The start of July begins the less than three-week countdown to an upcoming trip to Scandinavia. I’ve got the itinerary and hotels in order, but if you have any recommendations on anything in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, please pass them along. I’ll also spend a few nights in Amsterdam so any favorites there are appreciated as well.
I’m starting to gather my thoughts on what to pack and will share the final list as it comes together. I know sneakers and flat sandals will be the anchor of many looks. I’ll toss in a couple dresses and skirts to wear touring around or to dinner while in the urban areas. But I’ll also need casual, utilitarian items for biking and hiking around the fjords. I’ll keep jewelry to a minimum and probably wear a tiny pair of earrings almost identical to the little turquoise evil eyes above for the duration of the trip.
Recently, I’ve made a few tweaks to my diet and skin care routine and I think Wendy Rowe’s book, Eat Beautiful, is a good accompaniment with a philosophy that makes sense. When I was in New York in May, I met with Cayli Cavaco Reck at Knockout Beauty and was prescribed a skin care protocol with a variety of products. I didn’t want to start using them until I knew I’d be home for a bit, so I just began the routine last week. I’ll write a full post on the details soon.
During the summer months, I like to have the appearance of tan legs especially since I wear sandals just about everyday. The best self tanner I’ve found for my skin type is inexpensive and readily available. Jergens Tanning Mousse provides a warm brown color, dries quickly, and is virtually scent free. I’ve had friends with fair skin report that the color is too dark for them, so another highly rated option is Omorovicza’s “Glam Glow” which is said to be extremely subtle.
Source: photos clockwise from top: @deborarosa | Haziq Tumaran | Stig Ottesen
Lillian
Vigeland Park in Oslo is a must see! Incredible sculptures…
Karima
Thanks Lillian.
Karen Friedenberg
It will be a lot cooler than
You think Dress in layers!
Bring jackets etc
Karima
Good point! Thanks!
Dee
Thank you for the self tanning recommendations!
I spent my last year of architecture college studying in Copenhagen and my favorite activity was strolling the beautiful Stroget (walking street), ogling the well designed window displays and stopping for a beer at an outdoor cafe*. Enjoy your trip! So jealous :)
* OK, I confess, I would often get an ice cream in a waffle cone and stroll….
Karima
Thank you Dee. I’ll do all of those things! They sound lovely, including the waffle cone ice cream. How amazing for you to have lived there for a bit during your studies. I’m sure Copenhagen holds a special place in your heart.
Janet
A must for Denmark is the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. It’s about 35 km from Copenhagen. It’s outstanding and has extensive sculpture gardens.
Karima
Fantastic! Thank you. I’ll check it out. Sounds perfect.
Madeleine Hallberg
Hi Karima,
What a great trip! I lived in southern Sweden for a few months, here are my ranked suggestions:
1. Wanås Konst (art) park, estate, hotel and restaurant. I visited before the hotel opened, and I plan on returning next spring.
http://www.wanasrh.se/home/#wanas-restaurant-hotel-en
https://www.wanaskonst.se/en-us/Art/Art-2018/chiharushiota https://nordicdesign.ca/experience-art-and-nature-at-the-historic-wanas-hotel-restaurant-in-south-sweden/
2. Thielska Galleriet (Thiel Gallery), a Swedish friend highly recommended this to me and I agree! It is a beautiful and interesting Swedish collection in a gorgeous house on one of Stockholm’s islands (it’s easy to get to though). Manageable in size and not inundated with tourists, it’s on my repeat list. https://www.thielskagalleriet.se/
3. Svenskt Tenn. So classic.
Enjoy your time, and I look forward to your related posts!
Karima
Oh thank you so much for commenting! I am excited that you recommended Wanas because we are staying there for two nights! We booked it based off of a few reviews and research with our fingers crossed it would be good. And I hadn’t heard of Thiel Gallery so will definitely look into that too. Any other suggestions if you have them are greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Madeleine H.
You’re so welcome! I was hoping you had heard of Wanås already. I am not sure what you’re touring interests are, but here are some additional suggestions:
Kalmar, a small historic city on the sea has an excellent old castle and is the gateway to Öland island. This is nice for casual wandering but is not particularly exciting. There is a lighthouse with an observation deck on the southern point of Öland; since you live by the ocean this might not be as captivating for you as it is me! I also enjoyed a stop at Paradisverkstaden Design (ceramics) on Öland.
Borås is the historic center of Swedish textile production and has a great museum on the subject, the Textile Museum of Sweden. I also wish I had spent more time at the Nordiska Museet/Nordic Museum in Stockholm.
Whilst iconic, the Orrefors and Kosta Boda glassworks are for the most part like any other glass blowing operation. There is a large crystal store with fair prices.
If you find yourself going through Växjö, PM Vänner is the restaurant to stop for.
Most municipalities in Sweden (also probably Norway and Denmark) have an events page listing outdoor concerts, artist festivals, etc.
I look forward to your vacation reviews!
Marcia Crivorot
Hi Karima, I have just arrived from Bergen/fjords/Oslo/Stockholm/Copenhagen yesterday. My first time in Scandinavia, it was a wonderful trip. We were lucky with the weather, no need to use the umbrella, even in Bergen. Blue skies most of the time. But as someone said, it was really cold in the fjords and very hot in Oslo and Copenhagen, I wore all kinds of clothing.
Restaurants in Copenhagen: Kodbyens Fiskebar at Copenhagen Meatpacking District has a very good 7 courses menu. Told & Snaps is a traditional one for herrings. Relae that is owned by two former chefs at Noma, was a very good experience.
Enjoy your trip!
Karima
Thank you Marcia for your Copenhagen restaurant recommendations. I’m going to check them out. It sounds like you visited many of the cities I’ll be going to as well. If any other thoughts cross your mind as you settle back at home, please share. I’m really looking forward to exploring Scandinavia.Thanks!
Cecilie Andersland
Dear Karima,
I have followed your site for quiet some time and have enjoyed and been inspired by you. I am from Oslo, Norway and if you send me an e-mail and let me know where you are going I can give you a few local tips out of the mainstream tourist attractions.
Karima
Thank you! I look forward to hearing your recommendations.