Rick Steves - Rick Steves Scandinavia

SCANDINAVIA

Travel is intensified livingmaximum thrills per minute and one of the last great sources of legal adventure. Travel is freedom. Its recess, and we need it.

I discovered a passion for European travel as a teen and have been sharing it ever sincethrough my bus tours, public television and radio shows, and travel guidebooks. Over the years, Ive taught millions of travelers how to best enjoy Europes blockbuster sightsand experience Back Door discoveries that most tourists miss.

This book offers you a balanced mix of Scandinavias dynamic capital cities and cozy small towns. Along with enjoying open-air folk museums, a fjord cruise, and a smrgsbord, you can bike across a sleepy Danish isle, walk on a glacier, steam in a Finnish sauna, and wander among Swedens eerie, prehistoric monoliths. And for an exciting Baltic side trip, Ive included Tallinn, Estonias charming capital.

I advocate traveling simply and smartly. Take advantage of my money- and time-saving tips on sightseeing, transportation, and more. Try local, characteristic alternatives to expensive hotels and restaurants. In many ways, spending more money only builds a thicker wall between you and what you traveled so far to see.

We visit Scandinavia to experience itto become temporary locals. Thoughtful travel engages us with the world, as we learn to appreciate other cultures and new ways to measure quality of life.

Judging by the positive feedback I receive from readers, this book will help you enjoy a fun, affordable, and rewarding vacationwhether its your first trip or your tenth.

Happy travels!

Scandinaviaknown for its stunning natural beauty, fun-loving cities, trendsetting design, and progressive politicsis one of Europes most enjoyable corners. A visit here connects you with Viking lore, immigrant roots, modern European values, and the great outdoors like nowhere else. Youll gasp at breathtaking fjords, glide on a ferry boat among picturesque islands, and marvel at the livability of bustling capitals.

What exactly is Scandinavia? Its Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Finland is a Nordic country (like its Scandinavian neighbors), while Estonia is a Baltic state. Together yet distinct, these five countries offer a fascinating look at northern Europe. Heres a snapshot per country:

Denmark, a flat peninsula with small islands and long bridges, is the smallest and most densely populated. Simply put, Denmark is cute. It feels like a mini-golf course inhabited by happy blond gods. Sights include lively Copenhagen, a passel of castles, Viking ships, Legoland, inviting towns, and adorable islands. Danes embrace the concept of hygge, which means enjoying the cozy simplicity of everyday life, like walking along the beach, or sharing a picnic of smrrebrd (open-faced sandwiches) with a friend.

Norway is a land of intense beauty, with steep mountains and deep fjords carved out and shaped by an ancient ice age. This sparsely populated country is long: Oslo, the capital, is as far from the northern tip of Norway as it is from Rome. Along with its personable capital, the countrys highlights include the salty port of Bergen, colorful villages, and wildly scenic routes over the mountains and through the fjords. Norways icons are all things Viking, wooden stave churches, knitted sweaters, and lutefisk (imagine fish Jell-O).

The village of Balestrand on Norways unforgettable Sognefjord; craft demonstration at Stockholms Skansen folk museum

Sweden, a forested land of clear lakes and island chains, is the largest Scandinavian country and has the grandest capital. Stockholm is a public-service announcement for good living, and its Skansen open-air folk museum is Europes oldest and best. Swedens attractions are an archipelago cruise, historic castles, glassworks tours, pleasant cities, and exceptional museums. Though industrious, Swedes always make time for fikaa coffee break with pastrya habit youll quickly adopt.

Finland is flat, friendly, and underrated. Its capital city, Helsinki, holds its own among the Nordic capitals for its renewed waterfront, modernist architecture, steamy saunas...and ubiquitous slot machines. Finns love gambling. Helsinki is a popular port, with overnight cruises to and from Stockholm, and quick ferries connecting Tallinn, Estonia.

Estonia, a small Baltic country, has islands, marshlands, and patriotic singers. Estonians achieved independence from Russia in 1991 through their peaceful Singing Revolution. They specialize in global technology, while folk music remains dear to their hearts. The photogenic Old World capital of Tallinn makes for an engaging visitby ferry from Helsinki or overnight cruise from Stockholm.

How to Enjoy a Smrgsbord

The Swedish smrgsbord (known in Denmark and Norway as the koldt bord) is a Scandinavian culinary tradition. While the word smrgsbord originally meant a bread-and-butter table and koldt bord means cold table, todays smorgasbords are an abundant feast of appealing appetizers, hot and cold dishes, and desserts.

Seek out a smorgasbord at least once during your trip, just for the experience of seeing so much wholesome and tasty Nordic food spread out before you.

Locals indulge in a smorgasbord mainly at festive times such as the Christmas season, but anyone can dig into this all-you-can-eat buffet any time of the year at bigger hotels and on overnight ferries. Its always smart to reserve a smorgasbord in advance. Youll generally pay one set price for the meal, though fancier drinks may cost extra (confirm before imbibing).

Follow the simple steps below to make the most of your smorgasbord experience.

Skl! Smaklig mltid! Cheers! Enjoy your meal!

A smorgasbord is all-you-can-eat, so survey your options before taking your portions, then return for more of your favorites; cross your fork and knife to signal that youre not yet done.