Scandinavian highlights

www.visitscandinavia.com.au keeps you abreast of everything Scandinavian – Denmark, Norway and Sweden, offering a smorgasbord of different experiences to inspire explorimg this unique part of Europe.

Latest updates with current news, personal stories from true locals, story ideas, what’s hot and what’s not and travel experiences from fellow travelers.

Special Edition: Christmas magic in Scandinavia

Scandinavia is preparing for a magical season. By now, the department stores have displayed their Christmas windows, and the first snow has fallen to the ground. We are well prepared for Christmas in Scandinavia.

Read up on how Christmas is celebrated in the far north. Visit some of the world’s top Christmas markets, from uber-trendy designer markets to traditional bazaars.

Be entranced by the ethereal Lucia, the queen of the light festival on the 13th of December, or visit the many manor houses and medieval castles for a traditional Christmas table (Smorgasbord).

Take part in advent celebrations, join the Abba orchestra or explore the real Santa’s questionable past……..all washed down with a schnapps, this is how world-class Christmas is celebrated.

Contact us to receive our Christmas magic TO DO LIST or visit www.visitscandinavia.com.au/media

Denmark

A medieval Christmas at Voergard Castle

Being one of Denmark’s most beautiful renaissance castles and surrounded by the broadest mote in Denmark, visitors are sure to get a sensory impression from a time populated by knights and maidens.

Huge candelabra illuminate the castle’s halls, exquisitely decorated Christmas trees are reflected in the shining windows and fresh flowers from the new world enchant visitors as they wander through the castle’s many rooms.

In addition to the decorations throughout the castle, there are stalls selling Christmas items and other wares in the castle’s banqueting hall, cellars and in the castle courtyard.

More: www.voergaardslot.dk/, www.toppenafdanmark.dk, or www.visitnordjylland.dk

Christmas in fantasy land – Zealand

Denmark’s latest indoor attraction, Fantasy World in Holme-Olstrup, will open a brand new cowboy city early December, hosting the Christmas market: ‘Christmas in the Wild West’.

More: www.fantasy-world.dk/Presse.aspx  

Copenhagen to promote diversity and tolerance

11 cities from around the world have been invited to participate in the exhibition Out Cities which promotes urban diversity and tolerance during the World Outgames 25 July – 2 August 2009.

The World Outgames is an international sporting, cultural and human rights event organised to celebrate and recognise the roles of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT).

11 cities are invited including Berlin, Cape Town, Istanbul, Madrid, Melbourne, New York, Riga, Rio de Janeiro, Stockholm, Tokyo and Århus in Denmark.

Several hundred thousand participants and visitors are expected to attend the games in Copenhagen from 25 July – 2 August 2009.

More: www.copenhagen2009.org

World record in green consumption

Green is the new black.

Trendy and eco conscious Copenhagen has entered a whole new level of eco-consciousness.

Copenhagen has serious green ambition and the city is one of the organic world leaders.

Today, the private sector’s purchase of organic products in Copenhagen is about 10-12 percent, and 45 percent of all food consumed in the city’s institutions is organic – that is the world’s record.

To ensure Copenhagen continued development, the environmental strategy “Environment Metropolis – Our Vision 2015” has set targets for organic food consumption and up to 90 percent by 2015 in all of the city’s institutions.

The target for private businesses and households purchase and consumption is expected to reach at least 20 percent.

The sale of organic products in Copenhagen is dramatically on the rise. More restaurants, cafes and even hotels are riding the “green wave”.

Below are a few eco – labelled places and eateries in Copenhagen.

Geranium restaurant is run by two of Denmark’s best chefs, Rasmus Kofoed and Søren Ledet and they use organic and biodynamic ingredients exclusively, including the fine selection of wines. This shining star is located at the King’s Garden.

More: www.kongenshave.dk

BioM is a small eatery in the Østerbro.

The food, drink and even the paint on the walls are organic. The initiators behind BioM started the place based on a simple question. “Why eat food made from ingredients that are filled with pesticides when we eat at a restaurant when we would otherwise buy organic?”

The three owners’ answer to that question is a quality conscious restaurant with moderate prices. BioM Fredericiagade 78 Phone:+45 3332 2466

Fuglebjerggard

Denmark’s Kylie Kwong, Camilla Plum owns and operates Fuglebjerggard, together with her husband Per Kølster, who produces his own beer on site. On the farm there is everything from hens and cattle to corn fields, pastures, kitchen gardens, fruit orchards, mills, farm shop, malt house, brewery and occasionally a cider mill and bakery – all organic.

In the shop they sell their own flour, meat, vegetables, fruit, beer and pickled vegetables. The farm is located in the north of Zealand, Helsinge.

Egefeld is Copenhagen’s first organic supermarket and a Mecca for quality-conscious consumers. There is something old-fashioned about the place – service is top-notch and the products are presented attractively.

For a more complete list, please visit www.visitcopenhagen.com/composite-3036.htm  

For more information about Denmark, please contact Carpe Diem PR & Events at [email protected] or call 02 9212 1332

Norway

Hollywood stars Uma Thurman and Tommy Lee Jones will host the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo Spektrum 11 December

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2007 will be awarded on to Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on December 10. Followed by the annual tradition, the Nobel Peace Prize Concert is held the day after the ceremony. Melissa Etheridge, Alicia Keys, Annie Lennox, Morten Harket, Earth Wind & Fire, Juanes, Junoon and KT Tunstall are among the artists who will perform.

More information at http://www.oslospektrum.no and http://www.visitoslo.com  

New Design hotel to open second quarter of 2008

The Other Side certainly lives up to its name, located in the far north of Norway near the border to Russia and Finland in the little village of Neiden. Offering a panoramic view of tundra, salmon rivers and the Barents Sea this hotel takes on modern luxury in a somewhat extreme climate.

The design of the hotel is based on the traditions of the native Sámi, the indigenous people of Lapland and their closeness to nature. The French/Swedish design duo Ralston & Bau has given the hotel a sense of unearthly magic.

Following the pattern of a Sámi shaman drum, twelve houses have been laid out in groups of three and each house is based on elemental forces so there is the Wind House, the Water House and the Fire House, all set in symbolic surroundings.

The warmth and cosiness to help you make it through the Arctic night is emphasized throughout with furs and fire places in several of the suites as well as the house restaurant, The Other Side of The Moon

Address: The Other Side NO-9930 Neiden, Norway

Phone: +47 78996203 Email: [email protected] www.theotherside.no  

Holmenkollen Norway’s most visited attraction

Holmenkollen, the world’s second oldest ski jump had over 643,620 people visit last year. Holmenkollen, which is located in the outskirts of Olso, remains on first place on the list of Norway’s most visited tourist attractions.

Kristiansand Zoo (556,320 visitors) come second with an increase of 5 percent.

The zoo is the only one of the big amusement parks to report an increase this year.

See full list of Norway’s top attractions www.innovasjonnorge.no  

Information about Holmenkollen www.skiforeningen.no/english/holmenkollen

King crab safari in Kirkenes

‘Go on a King crab safari by snow mobile or by boat, and try ice-fishing in the Barents Sea near Kirkenes, Norway.

The king crab can grow to 2 metres and gain a weight of 15 kg so you are guaranteed to have a great meal in the evening.

More: www.destinationkirkenes.no

Spa at Axel Hotel Guldsmeden

In the beginning of 2008 the four star lifestyle hotel Axel Hotel Guldsmeden will open a classical urban spa with a range of wholly organic spa products.

More: www.hotelguldsmeden.dk/axel-hotel/axel-hotel.html  

Sweden

Meet the real queen of light

This year Lucia will be crowned on Solliden scenen at Skansen Saturday December 1 from 5pm.

Both day and time for crowning of the Stockholm Lucia. Lucia and her company will return to perform on Lucia day December 13.

ABBA-museum on MySpace

Premiere for ABBA the Museum at MySpace! Our new place for ABBA the Museum’s Friends.

Here you can follow the construction work, see unique pictures, watch video clips, send Messages and Comments. The page will continuously be updated with interesting material and information. We celebrate the premiere by taking you on a short video tour inside the old building called Stora Tullhuset (the Big Customs House), before we begin to transform the interior into an interactive experience where you can sing, dance and participate in the ABBA history with all your senses.

More: www.myspace.com/abbamuseum or www.abbamuseum.com  

Live with the Sami

If you are seeking a cultural experience out of the ordinary, discover the Sami, one of the oldest surviving cultures in the world. The Best of the Arctic welcome you to Girjjas, one of Sweden’s Sámi villages, located in the mountains in the far north of Sweden. Join the reindeer herders as they go about their daily tasks with the winter reindeer herd.

http://www.thebestofthearctic.com

Elk safari in Laukkuluspa – Lapland

Go on a snowmobile tour in the wilderness of Kiruna, northern Sweden. Drive along the Kalix River towards the majestic mountains and experience unique national animals such as reindeer and elk.

More: www.swedishlapland.com

Shopping for jewelry in Stockholm The world has opened their eyes for the stylish and yet fun Swedish jewellery.

Madonna loves Efva Attling, Karl Lagerfeld loves David & Martin and Dadas diamonds was chosen “Rookie of the year” during fashion week in Stockholm August 2006.

Below are addresses and names to nine of the best new unique jewellery makers in Stockholm.

Efva Attling Graphic simple but exclusive jewellery for men, women and dogs sold in the store at Hornsgatan 44, Södermalm David & Martin, Graphic forms and numbers on silver and gold sold in their own store on Hökens Gata 5, Södermalm Sandberg, Raw, humouristic and unique jewellery and my personal favorite sold in their own store on Nybrogatan 9, Östermalm Dadas Diamonds, Fun exclusive silver jewellery sold at NK and Svenskt Tenn Sophie by Sophie, exclusive jewellery by Sophie Gyllenhammar Mattson sold at NK and W.A Bolin. Gaudy, The Royal Family loves the modern exclusive look.

The shop is situated on Strandvägen 3, Östermalm (next to Svenskt Tenn). Galleri Etena, Clean lines and mix of materials such as gold and plexi, Hornsgatan 30, Södermalm Goldbar Juveler & Design, Exclusive personal jewellery made by goldsmith Lotta Torstensson on Köpmangatan 16, Gamla Stan Made by, three designers in one shop on Vikingatan 20, Vasastan

A-list party organiser to exhibit in Stockholm

Very few will receive an invitation from Micael Bindefeld, Sweden’s celebrity party organizer number one. His motto is that the party starts when the invitation is being opened by the invited guest. Even

Scandinavian Tourist Board Australia represented by Carpe Diem PR & Events Lvl 1, 16 Foster Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia Phone: 61 (0)2 9212 1332 [email protected] PRESS RELEASE

though you will not be invited to one of his A-class and exclusive parties, you can now enjoy the creativity and thought put into some of his best invitations in a unique cooperation between the Postal museum and Micael Bindefeld at “Bindefelds Bästa Brev” exhibition at the Postmuseum October16-March 2, 2008

Marriott opens their first hotel in Sweden

The American hotel chain Marriott International will open its first hotel in Sweden in 2009. The hotel is being built at Lindhagensplan on Kungsholmen in Stockholm and will have 272 rooms. Scandinavian Hospitality Group (SHG) owns the franchise rights for all Marriotts brands in Sweden, Norway and Finland. The company will open hotels under the names Marriott Renaissance, Marriott Executive Apartments and Courtyard. The Lindhagensplan hotel will be a Courtyard hotel.

A Reporr by The Mole

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