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.
Hamburg
Hamburg is a beautiful and successful commercial port city that has been nicknamed the Hollywood of Germany. All of the German big wigs call Hamburg their home, which is no surprise. Simply stroll though the canal region of Hamburg, dine in one of the many fabulous outdoor cafes, and enjoy a beautiful coastal sunset, and you will want to call this glorious city home as well.
To delve further into the depths of Hamburg's past, first travel back to the year 810. This is the time of its discovery by Charlemagne. At the mouth of the Elbe River, this port's prime location helped aid the northern German merchant cities in their efforts to continue their shipping domination in the Baltic and North seas. Hamburg was very fortunate to have remained undisturbed by the Thirty Years War. In fact, Hamburg grew profusely as the years went on, and became one of the world's richest cities just up to the point of World War II. Today, Hamburg remains a leading port for carrying cargo.
Sadly, the Great Fire of 1842 almost burned down the entire old Hamburg. There is no need to worry, however, because Hamburg now has plenty to offer, all with its superb polish and class. There are plenty of places to explore here, for example, Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) buildings, the 14th century houses of Deichstrasse, and the Kontorhausviertel. These are some of the oldest places to visit in beautiful Hamburg.
Visit Hamburg and delight yourself with its many canals while walking along a fraction of the 1,000 bridges here. Take pictures of the sunset's reflection upon the water as the swans swim merrily by. Take a look at the most popular view of the five churches and the Rathaus that create the most fascinating skyline. Hamburg will not disappoint as a city that simply defines the grand charm of Europe!
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