EUROPE - SCANDINAVIA : SCANDINAVIA ON FOOT
by Tuppence Keith







I’ve always maintained that the best way to see any new town or city is on foot – and there are no better cities to explore on foot than those of Northern Europe.

Take Copenhagen, for example, where I earned my first blisters during my European Cruise.

Denmark's capital, Copenhagen, is the largest cruise port in northern Europe, welcoming more than 200 cruise liners from May to September each year.

The beauty of Copenhagen is that the town centre is largely traffic-free, which, coupled with the fact that most of the streets and buildings are laid out according to the mediaeval street plan, makes its sights and attractions easily accessible on foot.

The usual favourite attractions are the many museums, ranging from fine arts and history to modern design and technology, the palaces, the famous Tivoli Gardens, and of course the Statue of The Little Mermaid...but for me, the delight of exploring Copenhagen on foot is the time it affords you to meet the friendly locals.

If you’re not dashing for your tour bus, you have time to savour a Danish beer at a roadside cafe, and I can guarantee that in a matter of moments, you will be chatting with new friends.

Of course, this kind of Scandinavian hospitality is not limited to Denmark.

I spent a fun-filled afternoon at Helsinki’s bustling Kauppatori (Market Square) learning all about local produce including the fine Finnish handicrafts from the enthusiastic stall holders who spoke perfect English.

With no high-rise buildings, the Finnish capital of Helsinki still feels like a small town and is one of the most architecturally interesting cities in Europe.

Built on a peninsula, Helsinki offers a number of attractions within easy walking distance of each other. These include the neoclassic Senate Square and the 1852 Lutheran Church, the National Museum, the monolithic red-granite parliament House and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Suomenlinna Island, with the 1748 castle, is a short ferry ride from the market square and is a popular destination for day-trips and picnics with locals and visitors alike. Another chance to meet and greet the friendly natives.

Thankfully, by the time I reached Oslo, my blisters had healed and I was ready to march for hours.

Oslo - the Capital of Norway - is the only Scandinavian capital with an urban settlement dating back to the Viking Ages, and there are enough amazing historical sites to prove the fascinating and dramatic past - from the historical ruins in the Memorial Park, and The Akershus Castle and Fortifications which marked its 700th anniversary in 1999, to several museums with collections of international fame.

But for me, the highlight of the city was Vigeland Park - an 80-acre, outdoor gallery that is lined with over 150 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland.

This is not an attraction to be rushed, and it shouldn’t be a quick photo stop on a bus tour.

We found it by accident on a sunny Sunday morning when it seemed as if the whole of Oslo had come out to play. When we finally tore ourselves away, we didn’t feel like tourists anymore - we were locals hurrying home to get the herrings ready for supper.

The centre of Oslo, only a few steps away from the harbour, is small and compact, and most hotels, meeting facilities, shopping areas, and entertainment are within walking distance

My obsession with doing things on foot continued in Stockholm - our last port of call. In fact, the ONLY way you can explore Gamla Stan, the perfectly preserved mediaeval centre of downtown Stockholm, is on foot. There is no other way.

We chose an early Saturday morning, before the rest of the city was awake, to wander the cobbled lanes and narrow alleyways. There, we were met by an elderly Swede whose sole weekend purpose is to wander these streets himself and pounce on unsuspecting tourists to share his love and knowledge of the area. He is just one of many such self-appointed guides.

But Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, has more to offer than just the old town. This "city that floats on water" offers a maze of scenic canals and waterways that afford spectacular views of the harbour, the beautiful islands of Sondermalm and Djurgarden, the City Hall and the Royal Palace.

Of course, for that part of the visit, I had to sit down - but for the rest of Stockholm, and the rest of Scandinavia - well, it’s just got to be on foot!





Photos: courtesy Olof Holdar - Stockholm Visitors Board
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