Travelling the Scandinavian Capitals and Fjords

The combination of the Scandinavian capitals Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo and the stunning Norwegian fjords gives a great insight into the best of Scandinavia on this 10-days journey.

Nyhavn, Denmark_Photo by Nick Karvounis on Unsplash
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Terri Koch

Terri and her husband George are from Cleveland Ohio, USA. They love to explore new destinations and have a thing for Scandinavian tv-shows.

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Terri and George booked our Scandinavian Capitals and Fjords tour and travelled with train and overnight ferry from Bergen via Oslo and Copenhagen to Stockholm in June 2019. They had a delightful tour and we are happy to share their travel story below:

 

First stop Bergen

"We spent a happy year planning and researching for our trip, but still encountered many delightful surprises along the way!

 

Our first stop in Bergen, Norway led us to Troldhaugen, the home of one of Norway’s most distinguished artists, the composer and pianist Edvard Grieg. Edward Grieg was born in Bergen in 1843 and is the Norwegian composer who has gained most international fame.

Entry to Edvard-Grieg-Museum Troldhaugen in Bergen
Entry to Edvard-Grieg-Museum Troldhaugen in Bergen. Photo: Terri Koch

 

The highlight of the visit was a lunchtime piano concert in the concert hall Troldsalen, by guest artist Jens Harald Bratlie. The museum offers daily lunchtime concerts with Edvard Grieg's piano music from May 1 to October 13.

Lunchtime piano concert in Troldsalen, Edvard-Grieg-Museum Troldhaugen in Bergen
Lunchtime piano concert in Troldsalen. Photo: Terri Koch

 

The concert hall is nestled into the side of a hill overlooking the lake and features a grass roof.

 

Discovering the streets of Oslo 

In Oslo we spent a lovely afternoon exploring the Akerselva River, starting at Beierbrua Falls and working our way downriver to Vaterlandsparken.

Terri and George at Akerselva in Oslo
Terri and George at Akerselva in Oslo. Photo: Terri Koch

 

“Fabulous coffee and creative street art”

 

Along the way, we had coffee at Tim Wendelboe’s café and discovered Ingens Gate, a street in Grünerløkka dedicated to some of the most creative street art we’d ever seen.

Street art in Oslo
Street art in Oslo. Photo: Terri Koch

 

Enjoying art and great engineering in Copenhagen

Our first stop in Copenhagen was the splendid City Hall building, where we found the Jens Olsen’s World Clock, which is as much of a work of art as it is a magnificent achievement in engineering.

Jens Olsen's World Clock at Copenhagen City Hall.
Jens Olsen's World Clock at Copenhagen City Hall. Photo: Terri Koch

 

Later in the day, we visited Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish Parliament, Supreme Court and the Prime Minister’s Office. The guidebooks had not adequately prepared us for the beauty and elegance we found in the Royal Reception Rooms.

 

And to close out a day of extensive walking, we happened upon a pedicab, which turned out to be a relaxing and scenic way to return to our hotel!

Terri and George in pedicab in Copenhagen
Terri and George in a pedicab in Copenhagen. Photo. Terri Koch

 

Celebrating Midsummer in Stockholm

By happy coincidence, we found ourselves in Stockholm for the celebration of Midsummer’s Eve and joined in the festivities at Skansen.

Midsummer celebration in Stockholm
Midsummer celebration in Stockholm. Photo: Terri Koch

 

Our flower-decorated wreathes could not match the craftsmanship of the wreathes we saw around us, but we wore them happily and proudly!  And despite not knowing the songs and dances, we were warmly invited to participate in the dancing around the Midsummer pole! It was such a privilege to share this special day with our Swedish hosts.

 

But wherever we were on this trip, we absolutely loved the long mellow evenings. And thanks to the delightful blankets and furs we found at outdoor venues, we were wrapped in coziness no matter the hour or the temperature, and could bask outdoors, long after sunset!"

 

By Terri Koch / edited by Josefine Lorange / Nov 08 2021

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