Residence of Santa Claus in Sweden. Santa Clauses from around the world. Residence of Finnish Santa Claus: where Joulupukki lives
Jul Tomten (Swedish Father Christmas)
Swedish Santa Claus Jul Tomten -
Fairytale magic gnome,
With my snowman
Happy New Year
All children, giving gifts,
Hiding under beds at night,
They sleep when they are in a sweet dream.
Snowman Dusty's Helper
Paints the windows.
Snow fibers everywhere!
The world is now in the grip of winter.
Fairies, gnomes, elves too,
Everyone who can cast a spell
Together we wish you happiness!
Korbobo (Uzbek Father Frost)
They come to the children of Corbobo
And granddaughter Korgyz.
Large gift bag
Hanging on a donkey.
To all the children who led gloriously
Myself just yesterday,
He won't shout "Eeyore!" donkey,-
The gift is here then.
And if he suddenly wants
Give someone a lift -
To anyone who has made a circle,
You should be lucky all year!
Zyuzya Poozersky (Belarusian Father Frost)
Belarusian Santa Claus, -
He is the main boss in winter,
Walks, causing a blizzard,
Everywhere in the local fiefdom.
Himself barefoot and with a mace,
Bare head.
Do you hear cod from the trees?
This is Zyuzya Poozersky.
It's cold here,
Snow, frozen water.
Respect your grandfather in the cold, -
If it freezes, it will be worse!
Père Noel (French Father Christmas)
Goes, goes Père Noël
On his donkey.
Everything is soaked now
Magic all around.
In wooden shoes,
Through the chimney
He gifts you shoes
He'll bring it at night.
Very joyful old man
This Pere Noel,
Together with him you too
Believe in miracles!
Kysh Babai (Tatar Father Frost)
In Tatarstan, you know,
Lives in Kysh Babai.
He makes me feel so cold
That your cheeks and nose turn red.
Dear daughter Kar Kyzy,
Brighter than the morning star
With dad on New Year's Eve
He hurries to the people on a sleigh.
Children love them -
They know, tell me your poem,
They will give you out of the bag instantly
Definitely a gift for them!
Joulupukki (Finnish Father Christmas)
In Mount Korvatunturi
Joulupukki lives,
That's Santa Claus, but Finnish,
And he loves his people.
His wife Muori
Cooks gnomes in a cauldron
From the cones brought,
Wrapping it in a blanket.
And soon at sunrise
Everyone is busy here.
Gifts for kids,
Finnish speaking
Those gnomes from the cones,
Packed properly.
And here is Joulupukki,
In a wonderful mood
Bringing gifts quickly
In a team of reindeer.
Uvlin Uvgun (Mongolian Father Frost)
Uvlin Uvgun has a whip in his hand,
And in the purse there is flint and tinder,
After all, Santa Claus is still a shepherd, -
Remember this, dear friend.
Snow Maiden Zazan Okhin
Nowhere does he part with him;
And Shine lived, then the New Year,
He doesn't lag behind his grandfather.
They, having said goodbye to the herd,
They go to every house for the holiday,
From magical hands they distribute
Gifts for all the kids here.
Bubbe Natale (Italian Santa Claus)
The magic comes
Here all over the earth
And comes on Christmas
Bubbe Natale!
Under the Christmas tree
For your friends
He gifts very cleverly
Hide it quickly!
Italian kids
They run to the Christmas tree.
All the girls and boys
There are surprises waiting there!
Julenissen (Norwegian Father Christmas)
Good gnome Julenissen
He's starting witchcraft.
You look around everywhere -
Tomorrow will be Christmas!
And in Norway for the kids
He must definitely
Bring gifts on time,
They sleep soundly when everyone is asleep.
Loves Julenissen very much
Play around and play
And so the gifts
Don't forget to search.
You can find them near the Christmas tree,
Under the bed, on the table,
Behind the sofa and on the shelf...
Where are those gifts, where?
So the children of the Norwegian gnome
Merry Christmas!
Mun Kalsa (Sami Santa Claus)
Miracles for the Sami
Performed by Mun Kalsa,
As the New Year comes,
He hastens to the people.
To receive gifts,
We need to surprise Grandfather.
People compete here
New Year's Moon judges them.
Who shoots accurately with a bow?
And throws his lasso, -
Receives in person
For victory, talisman.
Chyskhaan (Yakut Father Frost)
Here, leaving the ocean,
Came to the land of Chyskhaan.
Rather, wear furs,
Frost is coming to the country of Sakha!
And Oymyakon is colder
No longer in nature now.
Here even the wind stopped blowing,
I forgot my way from the cold.
Living with Chyskhaan is not easy,
Only in spring, Cholbon-Kuo
When she becomes his bride,
Then, having fallen in love, he will melt.
Soon, very soon, a wonderful time will come - the time of preparation for Christmas, there are 12 days left until the First Advent, until the first gingerbread cookies, before decorating the house for the holiday and wrapping gifts))) Oh, how I love December, precisely because of the feeling of the approaching holiday !
Today, while reading Russian news, I learned that our beloved Father Frost is celebrating his birthday today. Wow, I thought, November 18th is Santa Claus’s birthday, why on this day? Everything turned out to be simple, from November 18 in Veliky Ustyug winter comes into its own, and of course, where there is winter, there is Santa Claus. In general, in 1999 they decided to honor Grandfather on this day. So this is what I'm getting at... I became very interested, does the Swedish Tomten (the cheerful little man who brings gifts to children and adults at Christmas) have his own birthday? Well, while I was looking for his date of birth, I found a lot of other interesting things.
As I already said, the Swedish Santa Claus is called Tomte or officially Jultomte (Christmas gnome or troll) or in simple terms - Tomten . And in Skåne Tomten is called Nisse - like the Danes and Norwegians. Tomten has his own residence in the Swedish town of Mura, in Dalarna - Tomteland . A kind of amusement park for Swedish children, where they can chat with Tomten, feed the deer and goats, and generally learn a lot of new and interesting things from the life of their favorite Christmas character. And in this park there live about a hundred trolls, a cheerful fairy, gnomes, everyone has their own houses that you can knock on and visit.
Tomten celebrates his birthday on the day of remembrance of St. Nicholas (in fact, Santa Claus is a derivative of St. Nicholas, a character who appeared during the Reformation period, when believers were forbidden to celebrate the days of saints), that is, December 6. In some European countries, December 6 has special significance, and gifts for children are given on St. Nicholas Day. But in Sweden this day is not officially called Tomten’s Birthday, and St. Nicholas Day is not celebrated that way either.
Some Swedes consider Tomten's birthday to be December 24 - Christmas Day. This tradition is completely incomprehensible and alien to me, since it was proclaimed by the Swedes - atheists, they celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Santa Claus, without mentioning Jesus Christ at all, and all Christmas symbolism is interpreted by them from the point of view of a fairy tale... But this is everyone’s personal business , although I am not a deeply religious person, I am religious, I have never been and never will be an atheist, so for me Christmas is Christmas, not a birthday.
But let's return to Tomten. In ancient times, the Swedes believed in the existence of a “garden gnome” Gårdtomte , who kept order on the farm and in the garden, talked with domestic animals, but could also do mischief if the owner did not treat the tomten with sweet rice porridge risgrynsgröt (sötgröt), which later became known as tomtegröt. The owner of the farm would put a plate of porridge on the porch of the house at night, and if the next day the plate was empty, consider that the tomten was satisfied and would help you develop the farm. This tradition has survived to this day - Swedes always prepare sweet rice porridge for Christmas. I will definitely tell you how we prepare it and give you the recipe.
"Typical" garden gnome
This is what Tomten looks like from artist Lennart Hellier
And here is Tomten by Jens Groselius
This garden gnome was short, wearing a gray sheepskin coat and a gray cap, with a beard and funny shoes. Actually, this image eventually transferred to the Christmas gnome Jultomte , which appeared in the mid-18th century. Modern Tomte can sometimes look like Santa Claus, but this is more of an American influence; in fact, Tomte is still a gnome, only along with a gray sheepskin coat in his wardrobe there is now a red and burgundy outfit. Yultomten lives in the forest, near settlements, and loves to swing on fir trees. He comes into the house through an ordinary door at night, when no one is looking. In modern versions, he comes at six o'clock in the evening in the person of a disguised father of the family or a friend, when the whole family is preparing for a festive dinner. This is what is most strange to me - Tomten, he is a gnome, he cannot be of human height. Oh these traditions for me)))
28.12.2016
Christmas in Finland is the most important holiday, which begins to be celebrated four weeks before December 25, with various entertainment events, fairs, concerts, religious ceremonies, etc. This holiday existed in the country even before the adoption of Christianity, and subsequently changed to include more church traditions. Pagan rituals, for example, mummers going from house to house, have also been preserved. Even the Finnish Santa Claus Joulupukki is an ancient character who only in the 19th century acquired a modern human appearance, but the name remained the same and means “Christmas goat.”
The history of Joulupukki
The holiday of winter (winter solstice) Yule was celebrated in all countries of Northern Europe, which was inhabited by ancient Germanic tribes until about the 7th century. The Finns had a tradition of putting on fur coats and straw masks with horns, depicting goats (“pukki”), and walking around the farms: first, singing songs and collecting treats, then with gifts for children.
This is how the Finnish “Father Frost” appeared - the “Christmas goat” Joulupukki. Until the 19th century, he still wore a fur coat and horns turned inside out, and then he changed clothes according to the European standard - in a red caftan with a belt, a cap and boots, grew a long beard and put on fashionable glasses.
Joulupukki Residence in Lapland
Santa Claus has his own residence in Finland. It is located in Lapland, near the border with Russia. There, on Mount Korvatunturi, the top of which resembles a hare's ears, stands the house of the main winter wizard. Joulupukki lives there with his wife Muori and a team of gnome helpers. They not only help answer children’s letters and wrap gifts, but also monitor how they behave throughout the year. To do this, the gnomes make their way through underground labyrinths into the mysterious “caves of echoes”, and listen intensively from there.
Joulupukki does not invite guests to this house, but he will gladly meet them in his office - the fairytale village of Joulukka near the city of Rovaniemi. Another accessible place to visit is the magical Santa Park, organized by the elves in the Arctic Circle, where the Finnish Father Frost also often visits. Muori's wife often accompanies her husband on trips. She does housework, bakes delicious gingerbread cookies, prepares porridge and wine with spices, and has her own “Gingerbread Kitchen” in Santa Park.
Rudolf the Reindeer - Joulupukki's assistant
Rudolph the Reindeer is Joulupukki's main assistant in delivering gifts around the world. But in the harness there are 7 more deer flying with him, which he, as the eldest, managed to teach his skills. Father Frost's Christmas route from Finland begins in the city of Turku, where at noon on December 24, he proclaims the beginning of the holiday near the town hall. And then he has a whole 31 hours (not 24, due to the time zone difference) to fly around all the kids on the planet.
Finnish “Father Frost” Joulupukki does not hide from children and does not climb into the chimney at night. He simply knocks on doors and distributes gifts personally - as was the custom in ancient times.
Celebrating the New Year itself in Finland is celebrated much more modestly than Christmas. Although, the night of January 1 is the only time when everyone is allowed to set off fireworks.
Probably, this is already a genetic memory: for some reason on New Year’s Eve you are drawn to snow, Christmas trees and gifts from Santa Claus. But this does not mean that at this time you need to sit at home in front of the TV and a bowl of Olivier salad. Why not go on a real winter trip where you can meet four Santa Clauses at once? And don’t raise your eyebrows in surprise: it’s time - it’s time to book a New Year’s tour. After all, Scandinavia is “selling” much earlier than other countries.
Leapfrog with grandfathers
Each of the Scandinavian countries has its own Santa Claus. The Norwegian's name is Julenissen. He is a little old man who rides a cart pulled by foxes. For a whole year he lives in a forest hut and makes gifts for winter, and in December he moves closer to people. Danish Santa Claus is Yletomte, and he lives only in Greenland among the permafrost. The Swedish one is called Tomte the Dwarf or, in another way, Yulemanden. Well, the Finnish Frost has a funny name - Joulupukki, that is, the Christmas Goat. There is nothing offensive: it’s just that many years ago, Santa Claus did not wear a fur coat, but a goat’s skin, and he also delivered gifts on a goat. This is how the route of a wonderful winter tour called “Four Scandinavian Capitals” emerges: Helsinki - Stockholm - Oslo - Copenhagen...
Cozy Helsinki
You are amazed at how new multi-storey buildings could fit so elegantly and organically among the buildings of the beginning of the last century, when classicism was replaced by the style of Finnish rationalism. It’s a great pleasure to wander through the Christmas streets, where candles are burning in every window. By the way, for the Finns themselves, the main “attraction” street of Helsinki is the Esplanade, a boulevard extending from the Market Square. This is, in fact, not one street, but two - North Esplanade and South Esplanade. Tourists are usually shown only a few points: Senate Square, the Sibelius Monument and the “Church in the Rock”. As well as the Serena water park and the impressive Ityakeskus shopping center.
Purely Stockholm
It turns out that Stockholm has the status of the cleanest city in Europe (although it seems that other Scandinavian capitals are no dirtier). After a stroll along the famous, glittering Christmas street of the old town of Gamla Stan, stop by Astrid Lindgren's charming Junibacken Museum, home to Carlson on the Roof, Nils with the Wild Geese and Pippi Longstocking. For contrast, it is worth taking a look at one of the most visited Swedish museums, the Vasa Ship Museum. It “successfully” sank in the 17th century right opposite the Royal Palace, having traveled only 300 meters after being launched. In the 20th century, it was raised, pulled ashore and a museum building was built around it. After examining all its exhibits, one gets the impression that Sweden was a great maritime power.
Copenhagen - going to the opera without taking your clothes off
For some reason, many of our tourists (Russian speech can be heard from everywhere) are not at all impressed by the next Royal Palace, Town Hall and so on. This, of course, is not the pretentious Winter Palace; everything here is much more modest. But perhaps this is the beauty of Puritan frugality. If you have time, be sure to go to the famous Royal Opera House. Just wear a decent coat or fur coat - you don’t have to undress here, because it’s cold inside, and the wardrobe is paid. And, probably, the coolest thing will be to ride around the center of winter Copenhagen on bicycles (if the weather permits) - and at the same time visit the famous Little Mermaid sitting by the sea.
To Oslo on Lutifix
After visiting the Edvard Munch art gallery (which you will really like if you love painting), it’s worth drinking cocoa (also kakao in Norwegian) at Hoppkafeen, famous for its waffles throughout Oslo. And after visiting the next Royal Palace, City Hall, Akerhus Fortress, Royal University, Frogner Park and Vigelan Sculpture Park, be sure to go to the restaurant and try “salmon with a scent - gravlax” (for this it is buried in the ground for several hours). This meal, specially dedicated to Christmas, is called “lutifisk”. But you should wash down “gravlax” or mashed potatoes with meatballs with Aquavit, which is made from potatoes with the addition of caraway seeds. This is the most romantic (and expensive) moonshine in the world - because according to the rules, to complete the distillation process, it must cross the equator in the hold of a ship.
We are looking for discounts and souvenirs
The sales period in the Scandinavian capitals lasts 1-2 weeks at the end of the season: after Christmas (early January). But January 6 is a day off. This has nothing to do with Orthodox Christmas, these days simply fall on Epiphany according to the local calendar. In Norway, people usually buy patterned sweaters and troll figurines. In Sweden there are toy moose and national sweets - candy in the shape of a cane. In Denmark - Danish cheese, Little Mermaids and Tin Soldiers made of all kinds of materials (I even saw them made from beer caps). And, of course, souvenirs related to the Vikings are popular in all Scandinavian countries.
P.S. And if you visit Scandinavia for Christmas or New Year, then, of course, you will understand why in winter sometimes... a goat comes to visit children. It’s the dads, before bringing gifts to their children, who put on a sheepskin coat turned inside out - so that the fur is on the outside - take out felt boots and a bearded mask with horns. And perhaps you will be able to see, while walking around the four elegant capitals, how on New Year’s Day a multi-meter goat is burned, and the old year is driven away with shots into the air. Or perhaps you will be able to take part in a fun street masquerade, where Scandinavian children smash old dishes against the doors of their friends. Their fathers and mothers also sometimes break dishes, albeit while sitting at the New Year's table!
Source: Magazine "Beach"
The children's entertainment center Junibacken usually offers a Christmas show based on one of their favorite fairy tales in December. You can also take a boat ride around Djurgården, hearing a story in Russian and seeing all the central islands of the city at once.
Vasa Ship Museum dedicated history of the Royal Navy flagship- the only surviving sailing ship of the early 17th century in the world, which lived for a very short century.
Ethnographical museum - Skansen Village Museum . Here you can go to workshops, a blacksmith shop, a bakery, climb towers and mills, look at local estates, farms and a zoo, play in children's playgrounds and see a live squirrel, hear holiday songs and take part in Swedish folk dance. And also - explore the fair and buy gifts (how can you return from Sweden on New Year's Day without gifts?), and try local culinary specialties. Next to Skansen there is the Biological Museum, and inside is the Skansen Aquarium.
Luna Amusement Park Grüna-lund . During the Christmas holidays there are especially a lot of illuminations here, it’s very beautiful - and the children’s joy knows no bounds. In addition to the usual attractions for Luna parks, there is a national Swedish one - Lustiga huset (Fun or Madhouse: they climb up the sliding steps, then run all the way around, and in the end - down on a magic carpet at high speed).
In the center of the park is the village of Santa Clauses - a post office, a hairdresser and much more for Tomte. On a stage decorated accordingly, a live Tomte writes down which children want gifts.
Natural History Museum, Stockholm History Museum, Museum of the North, Transport Museum (in addition to the actual historical exhibition of the history of transport in Stockholm, in the children's playrooms there are working models of railways for games, you can climb into the cabins and carriages of trains, and there is even the opportunity to ride a small train throughout the museum). In the same building there is a toy museum, even tickets are shared.
And, of course, it should be noted The Museum of Experiments and Discovery, which has the special name "Experiments of Tom Titus" in Södertälje - less than 40 km from Stockholm.
This is a museum-park with an area of 16 thousand square meters. meters. In 2008, the Tom Tits Experiment Center received the award “Best Science Center in Sweden”. The park is only open in summer, but there is plenty to see in winter too. The museum has a building - large, brick, four-story, here you can witness about 600 natural science experiments. Physics, astronomy, chemistry, biology, anatomy, music, climatology, games and magic tricks - it is impossible to list everything that you can examine and “touch” and experiment with yourself.
Further and further from Stockholm
If you plan to travel further than just the capital, you can see in Sweden (not far from the capital): Sigtuna- one of the first cities in Sweden, which still looks like a medieval one, and is located only an hour’s drive from Stockholm; Uppsala– also just an hour’s drive from the capital, one of the oldest cities in Scandinavia, the “second” capital of Sweden.
It is famous for the 13th century Cathedral (the main cathedral of the Swedish Church), Gustav Vasa Castle (16th century), the Art Museum (Konstmuseet), the park of rune stones (ancient Viking writings), and the gardens of Linnaeus - the founder of the classification of plants.
During the Christmas holidays, there are many fairs here: at Uppsala Castle, at the Resecentrum Travel Center, there is also a farmers' market in front of the station building; Gävle(a little further, about 1.5 hours drive from the capital) has its own Christmas miracle - Gävlebocken. This is a large goat, 13 meters high, made of straw, which has been built every year for 46 years four weeks before Christmas, and then immediately burned. You can also go ice skating here - right on Stortorge Square.
For animal lovers - in safari park in Kolmorden (this is already more than 100 km from the capital) you can also visit in winter, although the summer show here is certainly more impressive.
New Year in Sweden with children - skiing and sledding!
Let's not forget about Ski resorts in Sweden , very popular on New Year's Day. There are relatively low mountains and gentle slopes here, so you can safely go skiing with children, or sledding with little ones. Almost everywhere there are water parks and spa centers, and each resort prepares a program for the New Year holiday, usually a family one.
Other Scandinavian countries attract much fewer tourists for the New Year, but they are also very beautiful and interesting.
New Year with children in Norway
First of all, people come to this northern country for skiing - cross-country and alpine: Trysil, Hemsedal, Geilo, Hafjell and many other famous resorts.
But this beautiful and unique country can attract you not only with skiing. In many places you can also ride on dog sleds, or, as in “The Snow Queen,” on reindeer sleds. There are a lot of national parks and other beauties here.
Norwegian Santa Claus
The “colleague” of Father Frost and Santa Claus in Norway is called gnome Julenissen or Nisse (Julenissen), he has many residences. They also say that Julenissen is a whole group of fairy-tale wizards, and they live all over Norway.
And their leader is the son of the spirit, who, according to legend, gave the coins to the little girl. He lives near Oslo in the city Drebak, where his post office is.
And if you go with your children to Norway, to visit the local Santa Claus, you can organize a whole entertainment program - visit the Christmas house (Julehus) and the post office of Santa Claus, take part in a dog sled safari, horse riding and even visit International Santa Claus games.
Another actively visited residence is in the town Savalen. There is also a mountain resort here, it is 330 km from Oslo and 70 km from Ruros airport.
Grandfather Nisse has a big fairy-tale house: how gifts are prepared on a conveyor belt, in the dining room gnomes tell fairy tales and stories, drinking tea with cinnamon cookies. In the reception area, older children draw their pictures for Grandpa Nisse, and the little ones can “give the tree” their pacifier and part with it for good.
Everything in Ylenissen’s house is quiet and leisurely, and he also has a farm where various animals and birds live. There is also a puppet theater in the tent!
Yulenissen gives gifts on Christmas only to children, and on Christmas night they leave him porridge and other delicacies. He is helped by a fairy-tale goat (according to another legend, the magical holiday goat Yulebok Yule Goat) - the children leave ears of oat for her. And adults can only be given matches as a symbol of light and warmth: this is the local tradition.
Winter Norway
Norway is a country of the sea, and here, even when it is very cold, the color of the sea is leaden. And if you admire the sea from the fjords - this magnificent calling card of Norway - you will not be able to tear yourself away from this view. At the same time, it is not very cold here, the average temperature in winter is -10-12.
For those who especially love water, there is the opportunity to spend holidays on Lofoten Islands , especially since it is at this time that killer whales come very close to them. For those who are interested in the northern peoples - the path to the Sami, the indigenous people of Northern Norway, to the very north of the country in the town Sami Siida.
And in most areas of Norway, there is almost a 100% chance of seeing the Northern Lights on Christmas Day. They even organize a boat cruise to the Northern Lights for tourists.
Oslo and the surrounding area welcome adults and children
The capital of Norway is Oslo– one of the most beautiful, but at the same time calm cities in Europe.
In the old center is the City Hall, a rather gloomy building with interesting wooden frescoes. But on the tower you can visit a panoramic platform from which you can see almost the entire city. And here the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is held once a year.
In the eastern part of Pipervik Bay, next to the embankment, you can visit the medieval fortress and Akershus Castle(13th – 14th century). The castle was a royal residence, then a royal prison, and at the beginning of the 20th century it barely survived. Now you can see the interior decoration there, and from the ramparts you can see the bay harbor, the embankment and the islands of the Oslofjord. In the same territory - Norwegian Resistance Museum and Armed Forces Museum (there are ancient cannons and rifles).
If you are in Norway with children, then you can also visit many interesting places in the capital.
Amusement park "Tusenfried" - 15-20 km south of Oslo. There are attractions for children of different ages, including a 44-meter-high Ferris wheel, the largest wooden roller coaster in Europe, “Flight into Space,” “Speed Monster,” playgrounds, a wall for practicing rock climbing, a bicycle track, and a Viking settlement of the Middle Ages.
Reptile Park- These are more than 100 species of lizards, reptiles and spiders.
Kon-Tiki Museum dedicated to the famous traveler and scientist Thor Heyerdahl and located on the Bygdoy peninsula (it is sometimes called the “museum”). Here are the ships on which the explorer sailed (a raft made of balsa logs “Kon-Tiki”, a papyrus boat “Ra-2”, a reed boat “Tigris”); items that were used during expeditions; archaeological finds from different countries.
Here on the “museum” peninsula - Fram Museum . This keelboat was built in 1892 and completed three Arctic expeditions. The ship is shown “in its original form”, next to the ship is the history of polar expeditions.
Right Norwegian Maritime Museum , which is dedicated to shipbuilding, fishing, and the Norwegian Navy. There is a large collection of models of ships and boats, marine finds, and paintings.
A video film about the coast of Norway, filmed from a helicopter, is shown. And another maritime museum on the peninsula - Viking Ship Museum - one of the most interesting museums in the city. You can see ships from the 9th-10th centuries. (drakars) on which the Vikings sailed, they were found during archaeological excavations on the coast of the Oslofjord.
Norwegian Museum of Cultural History - also on the Bygdøy peninsula. One part of it is an open-air museum, the other is a historical exhibition.
Since 1986, Oslo has had an unusual Children's Art Museum . There are sculptures, figurines, drawings, appliqués made by children from all over the world - more than one hundred thousand works. There is also a library of children's literature in different languages and a huge collection of dolls.
Sculpture Park and Museum of G. Vigeland (Frogner Park) in Oslo is known far beyond Norway. These are more than 600 works of wrought iron, bronze and granite about life, family, human emotions.
Two-story entertainment complex "Planet of Children" – very close to the center of Oslo.
Interesting for the curious Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology , dedicated to the history of medicine, oil and gas production, and electric power. Young visitors can even learn how to control robots here.
There are museums at the University of Oslo. Museum of Natural History — a whole complex: a Botanical garden with an arboretum and a greenhouse for exotic plants; Zoo museum; Geological Museum; The paleontological part, where there are even skeletons of dinosaurs. There are also Historical Museum (Museum of National Antiquities), which consists of three main parts - “Antique”, “Collection of Coins and Medals” and “Ethnographic Museum”, as well as the country’s largest collection of Viking gold treasures.
Museum of Applied Arts is one of the oldest museums of this type in the world, it has been operating since 1876.
"Holmenkollen"– the most famous ski center, there is not only a ski jump, but also a beautiful view of the city, as well as a Ski Museum.
There are still many museums and places of entertainment in the capital of Norway where you can go with children.
Away from Oslo
Small and cozy town Lillehammer was mentioned back in the Iron Age in the Norse sagas, and thanks to the 1994 Olympic Games it became world famous, and a lot has changed in it: now there is Olympic Museum and a large Olympic Park, every winter there is an international ski festival.
But this city is famous not only for sports. There are many museums and galleries of modern art here; connoisseurs of modern art and collectors come here. One of the main museums - ethnographic – Maihaugen – located since 1904 on 37 hectares, includes 180 buildings telling the history of the Gudbrandsdalen valley over 300 years.
Children are attracted Road Museum of Transport and Automobiles and Children's Entertainment Center Hunderfossen . One of its attractions is a fairy-tale castle 37 meters high, at the entrance of which there is a “guard” - a troll. And it is from Lillehammer that the easiest way is to visit Santa Claus in Savalen.
City Tromso called “the Paris of the north” and “the gateway to the Arctic.” This is the largest and most beautiful city in Northern Norway, it is located almost at 70 degrees North latitude, surrounded by islands and fjords. It was from here that expeditions to the North Pole departed.
And today here is the kingdom of culture and nightlife. Here you can visit the fur seal show at the Polaria scientific and educational complex, dedicated to the study of the Arctic. Polar Museum located in the old shipyard building on the embankment. And here is the northernmost in the world brewery at Mack brewery.
On Senja island(its landscapes are called Alpine, and the island itself is fabulous) they organize real sea fishing and the opportunity to swim in the ocean in a protective wetsuit.
A real adventure for a child in Norway will be a visit to the local giant Troll, the largest of which in the world (height 18 meters, weight 125 thousand kg): in 1997 he was listed in the Guinness Book of Records. Inside the Troll's huge belly is an amusement park for children, where everything is based on the legends of the island.
Polar Zoo or Wildlife Park is the northernmost zoo in the world. In its main attraction – Wolf Camp – you can get up close and personal with wolves.
City of Roros- the kingdom of antiquity, it is under the protection of UNESCO, here you can visit a gallery of local ceramic art.
Snowman Resort – Snowman is a wonderful place in Northern Norway, where you are most likely to see the Northern Lights. The resort itself is a great place to spend time with your family during the New Year holidays, very close by - family amusement park "Land of the Blue Dwarfs" .
The park is almost natural, surrounded by mountains, and has a lot of fabulous entertainment for adults and children: you can ride an underground train through the labyrinths and find yourself in the land of the blue gnomes. And there is the opportunity to go on a large number of excursions around Norway.
Travel to fabulous Denmark with children
Two Santa Clauses - senior and junior
The Danes are challenging the Finns for the place of Grandfather Morozov's capital. In Greenland, in the kingdom of permafrost, Santa Claus is the best place, so they believe.
In Denmark there is not one Santa Claus, but two. Like in Sweden, children wait for the New Year Grandfather Yultomten, who is helped by a whole company - characters from fairy tales: lively mice, little elves, cheerful witches, a snowman and others. Of course, they built a residence for him in Denmark.
A Julenisse lives in Greenland , who is considered the youngest Santa Claus. Among the eternal ice, an old man lives in his hut and creates Christmas gifts for children. He travels on a cart pulled by foxes. And closer to Christmas, he settles near people - in a stable.
Yulenisse looks like a gnome: a cap, wooden shoes, knee-high socks and trousers to the knees. According to another legend, nesse lives in every Danish house, sleeps in a secluded place all year, and in December wakes up and puts gifts in stockings, has fun - and you must treat him with rice pudding!
It is in Denmark that it takes place - in July 2013 for the 56th time - international congress of Santa Claus , where Santa Clauses from 125 countries come. Ületomte gathers guests in the oldest in the world Luna Park Bakken - it is 15 km north of Copenhagen. And in July because one of the variants of the name of Santa Claus in Denmark is consonant with the name of July: Julemand.
New Year holidays in Denmark
Spending the holidays in Denmark can be very enjoyable. Denmark is not only known as the land of the Vikings, but its population is considered the happiest in the world.
They have such a word - "hygge", which is translated as everything at the same time: happiness, safety, comfort, and this “hygge” characterizes Denmark in general, and winter holidays are celebrated here cheerfully and on a grand scale.
Denmark is a small country (a little over 5 million inhabitants), and it is often called the “pearl of Scandinavia,” which is located in its south, closest to central Europe of all other Scandinavian countries. Therefore, Scandinavia and Europe are mixed here so that the result is a unique image, unlike anyone else.
The climate in Denmark is mild, there is no heat here in summer, but there is no severe cold in winter (again, the influence of the Gulf Stream). In January-February the air temperature is around zero degrees. It often rains and winds blow from the sea.
Vacationers in Denmark immediately find themselves in a wonderful children's fairy tale. The Kingdom of Denmark is maritime: two seas, peninsulas and islands.
The Danish Royal House has an interesting history (we immediately remember Shakespeare); many castles and palaces have been preserved. In the palace complex Amalienborg, where Queen Margaret lives, four identical palaces that form an octagonal area, in the center of which there is a statue of King Frederick V on a horse and the Marble Church - it is made of wood and decorated with marble. Here you can see the ceremonial changing of the guard at 12 noon.
Copenhagen - fun and serious
Capital of Denmark Copenhagen, founded in 1167. The city is not very large, very compact - it was previously considered the cultural capital of Europe. And now museums and parks, theaters and concert halls attract tourists.
There is a very famous place in Copenhagen - Tivoli amusement park , which was built in 1843. It is the oldest in Europe.
On Christmas and New Year's Town Hall Square to the main Christmas tree, and here, to Tivoli, the city residents come. Before this, they organize a cheerful procession through the streets.
Here everyone listens together to the traditional New Year's address from the Queen of Denmark. Some go to the traditional ice skating rink on Kongens Nytorv.
Every tree you see on New Year's Day in Copenhagen will have fairy tale characters on it. Denmark has such a long-standing tradition that Christmas tree decorations are the heroes of fairy tales by G.H. Andersen or... straw kids. And the Christmas tree is only real, a special variety called "Nordmann fir" , grown in environmentally friendly conditions. In general, being in Denmark with your children on New Year’s Eve near this very Christmas tree is a real fairy tale!
For many tourists, Copenhagen resembles St. Petersburg or Amsterdam - canals, islands, yachts, ferries, bridges...
Sights of the capital of Denmark
The main attractions of Copenhagen: the Danish Parliament building – Kristjansborg Palace (1740) on the island of Slotsholmen, Monument to Bishop Absalon - the founder of the city, Nyhavn Quarter(New Harbor), Gefjon fountain. National History Museum with a collection of paintings, silver, furniture and porcelain is located in Fredriksborg Castle , built by King Christian IV in the Renaissance style with Baroque elements, Rosenborg Castle Palace (Rosenborg, 1606-1634) - the country residence of Christian IV built in the Danish Renaissance style, the building of the famous Copenhagen Stock Exchange , which worked in 1619 - 1640.
There is a Russian in the very center of the city Temple of Alexander Nevsky - after all, Empress Maria Feodorovna - the wife of Alexander III and the mother of Nicholas II - was born Danish princess Dagmara. After Nicholas II abdicated the throne, she returned to Denmark, where she died in 1928.
Modern attractions: Glyptothek(Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek) - a collection of sculptures founded by the head of the Carlsberg brewing empire, Carl Jacobsen (there are both examples of ancient art and modern sculpture); Children's Science Center "Experimentarium"; planetarium "IMAX Tycho Brahe"; postal and television museum, carriage museum, music museum. And in addition - one of the largest aquariums in Europe, built in 1939, a safari park.
Winter in Denmark - what works and what doesn't?
Since famous Legopark Denmark- the birthplace of Lego and the prototype of Disneyland - is closed in winter, you can visit the Lego brand store in the center of Copenhagen, where you can not only make a purchase, but also play.
But you can take a pleasure boat ride along the canals even in winter - the boat must have a roof and internal heating.
Copenhagen is famous for its statues, and they are mainly related to fairy tales. The most famous statue is a symbol of the city, and the whole of Denmark. statue of the little mermaid from the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen , there is a statue of the author of the tale, and Andersen Museum.
50 km from Copenhagen are the famous Hamlet's castle Kronborg (here you can walk through the casemates, see the royal chambers and the navigators’ museum) and the queen’s summer residence, Fredensborg Palace , “Castle of Peace” on the lake, built to commemorate the end of the wars with Sweden.
Roskilde- the tomb of the Danish kings and the former capital of Denmark.
And in Copenhagen there is something that is not found anywhere else in the world: this is a small country Christiania, which was invented in 1971 by students and hippies. This is the kingdom of freedom and bohemian life, where the main principle is collectivism, there are no cars, taxes, rent, and no hard drugs are used.
Small Danish towns
Odense- on the fjord of the same name on the island of Fin, named after the pagan god Odin, well known in Scandinavian mythology. This is the city of Hans Christian Andersen , and that says everything about him.
Everything here remembers the famous storyteller. The heroes of his fairy tales are made of stone, concrete or wood - in all areas of the city, the air itself is filled with romance, a fairy-tale atmosphere reigns everywhere - especially, of course, in Andersen Park, where a monument to the great storyteller is erected, and his museum is located nearby.
Is it possible to get bored with children in Denmark, where the great Andersen lived? Hardly.
Cathedral of St. Canute dedicated to the patron saint of the city, whose ashes are buried there, and is a place of pilgrimage for believers from all over Denmark. Visible in the architecture of the city Odin's Tower(although this is only a model of the tower that was here until 1944, and which was blown up by the Nazis).
Also interesting museums:Funen Village- an example of how people lived in the Middle Ages, a building City Hall, St. Hans Church, Odense Slot Palace, Franciscan monastery Graabroedre kloster, the ancient Montergarden mint and the picturesque Nonnebakken hill with St. Mary's Church.
Not far from the city - Egeskov Castle(“oak forest”), standing in the middle of the lake on a foundation of oak trunks firmly driven into the bottom, and a botanical garden with ornamental birds. From Odense you can take a bus to the island of Zealand via a long 7-kilometer bridge across the Great Belt. During this trip, the most beautiful views open up, and the bridge itself is a miracle of engineering.
Port Aalborg with a 1000-year history, with a preserved Old Town, in which ancient buildings, monuments, museums and narrow streets are associated with a fishing past.
The Cathedral of St. Budolfi (XIV century) is named after the patron saint of sailors; you can also see here the Church of Our Lady (XII century), the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, Aalborghus Castle (XVI century). Famous sights of Aalborg: the house of the merchant Jens Bang, (XVII century), the house of Jorden Olufsens, the North Jutland Art Museum, the Navy Museum, the historical city museum. And - many, many statues.
Catholic center of the early Middle Ages Aarhus - here was the former episcopal residence - this is the east of the Jutland Peninsula, the second largest city in Denmark.
The city has a university, many temples, museums, historical and cultural monuments throughout Denmark. At the same time, many young people live in the city, and large areas are built up with buildings of modern architecture.
The old town of Aarhus is an open-air museum, where the Gothic Cathedral (13th century), the Church of the Virgin Mary, and the Frukirche Temple (1060) are located. Also in the center, where archaeological excavations were carried out, the Viking Museum was created. And very close are the AROS Museum of Contemporary Art, the Aarhus State Museum, the Women's Museum and the wonderful Aarhus Botanical Garden (founded in 1875), and the Tivoli Friheden amusement park.
In general, if you find yourself in Denmark for the New Year, will you have time to see, feel, and absorb everything?
And somewhere else there is Iceland...
Despite the fact that this is a country for more “difficult” travel, many tourists travel to Iceland with children.
Iceland is located almost on the Arctic Circle (it runs through the north of Iceland), in summer there is practically a polar day, in winter there is a polar night. At the same time, thanks to the Gulf Stream, the climate is quite mild: the average temperature in August is about +10C, and in January about zero. At the same time, the weather changes many times during the day, both in winter and in summer (it is not obvious that it is better in August, especially since all the “summer” tourists write about the wind).
The name "Iceland" means "Ice Country" , it was given to these lands by the Norwegian Viking Floki Vilgeldarsson, who in 865, from one of the mountains of the island discovered by his team on the northern coast, saw a fjord filled with icebergs.
Moreover, on the second largest island in Europe, next to glaciers and icebergs (more than 10% of the territory is occupied by glaciers), there are many volcanoes and geysers. Iceland is the largest island of volcanic origin: there are also the largest glacier in Europe, and the largest volcano in Europe, and the most powerful waterfall in Europe e. Another 10% of Iceland is covered with lava, so the sand here is black and the landscape is lunar.
Many probably remember how the 2010 eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull affected the life of all of Europe.
Reviews of travel to Iceland always contain superlatives, for example, “the nature is absolutely unimaginable in beauty. Fantastic (or rather fantasy) landscapes.” And if you are lucky enough to see the northern lights! The shimmer of green colors in the sky - there are not enough words to describe the beauty of the moment. One, two minutes - but the memory will last a lifetime.
Santa Claus in Icelandic
In the debate about the origin of Father Frost, it is sometimes written that it is the Icelanders who may consider that Father Frost is their compatriot. This is stated on the basis that when the Reuters news agency asked eight Nordic countries in 2005, it was from Reykjavik that the first response from Father Christmas was received: “ Since time immemorial I have lived in Dimmuborgir (the Dark Castle is the lava rocks that formed the labyrinth 2.5 thousand years ago), a remote area of Northern Iceland.”
The roots of Icelandic culture lie in the depths of centuries - in the history of the Vikings, which is why magical characters live in folklore. So they play the role of Santa Claus right away 13 “Christmas boys” (or “boys”) – Joulasveinnov (jólasveinn, Yule Lads).
Instead of Santa Claus, there are thirteen gnome-like creatures, and they come from a terrible mountain troll named Gryla - they are her sons. The “boys” live in the mountains and come to places where people live, 13 days before Christmas.
Christmas holidays - Yule - have been celebrated in Iceland for more than a thousand years, and this winter miracle lasts 26 days - longer than in any European country. Each day of the Yule holiday has its own “boy”.
Each of the brothers has a name, and legends describe their appearance and habits. The first of the "boys" arrives 12 December. Then, according to the established order, they come one by one, at night, and all gather together for the holiday.
According to legend, they love to lick the dishes in the kitchen and can play some small dirty tricks. But their main concern is gifts for children. Every evening, starting from the thirteenth of December, children put a red boot on the window and every morning they find a gift or sweets from another gnome.
The most important gift, of course, comes at Christmas, brought by Svecheplut. And all the gnomes, according to ancient tradition, give gifts only to those children who behaved well. Children who misbehave only get potatoes. There is even a horror story for children: if there are a lot of potatoes in a shoe, the evil troll Grila will put the baby in a sack, drag it home to the mountains, and eat it.
For adults, there is a horror story of its own: the hard workers get new clothes for Christmas, but the Yule cat awaits the slackers and also drags them to the mountains to be devoured.
Christmas Eve, like everywhere else, is a family holiday: here even television does not broadcast from 5 to 10 pm - so as not to disturb the Christmas mood.
After Christmas, the Joulasveinns leave in the same order as they came. Svecheplut is the last to leave, and he is noisily seen off: bonfires are lit, fireworks are set off - this is a holiday - Trettandinn - "The Thirteenth Day After Christmas" . According to legend, on this day elves celebrate together with people, and residents again sit down at the large family table and see off the Yule holiday.
If you are interested in the Icelandic “Christmas Boys”, then you can see and read each one, or even better (here you need to join the group).
Capital city Reykjavik
A little more than 300 thousand people live in Iceland, of which 1/3 of the population lives in the capital - Reykjavik, and another 1/3 - in its immediate vicinity. For tourists, the sights of Reykjavik itself are also of interest, but, probably, even more so is what nature offers here.
Reykjavik is the northernmost capital in the world. According to legend, it is located where a place of residence was built in 874 by the first permanent settler, Ingolfur Arnarson. He named this place Reykjavik or "Smoky Bay", because then in this place there was an eruption of geothermal vapors from hot springs, but now there is no such smoke.
The geysers in the center of Reykjavik stopped beating, but warm springs remained, which made it possible to build outdoor pools in the spa center Laugar Laugardalur.
Reykjavik is located on the Southwestern Peninsula - the most densely populated place in Iceland. Reykjavik is a thoroughly modern European capital with a traditional old town in the center.
In Reykjavik, in the Old Center between the harbor and the lake, tourists can see ancient buildings: Parliament House(1881), Cathedral Domkirkjan i Reykjavik (1787) the main church of Reykjavik, Lutheran Cathedral - Hallgrimskirkja Church Hallgrimskirkja , the spire of which is a local landmark, serving as a lighthouse. At the entrance to the cathedral - monument to Leif Eriksson , known as "Leif the Fortunate", the discoverer of America 500 years before Columbus. Building "Pearl" Perlan in the shape of a flower - a whole multifunctional complex. The “petals” are cylindrical in shape - all but one are hot water tanks. One petal is a concert hall. Even higher is the observation deck.
Not far from the parliament there is a small Lake Tjornin, where ducks and swans are fed, and an unusual Monument to the "Unknown Official" . On the northern shore of the lake — Town Hall Reykjavik – modern building in hi-tech style (1992). On the island Videy – Videyjarstofa's House and church (1774), here - "Tower of Peace", dedicated to the memory of John Lennon (project by Yoko Ono). Another famous place in the city is an ancient model viking boats, Sólfar's massive steel sculpture "Sun Voyager" on the waterfront.
Arber Folk Museum - Reykjavik Ethnographic Museum, shows the old houses of Reykjavik after reconstruction: the church was built in the traditional Icelandic manner - the roof of the church is covered with turf, the farmer's houses are half “sunk” into the ground...
Family Park "Reykjavik Zoo & Family Park" is located east of Old Reykjavik - it’s almost a Viking city, there are many children’s attractions, there is a sports complex, a water park with heated hot spring pools.
Reykjavik was once called one of the most extraordinary cities in the world. There are no industrial enterprises here, the air is clean, and that’s why the residents of the capital live a long time. And here there are not just cozy streets, but also heated sidewalks, and a very special atmosphere reigns, albeit subtly.
On the southwest coast - 10 km from the capital - Hafnarfjörður - “fjord harbor” : It has a large port in a natural harbour, and is the third largest city in Iceland. This city is located on the site formed by the Burfell lava volcano. It has a rich history, and there are many museums here: the Icelandic Maritime Museum, the Icelandic Film Museum and the North-West House of Culture, the Museum of Local History, the Postal and Telecommunications Museum. Here is the unique international sculpture park Vidistadatun.
Deep in Iceland
There are far fewer people living outside of Reykjavik and the surrounding area. There are several regions, each with its own main city. Tourist routes are formed approximately in accordance with this division into regions.
Relatively close to the capital of the country on the Reykjanes Peninsula Reykjanes (Cape of Smokes) located "Blue Lagoon" - a geothermal lake, the water of which at any time of the year has a temperature of about +40°C, contains natural salts, has a rich blue color and, according to Icelandic scientists, this water has so many healing properties that swimming in it can cure all diseases .
On the same peninsula there are volcanic wonders: craters, volcanic mountains, puddles of mud with bubbles and black lava fields covered with moss and snow. There is active volcano - on Krysuvik, near Lake Kleyvarvatn, Geothermal spring Gunnukhver, and new hot springs appear again and again. The energy from high-temperature sources is also used in geothermal power plants (for example, in Svartsengi), which can be visited, and in swimming pools and saunas for medicinal purposes.
Here you can see the Chamber of Culture and Natural Resources in Grindavik, Kelifarvatn - a large lake where, according to legend, a monster lives, the Viking Ship Museum, in the modern building of which the Viking ship “Icelander” (Íslendingur) was built in 1996 by Gunnar Marel Eggertsson.
There is a crack (canyon) on the peninsula through which the "Bridge of Continents" connecting Eurasia and North America . This crack is growing by 2 centimeters per year.
There are cities on the Reykjanes Peninsula Keflavik(with an international airport, there was a large NATO base here from the war until 2006), Grindavik, Njardvik and Hafnir. Companies organize excursions to these places in off-road vehicles - super jeeps, and in winter.
One of the most common excursions in Iceland is called "Gold ring" , her program includes inspection:
Valley of Geysers(including the famous large geyser and one of the most active geysers, Strokkur Stokkur, which regularly shoots up to a height of 30 meters every 10 minutes);
Gullfoss waterfall golden waterfall (the largest and most powerful waterfall in Europe. It throws down thousands of tons of ice in two ledges from a height of more than 30 meters; it goes down into a deep canyon. On an excursion you can get very close);
Thingvellir National Park Pingvellir (included in the UNESCO World Heritage List) with Lake Thingvallavatn - the largest lake in Iceland;
In the north of Iceland , in the depths of the Eyjafjordur fjord, the city of Akureyrí is located - the “capital” of the region. Here is the Akureyrakirkja Cathedral, and in the Botanical Garden you can see almost all the plants of Iceland. In winter, Akureyri becomes the ski capital of Iceland.
Natural attractions in the area include waterfalls, lava fields, volcanoes and canyons. Mývatn- “mosquito lake” - so named because of the large number of mosquitoes, thanks to which there are many fish and birds here.
Along the eastern shore you can see interesting pseudocraters. In the northeast there is the land of Námaskjað, an area of hot springs and solfatar fields, and even further north is the same Dimmuborgir, where, in addition to the home of Santa Claus, the active volcano Hverfjall is located. The Jökulsá á Fjöllum River on its way from the Vatnajoekull glacier to the north forms several waterfalls, of which the most powerful Dettifoss (not only in Iceland, but also in Europe). 3.5 km north of the waterfall is the horseshoe-shaped canyon of Aasbyrgi, which, according to legend, appeared in Iceland when Sleipnir, the great horse of Odin, set foot on its lands.
Húsavík, a seaside town north of Mývatn, offers whale watching (but only in summer) and the town has a Whale Museum as well as the Húsavikurkirkja Cathedral with its 26-metre bell tower.
Got its name about a thousand years ago Waterfall of the Gods Godafoss (Goðafoss) , its height is only 12 meters, but it is considered one of the most beautiful in Iceland.
The most interesting volcano in the north is considered Krafla volcano , its activity so far manifests itself only in the form of changes in the local topography.
The valley of the Hverarond sulfur springs, the Grjotagja geothermal field, and the Leirhnjkur area are very interesting.
The northernmost point of Northern Iceland is already above the Arctic Circle - on the island of Grimsey ) .
In the Westfjords geysers, frozen volcanic lava, forest valleys. Traveling in the western part of Iceland is sometimes called by travel agencies Silver ring (Silver Circle). Here they travel to glaciers, to ancient settlements, to meet whales, and here the highest waterfall on the island - Glymur (198 m) . On the island of Drangey you can see huge rocks where numerous species of birds live.
There is the Grettislaug hot spring and the whole valley of the Hveravellir hot springs, and nearby are the Langjokull and Hofsjokull glaciers. The most famous hot spring in this valley is Eyvindahver. The nature of this place creates a feeling of space travel.
Deildatunguhver - the most powerful geothermal source in Europe. There are two unique waterfalls: Hraunfoss and Barnarfoss. Here is one of the forested areas of Iceland, Husafell.
The largest center in the region Isafjordur, fishing town. It has a Fisheries Museum in the city's oldest building, built in the mid-18th century from real wood. The house has three floors and an observation tower. On the ground floor, gear and equipment for processing fish and suits for fishermen are demonstrated. And you can watch films. On the second floor there is diving equipment, on the third there are ship models. Museum exhibits include boats moored nearby, among them the oldest motorboat in Iceland (1906).
Northwestern Iceland is famous for its horse farms. The breed of Icelandic horses has been preserved pure, without admixture of other blood, and has an official name "Viking horses" and you can ride them here.
In eastern Iceland There are much fewer inhabitants than in the north. Large cities - on the coast, where there are many fjords - Neskaupstadur and the city Igilstadir- within the region, the administrative center is located in the upper reaches of the river-lake Lagarfljöt.
The main attraction is Aulvaborg rock , where, according to Icelandic tales, the king and queen of the elves live. According to legend, a monster lives on Lake Logurinn.
There is also an extinct volcano called Snaefell, 1833 meters high. You can walk along it, but with a guide. And there is also a real forest growing here (in other parts of the country there are dwarf groves of dwarf birches). And here are planted larches. In the interior of the island you can visit Hengifoss waterfall 120 meters high.
Landscape South Iceland very diverse - valleys, mountains... From the mountain peaks there are wonderful views, glaciers, rivers, including Thjorsa, the longest river in Iceland , thermal lakes, hot springs and fields of “colored earth” near the town of Hveragerdi.
You can see the mountains, including snow-capped Hekla, the country's most active volcano and towering, covered with a layer of ice Eyjafjallajökull volcano. The amazing Seljalandfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls fall from high cliffs, the Reynisdrangur rocks, the large rocky cape with the steep cliffs of Dyrholaey, against which huge waves crash, offering views of the beautiful the village of Vik, which is located next to the southernmost cape of Iceland.
20 kilometers from Mount Hekla is the Landmannalaugar region, which translates as Land of mountains and springs , which is located at an altitude of 6000 meters above sea level, there are many geothermal springs.
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon (Jokulsarlon lagoon) is one of the places in Iceland where icebergs can be seen up close.
They also visit the aquarium, the museum of natural sciences, which displays rock samples, the museum of folk art - all this on the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar), 12 km from the coast, which are called the Scandinavian Pompeii, where volcanic eruptions occurred in 1963 and 1973.
And if the New Year in Scandinavia still didn’t seem so attractive to you to pay visits to the Scandinavian Santa Clauses and at the same time see the sights of Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland, if you want to use the holidays to combine celebrations and interesting excursions with warmth and sunshine , you can go to warmer regions. And we will tell you about this too.
Source of illustrations: vokrugsveta.ru, as well as sites mentioned in the text.
