Visit Scandinavia: Stockholm, Oslo and Helsinki

Stockholm
The capital city of Sweden is also the most enchanting. The attractive city offers waterways, parks, gardens, fairytale castles, churches and palaces. The maritime feel to the city also makes it a lively, energetic place to visit.

Transport: how to get there and around
By air, you can travel to Arlanda airport. Stockholm’s airport is located about 30 miles from the city centre. By land you have the option of long distance bus or train. The main bus station is Cityterminalen, which is nearby the train station Centralstationen. If coming from Helsinki or Turku, the ferry is also an option.

Climate
From May to July you can enjoy the Swedish summer which brings around nine hours of bright sun each day. The winter however dark and very chilly with frequent snow. The temperature in July and August averages 16 C and below freezing in the winter.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Stockholm.

Attractions & Events
*From May to August there are theatre performances at Drottingholms Court for the Summer Music Festival.

*For great food, drink and entertainment head to Kungstradgarden for the Taste of Stockholm event in early June.

* The Jazz Festival is held mid July, in early August you can experience the lesbian and gay Stockholm Pride event.

*Film lovers can watch 24 hours of films at the November International Film Festival.

Oslo
Oslo the capital of beautiful rugged Norway has plenty to keep the visitor interested. Fo one thing, the city boasts 50 museums and many art galleries. Highlights are the Viking Ship Museum, the Munch Museum and Holmenkollen. A new attraction is the Nobel Peace Centre.

Transport: how to get there and around

The International airport in Gardermoen serves Europe and North America well.
The train can link you as far as London, and the bus serves Russia, Germany and other Scandinavian countries. Ferries also run to Germany and the UK.

Oslo city is compact enough to walk around, although you could spoil yourself with a ferry trip on the fjord. There is also a choice of buses, subway system and taxis.

Weather
Oslo weather is fairly tame in comparison to other Scandinavian locations. Temperatures are around 16 C upwards during the long days of the summer. However being coastal there is frequent rain. Winter is snowy and there isn’t much daylight, so can be quite gloomy.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Oslo.

Attractions & Events
*An important day in the Norwegian calendar is 17 May. Constitution Day is a traditional day is widely celebrated with dressing in folk costume.

*Beach bonfires are lit on Midsummer’s Eve, another big celebration in Oslo.

Helsinki
The city with its waterways and parks feels the fresh air from the nearby sea. With influences of Russia and Sweden, the Finnish capital has a bustling market square enveloped by classic architecture and al fresco cafes make if a great place to hang out on long summer nights.

Transport: how to get there and around
Vantaa International Airport, 12 miles away from the city serves flights from Russia and other European countries. The ferry connects Sweden, Estonia and Germany. The train also has international connections.

Traveling around the city is made easy by a single ticket which serves all public transport including the tram, metro, ferry and bus. You can also conveniently rent a cycle from a coin machine and try one of the city’s cycle trails.

Weather
The winter months can get as cold as -5 C in Helsinki, where as the summer averages 25 C. If you are looking for some sunshine, the best months to visit are June to September.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Helsinki.

Attractions & Events

*If you like a tipple, the event where most drinkers overindulge is the May Day Festical, Vappu.

*Kaivopuisto Park holds weekly concerts each Sunday throughout the summer.

• The Arts Festival at the end of August to September is a popular time for celebrations in the city.