Scandinavian Capitals

About the destination: A decade ago, visitors came to Copenhagen just for its canals, cobbled squares, charming streets and pastel painted houses. Now this city is most known for its innovative design, cutting edge architecture and its top-rated restaurants. This historic city of canals has become trendy, cosmopolitan and exciting, without losing its old charms. The fairytale-like port of Nyhavn, the city’s legendary waterfront, is the most traditional sight of Copenhagen, where visitors enjoy the cobbled streets and colourful houses that contrasts with Langelinje quay, where the city’s most famous attraction, The Little Mermaid, is located. Walking along the Langelinje quay, the modern opera house appears on the horizon bringing tourists back into the 21st century. Another of the city’s new waterfront landmarks is the Black Diamond entertainment complex, an additional reason to travel beyond the tiny tourist-focused centre. The building itself is stunning and provides a unique opportunity to lounge in a deckchair overlooking the water. Two of the coolest areas of the city are Veesterbro and Norrebro, away from the herds of tourists. These vibrant neighbourhoods will allow the most adventurous travellers to mix with the locals and experience the buzzing atmosphere of places like the Norrebro Food Hall, a covered foodie market, or the Ralea, the restaurant where local chefs go to get food after work. Copenhagen’s coolest borough of trendy bars, design stores and eateries, where visitors can experience the culinary revolution the city has to offer, it's just a metro ride from the city centre. The less-travelled island neighbourhood of Christianshavn offers a tranquil glimpse of residential life and canal-side strolls. It’s also home to the “free town” of Christiana, a colourful alternative community built by hippies in the 1970s, which shines with galleries and cafés, and has its own, strict set of rules. Copenhagen is clean, safe and easy to get to know. It is also one of Europe’s greenest cities and its public transport would make New York green with envy. Its centre is reserved for pedestrians and strict anti-pollution laws enforced. It’s an environmentally idyllic spot with plenty of green space and bicycles often outnumber cars, so be careful of stepping out into bike lanes. Wander carefree to the world-famous Tivoli amusement park and the city’s delightful botanical garden, or take to the pavement cafés and restaurants in the summer alongside the locals. Whatever you decide to do in the Danish capital, whether you dig design and dine, or wander in wonder, Copenhagen will keep calling you back like a siren.

About the destination: Sweden's capital - a Nordic vision of waterways, parks and spire-filled skylines - is rightly celebrated as one of the most attractive cities in Europe. Spread across no fewer than 14 islands and surrounded by literally thousands of smaller, rocky islets, it blends the drama and open skies of Scandinavia with the energy, dynamism and urban cool of Western Europe. The soul of the place lies in its many facets: the stucco walls of the Old Town, the contemporary pulse of the galleries, the consumerist hum of the shopping districts, the deep tranquillity of the parklands, the thumping bass of the nightlife and, increasingly, the gourmet allure of the restaurants. Stockholm's location on the shores of the Baltic Sea means seasonal variations hit hard, and many locals will tell you that the only thing to rival the beauty of a summer's evening in Stockholm is the winter charm of its frozen lakes and snow-fringed skylines. It's certainly true that Stockholm's unique character is a major reason for its popularity among travellers and, in a continent where charismatic urban destinations are plentiful, it says a lot that the city's cultural scene is vibrant enough to rival anywhere else in northern Europe. In addition to its exhibitions, museums and concerts, it's also a deeply romantic setting in which to spend a long weekend - you'd have to be hard-hearted not to fall for the mix of preserved medieval architecture, sweeping water vistas and consistently intense nightlife. Most importantly though, it's worth emphasising just how much this is a city apart. It's the most populated urban area in Scandinavia, yet two thirds of it are still made up of water and greenery. And if this doesn't seem likely, well, you've got the perfect excuse to go and check.

About the destination: Oslo is lively and modern with a mix of architectural styles, cutting-edge nightlife and world-class museums. Situated between the Oslofjord and the forests, nature is at the heart of the capital, where you can sail, ski and hike to your heart's content just a short distance from the city centre. This is definitely a spot for outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts. As you sail past lush green islands and towering rocky outcrops, the city unfolds before your eyes - spreading out from its compact centre around the quays to the forested sides of the surrounding hills. Made all the more beautiful by its diversity, Oslo boasts a mishmash of modern and ancient buildings that give the city a varied feel, with the steel-and-glass Munch Museum giving way to the old-world charm of the City Museum and the rugged medieval walls of the Akershus Fortress, which looms over the fjord. Most visitors will find themselves torn between Oslo’s numerous museums, which offer something for nearly every taste: a face-to-face with the haunting image of Edvard Munch’s The Scream at the National Gallery, a chance to stand in the shoes of an Olympic ski-jumper at the Holmenkollen Ski Museum, or a glimpse into history and culture at the unforgettable Viking Ship, Polarship Fram or Folk Museums on Bygdøy. And Oslo is certainly the cosmopolitan heart of Norway, with a rapidly growing café and bar culture, top-notch restaurants, and nightlife options ranging from world-class opera and jazz to indie rock. The capital’s thriving restaurant scene has seen it awarded with four Michelin stars. The Grünerløkka district is close to the Munch Museum and is teeming with bustling little pavement cafés and stylish bars. A thriving, truly lively city, the cosmopolitan heart of Norway really does have something for everyone.