Viking Trade Routes: From Scandinavia to the Silk Roads

Vikings from Scandinavia to the Silk Roads While much is talked about Viking activity westwards into the North Atlantic, their journeys eastwards are just as – if not more – varied and intricate. From Scandinavia, they travelled across the Baltic Sea, then down a network of rivers through Central and Eastern Europe to reach the […]

Viking Trade: The Merchants Who Connected the Medieval World

Trade in the Viking Age Although the Vikings today have a reputation for being violent raiders and conquerors, they were also peaceful traders in their time. Many individuals combined activities, even switching in the course of their voyages, trading or raiding depending on the circumstance. Their advances in shipbuilding, so important in their success in […]

Creating the Faroe Islands

History of the Faroe Islands The Faroe Islands, also referred to as the Faroes or Faeroes, is a self-governing region of the Kingdom of Denmark, a pristine archipelago of 18 volcanic islands sitting in the North Atlantic ocean between Iceland and Norway. The total land area on the islands is smaller than London, and with […]

Hanseatic League

The Hanseatic League, or German Hansa, was a medieval trading confederation of merchant guilds and market towns along the shore of the Baltic and North Sea, and across great swathes of the north German hinterland.

Sami People of the Arctic

The Sámi people are the only indigenous people of the European Union and are one of the oldest living cultures of our planet.

Viking History of Greenland

One of the most daunting and hazardous sea voyages in Viking history during the Middle Ages (and the Viking Age) was heading west to Greenland crossing the Atlantic Ocean in their longship(s). The sailing conditions were dangerous due to harsh winds, high tides with tumbling walls of water, frost and snow and the impassable layer of the Greenland ice sheet that dominates the east Greenland coastline up in the Arctic circle.

Vikings-explorers, raiders, traders

In the beginning of the 9th century when the Viking era was in full swing, a Viking raid was an uncoordinated and unplanned attack that would usually end in the Norse being paid to return to their homeland.

The Vikings

In the early medieval period, a group of seaborne Scandinavian raiders known as the Vikings left their mark on history as brutal warriors, smart traders, and adventurous explorers.

Sami culture within the Vikings

Our long-standing fascination with the Viking age paired with a slightly apprehensive curiosity for the Viking’s spirit of courage and adventurous minds, and intriguing wildness associated with their conquests, have always been connected to their Scandinavian heritage of Northern Europe

The Arctic Circle

The Arctic Circle is the most northernly major circle of latitude, at approximately 66°30′ N. It marks the area within which, for one or more days each year, the Sun does not set (June 21) or rise (December 21), and the length of continuous day or night increases northward.

The Little Mermaid, Copenhagen

The most photographed attraction of Copenhagen is not a royal palace or the world-famous amusement park Tivoli Gardens, but a statue of a mythical figure many may associate with a Disney film: the Little Mermaid. A bronze statue of the princess-cum-fish can be found sitting on a rock at the end of Langelinie Pier on Copenhagen’s harbour and draws countless visitors every year. The famous statue weights 175 kg and truly is little, at only 1.25 metres tall. Over 100 years old, it is an unofficial mascot of the city and remains standing despite numerous vandalism attempts over the decades.

Tivoli Gardens, Denmark

Tivoli, also known as Tivoli Gardens, is an opulent amusement park and pleasure garden in downtown Copenhagen. Opened in 1843, it is the second-oldest amusement park in the world and the most visited in Scandinavia.

Egeskov Castle, Denmark

Egeskov Castle, on the island of Funen, is the best preserved Renaissance water castle in Europe and the oldest moat castle in Europe.

Amalienborg Palace, Denmark

In Copenhagen, one will find Amalienborg, the home of the Danish royal family. Consisting of four identical 18th-century palaces with rococo interiors around an octagonal courtyard, Amalienborg has been home to Danish royals since 1784 and continues to be the queen’s winter residence.

Discovering Scandinavia & Viking Denmark for Tourists

Discovering Scandinavia Discovering Scandinavia. In this article, we will learn about Denmark with a focus on Viking history, and uncover highlights of Copenhagen. Click here to read our article focusing on Sweden. Small group tours Scandinavia Itinerary This is written as a backgrounder of our Scandinavia tours for mature-aged and senior travellers, where we uncover […]

Questions About Denmark for senior travellers

Questions about Denmark for senior travellers. Odyssey Traveller specialises in crafting unforgettable experiences for senior and  mature-aged travellers interested in learning whether as a couple or solo traveller. Providing adventure and educational programs to escorted small group tours since 1983. Odyssey has built up a reasonable knowledge bank to answer questions about Denmark that travellers are […]

The Viking’s Woollen Sails

Vikings and Their Use of Wool for Sails This educational article aims to help senior travellers immerse in the world of vikings before they take part in a memorable travel experience across Scandinavia. It helps appreciate viking men and women’s amazing craftsmanship which helped them conquer or at least reach parts of Western and Southern […]

Exploring the Faroe Islands: The Definitive Guide for Travellers

The Faroe Islands, far far away Tjornuvik village, Faroe Islands The Faroe Islands (also called the Faroes or Faeroes) is a self-governing region of the Kingdom of Denmark, a group of 18 pristine volcanic islands sitting on the North Atlantic between Iceland and Norway. The islands have a total land area smaller than London home to […]

Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens, Europe’s Magical Theme Park

Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen’s Magical Theme Park When you think of European theme parks, what springs to mind? France’s Parc Asterix? PortAventura World in Spain? Germany’s Europa-Park? Disneyland Paris? It may not have quite the international reputation of these and other European parks, but Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens still offers a magical and unforgettable theme park experience. This beautiful park was […]

What is hygge? Denmark’s very own brand of cosiness

Have you heard of hygge (pronounced “hoo-guh”)? It’s a way of life in Denmark, and there’s been a recent buzz around the subject. It certainly contributes to Denmark being the happiest country in the world. No less than nine books about the concept of hygge came out  in 2016. The word hygge was a finalist for […]