The Viking Rus’ and the Slave Trade: Trade Routes from Scandinavia to the Silk Road

The Rus’ and Viking Trade Networks In the early Middle Ages, the Viking Rus’ emerged as a formidable power, controlling vast trade routes stretching from Scandinavia as far as the Caspian Sea – a journey of nearly 3,000 miles. Several commodities were shipped south, but the most profitable trade goods were slaves, captured and transported […]

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 […]

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.

Vikings go East

In the early days, Norse traders and raiders came predominately from eastern Scandinavia, Sweden to be exact, using its location and eastern seashore as a stepping stone into Russia. From the islands and waterways heading east, crossing the Baltic Sea, sailing into the Gulf of Finland and there entering the waterways of Russia.

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.

Questions about Sweden for senior travellers

Questions About Sweden for senior travellers Odyssey Traveller specialises in crafting unforgettable experiences for senior and mature-aged travellers interested in learning whether travelling as a couple or as a 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 Sweden that travellers are likely to […]

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.

Northern Lights

The science of the Northern Lights Although many are more familiar with the Northern Lights, the natural phenomenon is not exclusive to the Northern Hemisphere. The polar lights are caused by solar activity. When there is a solar storm called coronal mass ejection happening, electrified gas particles travel through space at high speed and reach […]

Photographing the Northern Lights: The Definitive Guide

Photographing the Northern Lights. How to Capture the Beauty of the Northern Lights. The Aurora Borealis, commonly called the Northern Lights, as well as the Aurora Australis, the Southern Lights, are two the world’s most majestic natural phenomena. The glowing green, blue, and pink hues that paint the night sky are an incredible sight that […]

Discovering Scandinavia: Sweden’s history and culture

Discovering Scandinavia Sweden’s history and culture. This is the second article in a three part series on Scandinavia. We learn about Sweden’s history, as well as its famous design principles. Stay tuned for part three on the wonders of Norway. Small group tours of Scandinavia On our Scandinavian tour for mature travellers (both couple and solo […]

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 […]