Often overlooked by the likes of the Mediterranean, Northern Europe is a unique area to discover. What it lacks in the typical Europe summer sunshine, it makes up for with fjords, mountains, and historic cities. Here are five reasons to discover Northern Europe.
1. Meet Santa Claus
Forget seeing Santa in your local Westfield mall…discover Northern Europe and you’ll find the real deal awaits. In northern Finland lies the capital of Lapland, Rovaniemi – the official hometown of Santa Claus! To complete your Christmas-esque tour with Globus, visit a reindeer farm and receive an Arctic Circle certificate as a souvenir to mark your crossing of the hemispheric line.
2. See the sights by train
For the train connoisseurs, you’ll have heard of the Flåm railway. Touted as one of the most spectacular train rides in the world, it showcases the scenery that Northern Europe is famous for. Not only will you pass through 20 tunnels and climb to an elevation of 864 metres, but you will see Sognefjord (Norway’s largest fjord), quaint farmland, and waterfalls rushing down mountains.
3. Get your museum geek on
Did you know that Stockholm has more museums per capita than almost anywhere else in the world? There are almost 100 for you to discover, covering all interests from music to art to fashion. Even better, there are several that are free to visit every day of the week! Try The National Sports Museum to relive some of Swedish sports history’s biggest moments, or the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts, the oldest of its Royal Academies having been founded in 1735.
4. Step back in time
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is a hidden gem in Northern Europe. It has an authentic ‘old world’ flair that captivates all who visit. Included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tallinn’s Old Town is a thing of beauty. It is one of the best-preserved medieval merchant districts in the world. Don’t miss its famous Hanseatic houses, former homes of wealthy merchants from when Tallinn was a Hanseatic League outpost.
5. Experience the Northern Lights
There is nothing quite like seeing the Northern Lights with the naked eye, no matter the freezing temperatures! Globus offers a tour that includes three nights in Tromsø with an optional excursion to see the Aurora Borealis. Watch in awe as the sky lights up with dancing colours in various shapes.
These are just some of the reasons why you should discover Northern Europe. Check out the coach tours on offer with Globus and Cosmos and plan your holiday today.
