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

Feek · 19-01-2009, 11:11

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.

Haly · 19-01-2009, 12:51

I've got a friend living near Oslo if you have any specific questions about it

Burble · 19-01-2009, 13:02

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

Burble · 20-01-2009, 11:10

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?

MB

Burble · 20-01-2009, 12:05

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!

19-01-2009, 11:09	#1
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	Scandinavia 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 __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

19-01-2009, 11:11	#2
Feek ex SAS Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: JO01ou Posts: 10,062	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. __________________

19-01-2009, 12:51	#4
Haly Do you want to hide in my box? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 14,941	I've got a friend living near Oslo if you have any specific questions about it __________________ Halycopter

19-01-2009, 21:42	#6
semi-pro waster Provider of sensible advice about homosexuals Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: London Posts: 2,615	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. __________________ "Your friend is the man that knows all about you, and still likes you." - Elbert Hubbard

20-01-2009, 00:21	#7
SidewinderINC Joey Tempest Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Gravesend. Posts: 2,751	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 __________________ No Sig.

19-01-2009, 11:59	#3
Del Lardo Absinthe Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cambridge Posts: 2,539	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.

19-01-2009, 13:02	#5
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	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.

20-01-2009, 11:10	#8
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	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.

20-01-2009, 11:59	#9
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	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? MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

20-01-2009, 12:05	#10
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	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!