About.com Scandinavia Travel

5% Off All Guided Tours

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:22:37 +0000

The big tour booking site Viator.com is offering a special Thanksgiving discount this week, with 5% off all purchases made November 26 - November 29, 2009.

When you go to Viator, enter coupon code TURKEY5. This coupon code is valid on all guided tours on the site, so if you're not heading to Scandinavia, you can look up interesting tours at any other destination and still use the coupon.

If you are visiting Scandinavia, try our recommended guided tours:

Viator.com Coupon: 5% off everything booked 11/26 - 11/29/2009

5% Off All Guided Tours originally appeared on About.com Scandinavia Travel on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 08:22:37.

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The Scandinavian Hanukkah

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:12:38 +0000

Hanukkah in Scandinavia is a well-known Jewish celebration - after all, the Festival of Lights is a major annual event for those of Jewish belief in Scandinavia.

You will find that if you spend Hanukkah/Chanuka in Scandinavia, both locals and visitors there celebrate this Jewish holiday according to well-known traditions, with prayers, candles, and in song. Find out more about celebrating Hanukkah in Scandinavia here.

The Scandinavian Hanukkah originally appeared on About.com Scandinavia Travel on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 06:12:38.

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Happy World Toilet Day!

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:28:08 +0000

The World Toilet Organization (WTO) is a global non- profit organization committed to improving toilet and sanitation conditions worldwide.

Celebrate World Toilet Day 2009 with a fun tour of Scandinavia's unique toilets! What's so special about them, and what you'd better look out for when going potty alongside the locals:

Toilets in Scandinavia

Happy World Toilet Day! originally appeared on About.com Scandinavia Travel on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 12:28:08.

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Iceland Has 13 Santas?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:27:35 +0000

Christmas in Iceland is an interesting experience as this country has many old traditions for celebrating Christmas. Expect no fewer than 13 Icelandic Santa Clauses! In Iceland, they're the "Yuletide Lads". The origin of these "Santas" is centuries old, and each has its own name, character and role. Nowadays their function is to come to town bearing gifts and candy (and a prank or two).

The first of them arrives 13 days before Christmas and after Christmas, they leave one by one. The Icelandic Christmas season lasts 26 days... more about Christmas traditions in Iceland.

Iceland Has 13 Santas? originally appeared on About.com Scandinavia Travel on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 03:27:35.

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Photo of the Week: Bathed in Snow

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:16:26 +0000

This is what the Blue Lagoon looks like this time of year. The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is Iceland's famous geothermal spa where guests relax in seawater heated by Mother Nature. There are several hotels near the Blue Lagoon (currently with lower winter prices) and guided lagoon tours available.

Photo of the Week: Bathed in Snow originally appeared on About.com Scandinavia Travel on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 01:16:26.

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The Coziest Christmas Markets

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:29:04 +0000

The historic Scandinavian Christmas Markets are a great attraction for all kinds of visitors and offer lots of seasonal Christmas shopping and holiday shopping with local crafts, food, and drink (including the hot, spiced wine, Gl�gg). You can see photos of the markets in the Scandinavian Christmas photo gallery.

It's also easy to find Christmas markets elsewhere, if you're not heading over to Scandinavia.

The markets generally take place from late November until around December 23 and visiting one should definitely be on your to-do list. So where are the best markets near your destination? Let's find out, in the article about the best Christmas Markets in Scandinavia.

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The Coziest Christmas Markets originally appeared on About.com Scandinavia Travel on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 06:29:04.

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Another Tree Coming From Norway

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:48:21 +0000

London's traditional Norwegian Christmas tree is on its way. The tree is� Oslo's annual gift to London, a 33-meter tree that is�90 years old, and the 62nd of its kind to cross the North Sea.

Each November, Oslo cuts this tree as a renewed symbol of the friendship and to show�Norway's gratefulness for the help rendered by the British during the second World War.

Oslo is also sending one Christmas tree each to Rotterdam (Netherlands) and Reykjavik (Iceland). The trees are all Norwegian spruces and are decorated in traditional Norwegian style, with 500 individual white lights.

The tree coming to London will be found, as always, on Trafalgar Square. Its lights will come on December 4.

Another Tree Coming From Norway originally appeared on About.com Scandinavia Travel on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 05:48:21.

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Free Travel E-Courses by E-mail

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:43:50 +0000

Maybe you're planning to spend this holiday season in Scandinavia, or want to find out more about local Christmas traditions?

Either way, you've come to the right place to find out more about Christmas in Scandinavia. The following new e-course has 4 parts and will arrive weekly via email, for free. Enjoy the interesting seasonal travel tips included:

Seasonal Scandinavia - Scandinavia's Holiday E-Course

And if you're looking to learn more about Scandinavia throughout the year, try the year-round Scandinavia Travel E-Course that will teach you more about Scandinavia itself, travel destinations, events, and so much more, in 6 free weekly email lessons!

Free Travel E-Courses by E-mail originally appeared on About.com Scandinavia Travel on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 03:43:50.

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Photo of the Week: Toddler on Skis

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:37:37 +0000

Take a look at this little Swedish cutie as she's slaloming down the hill. Doesn't she make you want to go skiing with her? Ski resorts are opening up all over Scandinavia now, so it's a great time to look into some winter travel plans.

Language Basics for Dummies

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:00:43 +0000

Over 5,000 languages exist today, but linguists and scientists say that there may be only 2,000 by the next decade as rare languages die out. The Scandinavian languages are not in danger of dying out any time soon, though - there are more than 20 million speakers of Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian today!

Just make sure to get a few basic words down before you travel - it makes your trip so much more enjoyable.

When translating, be careful not to use phrases with double-meaning, though! A while ago, a truly memorable lesson was learned by the Swedish manufacturer Electrolux, when the company initiated their ad campaign in the US. They marketed the then latest top of the range vacuum cleaners using a memorable English slogan: "Nothing sucks like an Electrolux".

Language Basics for Dummies originally appeared on About.com Scandinavia Travel on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 02:00:43.

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