northern europe (6)
Swedish star Loreen having taken the top spot last year (and for the second time), Sweden tapped its handsome, third-biggest city to again host the world’s largest, longest, and perhaps most anticipated/beloved music competition – this year´s 68th edition pulling in a worldwide television audience of some 200 million. And of course like its predecessors, this one got thousands of fans from some 90 countries to flock to Malmö and enjoy its myriad offerings. (I´m just not sure why they k
Saunas are more than just places to sweat; they're sanctuaries of relaxation, culture, and rejuvenation. From the ethereal landscapes of Scandinavia to the depths of Estonian tradition, each sauna offers a unique experience worth travelling for. Here, we unveil some of the world's most exceptional saunas that redefine the art of sweating.
Nestled in the picturesque vineyards south of Gothenburg, Ästad Vingård stands as a testament to Swedish excellence in wine, cuisine, and sauna culture. Amidst
Photos: David Paul Appell
Nearly 20 years ago I visited Norge for the first time – on a press trip sponsored by Visit Norway to capital Oslo, historic second city Bergen, and a Hurtigruten cruise to the fjords and up to far-northern Svalbard. It was all beautiful, of course, but it was in summertime, and over this past Christmas and New Year´s I had to privilege of coming back in winter. Naturally, it was a whole different – and a chilling yet in many ways even more enchanting – experience.
by Cristóbal Ramírez
Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen,
Friendly old girl of a town!
'Neath her tavern light
On this merry night,
Let us clink and drink one down!
To wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen,
Salty old queen of the sea!
Once I sailed away,
But I'm home today,
Singing Copenhagen, wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen for me!
These charming lines from the 1950s Danny Kaye musical Hans Christian Anderson (listen below) still do capture the friendly, co
Recently I had the chance to get an all-too-brief taste of Norway’s second city before boarding a weeklong Hurtigruten cruise up the coast, and OMG what a right little gem I found Bergen to be. Well, if you can call a city of 266,000 “little” – but honestly, how the locals describe it really does feel totally true: essentially,you could think of it as the world’s biggest small town (for me, the German term gemütlich comes to mind).
Surrounded by forest-clad hills on Norway’s southwestern coa
