Stockholm
Stockholm is the official capital of Sweden, a remarkable city full of life and energy that is sure to dazzle your eyes and comfort your soul. This is not just a city to visit; Stockholm is truly a city to experience. There exists an incredible amount of activities to engage in, and the scenery is so picturesque that you will never feel bored or unfulfilled. Sweden is a well-run and well-educated country, making it all the more pleasant to visit. The conditions and accommodations in Stockholm are magnificent, as are the dining facilities. Choose from a wide array of fabulous restaurants for dinner, and then walk to a café for an outstanding dessert. The museums in Stockholm are quite interesting, and this ancient city has plenty of historic landmarks.
The city is home to 1.4 million inhabitants, and is at the forefront of the 24,000-island archipelago that starts at Lake Malaren and stretches for hundreds of miles out to the Baltic Sea. This city is an amazing one, a region comprised of small islands and bridges that connect them together. Gorgeous steeples and daunting towers are laced throughout the land, and the décor is often reminiscent of the Renaissance. The much newer skyscrapers add a modern feel that complements the ancient architecture perfectly. The combination is ideal, making for an atmosphere that is diverse but fitting. Stockholm was founded over seven hundred years ago, and in the mid-1600?s it became the official capital of Sweden. Almost all of the ancient structures remain intact, and the old cobblestone streets still exist in many parts of the city.
The early history of Sweden was highlighted by a series of wars with its neighbors, a struggle for independence and self-rule. It was not until 1523, when Gustav Vasa defeated the Danish in a great battle, that Sweden really became its own nation. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Sweden was a major force in Europe, a powerful and influential country that seemed to be on the rise. But wars with Russia and Denmark resurfaced, and periods of fighting occurred throughout the years until the mid-1800?s. After 1844, Sweden ushered in an era of relative tranquility. This peaceful attitude permeates throughout the land, and this will become evident when interacting with the friendly locals of the wonderful city of Stockholm.
St. Petersburg
The glow of St. Isaac's Cathedral and the wonder of the Russian Museum are two key elements that make St. Petersburg one of the most marvelous destinations in Eastern Europe. This ancient and magnificent city is bursting with personality, exploding with character, and built on culture and a strong heritage. The people of St. Petersburg remember their past, and honor their ancestors and greatest leaders with a dazzling array of cathedrals, churches, squares, and museums. The architectural highlights of this great city are abundant, and included are the Fortress of Peter & Paul and the Summer Gardens Palace. Some of the best restaurants in Russia are found in St. Petersburg. Recently, there have been many stories about St. Petersburg that have brought concern to prospective travelers. Try not to let these fables bother you, because as usual, the news media has blown a few incidents way out of proportion. Since the disbanding of the USSR, it is true that the Russian Mafia has started to play a somewhat significant role in the activity of St. Petersburg. But the city is by no means run by the mob, and if you behave in a respectable manner there is no need for concern. During the day and evening, the city is safe and lovely, and the majority of the robberies and related problems occur late at night, mostly near the casinos. A few years back, as St. Petersburg began to struggle economically, the government felt that one of the best ways to gain revenue and then distribute it back to the people was to engage in the building of casinos and gambling facilities. Interesting tactic to say the least, but as a result, slot machines and blackjack tables are found everywhere throughout the city.
Four million people call St. Petersburg home. The mood is lighthearted and enchanting, and the wide streets and glorious artistic sites are not reminiscent of communism at all. While St. Petersburg has endured its share of turmoil in the past, to visit the city now is to enjoy a vacation full of beauty, splendor, and bustling activity.
Helsinki
In 1550, Swedish King Gustavus Vasa ordered that a city halfway between St. Petersburg and Stockholm be built. The city became known as Helsinki, and it is a glorious location that overlooks the Gulf of Finland. Laced with green parks, fabulous sculptures, and fascinating squares, Helsinki is a wonderful travel destination. It is the capital of Finland, and is home to 800,000 people. It is surrounded by water on three sides, and touring Helsinki on foot is always your best bet. The city is compact and elegant, with the majority of citizens extremely well educated. The population is quite affluent, but is not an overly self-indulged people, especially considering they live so well. The locals still refer to Helsinki as their big village, and they are always very helpful and kind to tourists. This is definitely a city that has four distinct seasons, and if you are visiting Helsinki in the winter, you had better bundle up. Located on the southern coast of Finland, during the summer, Helsinki has some of the longest days anywhere in the world. During this time, it is not uncommon to have days that last over twenty hours.
Helsinki is one of the major cultural centers in all of Europe. The architecture is magnificent, and the museums and galleries are incredible. Helsinki has wonderful shopping and dining facilities, and is a pristine and inspiring city to visit. Everything seems clean and organized, and the government really takes care of its citizens and visitors. The quality of life here is extraordinary, and with each season comes a different version of the city. The public transportation system in Helsinki is efficient, and everything is very accessible. The city serves as a meeting place between western and eastern cultures, making Helsinki a wonderful cultural center. In 1952, the Olympic Games were held here, and soon after this grand event, the world began to truly embrace Helsinki as the tourist haven that it is. Americans and Europeans saw the well-organized country of Finland and fell in love with it.
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.
Dover
Dover is one of the busiest passenger ports in the entire world, and there are distinct reasons why this is the case. The Strait of Dover is ideally located on the southern tip of England, making it the closest land point connecting the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe. For centuries, the port at Dover has been the gateway from Britain to France, Belgium, and the rest of the European continent.
During World War II, Dover endured ruthless attacks by enemy bombings, and the city suffered greatly. The war left the city in a state of disarray, and the city center reeled from the postwar effects for decades, but it has returned to its prewar glory. The scenery remains breathtaking, and the haunting war atmosphere that still lingers to a degree adds a certain excitement to the city, making it all the more mysterious and interesting.
The Strait of Dover is magnificently beautiful, as is the city itself. Of course we have all heard songs and tales of the White Cliffs of Dover, but to really appreciate what that truly means, one must visit Dover and see it with their own eyes. The marvelous Dover Castle can be found here; many of France's inhabitants make the trip across the English Channel annually to see the glorious medieval architecture.
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