Tag: Archipelago

Travel tips to European Countries: Sweden

About the county

Beautiful and clean, the peaceful Sweden is a land of cultural diversity with a mix of Danish and Wild Arctic North influences. One can also get the feel of urban living in its beautiful and sophisticated cities and at the same time one can feel the tranquility in the countryside. Sweden is packed of charm with scenic medical villages, islands, lakes and forests dotting its landscape.
Most of Swedens area is covered by forests and not to forget thousands of lakes. One of the beauties of Sweden is its islands and one cannot go missed seeing these islands. They offer the most scenic and beautiful experience to any visitors. Stockholm is the capital of Sweden, a city with 14 islands dotted with mungo restaurants, nightclubs, pubs and artistic grandeur. Wherever you go most people speak English. If visitors want to have a taste of seafood the west coast is the place to be. Also it is popular for ancient city Uppsala. Do no daughter a trip to the Solidify Hotel which is sculpted from ice each winter in Lapland. Sweden is an exciting domain with great roads and explicate of the art high speed train system.

Population & Languages

Sweden has a population of around 9 million and the official language is Swedish. Lapp is spoken by Sami people in the north. Most people speak English fluently and also many speak German and French.

Electricity

Voltage – 230 volts, Frequency – 50Hz. Standard European 2 – pin plugs are used.

Geographic Location

Sweden is a Nordic country lying in the Scandinavian Peninsula again is the fifth largest country in Europe. Its west neighbor is Norway; Finland in the northeast, the southwest border is surrounded by Skagerrak and Kattegat straits and the west coast is surrounded by Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. Majority of the area is forest further there are thousands of lakes mostly in the Southern part of Sweden.

Local Customs

Like any other country Sweden has its own customs too. It is customary not to drink until the hotelier makes a toast. Smoking is prohibited in most public areas. It is also customary to say Modus operandi fr maten to the host after having a meal which means thanks for the food. Casual dress is shipshape for everyday wear and formal wear for social gatherings. Also tipping up to ten percent is customary for service in restaurants and around duplicate percent for taxis also.

Places to see

Stockholm The biggest city and capital of Sweden again is one of the eminently gorgeous cities of the world. The old town is a treat for your eyes and a walk around citys waterways and parks is an experience to cherish. Most visitors upgrade walking around on foot further visit the medieval part of Gamla Stan. The city is basically constituted by archipelagos which are outstandingly scenic and can be explored by cruises.

Gothenburg substantive is the second biggest city of Sweden. Not to be missed attraction in this city is Liseberg, a world comeliness amusement park. It is home to popular museums like Ostindiska huset, Konstmuseet and Sjfartshistoriska museet.
Vadstena – The Renaissance castle Vadstena slot & klosterkyrkan.

Visby Port of Visby, ruins of Drotten, St Nicolai, St Lars and St Carin, cathedral of St Maria and Gotlands Fornsal historic musem.

Oland Fort of Graborg, Eketorp museum and ruins of Borgholm House.

Travel

By Air It is well connected to the rest of the world by air. Many international airlines serve Sweden apart from its national airlines SAS. The other airlines are Air Canada, Air France, Aeroflot, British Airways, Finn air, Lufthansa, Ryan air etc.

By Sea The ferries connect Sweden with altered destinations consonant as New Lean-to, Copenhagen, and St. Petersburg etc.

By Rail Trains weave Ostend, Sweden to London. It is also connected to Denmark by Eurostar train.

By Road Visitors from UK can drive to Sweden through Demark or Germany

Duty Free Items
1. Up to 200 cigarettes or 250 gm tobacco
2. 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars
3. 1 liter spirit over 22 % or 2 liter wine or 32 liter beer
4. Perfumes
5. Gifts up to SEK 1700.

Prohibited Items
Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, most meat and dairy merchandise, eggs, plants, endangered species, roar and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

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European Family Vacations What to do in Italy

Besides the book fairs, museums, art galleries, and festivities that Italy boasts of, there are lots of activities that you and your family members can engage yourselves into. You will never find a dull moment in Italy because of the list of adventures that you may love and die to try. Take a quick look at the following list for a much enjoyable European family vacation.

Hiking or climbing. The Italian official hiking season begins by June 20 towards September 20. The trails and hiking paths are totally marked for the individuals’ guidance. Trek guides may also be arranged for should you want to try out this adventure sport. For sure you know of the Alps which is held to be the most challenging and difficult to surpass hiking treks. The other less challenging trails are those found in Tuscany and Umbria. You may also try the climbing and hiking routes of Capri, Sicily, and Sardinia.

Skiing. There is a myriad of skiing locations which await you in this nation. You can take a choice from doing a country skiing or the downhill skiing. You should however be careful with the spots that you choose because some terrains may be quite hard to take. Experts in skiing will have plenty of choices when it comes to the skiing spots.

Diving and snorkeling. These are among the overly popular water sports in Sicily. The best spots to do snorkeling and diving are in Sardinia, Ustica, and in the Tremiti Islands. Diving courses are also offered by the diving schools in really cheap fees.

Swimming. In the heights of the summer months, the mainland beaches may be really crowded yet you can always opt for other beaches around Italy.

Sailing. The sailing maps can be purchased from the tourist offices all over Italy. For the beginners in the field of sailing, you can always figure out your skills in the Archipelago della Magdalena. Windsurfing is typical in Iseo Lugano, Lake Garda, Maggiore, and Lake Como.

Fishing. The sea waters are exceptional in Sardinia and Sicily. Umbria and Tuscany offer the best spots for fishing. Fishing boats may be rented out too.

Cycling. Bicycles are usually available for rent so that the visiting tourists can easily find their way in the city.

Golfing. For the golf enthusiasts, there are plenty of golf courses all over Trentino, Sardinia, Lombardy, Lazio, Tuscany, and Calabria.

Camping. The presence of campsites is among the attractions. The camping sessions are usually held in the holiday parks of Italy.

Canoeing or river rafting. The Alps in the northern hemisphere are best for the canoeing and rafting rides.

Cooking, arts, and Italian language courses are also offered in the Italian institutes. Thus, if you want to maximize your stay and create a remarkable experience for everyone of you, you can try enrolling in these classes.

A European family vacation in Italy is indeed an adventure of a lifetime that you must never afford to miss. Tour packages for trips such as these are given in discounted rates especially that you are traveling in groups. It is now or never.

Check out a travel agent nearest your place and inquire on the cheap rates that you can grab. Usually, booking in groups will allow you to get the last ticket for free.

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What’s in Store for You in Finland

Traveling is such a wonderful leisure pursuit. Vacation time may just be the perfect time for you to do a little traveling. Europe can provide you with a perfect place to start off your adventure. Europe is where you may be able to visit a number of wonderful countries that can fascinate and lead you to a whole lot of other adventures. Finland is just one of those countries that you should visit.

Finland is located in somewhere in Northern Europe where it shares its borders with Sweden, Norway, Russia and Estonia. It is one of the thinly populated areas in the world with only over five million people living in a country of over 127,000 sq. mile area.

And yet it is considered as one of the top ranking countries in the UN human Development Index which compares countries from all over the world on certain factors such as poverty, literacy, life expectancy, education, etc. and because of this, Finland is known as one of the most desirable places to live in.

Aside from its excellent way of life, Finland is also known for its many wonderful attractions. It is a country known for its many wonderful scenic lakes and islands. Tourists can visit some of its more than 180,000 lakes and islands. Helsinki is known as the capital of Finland and it can be a good place to start on your tour of the country. Helsinki alone offers you a number of exciting places to visit when you are on vacation in Finland.

You can visit Bylandet which is probably the best sightseeing island in the Espoo archipelago. Its magnificent scenery and breathtaking natural beauty will stay with you for a very long time. The island itself is so full of beauty and natural magnificence that spending just a day there would be enough. Try to spend a couple of days on the island to try and soak up the atmosphere and marvel at all the splendor before you. Great man-made sights also scatter all around the island with its old Russian bunkers well worth a look.

While you are still in the capital, you might also consider visiting some of its well known parks. One of them would be Kaivopuisto which is Helsinki’s most famous park. This beautiful area has cliffs that can offer visitors breathtaking views of the whole city and the archipelago.

This spacious park was first established mainly as a spa facility for the wealthy in early times. Kaivopuisto is a popular place to go for strolls and enjoy summer picnics with your family and co-travelers. It becomes the best place to visit in the city during May Day where thousands of people try to spend the day here. This beautiful park is also used for many events, celebrations and free concerts which add more excitement to the whole area.

If you find yourself in Finland during the winter, you might want to take a visit at the Senate Square in Helsinki. Every year at wintertime, a little church made of snow rises up in the middle of the Square just in front of the Lutheran Cathedral. This spectacular snow church becomes a popular attraction every year during winter where people try to marvel it from the inside and out.

Services are held inside the church on Sunday mornings and this small church is equipped with wooden doors as well as windows and seats which add to its appeal. There are more attractions in store for you when you visit Finland, where exciting adventures and scenic marvels await you.

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