Food delights offered in Norway tend to be as vibrant and diverse as the history and the culture of it’s people. Nevertheless, the regional food which you may appreciate is determined by which region you are visiting. Dining here is an enjoyable and rich experience, as food offers numerous styles along with thousands of excellent places in all the main metropolitan areas and towns of Norway. The cold waters make the fish meat fresh and firm, and the light summers lead to high quality in fruits and berries. Norwegian specialists are roast pork ribs, cured mutton, salmon, dried fish and lutefisk, a mixing lye of potash in the water the dried fish is soaked. Due to it’s long traditions as a fishing nation, this food has always been an important ingredient on the Norwegian menu. However, the farms as well as good stocks of game, have contributed to the kitchen with high quality meat. During the last years, Norwegian chefs have been winning international prizes, by the help of their tendency to redefine traditional dishes with a new twist.
A night on the town in Oslo can be anything from a picnic in the park and beers at a pub to a gourmet meal followed by drinks and dancing at a club. You may gear up for new trends or make it on your own, as the places to see and be seen change from one week to the next. In Bergen you will find just about everything from tea rooms to gourmet fish restaurants, from small bistros to discotheques, bars and nightclubs. In Trondheim….exclusive or affordable, family restaurants or fast food eateries and cafés….. everyone will find food and drink to suit their budget, their appetite or their style.
In Spring…… May to mid-June is when the scenery in Norway is at its most spectacular, with trees and flowers waking to life, snow in the mountains and melted water swelling the waterfalls Summer…..June to
early August is when the weather is warmest and the days are long and bright. In the autumn , the landscape is painted in golden colours. In winter, much of Norway is usually transformed into a snow-clad paradise!
Sweden is densely forested, has several lakes and scenic beauty……. Denmark is mostly flat, dotted with bays and inlets……. while Norway has varied, captivating natural beauty and its’ world-famous fjords. Sweden is laden with open landscapes, and the countryside is dotted with thousands of lakes, freshwater streams, mountains and rolling hills. Starting in the south, you will find everything from deep-green potato fields to some of the richest apple orchards in Europe. On the Baltic island of Gotland, limestone columns rise dramatically from the sea, and in the archipelagos of Stockholm and Gothenburg, swimming and sailing are everyday summertime activities. Travelling north, you’ll pass by endless numbers of lakes, streams, and pine and birch trees. As the villages become fewer and smaller, nature fills in. The landscape becomes more dramatic, and rolling hills rise into the mountains.
Early Swedish stone buildings are the Romanesque churches on the country side. Magnificent Lund Cathedral, the Skara Cathedral, the Uppsala Cathedral and the limestone-made Linköping Cathedral! Among older structures are also some significant fortresses and other historical buildings such as at Borgholm Castle, Halltorps Manor and Eketorp fortress on the island Öland, the Nyköping fortress and the Visby ring wall. The Swedish lifestyle varies greatly with the seasons. During the darker winter months, there are lights in the windows, evenings in the cinema, and winter sports during the day. In spring and summer, life is lived outdoors…… music festivals, outdoor theatres and open-air museums are popular. Not only are the flowers blooming, the Swedes themselves are too…… so, the choice of season is yours……as there is liveliness determined during the dark or light……celebration galore!!!
Stockholm, is the capital city…. uniquely beautiful , sprawling over fourteen islands connected by fifty-seven bridges. The splendid Royal Palace and the famed Stockholm Cathedral are also housed here. There are several splendid museums worth visiting. Consider perhaps a boat trip to Drottningholm Palace, the official residence of the Royal family which is on UNESCO´s World Heritage list. The thickly forested Djurgarden isle holds many tourist attractions such as Skansen…… the oldest open-air museum in the world. Children love the Stockholm Zoo, as much as the Skansen Aquarium and the games they can play at Lill-Skansen. The Aquaria lets you walk through a rain forest and also see live sharks. Haga Park’s Butterfly House has colourful butterflies flitting about while children get a chance to see unusual jungle plants, fish, insects and lizards. impressive Vasa Museum.
Another exciting destination is……Gothenburg classified as a global city, Going inland, the food-inspired Västra Götaland region has fine examples of small-scale food producers such as Påverås’ award-winning cheeses, or Sivans, who sell their cheeses on the square in Vara, Mowitz chicken from Hjärtum, or Bitterna Lamb. There are various sightseeing options presented to tourists visiting Gothenburg, including regular guided open-top bus tours departing next to the central Kungportsplatsen and Kungsportsbron, which pass many tourists attractions, including those around the Gustav Adolfs Torg or the Gustaf Adolf’s Square and the Götaplatsen. Paddan cruises along the city’s famous seventeenth-century canal are always extremely popular and also leave from the Kungportsplatsen, The many fishy attractions and reptiles at the Gothenburg Aquarium or Akvariet are sure to be a big hit with children and the exhibits range from many marine favourites, to colourful tropical species and red-bellied piranhas, known for their ferocious nature……..the Gothenburg Botanical Garden is the “most beautiful garden in “Europe” Situated on the very outskirts of Gothenburg, the Langedrag is a buzzing beach resort and tourists come here to enjoy the coastal attractions, seafood restaurants and exceptional sunsets.
A haven for shopping….Sweden is known for its high-quality crystal and glassware, besides excellent cutlery, china, handicrafts, furs, textiles, jewellery, silver, pottery, furniture, cars, sports ware and mobiles. Small Swedish villages have handicraft shops selling knitwear, embroidery and wood carvings.
Swedish cuisine, like that of the other Scandinavian countries ….Denmark, Norway and Finland, was traditionally simple. Fish, particularly herring, meat, potatoes and dairy products played prominent roles. Spices were sparse. Famous dishes include Swedish meatballs, traditionally served with gravy, boiled potatoes and lingonberry jam, pancakes, lutfisk, and Smörgåsbord, or lavish buffet. Akvavit is a popular alcoholic distilled beverage, and the drinking of snaps is of the cultural importance. Besides Swedish food, there’s……. Thai and Italian food, Seafood, Sushi, International food, Fusion, Pub food, Bakeries and Cafes…..The Swedish equivalent of McDonald’s is Max, and is relatively affordable!
Most of Sweden has a temperate climate, with four distinct seasons and mild temperatures throughout the year! Stockholm has warm and pleasant summers…..winters are cold and windy with temperatures. Gothenburg has an oceanic climate!
The home of Hans Christian Andersen……. the famous fairytale writer, and Denmark’s oft-visited tourist attraction…….. the Little Mermaid, the inspiration behind the scintillating lyricism of Thelma…….. Marie Corelli’s reputed novel…… Scandinavia has a fairytale-like, natural splendour to enchant and enthrall you…….it has a vibrant night life and throbs to pop music, particularly of the internationally acclaimed Swedish pop group, the ABBAs. My Favorite Travel Destinations In Eastern Europe European Delight culture.