View Full Version : Scandinavia
Matblack
19-01-2009, 11:09
Has anyone been to the Scandinavian capitals Oslo/ Helsinki etc?
Aitch and I are looking at a holiday in Feb and I said I wanted to go somwhere where the air is clear and we can see snow and mountains, so we though maybe one of the Scandinavian capitals. The closest I have been is Copenhagen which we really enjoyed Aitch has been to Oslo and Bergan and she liked those too, ideally I'd like to go to Iceland (no not the one in the shopping centre with the cheap prawn ring!) but its soooooo expensive in cmaparison to anywhere else that its just not realistic at the moment :(
so if anyone has any tips then we'd love to hear them :)
MB
With the current exchange rates Iceland isn't that expensive to actually be in at the moment, not sure about costs of getting there though.
My brother-in-law's recent joke.
Q) What's the capital of Iceland?
A) About a fiver.
Del Lardo
19-01-2009, 11:59
Iceland shouldn't be too expensive at the moment due to a good exchange rate. Mate was there a few months back and beer was down to London prices! From what I remember Oslo was nearly as expensive as Iceland when I was there ~3 years ago.
Oslo is a nice place though I was there when everyone was on holiday so it was rather quiet and I'm not sure what you could do to keep yourself amused for more than a few days.
I've got a friend living near Oslo if you have any specific questions about it :)
I've spent quite a lot of time in Stockholm and Copenhagen and less time in Helsinki, Oslo and Espoo.
Scandanavia is expensive, but the standard of living is so much better than over here. The air is clean, the people are warm and welcoming and raindeer makes good eating!
I absolutely adore Scandanavia. So much so infact that I almost look forward to a business trip there because even though the work is always a nightmare I get to see some cities that I love.
Iceland was awesome too, I stopped off there en route to the US a few years ago and spent a couple of days in and around ReykjavÃ*k and did stuff like Snadoo rises, dog sledding and what not. At the time it was insanely expensive but as Feek says the exchange rate is a bit more favourable now.
semi-pro waster
19-01-2009, 21:42
Helsinki is quite nice (I've only really passed through though spending a night there each way) and lots to see and do from what I could tell including an ice bar which is worth the visit while you're there.
SidewinderINC
20-01-2009, 00:21
My cousin travels a hell of a lot with work (merchant navy) and has said Helsinki and Stockholm are awesome - best places ever to take a lady. As long as you've got the duckets to spend :p
Stockholm is a city of 2 halves though. The old town is glorious - absolutely stunning. The new town seemingly had the same town planners as Milton Keynes.
I do adore the city, well I love Sweden as a whole.
Matblack
20-01-2009, 11:59
Considering splashing out a big and doing an Arctic cruise from Bergen up to Tromso to have a chance to see the Northern Lights, scenery would be amazing its just a case of justifying the outlay but in these finaincial times whats the point in saving eh? :o
MB
Everyone should see the Northern lights, it's a jaw dropping sight. When I saw them I swear I could hear them even though it was absolutely silent.
I was lucky enough to spend a couple of days at the Ice Hotel staying in one of the cold deluxe suites and it was such an experience!
Stan_Lite
20-01-2009, 13:35
I've never been to any of those places - although I'd love to go. My folks went on a Norwegian cruise once and said the scenery was breathtaking. My Dad went to Tórshavn in the Faeroe Islands to play football in the 50s and said it was nice there - not sure how much help that'll be to you 50 years on mind :p
I've seen the Northern Lights many times whilst living back home in Shetland. We don't get as spectacular a display as they get further North but still pretty impressive :cool:
semi-pro waster
20-01-2009, 18:28
The Northern Lights are truly stunning, I saw them a couple of times in Finland (living on the edge of the Arctic Circle for 3 months helps with that) but I don't have any pictures, partly because I didn't have a camera on me at the time but mainly because I was staring open mouthed at them - incidentally not recommended, it's sodding cold so your mouth starts to freeze. ;)
Matblack
20-01-2009, 19:30
Hmmmm, no places on the arctic cruise we wanted, may fall back in the Iceland idea before their economy recovers :D
MB
Piggymon
20-01-2009, 22:18
My god, I would love to see the northern lights .. I simply have to do it at some point.
Matblack
21-01-2009, 20:17
Booked!!!!
We're staying here (http://www.centerhotels.com/component/option,com_gallery2/Itemid,41/?g2_itemId=113)
http://www.centerhotels.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=281&g2_serialNumber=2&g2_GALLERYSID=581498b6382028a828518c173b5b90aa
http://www.centerhotels.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=292&g2_serialNumber=2&g2_GALLERYSID=581498b6382028a828518c173b5b90aa
http://www.centerhotels.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=238&g2_serialNumber=2&g2_GALLERYSID=581498b6382028a828518c173b5b90aa
and to be honest it was a bargain, we're staying for 6 nights, doing the Northern Lights safari the Golden Circle day trip and the Blue Lagoon, plus whatever else we fancy. For a trip that would have cost £1000s a couple of years ago its very reasonable and we get even got a deluxe room at the hotel :) I'm so excited :D
MB
Matblack
21-01-2009, 20:19
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/48/133364703_5ad410ea7a.jpg
http://www.wtg.ie/_fileupload/Image/Northern_lights2.jpg
http://www.reykjavikcenter.is/ImageDisplay.aspx?t=a&id=9
MB
leowyatt
21-01-2009, 20:23
Is that a cow on the floor? :huh:
Piggymon
21-01-2009, 21:24
Oh wow ... Can I sneak into your suitcase ;D
Looks awesome :)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/48/133364703_5ad410ea7a.jpg That's Gullfoss, isn't it?
I'm slightly negative about Iceland.
Actually, that's a lie. I can't abide Iceland, or it's people.
A dull, grey, dour purgatory, interspersed with rare pockets of sublime natural beauty, populated by dull, grey, dour people, interspersed with even rarer pockets of personality.
Have a bite to eat at the Borg (en.hotelborg.is/). They have some stunning dishes (the five types of foie gras is cruelty of the tastiest kind).
Avoid Perlan (www.perlan.is/) for being overpriced and gimicky dribble.
Take a hat with you to the lagoon.
And have fun :)
Dear Mr. MB
Can you bring me back some BrennivÃ*n please? It's something I feel I need to try at least once in my life.
Lots of love
Feek.
ok a bit random, but try macedonia.
There is a gorgeous town by a lake that is the most ideal relaxation spot I can think of. Gorgeous mountains, beautiful sky...it's like heaven on earth except that its freezing cold.
SidewinderINC
29-01-2009, 09:08
Dear Mr. MB
Can you bring me back some BrennivÃ*n please? It's something I feel I need to try at least once in my life.
Lots of love
Feek.
I had to google what that is...
It is sometimes called svarti dauði ("black death").
:shocked::shocked:
BrennivÃ*n
I've had the Danish version (called brændevin) and it was potent. Very, very potent.
Matblack
29-01-2009, 09:18
Dear Mr. MB
Can you bring me back some BrennivÃ*n please? It's something I feel I need to try at least once in my life.
Lots of love
Feek.
If I can find some in duty free then I'll get it for you, alcohol for private consumption is hard to buy in Iceland and off licenses are apparently few and few between
MB
If I can find some in duty free then I'll get it for you, alcohol for private consumption is hard to buy in Iceland and off licenses are apparently few and few between
MBReykjavik is that small that "few and far between" does not have quite the same meaning as in the UK.
You can buy all of your booze at the airport, either when you land or when you leave.
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