Sweden : Stylish Scandinavia

Sweden’s ever-evolving capital city of Stockholm is built on an archipelago of islands at the meeting of Lake Malar and Salt Bay, and two-thirds of its area is comprised of water, parks and woodland. The medieval ‘Old Town’ contains old-world houses; a magnificent gothic cathedral; and countless other historic buildings lining its cobbled streets. Some of the best historic sites in Stockholm include the Vasamuseet, which houses the enormous 1628 worship, Vasa; the spectacular Kungliga Slottet palace; and the incredible open-air museum, Skansen, which offers insight into traditional historic Swedish life. The city is also a high-tech, futuristic metropolis at the forefront of international design and technology. Party the night away at the famous outdoor club Tradgarden; sip rose at a floating bar at Strandvagen, the city’s most glamorous street; or immerse yourself in the gaming world at basement venue Ugglan.

Set at the outlet of the Gota River on Sweden’s west coast, Gothenburg is the second largest city in the country, but it often preferred for its slower-paced, laidback atmosphere. Once a gritty industrial seaport, Gothenburg is now making a name for itself as an international, modern city complete with a grand opera house, a flourishing botanical garden, a large amusement park with a vintage rollercoaster. It is also home to some of Sweden’s best museums and art galleries housing big names such as Rembrandt, Picasso, and Monet. Much like the city itself, many of the best bars, boutiques, and bistros have managed to remain under the radar, making its enviable array of urban treasures enjoyable without the intrusion of hordes of tourists. Equally underrated is the city’s growing alternative arts, fashion and design scene.

Set on Denmark’s coastal islands of Zealand and Amager, Copenhagen, the country’s capital, is no ordinary city and, despite its size, many areas have a distinctly village-like quality. It has all that one would expect from a modern city, including state-of-the-art architecture and cutting-edge infrastructure, but its modernity is juxtaposed with a host of Danish cliches. Rows of sherbert-hued townhouses adorned with flower boxes and lace curtains line ancient canals playing host to fleets of quaint, rickety houseboats. Add to this an incredibly innovative design scene, a pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly road system and culture, and a slew of stylish bars, clubs, and galleries and it is easy to see why so many visitors are seduced by the charms of this atmospheric seaside city.

Stockholm County fringes the Baltic Sea coast of Sweden. It is home to the fascinating city of Stockholm, which serves as the capital of Sweden and is bordered by the historic counties of Uppsala and Sodermanland. It is peppered with dense urban areas sandwiched amidst vast rural areas which are home to lush expansive forests and over 30 000 spectacularly scenic islands that make up the Stockholm Archipelago. Visit the vibrant city of Stockholm, discover the port of Nynashamn, and explore Sigtuna, Sweden's oldest city. Other highlights include the Royal Palace, the Vasa Museum, the Drottningholm Palace, the many lakeshores and rugged coastlines and sampling local Stockholm County specialities.

The region of North Zealand is located in the northern part of Denmark’s largest island, north of Copenhagen and east of Ise Fjord. One of the country’s top tourist regions, North Zealand offers a great array of historical and natural sights. The city of Elsinore, the setting of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, is home to the must-see attraction of Kronborg Castle and some lovely beaches (Snekkersten Strand and Gronnehave Strand), while Fredensborg boasts an impressive Palace and a photogenic city centre. Elsewhere, the fishing village of Hundested makes a quaint stop on the way to the northern beaches of Gilleleje, Helsinge and Tisvildeleje, while the Kongernes Nordsjaelland National Park is home to thick forests, picturesque canals and some interesting ancient burial sites.