Visit Scandinavia

City Hall (Stadshuset)

The city hall is located on the south eastern end of Kungsholmen island, this imposing building in the National Romantic style stands overlooking Riddarfjardan. The tower, which has an observation point 76m above the ground, is a landmark of the town with its pinnacle decorated with three dazzling golden crowns. The city hall is open to the public, and the great hall, Blue Hall (BlåHallen), where the Nobel Prize Banquet takes place every year, is a must-see. The interior of the Golden Salon (Gyllen Salen), used for holding balls for VIPs and other guests, is decorated with 19 million plated mosaic tiles and its flamboyant beauty is breathtaking. Visits are only possible as part of guided tours, so please confirm the time of these tours before you arrive. It is possible to enter the tower at any time.

Address: Hantverkargatan 1

Tel: +46 8-508 29 058

Fax: +45 8-508 29 022

Website: www2.stockholm.se

Gamlehaugen

The Gamlehaugen is a mansion that is used as the official residence of the Norwegian King when he visits Bergen. This beautiful mansion, which is located on top of a small hill in the suburbs of Bergen, used to be the residence of Christian Michelsen who served as the prime minister of Norway at the beginning of this century.

Address: Gamlehaugsveien 10, 5231 Paradis

Tel: +47 55 92 51 20

Open hours: June to September 1st Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm

Closed days: Saturdays/Sundays, September 2nd to May, whenever Norway's King is in residence

Admission fee: 50kr

Gallery FORMAT

Gallery FORMAT exhibits and sells items such as ceramics, textiles, wood, glass and leather products made by Norwegian artists.

Address: Munkedamsveien 57

Tel: +47 22 01 55 70

Fax: +47 22 01 55 71

Email: oslo@format.no

Business hours: Tuesday to Friday 11am to 5pm Saturdays 11am to 4pm Sundays 12noon to 4pm Closed: Mondays

Website: www.format.no

10-gruppen / Ten Swedish Designers

The 10-gruppen was founded as a collaborative effort between 10 young textile designers in 1970. Their collections often use vivid colours and are similar in style to the Finnish textile brand Marimekko.

Address : Götgatan 25

Tel: 46 8 643 25 04

Fax: +46 8 643 25 08

Email:info@tiogruppen.com

Website: tiogruppen.com

The Bygdøy Region

This high-class residential area in Oslo, surrounded by greenery and flowers of every colour, features beautiful buildings and architecture. Plenty of traditional Norwegian museums are also located in this area. Bygdoy can be reached in 15 minutes by a ferry, which leaves outside the City Hall.

Form Design Center

The beautiful 16th century Hedmanska garden is located in the centre of the city. In 2005, the centre will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a special exhibition of architecture, design, product design and handicrafts.

Address: Lilla Torg 9

Tel: +46 40 664 51 50

Fax: +46 40 970 053

Email: form@formdesigncenter.com

Website: www.formdesigncenter.com

Herning

 Herning is located on the central region of Jutland and is home to Messecenter Herning, the largest exhibition centre in Scandinavia, which gives the town a reputation for its many trade fairs. The town is also home to sculptor Ingvar Cronhammar's unique monumental work "Elia". It is a black-painted, 60 m dome with four 10 m wide stairways inset into its surface at the earth's cardinal points.

www.messecenter.dk

Website: www.visitherning.com

Architectural Museum (Artitekuturmuseet)

The Architectural Museum was opened in combining a modern museum and a photography museum. It displays documents and publications related to architecture in general, as well as documents related to the architecture and city planning of Sweden after the 19th century.

Address: Skeppsholmen

Tel: +46 8-587 27 000

Fax: +46 8-587 270 70

Email: info@arkitekturmuseet.se

Website: www.arkitekturmuseet.se

Frogner Park (Frognerparken)

Frogner Park is one of the highlights in Oslo. The park contains 192 sculptures with more than 600 figures, all modelled in full size by Gustav Vigeland. Vigeland also designed the architectural setting and the layout of the grounds. The "Monolitten Human Tower", located in the centre of the park, is a masterpiece that took 13 years to construct. The park also has a pool and tennis courts. Also make sure you don’t miss the fantastic open-air restaurant.

Address: Frognerveien 67

Website: www.frognerparken.com

Svenskt Tenn

Svenskt Tenn is an old textile design shop that apart from textiles, they sell glassware, pottery, lighting equipment and furniture. Svenskt Tenn is a well know design shop that displays on of Sweden’s finest designs and furniture.

Address : Strandvägen 5

Tel: +46 8-670-16 17

Email: per.ahlden@svenskttenn.se

Website: www.svenskttenn.se

Ulriken Cable Car

The cable car takes you to the top of Bergen’s highest mountain, Ulriken (642m). From the top of the cable car you can experience a fantastic view over the capital of Western Norway, fjords and mountains. Once reached the summit you can enjoy lunch at any of the restaurants and cafes located on top of Ulriken. The tour "Bergen in a nutshell" also includes the cable car and is a bargain at 130kr.

Address: Ulriken 1

Tel: +47 55 20 20

Operation time: Throughout the year. Departs every 7 minutes. June to August 9am to 10pm May to September 9am to 7pm October to April 10am to 5pm Free mini concert June to August 5 times a day 3.30pm to 7.30pm.

Fee: Return 80kr

Website: www.ulriken.no

Smaland Kingdom of Crystal

In the mid 18th century, with forestry in decline, this south-eastern district of Sweden needed to find a new industry to support its people. The glass works industry was born in Kosta, using firewood from the immense surrounding forests and water from the lakes. As the glass industry boomed and its wares distributed all over the world, the district soon came to be known as the Kingdom of Crystal. Authentic products can be bought at discount prices and there is, of course, the factory tour. There are 11 factories in all, and a few of them are introduced below. The access cities are Kalmar and Vaxjo

Address: 382 80 Nybro

Tel: +46 481 457 00

Email: info@glasriket.se

Access: An hour's flight by Scandinavia Air from Stockholm and Copenhagen to Växjö or Kalmar. A 3 and a half hour train ride from Stockholm.

Website: www.glasriket.se

Inspiration Zinck

Inspiration Zinck stocks a selection of functional and simple Denmark design tableware, such as dishes and kitchen utensils.

Address: Vestergade 82

Tel: +45 66 12 96 93

Email: odense@inspiration.dk

Website: www.inspiration.dk

Restaurant Jacobsen

A restaurant that was opened for master designer Arne Jacobsen's achievements. Its interior is a testament to Jacobsen's work.

Address: Strandvejen 449

Tel: +45 39 63 43 22

Fax: +45 39 63 43 20

Email: mail@restaurantjacobsen.dk

Website: www.restaurantjacobsen.dk

St. Petri Church (St. Petri Kyrka)

A red gothic style building built in the mid 14th century with an 88m high tower, located next to the city hall. A magnificent fresco painting can be fond inside along with a chapel built for traders during the Middle Ages.

Address: Göran Olsgatan 4A

Tel: +46 40-35 90 40

Fax: +46 40-35 90 44

Business hours: Monday to Friday8:00 to 18:00 Saturday and Sunday10:00 to 6pm

Admission fee: free