Odense is Denmark's third-largest city, Hans Christian Andersen's birthplace and the gateway to Funen. Here is what to see, eat and plan, plus the best day trips.
From "egg" and "window" to "they" and "ombudsman", English is full of words borrowed from Old Norse and the Scandinavian languages. Here is where they came from and why they stuck.
Is Finland part of Scandinavia? Is Iceland? Here is the clear answer: the difference between Scandinavia and the Nordic countries, with the history, language and politics behind it.
Norway's Hurtigruten coastal express sails 34 ports from Bergen to Kirkenes. Here is its history, the route, when to go for midnight sun or Northern Lights, and practical tips.
Finnish Lapland is a land of reindeer, husky sleds, glass igloos and the northern lights. Here is when to go, what to do, what to eat and how to plan your trip north of the Arctic Circle.
Iceland has thirteen Yule Lads, a child-eating ogress named Grýla and a giant Yule Cat. Meet the Jólasveinar, their names, their nightly visits from 12 December and the folklore behind them.
Rugbrød is Denmark's dense, sour, nearly black rye bread: the base of smørrebrød and the heart of the Danish packed lunch. Here is its history, how it is made and the right way to eat it.
Norway's stave churches are 800-year-old wooden cathedrals with dragon heads and Viking-age carving. Learn how they were built, why only 28 survive, and which ones to visit.
The Viking longship was a feat of woodworking: split oak, flexible hulls and a shallow keel that let raiders, traders and explorers cross oceans and sail up rivers. Here is how the Oseberg, Gokstad and Skuldelev ships were built, and where to see them.
Every 13 December, Sweden lights candles against the dark. Here is the real history of Lucia, the Lussi Night folklore behind it, and the saffron buns called lussekatter.
Edvard Munch painted one of the most recognisable images in the world, but the man behind The Scream was far more than one picture. Here is his story, the thefts, and where to see his work in Oslo.
Gotland is Sweden's largest island, home to the UNESCO-listed medieval town of Visby, the raukar sea stacks of Fårö and some of the sunniest weather in the country. Here is how to plan a trip.
