Sunday, June 7, 2009

The "Venice of the North"

One of CNN's correspondents has been jetting around Stockholm, munching on meatballs, caviar paste, and lingonberry, and he's inspiring us to explore what has been called the "Venice of the North." The weather might be cooler than we're used to, but it's also bathed in light that kicks in with a stunning sunrise at 4 p.m., and sunsets that hit around 11 p.m. If extra daylight for sightseeing sounds like an enjoyable trip to you, here's what you should try out in a visit to the Venice of the North.

A recommended hotel for your trip to Stockholm is the Radisson Blu Strand Hotel, which has waterfront views and an advantageous location close to the Old Town as well as theaters, museums, and the Royal Palace. From there, you can easily start your tour of Stockholm's Gamla Stan (Old Town), which is considered one of the "best preserved medieval city centers in the world." Although it's often filled with tourists, it's a great place to browse galleries, stop by delicious eateries, and explore well-crafted jewelry from a variety of craftspeople. After cruising by the packed main walks and smaller, almost hidden alleyways, you can watch the changing of the guard ceremony at the Kungliga Slottet, the official residence of the King of Sweden. For the Venice-like part, hop on a sightseeing tour boat and choose the "hop on, hop off" ticket so you can visit spots that look interesting. Be sure to check the routes, because some of the waterway tours go straight to the islands and don't swing around to other points of interest!

Should you have extra time on vacation, you should go to Denmark, located southwest of Sweden, as a complement to the Venice of the North. Stay at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Copenhagen, one of the most exclusive spots in the city, which also happens to boast Exclusive Complementary Perks through What a Hotel! The hotel is in the heart of Copenhagen, making it a great place if you're planning on serious sightseeing. Copenhagen is a multifaceted destination that's great for two, nice for budget vacationers, and also good for wellness-related excursions. It may not be the first place you think of when you imagine castles, but it has plenty of halls, castles, and gardens for your exploration, including the Rosenborg Castle, Fredensborg Palace, and Kronborg Castle. Sneak in a kiss with your significant other at the "Kissing Row" at the Empire Bio, which has love seats for couples wanting to grab a movie.

Not just Italy has a Venice, it seems, and we'll be exploring that and more of Scandinavia this season.

No comments:

Post a Comment