Sullivans' Travels

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Denmark, Norway, Sweden 2012

July 11-24, 2012
This year, for the very first time, we had the opportunity to take 2 weeks of vacation from our jobs in the middle of summer!
We usually enjoy shoulder-season travel because it's typically so hot, crowded and expensive to travel in summer.
So we took this opportunity to travel to Scandinavia...definitely would not be hot, not very crowded compared to other European destinations and my favorite part about picking these northern European countries...daylight until 10pm!!!
This gave us so much time to pack in a great deal of sightseeing in what always turns out to be not enough time!
We decided to spend 12 nights divided between the capital cities of Copenhagen, Denmark; Oslo, Norway; and Stockholm, Sweden...with a fjord cruise and the lovely small town of Bergen, Norway thrown in for a bit of variety from big city sights.
All of these places surprised us. We didn't realize how big a part water plays in each of these capitals. There are all gorgeous, thriving port cities steeped in Viking history.
We flew into Copenhagen and spent 3 nights. Then flew to Oslo and spent 3 nights.
Then we had a long day filled with stunning scenery, taking a bus, then train and the stunning Flam Railway which descends from the mountains down to innermost corner of the Aurlandfjord. We took a breath-taking 2 hour cruise through the fjords to the town of Gudvangen then another bus, then one last train ride to the charming town of Bergen on the west coast of Norway.
We spent 2 nights in Bergen then we flew to Stockholm for our last 4 nights.
This whirlwind of a trip was filled with lessons in Norse history and a feast for the eyes with architecture dating back to medieval times. Each of the capital cities also boasted some fabulous modern architecture that Scandinavia is so well-known for.
We also got to explore each of these cities from the water on many relaxing and scenic boat rides which afforded us a totally different and beautiful perspective.
Lots to see and take in, which of course means LOTS of pictures!!
It's so hard to narrow it down...here are our favorites.
Read More
  • COPENHAGEN, DENMARK Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark and its most populous city, with a population of approx. 550,000.

    COPENHAGEN, DENMARK Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark and its most populous city, with a population of approx. 550,000.

  • First documented in the 11th century, Copenhagen became the capital of Denmark in the beginning of the 15th century. During the 17th century, under the reign of Christian IV, it became a significant regional centre.

    First documented in the 11th century, Copenhagen became the capital of Denmark in the beginning of the 15th century. During the 17th century, under the reign of Christian IV, it became a significant regional centre.

  • NYHAVN is a 17th century waterfront, canal and entertainment district, lined by brightly coloured 17th and early 18th century townhouses and bars, cafes and restaurants. Copenhagen, Denmark

    NYHAVN is a 17th century waterfront, canal and entertainment district, lined by brightly coloured 17th and early 18th century townhouses and bars, cafes and restaurants. Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Nyhavn harbor Copenhagen, Denmark

    Nyhavn harbor Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Quaint cafe in Nyhavn Copenhagen, Denmark

    Quaint cafe in Nyhavn Copenhagen, Denmark

  • "Det Gamle Hus" translates to "The Old House" (1698) Nyhavn Copenhagen, Denmark

    "Det Gamle Hus" translates to "The Old House" (1698) Nyhavn Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Nyhavn was constructed by King Christian V from 1670-73, and is a gateway from the sea to the old inner city at Kongens Nytorv (King's Square), where ships handled cargo and fishermens' catch. Copenhagen, Denmark

    Nyhavn was constructed by King Christian V from 1670-73, and is a gateway from the sea to the old inner city at Kongens Nytorv (King's Square), where ships handled cargo and fishermens' catch. Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Us at Nyhavn Copenhagen, Denmark

    Us at Nyhavn Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Marble Bridge Over Frederiksholms Canal and the entrance to Christiansborg Palace on the right Copenhagen, Denmark

    Marble Bridge Over Frederiksholms Canal and the entrance to Christiansborg Palace on the right Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Arched entrance to Christiansborg Palace Copenhagen, Denmark

    Arched entrance to Christiansborg Palace Copenhagen, Denmark

  • At the entrance to Christiansborg Palace Copenhagen, Denmark

    At the entrance to Christiansborg Palace Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Christiansborg Palace is the seat of the Folketing (the Danish Parliament), the Danish Prime Minister's Office and the Danish Supreme Court. The present building is the last in a series of successive castles and palaces constructed on the same site since the erection of the first castle in 1167. Today's palace dates from 1928. ---Copenhagen, Denmark

    Christiansborg Palace is the seat of the Folketing (the Danish Parliament), the Danish Prime Minister's Office and the Danish Supreme Court. The present building is the last in a series of successive castles and palaces constructed on the same site since the erection of the first castle in 1167. Today's palace dates from 1928. ---Copenhagen, Denmark

  • The public square of Højbro Plads featuring an equestrian statue of Absalon, the warrior-bishop who has traditionally been credited as the founder of Copenhagen. He is looking towards Christiansborg Palace on Slotsholmen where he built his castle in 1167. ---Copenhagen, Denmark

    The public square of Højbro Plads featuring an equestrian statue of Absalon, the warrior-bishop who has traditionally been credited as the founder of Copenhagen. He is looking towards Christiansborg Palace on Slotsholmen where he built his castle in 1167. ---Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Tourist boats gliding through the inner harbor with the impressive Dutch-Baroque Old Stock Exchange building on the right. ---Copenhagen, Denmark

    Tourist boats gliding through the inner harbor with the impressive Dutch-Baroque Old Stock Exchange building on the right. ---Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Børsen - The Old Stock Exchange One of the oldest buildings in Copenhagen, built by King Christian IV between 1619-1640. Not until the end of the 19th century was the building roofed with copper. The four intertwined dragon tails of the dragon spire are topped by three crowns, symbolizing the Scandinavian empire (Denmark, Norway, and Sweden). ---Copenhagen, Denmark

    Børsen - The Old Stock Exchange One of the oldest buildings in Copenhagen, built by King Christian IV between 1619-1640. Not until the end of the 19th century was the building roofed with copper. The four intertwined dragon tails of the dragon spire are topped by three crowns, symbolizing the Scandinavian empire (Denmark, Norway, and Sweden). ---Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Holmens Kirke (Church of Holmen) on the right with the blue clock dates from the early 1600s face. The spire of Nikolaj Church looming behind. The tower building of Nikolaj Kirke is the only remain of the original church from 1580, as most of the building was destroyed by the catastrophic fires that razed Copenhagen in 1795. ---Copenhagen, Denmark

    Holmens Kirke (Church of Holmen) on the right with the blue clock dates from the early 1600s face. The spire of Nikolaj Church looming behind. The tower building of Nikolaj Kirke is the only remain of the original church from 1580, as most of the building was destroyed by the catastrophic fires that razed Copenhagen in 1795. ---Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Strolling the cobbled streets of Copenhagen

    Strolling the cobbled streets of Copenhagen

  • The Copenhagen Opera House (opened 2004) It is located just opposite the main castle Amalienborg at the shore of the harbor. The opera house is built in alignment with Amalienborg and The Marble Church, so that if one stands in the main entrance of the Opera, one can see the Marble Church over the water along the road through Amalienborg. ---Copenhagen, Denmark

    The Copenhagen Opera House (opened 2004) It is located just opposite the main castle Amalienborg at the shore of the harbor. The opera house is built in alignment with Amalienborg and The Marble Church, so that if one stands in the main entrance of the Opera, one can see the Marble Church over the water along the road through Amalienborg. ---Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Marble Church and the Rococco-style buildings that make up Amalienborg Palace as seen from the Opera House. Copenhagen, Denmark

    Marble Church and the Rococco-style buildings that make up Amalienborg Palace as seen from the Opera House. Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Amalienborg Palace (dating from 1760) is the winter home of the Danish Royal family. It consists of four identical palace façades around an octagonal courtyard with a statue of Amalienborg's founder, King Frederick V in the center. ---Copenhagen, Denmark

    Amalienborg Palace (dating from 1760) is the winter home of the Danish Royal family. It consists of four identical palace façades around an octagonal courtyard with a statue of Amalienborg's founder, King Frederick V in the center. ---Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Marmorkirken (Marble Church) Completed in 1894 Copenhagen, Denmark

    Marmorkirken (Marble Church) Completed in 1894 Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Den Sorte Diamant (The Black Diamond) completed in 1999, is a modern waterfront extension to the Royal Danish Library's old building. Copenhagen, Denmark

    Den Sorte Diamant (The Black Diamond) completed in 1999, is a modern waterfront extension to the Royal Danish Library's old building. Copenhagen, Denmark

  • The "Little Mermaid" is a statue of a mermaid based on the fairy tale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen, the famous Danish author, fairy tale writer, and poet noted for his children's stories. She was unveiled in1913 and is a Copenhagen icon and a major tourist attraction. ---Copenhagen, Denmark

    The "Little Mermaid" is a statue of a mermaid based on the fairy tale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen, the famous Danish author, fairy tale writer, and poet noted for his children's stories. She was unveiled in1913 and is a Copenhagen icon and a major tourist attraction. ---Copenhagen, Denmark

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    Marble Bridge Over Frederiksholms Canal and the entrance to Christiansborg Palace on the right Copenhagen, Denmark
    Arched entrance to Christiansborg Palace Copenhagen, Denmark
    At the entrance to Christiansborg Palace Copenhagen, Denmark