10-Day Scandinavia And Historic Shores

By the 11th century, Copenhagen was already an important trading and fishing centre and today you will find an attractive city which, although the largest in Scandinavia, has managed to retain its low-level skyline. Discover some of the famous attractions including Gefion Fountain and Amalienborg Palace, perhaps cruise the city’s waterways, visit Rosenborg Castle or explore the medieval fishing village of Dragoer. Once the home of Hans Christian Andersen, Copenhagen features many reminders of its fairytale heritage and lives up to the reputation immortalised in the famous song ‘Wonderful Copenhagen’.

Gotland is Sweden's main holiday island, a place of ancient history, a relaxed summer-party vibe, wide sandy beaches, and wild cliff formations called raukar (the remnants of reefs formed more than 400 million years ago). Measuring 125 km (78 miles) long and 52 km (32 miles) at its widest point, Gotland is where Swedish sheep farming has its home. In its charming glades, 35 varieties of wild orchids thrive, attracting botanists from all over the world.

Skagen is a charming old seaside village nestled amid pristine dunes, picturesque moors and long sand beaches. During the Middle Ages, Skagen was known for its herring catch, and remains a major fishing center today. With the introduction of the railway, a group of impressionist painters discovered the area’s seascapes and soft evening light and journeyed here to found the Skagen Painters; their work is showcased at the small Skagens Museum. The lure of Skagen inspired royalty to visit: King Christian X was so taken with the setting that he built a summer residence here.

Oudeschild is a small, idyllic village on the North Sea coast of the Netherlands. It is located in the province of Friesland and is only about 15 kilometers from the German border. The village is very popular with holidaymakers who like to anchor by the sea and in nature. The municipality of Oudeschild has about 1,500 inhabitants, making it the largest municipality on Texel. It is located in the southwestern part of the island and offers its visitors a quiet and relaxed atmosphere. Nevertheless, there is a lot to see and do here..   One of the highlights in Oudeschild is Ecomare, a center for environmental education and marine research. Here you can learn more about the flora and fauna of the North Sea and also take the opportunity to see rare animals such as seals and harbor seals up close. The nature reserve "De Schiereilanden" is also worth a visit. It includes several small islands off Oudeschild and offers a variety of plant and animal species. In spring you can even watch imperial eagles here.

Greenwich, a borough of London, is home to the Royal Observatory. From here, the world’s longitude is measured from the prime meridian, and Greenwich Mean Time sets the global time standard. At the port, the clipper ship Cutty Sark, one of Greenwich’s renowned historic landmarks, is preserved as a fascinating museum. Upriver, London is home to Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. In addition, this major economic and cultural hub boasts a long tradition of arts and architectural innovation—from Shakespeare’s Globe Theater to West End musicals.