Sweden : The Jewel Within

Another Nordic country considered one of the best places to choose as travel destination is Sweden. Belonging to the Scandinavian group with common culture, Sweden is proud to unravel its majestic close distance to the Arctic, beautiful metropolis and the rest of the area with low population density except in the capital.

Swedish people basically enjoy a high standard of living since 1930 with all the luxury a modern world can extend to every advanced country of good economic standing. It became a part of the European Union in 1995 together with Finland and Austria after silently keeping neutral in a cold war with the unified nations.

Sweden has temperate climate although its latitude location is in the North. The gulf adjacent to it played an important role in giving it a better climate with less harsher winters, though like most countries hit by the Arctic belt, the sun does not set in summers and it has periods endless winter night for a period of time.

Aurora Borealis of northern lights can be experienced in the Swedish skies every winter. Being called "land of the midnight sun" like Norway, this happens because of the periodical winter nights with no sunset in the northern part of Sweden. Its boundary is separated from Norway by a mountain range running longitudinal along the peninsula.

While Sweden shares a common culture and historical background with its neighboring Nordic countries, the country has a distinct diversity of its own. Here are the travel options you can read if you choose to visit the fabulous places in Sweden:

STOCKLHOLM

Sweden's capital boasts its natural beauty with more than 30% of the area devoted to opens spaces and parks for a greener environment. Stockholm has exquisite architectural buildings, ornate monuments, museums, and superb landscape. It has a unique island, in the city, Gamla Stan, actually an old town much attributed to medieval influences, a place perfect to start a good travel in the heart of the capital. With the hint of classic touch, the city unravels homely cobblestones making right of way to antique shops, old-fashioned boutiques, studios, and other cozy commercial establishments.

SKIING RESORTS

One of the largest Northern Skiing resort with world-class amenities is the slopes of Are, adjacent to Duved known for alpine sports. It has accommodation for heli-skiing and other extreme sport adventures like sleighing with dogs, snow boarding, ice climbing and the like. For the benefit of less active tourists or beginners, it has options for easy skiing for children and the novices. Aside from the ice adventure, it also offers other sports like mountain biking, kayaking, hiking and leisure walking, mountain climbing and trekking.

MEDIEVAL DELIGHT

Sweden is keeping the assets of medieval times with the grandeur of its medieval castles restored until the present day. The grand castles are owned by private individuals, royal families, government and institutions, where the structures are spread all over the country as monumental glory. The structures have been maintained since the medieval period, including the recent architectural buildings of the 19th century renaissance era. These castles can be considered priceless historical heritage of Sweden.

The mentioned places are just a few of what can be expected of Sweden, cradled by the gifts of modern accomplishment and with the remnants of priceless antiquity. Sweden can offer both of this in one adventure.

Enjoying the Sights and Slopes of Switzerland

Switzerland is known as the smallest sovereign state in the world. It has a high cost of living so those who want to enjoy it should plan a vacation instead of moving here.

Tourists will be able to take a plane and land in Zurich. Here, visitors will be able to enjoy the old town area that is the main shopping district. People will be able to buy some items and not just chocolate that this country is known for.

The person can probably catch a show at the Zurich opera house, say a little prayer at the Fraumunster Church and enjoy a breath of fresh air or a little sailing at Lake Zurich.





Since Switzerland has a lot of other magnificent places to visit, getting on board a train or renting a car can get the individual to the next destination which is the city of Berne.

Here, people will be able to see the Berne Clock Tower, the Munster Cathedral and the Bundeshhaus where parliament is in session.
The city also has a lot of fountains that represent the Cantons of Switzerland and guests will love to get a slice of bread as a snack that is considered to be the best in Europe.









Those who love to ski or would like a lesson can go to the Matterhorn Zermatt. This resort is not only for those who want to scale down a mountain but also is a place where tourists can relax and enjoy the white covered landscape.










The city of Lucerne is another place worth visiting while exploring Switzerland. The group can walk and interact among the locals at the old town or enjoy walking by the lake. The Chapel Bridge and Water Tower must not be missed. The same goes for the fine museums that include the Picasso, Rosengart and Wagner museum.




What does the International Red Cross or the World Bank have in common? The headquarters of these offices are in the city of Geneva. The old town which has stood for centuries is still worth visiting even if its popularity has been shifted away to the activities done by these world organizations.

Those who want to enjoy the festivities with the locals should find time to come during the month of February. This is because of the carnival that will take place putting everyone is in a festive mood that will have bands, circus acts and parades the entire week.

This occasion also marks the beginning of spring and tourist and locals can buy fresh flowers at discounted prices. There are also fruits that can be eaten while going on another trip into the mountains.

If the person should visit in July, there is the jazz festival set at the waterfront of Lac Leman. Those who want to catch fireworks should be there during the first of August while people who want to see some Swiss wrestling should witness in the Emmental area a few miles due east of the city of Bern.


Those who want to travel to Switzerland should bring a lot of warm clothes since the weather is cold throughout the year. Other activities that can be done aside from skiing are hiking and mountain climbing as long the proper footwear and gear are available.

Switzerland can be toured in less than three days. From here, the group can travel by train or car to other countries such as France, Austria, Belgium or Germany.