The Nordic Countries
The Nordic countries of Northern Europe are made up of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and their associated territories which include the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland.
The region, which is also sometimes known as Scandinavia, has a combined population of around 25 million spread over a land area of 3.5 million km² (Greenland accounts for 60% of the total area).
Scandinavia is unique in the world in that the countries share many common cultural, linguistic and ethnic ties even down to political systems. In terms of language, there are three unrelated language groups, the North Germanic branch of Indo-European languages and the Baltic-Finnic and Sami branches of Uralic languages as well as the Eskimo-Aleut language of Kalaallisut spoken in Greenland.
For further information about the Nordic countries scroll down or visit our destination websites....
Iceland
A country for all seasons
Iceland is one of the world’s most astounding landscapes. Unlike anywhere else on the planet, its pristine, unspoilt nature and natural phenomena will quite simply take your breath away. From its spouting geysers, active volcanoes and spectacular waterfalls to the vast lava plains, glaciers and fjords, it’s beautiful, enchanting and utterly tranquil. Its vibrant capital, Reykjavik, is home to 40% of the total population of the country. With a legendary nightlife as well as first class restaurants and a great choice of cultural and social events, Reykjavik boasts panoramic views of the mountains and the Atlantic ocean on almost all sides. Its small size means it’s also really easy to explore by foot.
For thrill-seekers, Iceland’s great outdoors offers a myriad of activities such as snowmobiling, horse riding, cave exploring, hiking, swimming, skiing, river rafting, kayaking and mountain safaris on modified four-wheel drives, to name but a few. For nature-lovers, Iceland boasts a surprisingly diverse Nordic flora and fauna and is an ideal place for bird lovers, as well as offering some of the world’s best whale-watching destinations.
Iceland is a great destination all year round not only because of its diverse landscape but also its amazing contrasts in light and shade which vary from season to season, offering you new discoveries with every time you visit.
Norway
Fantastic fjords
Majestic mountain peaks, awesomely steep fjords, vast forests, lakes of crystal blue water, the Northern Lights and the Land of the Midnight Sun. Norway has all this and much more. The country can arguably boast the most stunning and dramatic landscapes in Europe, guaranteed to leave your senses reeling. Not surprising when you consider that Norway has over 1,300 nature reserves, offering bounteous amounts of space and tranquillity where the air is fabulously fresh and the surroundings sublime.
This is where modern skiing was invented so don’t be surprised to discover excellent ski pistes, most notably in the south-east around Lillehammer, which hosted the 1994 Winter Olympics. You might want to follow the example of the adventurous Norwegians, who love to make their own trails in the middle of nowhere - no matter what the season.
To experience nature at its most raw, visit the Land of the Midnight Sun at Lofoten, on the edge of the snowy wilderness that is the Arctic Circle. And when you’ve had your fill of the great outdoors, don’t forget to visit Oslo, the world’s biggest village. Anywhere you go, Norway will keep surprising you.
Greenland
A land of awesome extremes
Greenland is a land of mind-blowing extremes – one of the world’s last great wildernesses. Whether you visit during the summer, when the sun never sets or in the winter, when the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) dance across the sky, Greenland is a jaw-dropping experience.
Imagine cruising in the unique Ilulissat Icefjord, located in the north-west, in the midnight sun where the warm red colours reflect in the gigantic icebergs. The Icefjord, producing 20 millions tons of ice per day is on UNESCO´s World Heritage List.
South Greenland is indeed the fertile part of the country, where you will experience the contrast of green fields & icebergs along with Viking- & Inuit culture.
Continuing eastwards, a visit to the East Greenland (Ammassalik) gives you a picture of a culture closer to its roots than anywhere else in Greenland. You have the opportunity to experience the wildlife of this snowy wilderness, go on a thrilling dog-sledding cruise with a local Inuit and even gain a dog-sledding licence! .
Lapland
The Land of the Midnight Sun
Lapland is a magical land, famous for its dazzling natural phenomena, the Northern Lights, and the summer’s ever-present midnight sun. It’s a beautifully pure, untouched landscape, home to the nomadic Sami people and their large herds of reindeer.
Extremely diverse, it starts at sea level in the Norwegian fjords in the west and climbs to the mountainous inlands of northern Norway and Sweden with glaciers and large valleys in between. It even extends into the north part of the Arctic Circle.
The Sami people have a remarkably rich and lively culture. An estimated 70,000 Sami live in Lapland although few these days live the traditional life of hunting and herding reindeer. However, the culture lives on, and the Sami welcome travellers.
Finland
Land of the thousand lakes
Mainland Scandinavia’s most culturally isolated and least understood country, Finland is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets.
This extremely sparsely populated country is home to dense forests and thousands upon thousands of clear, sparkling lakes. Many boast quiet and tranquil islands, a popular retreat for travellers and city-dwellers alike.
Each region of Finland has its own distinct character, from the wilds of Lapland to the magical lakes of the east and the archipelagos of the south-west.
The Finns love their outdoor sports and each winter, the landscape provides a stunning backdrop for all sorts of winter sports and activity. But the country is arguably most famous for its love of the sauna, which, for Finns is as much about meaningful social ritual as it is about health and fitness. Throughout the year, many Finns take to the outdoor sauna with their birch whips and bottles of schnapps. And when they’ve worked up a suitable sweat, there’s always a refreshing lake nearby in which to cool off.
The Faroe Islands
Sea breeze and green tourism
The Faroes or Sheep Islands make for one of the world’s most remote and exotic islands.
It is with a reason that the Faroes were chosen the No. 1 islands destination in the world by the National Geographic. A cluster of 18 islands situated roughly midway between Iceland and Norway, are characterized by easy page of life, tranquil fishing villages, rocky cliffs, deep-green slopes, historic architecture, renowned bird-life and just about 49000 friendly inhabitants, proud of their heritage. Regardless of where you are in the islands, you can feel the fresh sea breeze and see the ocean.
The islands are a paradise for the nature lover with many opportunities for hiking, fishing, bird-watching experiencing living museum of a farm life today and adventures at sea.
Svalbard
Up close and personal with nature’s finest
One of the world’s most dramatic outposts, Svalbard is a remote wilderness of mesmerising proportions. From polar bears to reindeer, dog sledding to snowmobiling, glacier expeditions to kayak trips and ski-ing treks, this archipelago plays host to the quintessential Arctic adventure, taking you, as it does, well off the beaten track.
Situated in the Arctic Ocean between Norway and the North Pole, Svalbard’s main island is Spitsbergen which can offer you a stunning choice of winter and summer safaris by foot, skis, boat, kayak and dogsled. Go on a dogsled safari to the east of Spitsbergen and you’ll have a good chance of seeing the polar bear in its natural habitat. Meanwhile, the world’s most northerly trek is among the rising peaks and mighty glaciers of the island’s north-westerly side.
Svalbard’s capital, Longyearbyen is your gateway to your Svalbard adventure. This small community of 1,900 people has many historical sites and the Svalbard Museum will tell you everything you need to know about this enchanting island.
Sweden
An outdoor paradise
The third largest country in Western Europe, Sweden is one of the world’s largest areas of unspoilt, diverse nature with an enviable sense of space.
A favourite among outdoor sports lovers, the Swedish countryside features everything from numerous lakes and waterways punctuated by vast pine and spruce forests and majestic mountains and glaciers as well as lush, open countryside. The coastline stretches for thousands of kilometres and boasts some of Europe’s most stunning beaches.
A dominant force in Scandinavia over the last few centuries, Sweden has a rich cultural and historical heritage and you can see many castles, cathedrals and ancient manor houses throughout the country. The Swedish capital, Stockholm, is one of the world’s most beautiful cities, spread out over 14 islands with great beaches and green parks. Known as the Venice of the North, the capital is a bustling metropolis where old-meets new and there’s a great mix of art, museums and international shopping.
If you want to get away from the busy capital, take a cruise on the Göta Canal from Göteborg to Söderkjöping on the Baltic Sea. Whatever you do, Sweden is a captivating country full of unforgettable experiences.
Denmark
Royalty & Fairytales
A green and pleasant pastoral country, Denmark is the home of Royalty, Vikings and Fairytales. Denmark is rich in culture and there are many art galleries and museums to visit.
Denmark is the perfect destination for families, laid-back atmosphere with many activities and cultural experiences. The capital Copenhagen is a charming city to visit any time of year with its distinctive architecture, royal palace and historical sights which you can easily cover on foot or bicycle.
Why not take a boat trip around its revamped harbour front, where you among other things will pass the statue of The Little Mermaid commemorating on one of the great fairy-tale writer Hans Christian Andersen.
Enjoy the vibrant life at Strøget, the main shopping-street, experiencing a day in the charming family-park “Parken” or the legendary Tivoli based in the heart of the city. Sitting down in Nyhavn with a smørrebrød sandwich and Danish beer is something everyone should experience. No wonder the Danish are so happy-go-lucky, or as they say “ligeglad”.
