By Kim Caspersen | Photos: Destination Bornholm

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When talking about island hopping most people probably think of Greece. But think again. With 406 islands, Denmark offers similar opportunities, and if that has roused your interest, why not start with the most exotic and most eastern island of the kingdom: Bornholm – the Baltic beauty.

If Bornholm sounds exotic to you, you are already well tuned in. As an island hop, it offers great surroundings for most holidaymakers, whether families with children looking for excitement or adult couples looking for peaceful together-time.

Situated in the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Poland, it, and the nearby archipelago Christiansø, is the most eastern part of Denmark. Still, it is very accessible and only a 30 minute flight out of Copenhagen, or if you prefer to make the journey by train and ferry, 3 hours from central Copenhagen.

Once there, you will find yourself spoiled for choice. Despite being only approximately 30 by 40 km in size, it takes smart planning to experience it all – especially if you arrive in the buzzing months of July and August: music festivals compete with village fairs for attention; restaurants and cafes offer locally produced foods and drinks; and a multitude of sport activities will challenge your abilities – just to mention a few possibilities.

Traditionally, however, people come to Bornholm to explore the exotic nature which is unique in a Danish context and can be enjoyed during all seasons – some will even say that it is at its most breathtaking in the spring and autumn. The northern part of the island is dominated by a rocky shoreline, whereas the south lures you with fine-grained sandy beaches and plenty of hideaway coves – and the best part is that you are never further than 10 miles from a dip in the sea. Incidentally, if you are in the middle, you will be standing in Denmark’s fifth largest forest: Almindingen.

All along the coast, small picturesque harbours and smokehouses tell the story of the traditional fishing industry that once was an important source of income for the inhabitants. But today the harbours mostly serve as popular ports-of-call for yachts and tourists hanging out on the quayside.

If you are still doubtful, it should be noted that Bornholm is one of the places in Denmark with the most hours of sunshine, and in July 2010 the island boasted the national temperature record reaching 34.1⁰ C!

So, come to think of it, if island hopping made you think of Greece, maybe Bornholm is not that far off the mark after all.

For more information, please visit: www.bornholm.info/en

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As a European City of Culture and World Heritage, Bergen offers world-class experiences and culture. Being the Gateway to the Fjords of Norway, the Bergen region has the ideal combination of nature, culture and interesting urban attractions – all year round. Bergen is an international city packed with history and tradition, as well as a big city with small-town charm and atmosphere. Bergen likes visitors, and Bergen is worth a visit.

Bergen is surrounded by one of the most popular attractions in the world, the Norwegian fjords, which have been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and voted the world’s most unspoiled tourist destination by National Geographic. The city is a great starting point if you wish to explore the fjords. There are many organised sightseeing and fjord tours of varying length that you are guaranteed to find memorable.

The Bergen region has a unique breadth of culture and experiences to offer. Every day, it is possible to choose between revues and theatre, dance performances, shows and international concerts, featuring top-class international performers. The city offers year-round entertainment for young and old alike – from small clubs to outdoor arenas and the region’s flagship concert venue, the Grieg Hall. Together with 60 other festivals and top-flight concerts like Roxette and Robyn in 2011, the highly-reputed Bergen International Festival held every year in May and June, means that the Bergen region has a natural place on the world’s music map.

The fact that Bergen is located in one of the world’s most scenic areas means that there are lots of opportunities for active experiences for adults and children. The city’s seven mountains are the local people’s most popular recreation area. If you take the Fløibanen funicular or the Ulriken cable car up to the mountains, you can walk for hours on marked trails while enjoying panoramic views of the city. Bergen has all that is required for active experiences, and for a real challenge – join one of the popular mountain races – Ulriken Opp or Stoltzekleiven Opp!

We hear the same thing every year. Visitors from all over the world have just one complaint when they leave: that their stay didn’t last longer.

Get a taste of Bergen and ”What’s on in 2011” at www.visitBergen.com

By Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth, Minister for Culture, Sweden

Moderna Museet (The Museum of Modern Art) situated at Skeppsholmen in Stockholm. The above exhibition includes, from the left: Alfred Leslie NY 10 NY, 1961; Andy Warhol, Mao 1973; (on the wall, partly hidden) Claes Oldenburg Model Medicin Cabinet, 1966; John Chamberlain MAAB, 1969. Photo: www.imagebank.sweden.se © Nicho Södling

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Sweden is a country with high cultural intensity – and density! A country widely known for its natural beauty and vast landscape scenery, Sweden is also prominent in cutting-edge urban culture.

In our heritage, we are often connected to the adventurous Vikings (who were also great shipbuilders and original craftsmen). But it is far richer than that. Today, we are the home of globally active entrepreneurs in furniture and fashion, computer games and popular music. People in our cultural industries receive their inspiration and skills from an early introduction to the arts in school. And this continues: from a national perspective, Sweden has one of the highest levels of citizen participation in cultural activities in the world.

Why is this? Maybe it has something to do with our strong democratic culture, where  civil society for more than a century has played an active role in engaging people in the arts. Or is it because of the openness to all things new, the curiosity that has built so many fertile relationships across cultural and geographic borders?

We travel a lot, and our society has historically been both a nation of emigrants and of immigrants, crossbreeding and developing our cultural life. Today, almost all citizens have access to the Internet and are known as early adapters in the world of fashion, design and communication. Contemporary art prospers, and our artists participate on the international arena, as does theatre and dance, classical music, opera, crafts and architecture.

Tourists never miss a visit to the famous Vasa Museum, the amazing recovered warship from the 17th century that sank at the very beginning of its maiden voyage. And you should not miss the regional or international music festivals, like the Baltic Sea festival with initiators and classical superstars like Valery Gergiev and Esa-Pekka Salonen; or Bingsjöstämman, a meeting-place for traditional music in a wonderful Dalecarlia setting – not far from the unique Dalhalla stage for concerts and opera.

You can also experience the Moderna Museet, with its exceptional collection of modern art, or the Cullberg ballet, often performing at the International Scene of Contemporary Dance. One of the most famous Swedes throughout history is undoubtedly Carl von Linné, the Father of Botany. You can visit his rural home outside Uppsala – not far away from the great medieval cathedral in the centre of the town. Well, there is so much more – who could grasp it all in such a short space? We just hope to see you!

P.S. You shouldn’t miss the white nights of midsummer either, far out in the archipelago… but that’s only pure nature.

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The Best of Brand Scandinavia

– for you to see, test and buy

Scandinavia is going to be on everybody’s mind and lips in London later this year, when The Scandinavia Show hits the city. More than 100 exhibitors will showcase and sell the best brands that Scandinavia has to offer in fashion, food, design and culture at a two day show.

The Olympia Conference Centre is going to be busy on October 9 and 10, when thousands of visitors will experience a true cornucopia of Scandinavian brands, ranging from Swedish Volvo, to Danish Homestore, Interior Design Company “Skandium” and tourist boards Visit ­Denmark, Visit Finland, Innovation ­Norway, Visit Sweden and Visit Iceland.

Scan Magazine is organizing the grand show and it is the first of its kind in ­London. Thomas Winther, Executive ­Editor at Scan Magazine, explains: “It seems to be a natural development of things for us since we, at Scan Magazine, have a Scandinavian team which represents ­Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway and therefore have the best possible ­platform for promoting Scandinavia.” The Scandinavia show has received great backing from several partners. The Daily Telegraph – the official media partner – is running a national media campaign to promote the show, which is the biggest of its kind.

While it will be possible to taste Scandinavian food and see design classics as well as find inspiration for Scandinavian travel, the Scandinavia Show will also offer great cultural experiences such as a fashion show arranged by the London boutique “Wild Swans”, which sells top Scandinavian clothes designs, music performances by The Copenhagen Jazz Festival, a kids’ show, Scandinavian children’s movies and much, much more. And the mission of the Scandinavia Show is clear. Mads E. Petersen, the Creative ­Director at Scan Magazine, says: ­“Exhibitors showcase and sell the great Scandinavian design classics as well as the new and hot designs, and visitors will be able to taste everything from Swedish knäckebröd (flat bread) to Danish hotdogs. The show will truly be a fantastic opportunity for both an English and Scandinavian audience to experience the best of brand Scandinavia as well as give ­ex­hibitors great media exposure.”

For further information about the show and to buy tickets visit: www.scandinaviashow.co.uk

To exhibit, contact Thomas Winther at thomas@scanmagazine.co.uk
or call +44 (0)20 79 936 313

Prince EugensWaldemarsudde is no ordinary museum, but rather “a unique combination of a royal home, exquisite exhibitions and enchanting gardens,” says Museum Director Elsebeth Welander- Berggren. Located on the island of Djurgården, this stunning estate was once home to Prince Eugen (1865-1947), the son of King Oscar II.

The history of the estate ismade themore fascinating by Prince Eugen’s lifelong love of painting, art collecting and gardening. The Prince chose his calling early on and pursued a career in arts alongside his official duties, and by 1890 he had become a renowned landscape painter. His works include Molnet (The Cloud) and Det gamla slottet (The Old Castle), both part of the collections at Waldemarsudde. The estate was acquired by the Prince in 1899, and in addition to keeping the original manor house building (the Old House) intact, he designed a castle-likemain building (the Mansion), a Gallery Building and developed a beautiful garden.

Exquisite exhibitions

In his will, Prince Eugen left both his home and art collection to the Swedish state, as well as requesting that his home be preserved the way he left it. Accordingly, the Prince’s Private Apartments can still be seen in their original glory, with fresh flowers provided by the museum’s greenhouses. In addition to the princely art collection, the museum hosts up to eight temporary exhibitions a year. Current exhibitions include portraits by Carl Wilhelmson and works from the Golden Age of Finnish painting.

Welander-Berggren ismore than pleased with the museum’s achievements: “We host interesting exhibitions that keep attracting more people every year. We’re very fortunate concerning visitors.We had about 162,000 last year, and this year it must be around 190,000 already.” She also confirms that next year will see the opening of exhibitions by painters Roland Svensson and Anders Zorn, and sculptor Per Hasselberg. In the summer of 2010, the museum will collaborate with the medical university Karolinska Institute for its 200th anniversary. The event will include an exhibition of books with medical paintings and lectures on related subjects. Themuseumwill also celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Bernadotte dynasty and the crown princess’s nuptials.

For more information visit:
www.waldemarsudde.se

There’s no getting away from it – snow is romantic. It’s cosy, it’s fluffy and it makes snuggling up all the more of an inviting prospect.

A romantic winter break in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, often offers an abundance of the white stuff and there’s a whole host of exciting things to see and do here as well. The centre of Oslo is nicely compact and stroller-friendly, with most of the sights within easy reach of each other; the main thoroughfare of Karl Johans Gate, partly pedestrianised and full of shops, bars and restaurants; the curvaceous parliamentary building, Stortinget; the National Theatre complete with nearby outdoor ice rink; and finally the sleek features of the Norwegian Royal Palace. All this and more can be taken in during a none-too-ambitious morning amble – holding hands optional.

Getting out in Oslo

From the Royal Palace it’s only a short walk down to the City Hall and harbour. This is an area that’s seen much positive change and rebuilding in recent years. Aker brygge, a former shipping yard that was closed down in 1982, is now one of the best places to shop and grab a bite in all of Oslo. Its 70 shops and boutiques are perfect for romantic gifts, such as Arctic jewellery and the latest in Norwegian design, or make a stop for lunch for two at one of the 40 eateries – Lofoten fish restaurant is one of the best in the city. And if you want to get even closer to the fish, you can hop on a winter cruise; an old wooden tall ship which takes you by the brand new, state-of-the-art opera house, as well as Bygdøy island, housing some of Norway’s finest museums, including the Maritime and Viking Museums. Spending time on deck can get a bit nippy, so it may be best to retreat to the interior which is well-equipped with warm blankets, reindeer pelts and of course schnapps – only to be sampled with caution…

And getting outside Oslo

Warming tipples of another kind are de rigour in Frognerseteren, a half-hour train ride north of Oslo. Get on the tiny red train in the centre of town and ride to the very last stop of line 1. A short wade through the snow will take you to the large wooden ski hut that serves simply the best hot chocolate ever. Settle down to warm up hands and feet by the open fire, try some traditional Norwegian fare, such as smoked salmon open sandwiches, piled high with the pink stuff. You can also hire skis and try out some of the 2,600 km (1,600 miles) of made-up cross country ski tracks surrounding Oslo, 90 km of which are floodlit until 10.00 pm.

Strolling in Copenhagen’s fairytale settings

South a bit across the water the Danish capital Copenhagen has a well and truly laidback feel any time of year, always scoring high in the romance stakes. As we all know, there’s something undeniably seductive about castles, as featured in all those magical fairytales of princes and princesses and occasionally frogs. In and around Copenhagen there are all of six to choose from, with some, such as Amalienborg and Rosenborg Palaces, right in the heart of town. With castles come an abundance of gorgeous gardens and parks, giving the city some of its many green spaces, perfect for leisurely walks. If even walking seems too strenuous it’s possible to take a horse-drawn carriage in parks such as Dyrehaven, or alternatively, for the more energetic, renting bikes is a great option – Copenhagen is one of Europe’s most cycle-friendly cities – just make sure to wrap up warm.

Pampering yourself and your loved one

Strøget is the place to go for shopping, whether walking or cycling and there are plenty of quirky and off-beat little shops and boutiques in the side streets as well. Shopping, even for fun and funky fashion, can take a lot out of you, so for the ultimate treat, try some wellness treatments at one of Copenhagen’s many spas, or go the whole way and turn the city break into a spa stay. There are some six different spa hotels in and around town, offering everything from yoga and meditation, to salt water pool swimming and a wide choice of massage and beauty treatments.

Once pampered and refreshed, it’s surely time to start corrupting the body again with some indulgent decadence. Tuck into some top-notch Danish nosh and sample excellent wines at one of the city’s many gourmet restaurants – Michelin-starred Noma specialises in fish and seafood, while Restaurant Koefoed uses fresh produce from the small Baltic island of Bornholm. Save some room for popcorn later on and settle into one of Copenhagen’s three cinemas with “love seats” – cosy seats for two, or at a squeeze you could fit in three for a romance with an added twist.

For further information about Oslo and Copenhagen:

www.visitoslo.com or www.visitnorway.com

www.visitcopenhagen.com or www.visitdenmark.com

Going to Copenhagen? If there is one thing you should not miss when visiting the charming capital of Denmark, it is a visit to The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek where you can stroll through Europe’s largest collections of Ancient Mediterranean art.
Besides, Glyptoteket, as it is commonly known, with its red bricks, spires and dome, is a perfect example of the beautiful architecture which adorns Copenhagen.

6000 Years of Art History

The museum may be best known for its fantastic collection of ancient sculptures, but it also has a remarkable collection of modern art which amounts to about one third of the museum’s 10,500 pieces.

“Our French collection is very significant, both in a Danish perspective and in a general European perspective. All the basic representatives of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, from Monet and Pissarro to Renoir and Van Gogh, are included and we have practically one of the best collections in the world of Paul Gauguin. So in that way we are one of the leading museums outside France for French art,” says Director Flemming Friborg.

Popular Mummies

As the museum is located right next to the amusement park Tivoli, this may also be a clever way to induce the children to study both modern and classic arts. “We do guided tours especially for children and in the holidays we normally do a few things especially for children as well. In general, we try to attract them by dealing with some of the highlights in the exhibition, especially the mummies in the Egyptian section which is very always very popular,” says Director Flemming Friborg.
In the museum’s Winter Garden visitors can relax in a setting of subtropical evergreens under the huge glass dome and maybe enjoy some of Café Glyptoteket’s home-made specialities. You could of course also choose to honour the history of the museum which was founded in 1888 by the famous Danish brewer Carl Jacobsen, by enjoying another of his legacies, the Carlsberg beer!

Fact box
From 13 Nov. 09 – 31 .Jan. 10  CABINETMAKERS’ AUTUMN EXHIBITION,
“DIALOGUE – a chair for negotiation” is on display at Glyptoteket. The exhibition takes its point of departure from the 2009 climate change summit.
For more information visit: www.glyptoteket.dk

The Royal Danish Ballet has gained worldwide recognition for its defining combination of traditional and modern ballet. Its unique quality is distinctively presented in this winter’s programme, so if in Copenhagen, not visiting the Royal Danish Theatre is almost inexcusable.

As one of the oldest ballet companies in Europe, the Danish Royal Ballet largely owes its standing to the legacy and heritage of Agust Bournonville, Ballet Master from 1830-1877. In 2008 another world-famous Dane, Nikolaj Hübbe, became Art Director of the ballet; Scan Magazine had the pleasure of talking to him.

Traditionally modern
The next three months Hübbe and the Royal Ballet are staging three very diverse ballets: In November a new version of Bournonville’s Napoli; in December the traditional Russian ballet The Nutcracker and in January a combination of Bournonville’s La Sylphide and Balanchine’s  Symphony in C.
But which one would be best for a first visit? “I would certainly say Napoli or La Sylphide and Symphony in C. But The Nutcracker is kind of special too. It is performed all over the world during Christmas; it certainly belongs to December, so I find it hard to choose,” Hübbe says, before finally deciding,“but if you want to see the roots of the company, you should go to see Napoli and La Sylphide.”

A great heritage
The mixture of traditional and modern and Danish and international ballet is not unusual to Hübbe, who has performed all over the world. He began his career at the Danish Royal Ballet School; later he danced continuously as well as staging many of Bournonville’s ballets and he holds great respect for his predecessor. “The standing of the Royal Danish Ballet is largely due to this man whose ballets were later to become the basis of the romantic tradition in ballet,” he says. “Because of him the tradition of storytelling and romantic ballet was established in Copenhagen and then continued unbroken for the next 150 years.”
Hübbes fondness for the ballets of George Balanchine can, on the other hand, be attributed to his years as a principal dancer at the New York Ballet, where he danced many ballets of the choreographer regarded as one of the 21st century’s best.

For more information about ballets, operas and plays at the Royal Danish Theatre visit: www.kglteater.dk

The Old Town is located in the incredibly cosy Aarhus which, as the largest town in Jutland, Denmark, is worth a visit in its own right. But when that is said, no visitor should leave without having spent at least a couple of hours strolling around the 75 historical houses gathered from all over Denmark which constitute the fairytale-like Old Town.

Christmas at Hans Christian Andersen’s time
The Old own presents an authentic experience of how it was to live, work and celebrate Christmas in a market town from the 15th century to the beginning of the 20th century. “A visit to the Old Town is a Christmas tradition for many, it takes you on an emotional trip back to the unspoiled Christmas,” says PR Manager Merete Pallesen adding, “the traditions of Christmas bind families and generations together and families with parents, grandparents and children are a major element of our visitors,.

Take part in the magic
With spruce festoons, gas lights and beautifully decorated shop windows the town exudes Christmas joy, and through the many special exhibitions and events you can become a part of it all: ride through town in a hackney carriage, taste the honey cakes fresh out from the wood fired stove or explore the Christmas exhibition. The exhibition enacts and illustrates the development of the Danish Christmas over the last 300 years with actors dressed in authentic costume ensuring that, though educational, it never gets boring.
The town also has plenty of possibilities for finding unique gifts, but one thing that is missing is the usual Christmas stress: “I think a lot of people are positively surprised by the calm atmosphere and I am sure that some of our guests are relieved to realise that Christmas has not always been such a gift rush.”

The Old Town’s Christmas exhibition is open November 21, 2009 – January 3, 2010, except December 24, 25 and 31, and January 1.
For more details visit: www.dengamleby.dk

When travelling to Finland, a holidaymaker is often looking for an authentic experience in the Nordic wilderness with a backdrop of unblemished nature. One such distinctive destination is Syöte, Finland’s southernmost fell region, which offers access to two ski centres, Syöte National Park, and an abundance of other activities that will bring you closer to nature.

In Syöte, you can enjoy the wild scenery without having to stray far from urban areas. The fell area offers an array of nature activities all year round, and during winter these include downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowmobile rides, husky sleigh rides, reindeer safaris, sauna bathing and “ice hole swimming”. The region’s unique southerly location also provides it with milder temperatures and a shorter period of winter darkness, which might come as a relief to foreign travellers.

Adventures at night

While enjoying any of the main attractions offered in the Syöte area, visitors are always surrounded by the peaceful air of the wilderness and the clear, white snow that covers everything, even the trees on the fell tops. Some of the activities can also be done by night, giving visitors the possibility of a more thrilling and intimate adventure in the wild. Paula Paukkeri, a sales manager from Syöte’s central booking agency, says:  “Our advantage in the Finnish market is our proximity to nature-centric services. Syöte is a small and cosy destination. Given its size, Syöte is easier to manage, and we can offer a more tailor-made and individual holiday experience to our visitors.”

Challenges for all levels

Juha Kuukasjärvi, a representative of Hotel Iso-Syöte, also wants to emphasise the importance of the ski centres as a part of Syöte’s services. In Syöte, there are two separate fell areas called Iso-Syöte and Pikku-Syöte, which lie about 4 km apart. The former is designed to cater for a more advanced skier, while the latter concentrates on snowboarding and offers skiing for beginners, teenagers and families with children. There is also an opportunity for accommodation in the actual fell area, where you can access the slopes straight from your hotel’s front step.

For more details visit: www.syote.fi