Copenhagen
Copenhagen is one of the most warm and inviting cities in existence. A picture of this quaint city includes cobblestone streets, a few towering skyscrapers and friendly people that will greet you at every turn. This is very unlike the typical hot pavement and traffic-covered streets that are usually associated with a major city. Copenhagen is truly a fairy-tale town where pollution does not exist but the sweet scent of bakeries envelopes the area instead.
Copenhagen is part cosmopolitan city and part small town that has plenty to offer its visitors. This is the political, financial and cultural capital of Denmark that 1.5 million people call home. Museums, historical sights, cafés, and the most delicious restaurants abound here. The day will captivate you and the night will intrigue you, so do not plan to go to sleep early. Go crazy and live it up at the many clubs and bars, or have a cappuccino while watching a magnificent sunset.
Copenhagen has quite a tumultuous history, starting in 1157, when Valdemar the Great gave it to Bishop Absalon. Before this transition year, Copenhagen was just a simple fishing town. Bishop Absalon built a castle here, which is now Christianborg Palace. Copenhagen grew to be a great center as a Baltic trade route, and in the 15th century, the town became the royal residence and the capital of Norway and Sweden. Walking around Copenhagen today, one will be able to see beautiful castles and towers that date back to the 16th century and the rule of Christian IV. This king was enamored of fine architecture, which resulted in a wealth of construction that still marvels visitors today. We are quite lucky Christian IV built up the city as much as he did, because some of the buildings from his time are the only historical landmarks that survived two major fires in the 18th century, as well as the bombings by Lord Nelson during the Napoleonic Wars.
A sweet lull of peace sweeps over Denmark now, which disguises Copenhagen's difficult history. It is a colorful town brought to life by street musicians and performers on every corner. Delight your eyes with the lights that illuminate these same streets at night, and take a stroll along a drawbridge over one of the many canals. It is impossible not to fall in love with this seafaring city.
Bergen
Bergen is a picturesque city in the gorgeous country of Norway. Located in the western region of this glorious land, Bergen is a beautiful and diverse area full of natural wonders. The museums are fantastic, and the Bergen Art Museum in particular is a real gem. The visual splendor of Bergen is remarkable, and you will never tire of this extraordinary city. The fjords are magnificent, and the longest fjord in Norway is Sogne, located just to the north of Bergen. Many of the old buildings in the heart of the city are beautifully constructed and are charming spots just waiting to be explored. The eating and shopping in Bergen are both excellent, as there are a number of high quality restaurants and stores to peruse. The jewelry and clothing in Bergen shops are extremely nice, and in some locations you will discover great hard-to-find items. A combination of natural and man-made beauty makes the Hanseatic Wharf area one of the most spectacular port areas in the world. Wherever you go in Bergen, you are sure to be amazed, and the waterfront of the city is particularly impressive.
King Olav Kyrre established Bergen as a Viking harbor in 1070. It was by far the most important port in all of Norway for import, export, and general usage. In the thirteenth century, Bergen was officially declared the capital of Norway. In 1241, the Hanseatic League was established in order to create monopolies on certain segments of European trade. Bergen joined forces with several German cities and became one of four main trading powers and one of the primary ports for salted fish and timber on the continent, making the area incredibly powerful and prosperous. This rich heritage has survived the centuries, and Bergen continues to be a thriving city. Just recently, it was declared one of the three tidiest cities in Europe, which is quite an honor indeed. If you like cleanliness, crisp air, and an abundance of sights and adventures, then Bergen is a perfect city for you. There is definitely a lot of rainfall in this port city, but you are sure to be cheered up by one of the friendly locals, who will insist that you join in for a laugh and a drink at one of the local hangouts.
Stavanger
Norway's fourth largest city, with over 110,000 inhabitants, Stavanger is a gorgeous city full of beauty and wonder. Stavanger was founded in 1125, built around the landmark St. Svithuns Cathedral. The Cathedral still stands, and is now called the Stavanger Cathedral; it remains a cultural highlight. In the 13th and 14th centuries, Stavanger served as a religious center of Norway, and people from all over came here to be spiritually cleansed and to pray. Stavanger was tremendously influential, but it was not until the 1500?s that the region really began to expand and grow in terms of population. It was at this time that timber sales from Stavanger to other areas in Norway and beyond took off, providing an enormous economic boost to the city.
The name Norway comes from the word Norvegr, which means the way to the north. This term was used over 1,000 years ago by the Vikings as they described the shipping route of Norway. Today the country is referred to as the Land of the Midnight Sun because of the long days during the summer and long nights during the winter. In the wintertime, it is not uncommon to have darkness last for over seventeen hours. The scenery in Stavanger is glorious, especially the glaciers and mountainous regions. Destinations to ski, hike, and explore are plentiful, and there are a number of fantastic sightseeing locations as well. If you are looking for a hopping nightlife, Stavanger is not for you. But if you are looking for adventure, excitement, and beauty, then look no further.
Oslo
Oslo is one of the oldest capitals in all of Scandinavia. Because of increased interest in tourism, Oslo has experienced tremendous growth in the past decade. Whereas twenty or thirty years ago, visitors to Oslo would have had to rely solely on the intrinsic beauty of the area for a good time, now, with all of the added tourist attractions and museums, the combination is dynamite. There is enough to see and do in Oslo to keep you busy and happy for weeks.
In the 11th-century, a Viking king founded Oslo, and under Hakkon V, the city became the capital of Norway. Throughout the centuries, Oslo has burned to the ground numerous times, but every time it was rebuilt on a grander scale. Most recently, the city was completely destroyed by fire in 1824, but the King of Denmark, Christian IV, rebuilt the town in close proximity to the Akershus Castle. During this time, he renamed the city Christiania, but in 1924 Oslo reverted back to its previous (and current) name. After World War II, Oslo expanded to 175 square miles and today, in terms of area, it is one of the ten largest capital cities in the world. This is quite amazing for such a seemingly small town. However, for its great geographic size, there are only 500,000 inhabitants that live in the city. The region is heavily forested, and along with glaciers and mountains, Oslo has a great deal of uninhabitable area.
The name Norway comes from the word Norvegr, meaning the way to the north. Over 1,000 years ago, this term was used by the Vikings to describe the shipping route of the country. Norway is often referred to as the Land of the Midnight Sun because of the long nights during the winter and the long days during the summer. In the wintertime, it is not uncommon to have over seventeen hours of straight darkness. The scenery in Oslo is picturesque, and destinations to hike, ski, and explore are everywhere. The locals are friendly, and the territory is diverse and wonderfully exciting.
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