The European culture capital in 1996, Copenhagen is Scandinavia's liveliest city. The musical and artistic pageantry are rivaled only by the changing of the guard ceremony in front of the Amalienborg Palace, home of the royal family since 1794. Yet certain parts of Copenhagen maintain a village-like feel, like the winding streets around the Raadhuspladsen and enchanting Tivoli Gardens.
Berlin is a result of a union between two founding towns, Colln and Berlin. They affiliated themselves in 1307 for a union. After riots, elector Friedrich II declared Colln/Berlin his residence in 1451.
The city was devastated in 1945 after the Nazi terror and the end of World War II. Berlin was then divided into four parts: the East was administered by the Soviet Union, the Southwest by the USA, the West by Great Britain and the Northwest by France. As a result of the Berlin Blockade in 1948, Berlin became an object of the Soviet-American conflict as the Americans and British supplied the three West Sectors via "Air Lift" with aircrafts they nick-named "Candy Bombers". Reconstruction began in both East and West Berlin but not without a price. August 13, 1961 is remembered as the day of division, when the Berlin Wall separated this cities people.
Twenty-eight years later, celebration broke out in the city as the Berlin Wall was torn down on November 9, 1989. Months later in 1990, Berlin was reunified and became the residence of the Federal Government, which held its first plenary session on April 19, 1999 in the redesigned Reichstag. Because the Reichstag has a new glass dome, it has become an attraction for both Berliners and tourists from all over the world. Berlin celebrated the new millennium with a magnificent party at the Brandenburger Tor. Berlin has changed a lot since then and will continue to change.
Berlin is a result of a union between two founding towns, Colln and Berlin. They affiliated themselves in 1307 for a union. After riots, elector Friedrich II declared Colln/Berlin his residence in 1451.
The city was devastated in 1945 after the Nazi terror and the end of World War II. Berlin was then divided into four parts: the East was administered by the Soviet Union, the Southwest by the USA, the West by Great Britain and the Northwest by France. As a result of the Berlin Blockade in 1948, Berlin became an object of the Soviet-American conflict as the Americans and British supplied the three West Sectors via "Air Lift" with aircrafts they nick-named "Candy Bombers". Reconstruction began in both East and West Berlin but not without a price. August 13, 1961 is remembered as the day of division, when the Berlin Wall separated this cities people.
Twenty-eight years later, celebration broke out in the city as the Berlin Wall was torn down on November 9, 1989. Months later in 1990, Berlin was reunified and became the residence of the Federal Government, which held its first plenary session on April 19, 1999 in the redesigned Reichstag. Because the Reichstag has a new glass dome, it has become an attraction for both Berliners and tourists from all over the world. Berlin celebrated the new millennium with a magnificent party at the Brandenburger Tor. Berlin has changed a lot since then and will continue to change.
Situated on the Swedish isle of Gotland, Hanseatic Visby was one of the most powerful cities in Europe. Today quaint homes and churches huddle together inside 13th-century walls. In former times, it was called "the city of ruins and roses," for along with its rose-covered churches, there is one somber sight - Gallows Hill, a place of execution so villains "might die looking at the loveliest spot on earth."
Distributed across fourteen immaculate islands in a sheltered Baltic bay, crisscrossed by scenic bridges, Sweden's capital is one of the most beautiful cities on earth. It is a sightseeing smorgasbord, including the medieval "city between the bridges," the vast Royal Palace, and the City Hall, which hosts the yearly Nobel Prize ceremonies.
Distributed across fourteen immaculate islands in a sheltered Baltic bay, crisscrossed by scenic bridges, Sweden's capital is one of the most beautiful cities on earth. It is a sightseeing smorgasbord, including the medieval "city between the bridges," the vast Royal Palace, and the City Hall, which hosts the yearly Nobel Prize ceremonies.
Finland's national capital is a spacious Neoclassical city in fine white granite, whose upbeat pace and fashion sense belie the Finnish reputation for conservatism. The massive Temppeliaukio Church is carved out of solid stone, while on the Esplanadi, famous Finnish designers like Marimekko or Iitala demonstrate a lighter, more modern style.
Finland's national capital is a spacious Neoclassical city in fine white granite, whose upbeat pace and fashion sense belie the Finnish reputation for conservatism. The massive Temppeliaukio Church is carved out of solid stone, while on the Esplanadi, famous Finnish designers like Marimekko or Iitala demonstrate a lighter, more modern style.
Tallinn is the capital of the recently independent republic of Estonia. In the medieval old town, with its winding cobbled streets, there is a marvelous cathedral and Gothic town hall dating from the 14th Century.
Explore this medieval city and all of the culture it embodies...It is as lovely as it is historically significant, and you will have a vacation full of memories and pictures to show your friends.From shops to nightclubs, it is all here, radiant and vibrant.Walk along the docks, and watch a sunset that will truly take your breath away.
Explore this medieval city and all of the culture it embodies...It is as lovely as it is historically significant, and you will have a vacation full of memories and pictures to show your friends.From shops to nightclubs, it is all here, radiant and vibrant.Walk along the docks, and watch a sunset that will truly take your breath away.
Green Bornholm island is a favorite escape for Danes in the summer. The sea is blue, the sun is warm, the fields are bright with flowers, and the island is blessed with picturesque, round, whitewashed churches. On a bluff overlooking the sea: a ruined castle. For lunch, try local smoked herring.
Norway's royal residence since 997 AD, when King Olaf I founded Trondheim, the city still boasts Stiftsgarden, the huge wooden palace. A century later, St. Olaf II began to perform miracles for the people, making Trondheim a major pilgrimage destination. Be sure to visit Nidaros Cathedral, where the Norwegian kings are still crowned, which is certainly one of Europe's premier Gothic-style churches.
The southern gateway to the Fjordlands, Stavanger is also the home port of much of the fleet that serves the North Sea oil fields. View its medieval Cathedral, and other highlights of the town, or travel out to Pulpit Rock, a breathtaking vista point high above the fjords.
Norway's political and cultural capital, Oslo was recently selected as the city with the highest quality of life in Europe. It's not surprising, considering the city's treasures: beautiful Frogner Park filled with modern sculpture, the emotional power of the Munch Museum and the Viking Ship Museum, together with forested mountains and secluded coves, all within the city limits.
Norway's political and cultural capital, Oslo was recently selected as the city with the highest quality of life in Europe. It's not surprising, considering the city's treasures: beautiful Frogner Park filled with modern sculpture, the emotional power of the Munch Museum and the Viking Ship Museum, together with forested mountains and secluded coves, all within the city limits.
The green countryside is bright with flowers, and children dance in folk costumes on the bannered dock. The Swedes provide a friendly welcome here. Across the narrow Oresund sound stands Elsinore, the Danish castle that inspired Shakespeare's setting for Hamlet.
The European culture capital in 1996, Copenhagen is Scandinavia's liveliest city. The musical and artistic pageantry are rivaled only by the changing of the guard ceremony in front of the Amalienborg Palace, home of the royal family since 1794. Yet certain parts of Copenhagen maintain a village-like feel, like the winding streets around the Raadhuspladsen and enchanting Tivoli Gardens.
The European culture capital in 1996, Copenhagen is Scandinavia's liveliest city. The musical and artistic pageantry are rivaled only by the changing of the guard ceremony in front of the Amalienborg Palace, home of the royal family since 1794. Yet certain parts of Copenhagen maintain a village-like feel, like the winding streets around the Raadhuspladsen and enchanting Tivoli Gardens.