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.
Tallinn
Tallinn is a city bustling with activity; a city that begs to be explored. This capital of Estonia is an incredible region, one that features outstanding museums and cultural sites, fabulous shopping, and an outrageously active nightlife. Both the Theater and Music Museum and the Maritime Museum are excellent, and Castle Square, found in the heart of town, is wonderful. Located inside the Castle Square are the Toompea Castle and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, two exquisite man-made triumphs. Old streets and lovely architecture still exist, but modern Tallinn is alive and well. Its government knows that Tallinn is far and away the primary tourist destination of travelers to Estonia, and therefore are doing everything in their power to bolster the desirability of this great city. A few years ago, the dining options in Tallinn were so limited that sometimes you would have been better off skipping a meal! These days, the eateries still fall short of the quality of the shopping and nightlife, but thankfully, there are a few standouts worth visiting.
For nearly one thousand years, outside influences have sculpted and altered the city of Tallinn. The Danes founded Tallinn, and in fact, the name directly translates to Danish fort. They did not want any confusion as to who it was that originally established this coastal beauty. The Danes settled here in the beginning of the 13th century and claimed the area as their own. Even though they may have been the first to take control of the region, they were certainly not the last. While present-day Tallinn is a peaceful and harmonious community, enjoyable in every way, it took hundreds of years of struggle for it to get that way. German nobility took control of Tallinn's public life, and this remained the case even as the Russian tsars claimed control of the city itself. The kings of Sweden felt as if they had a say as well, and they alleged that Tallinn was theirs to rule. A great deal of fighting ensued in the quest for Estonian domination, and the German culture is the one that ultimately proved the most significant influence on present-day Tallinn. The fortress of the German knights still stands, as do other German forts and armories. But nowadays, Tallinn has a personality all of its own, with interesting sights laced throughout the city.
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.
Gdansk
The third largest city in Poland, Gdansk is also the capital of Poland's northern region. It heads up the province of Pomorze Gdanskie, which is also known as East Pomerania. It is in close relationship with the small towns that keep it company, Gdynia and Sopot. Together, these three cities make up the Trojmiasto.
This vivacious port city has a history that dates back to 1308, when it was a Baltic port and an independent city-state called Danzig. Many Germans called this area their home. It was not renamed Gdansk until 1945. The battles of World War II led to much destruction in Gdansk, but did not ruin its spirit. In fact, in 1997 Gdansk enjoyed constant festivals of music, exhibitions and tons of events on both land and water in celebration of its 1000th anniversary as a Baltic city. The streets are all restored to their original form and many shops and galleries have been built, keeping Gdansk prosperous, fun and enchanting.
Glowne Miasto, the Main Town of Gdansk, is filled with streets holding treasures of history. Explore this medieval city and all of the culture it embodies. If you are interested in churches that tell the story of Gdansk's past, then travel north to its Old Town, Stare Miasto. Shopping is especially good here, too. The oldest church, St. Catherine's, which dates back to the 12th century, is located here. Certain sections were added to the church as time went on. The tower is from the 1480?s, and the amazing 37 bells were installed in 1634. The largest mill in medieval Europe is on the same plot of land here, as well as the grave of the 17th century astronomer, Jan Hevelius. The Wielki Mtyn, (Great Mill) operated from 1350 until 1945.
Enjoy Gdansk and all of the opportunities that await you on your visit. It is as lovely as it is historically significant, and you will have a vacation full of memories and pictures to show your friends. From shops to nightclubs, it is all here, radiant and vibrant. Walk along the docks, and watch a sunset that will truly take your breath away.
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.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam has been made world-famous through reports of its lax drug laws, liberal structure, and legal prostitution. These aspects may or may not be reasons for visiting this beautiful country, but allow me to tell you that they do not begin to compare with the glory and wonder of the landscape, combined with the impressive and fascinating historical sights and museums. The scenery alone is intoxicating, and the musical performances and shopping facilities are stupendous. Even with all of the incredible activities and interesting engagements, something must be said for experiencing a hashish brownie at one of the local bakeries. The scenic splendor of Amsterdam is in excess, and this exquisite city houses some of the finest museums anywhere. The Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum are both extraordinary, and the Anne Frank House is a haunting yet fascinating glimpse into the life of one of history's most tragic heroines. Amsterdam features one of the lowest crime rates in the world for a major metropolitan city. The locals are eager to help you, and no one seems afraid to be walking around at night, and why should they be? The government is stable and the close-knit communities ensure safety on the streets virtually all of the time.
Queen's Day, celebrated on April 30, is a sprawling street festival that is typically the most rousing and fun-filled day of the year. The Holland Festival of the Arts is a cherished event, and it seems as if on any day in Amsterdam, you will be treated to a spectacular display of lights, sites, music, and entertainment.
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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