, it is a hip shopping area. Do not forget to try the traditional Swedish Fika.
Our next destination was Malmo which was, about two-and-a-half hour’s drive from Gothenburg. This is a medieval border town of Sweden which is connected to Denmark via the modern architectural wonder of the ‘Oresund Bridge’. This eight kilometre long bridge runs on the Straight of Oresund Bridge between the two countries. Many people like us choose to stay in Malmo and drive into Copenhagen, to avoid the excruciatingly expensive hotels of the Danish capital. Malmo gives us a chance to relax and enjoy the pedal boat ride along its many canals. It is also famous for its quirky sculpture stone all along the side of the canals.
Copenhagen was by far the highlight of our trip. It has something for everyone. Its canals remind the travellers of Amsterdam. When in the town of Hans Christian Anderson, a visit to see the statue of the little mermaid is a must, slightly anti-climatic due to its small size. Still there are plenty of photo opportunities here.
The district of Nyhavn or Harber in Copenhagen, is a true delight. It’s beautifully colored houses and a string of cafes offering gastronomical delights are heavenly. We enjoyed a boat ride which takes you all along the Copenhagen canals and gives you a guided tour of the city too. The real gem of the Tivoli Gardens. This is the second oldest amusement park in the world which inspired Walt Disney to make Disneyland. May of the rides here are still original and it is fun for the whole family. For diehard tourists, a Scandinavian road trip is definitely not a budget holiday, but if you have saved some extra cash, there’s no other experience quite as unique as this one.