We have a new Blog about Scandinavia and our insider's view with our custom travel and tours. Please continue to follow our blog posting on our new blog Insider's Scandinavia - Great Places to Go and Things to do!
Lithuanians are not known to have a regular sweet tooth, but when the holidays roll around, they out bake the best. It was difficult to pick one special Lithuanian dessert. Not only is there an overwhelming variety, Lithuanian culture is influenced by so many different regions that it’s hard to know what food is distinctly Lithuanian. However, whatever it is, the Lithuanians definitely know how to make it appetizing.
One that stands out in their holiday selection of cakes, cookies, and sweet rolls is the honey cake. The honey cake is simple, yet remains a classic staple to the holiday spread. Honey cakes are usually dark in color because the honey is boiled and burnt sugar is added to the batter. Sour cream or sour milk is used to make the cake spongy – which gives it that appeal of melting in your mouth. What does it taste like? Honey, of course!
For recipes and further information on Lithuanian desserts, click the following link: http://ausis.gf.vu.lt/eka/food/sweets.html
For more information about Baltic Travel, click here.
We invite you to learn more at our pages dedicated to Finland travel; Iceland tours and Iceland travel; Norway tours, Norway travel and a Norwegian coastal voyage; St. Petersburg travel and Sweden travel.
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Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Danish Dessert - A Familiar and Traditional Treat
We have a new Blog about Scandinavia and our insider's view with our custom travel and tours. Please continue to follow our blog posting on our new blog Insider's Scandinavia - Great Places to Go and Things to do!
Weinerbrød or Viennese bread are its proper names, but we best know Denmark’s after-dinner delectable or early morning treat simply as a “Danish” or the Danish pastry. No explanation needed here as this delicacy is so good to eat that it was instantly exported overseas. Now we are able to enjoy its buttery goodness and its fruit or frosting filling right from our own homes.
However, just because you’ve had a Danish pastry here, doesn’t mean you can pass one up when you’re in the mother land. After a day of visiting Tivoli, Rosenborg Castle, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek and more, be sure to sneak into a coffee shop and indulge in the best Danish you’ve ever had – and I’m not talking about the blonde in the window seat!
We invite you to learn more about Denmark Travel as well as Scandinvian travel by visiting our pages dedicated to Iceland tours and Iceland travel; Norway tours, Norway travel and a Norwegian coastal voyage (also known as Hurtigruten); St. Petersburg travel, Finland travel and Sweden travel.
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Weinerbrød or Viennese bread are its proper names, but we best know Denmark’s after-dinner delectable or early morning treat simply as a “Danish” or the Danish pastry. No explanation needed here as this delicacy is so good to eat that it was instantly exported overseas. Now we are able to enjoy its buttery goodness and its fruit or frosting filling right from our own homes.
However, just because you’ve had a Danish pastry here, doesn’t mean you can pass one up when you’re in the mother land. After a day of visiting Tivoli, Rosenborg Castle, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek and more, be sure to sneak into a coffee shop and indulge in the best Danish you’ve ever had – and I’m not talking about the blonde in the window seat!
We invite you to learn more about Denmark Travel as well as Scandinvian travel by visiting our pages dedicated to Iceland tours and Iceland travel; Norway tours, Norway travel and a Norwegian coastal voyage (also known as Hurtigruten); St. Petersburg travel, Finland travel and Sweden travel.
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Monday, July 21, 2008
Norwegian Dessert - Cloudberries, the Norske Secret Ingredient
We have a new Blog about Scandinavia and our insider's view with our custom travel and tours. Please continue to follow our blog posting on our new blog Insider's Scandinavia - Great Places to Go and Things to do!
Scandinavia is best-known for its captivating scenery, yet its delicious cuisine should not be overlooked. Since we’re all about what’s for dessert, these next few entries will introduce you to the best of the traditional dessert delicacies made famous by northern Europe.
To start us off, Norway takes the cake, once again, with its mouth-watering cloudberries and whipped cream delight. Just the name “cloudberries” makes you wonder what it would be like to taste the sky – and we can assure you – it is oh-so vivid and sweet.
Norway is home to all kinds of berries – strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc. – and they all deliver a deep flavor beyond comparison. That’s because fruit and berries mature more slowly in the cold climate of Norway’s mountains. This process creates fewer berries, but a more intense, invigorating taste. The wild-growing cloudberry has long been a Norwegian delicacy that you will find served with whipped or plain cream on most special occasions. After you experience the Akerhus Fortress and Resistance Museum or make your way out to Bgydøy, seek out a restaurant such as the famous Frognersetern and ask them to serve you up some Norwegian cloudberry dessert. You won’t be disappointed!
You can find a recipe for a Norwegian Cloudberry Dessert at the following link: http://www.recipezaar.com/171025
We invite you to learn more at our pages dedicated to Finland travel; Iceland tours and Iceland travel; Norway tours, Norway travel and a Norwegian coastal voyage; St. Petersburg travel and Sweden travel.
Scandinavia is best-known for its captivating scenery, yet its delicious cuisine should not be overlooked. Since we’re all about what’s for dessert, these next few entries will introduce you to the best of the traditional dessert delicacies made famous by northern Europe.
To start us off, Norway takes the cake, once again, with its mouth-watering cloudberries and whipped cream delight. Just the name “cloudberries” makes you wonder what it would be like to taste the sky – and we can assure you – it is oh-so vivid and sweet.
Norway is home to all kinds of berries – strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc. – and they all deliver a deep flavor beyond comparison. That’s because fruit and berries mature more slowly in the cold climate of Norway’s mountains. This process creates fewer berries, but a more intense, invigorating taste. The wild-growing cloudberry has long been a Norwegian delicacy that you will find served with whipped or plain cream on most special occasions. After you experience the Akerhus Fortress and Resistance Museum or make your way out to Bgydøy, seek out a restaurant such as the famous Frognersetern and ask them to serve you up some Norwegian cloudberry dessert. You won’t be disappointed!
You can find a recipe for a Norwegian Cloudberry Dessert at the following link: http://www.recipezaar.com/171025
We invite you to learn more at our pages dedicated to Finland travel; Iceland tours and Iceland travel; Norway tours, Norway travel and a Norwegian coastal voyage; St. Petersburg travel and Sweden travel.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Scandinavia - What to Know Before You Go II
We have a new Blog about Scandinavia and our insider's view with our custom travel and tours. Please continue to follow our blog posting on our new blog Insider's Scandinavia - Great Places to Go and Things to do!
Although vacations are meant to be a refreshing hiatus from our hectic jobs and fast-paced life, we have to be careful not to check out too soon. There is a lot of preparation that goes into making your trip comfortable and care-free. Continuing with last week’s topic, here are a few more suggestions to ensure all the pieces fall into place.
· Apply for any necessary visas well in advance. At this time, Scandinavia and the Baltics do not require visas for U.S. citizens looking to travel. However, Russia does require a visa and it is important to apply early. We will supply you with the appropriate documentation for this process. We do not process applications directly, but we recommend you to reputable organizations that offer this service. Additionally, we have a person on staff that is able to answer your questions when filling out your visa forms.
· Notify your credit card company when and where you will be traveling abroad. A lot of credit cards have security precautions in place to freeze accounts when a card is being used frequently in a suspicious location. It is always wise to contact your credit card company in advance and let them know of your travels for this reason. It is also advisable to keep copies of your credit card numbers on you in case you happen to lose your card.
· We recommend pulling out foreign currency when you reach the airport or using the ATM. Unless you have an attractive credit card rates or a really friendly bank, the best exchange rate you are going to get is from the airport or using the ATM. It often varies on what credit card company you have or what bank you use, so it is useful to do some research before you travel. Also, if you know the dollar is dropping, it may be better to make your exchange in advance.
· Always double check your flight time 24 hours prior to departure. The times we list on your flight itinerary are last updated when we sent out your documents two weeks prior to departure. Flight times may change in the interim so it is always best to log onto the SAS or Icelandair website and double check your flights.
· When traveling by air, especially transatlantic, we highly recommend giving yourself ample amount of time at the airport. Arriving at least three hours ahead of your departure is a good start. Be patient at the airport and understand that the airlines are under a lot of stress. If something does change with your flight, the best course of action is to go to the nearest airport counter for your carrier and they will be able to assist you.
We invite you to learn more at our pages dedicated to Finland travel; Iceland tours and Iceland travel; Norway tours, Norway travel and a Norwegian coastal voyage; St. Petersburg travel and Sweden travel.
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Although vacations are meant to be a refreshing hiatus from our hectic jobs and fast-paced life, we have to be careful not to check out too soon. There is a lot of preparation that goes into making your trip comfortable and care-free. Continuing with last week’s topic, here are a few more suggestions to ensure all the pieces fall into place.
· Apply for any necessary visas well in advance. At this time, Scandinavia and the Baltics do not require visas for U.S. citizens looking to travel. However, Russia does require a visa and it is important to apply early. We will supply you with the appropriate documentation for this process. We do not process applications directly, but we recommend you to reputable organizations that offer this service. Additionally, we have a person on staff that is able to answer your questions when filling out your visa forms.
· Notify your credit card company when and where you will be traveling abroad. A lot of credit cards have security precautions in place to freeze accounts when a card is being used frequently in a suspicious location. It is always wise to contact your credit card company in advance and let them know of your travels for this reason. It is also advisable to keep copies of your credit card numbers on you in case you happen to lose your card.
· We recommend pulling out foreign currency when you reach the airport or using the ATM. Unless you have an attractive credit card rates or a really friendly bank, the best exchange rate you are going to get is from the airport or using the ATM. It often varies on what credit card company you have or what bank you use, so it is useful to do some research before you travel. Also, if you know the dollar is dropping, it may be better to make your exchange in advance.
· Always double check your flight time 24 hours prior to departure. The times we list on your flight itinerary are last updated when we sent out your documents two weeks prior to departure. Flight times may change in the interim so it is always best to log onto the SAS or Icelandair website and double check your flights.
· When traveling by air, especially transatlantic, we highly recommend giving yourself ample amount of time at the airport. Arriving at least three hours ahead of your departure is a good start. Be patient at the airport and understand that the airlines are under a lot of stress. If something does change with your flight, the best course of action is to go to the nearest airport counter for your carrier and they will be able to assist you.
We invite you to learn more at our pages dedicated to Finland travel; Iceland tours and Iceland travel; Norway tours, Norway travel and a Norwegian coastal voyage; St. Petersburg travel and Sweden travel.
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Monday, July 7, 2008
Scandinavia - What to Know Before You Go - Part I
We have a new Blog about Scandinavia and our insider's view with our custom travel and tours. Please continue to follow our blog posting on our new blog Insider's Scandinavia - Great Places to Go and Things to do!
With the travel season well underway, we are sending off clients every day. When they initially make their booking, we include a booklet of travel tips to help our clients prepare for their trip, but we have also found that it is nice to throw in a few friendly reminders as their departure date approaches. The following is a list of some important suggestions for traveling abroad.
With the travel season well underway, we are sending off clients every day. When they initially make their booking, we include a booklet of travel tips to help our clients prepare for their trip, but we have also found that it is nice to throw in a few friendly reminders as their departure date approaches. The following is a list of some important suggestions for traveling abroad.
- Prior to departure, make copies of your passport, itinerary, and hotel list to leave with a family member or friend. Keep a copy of your passport with you as well. If you lose your passport while abroad, it is very difficult to obtain a new one unless you have the proper documentation.
- Pack lightly. Especially with airlines now imposing luggage fees, it is important that you pack conservatively. Scandinavian Airlines has a 44 lbs. maximum weight requirement, much less than the U.S. standard. Additionally, when you travel independently, you may have to transfer your luggage from express boats, rail stations, airports, etc. and the lighter your luggage is, the less work for you. Don’t forget to leave space for souvenirs!
- Pack in layers. The climate in Scandinavia varies by location, especially in places with drastic landscapes such as in Norway and Iceland. You might be spending one day in the mountains and the next day in the valley or along the breezy southern coast. Some days could be sunny and others could be windy with a chill. Because of this, we always advise our clients to bring layers in order to accommodate the changing weather.
- Please do look over your documents at least two weeks before you are leaving. Although we take great pains to ensure every aspect of your trip is planned to perfection, we admit to being human, and that we have made mistakes. They are always minor and when caught in advance, easy to amend. Furthermore, we want to ensure that you understand all of your documents and are comfortable with your final itinerary. Travel is an ambitious endeavor, but we want you to know that you are in good hands. We love questions, from the seemingly silly to the somewhat complex. Each time a question is asked, it is an opportunity for us to fine-tune our expertise and presentation.
- Make all special requests in advance. As standard procedure, we book all of our clients in non-smoking rooms unless requested otherwise. Additionally, we tend to book upgraded rooms instead of standard. This is because room size in Scandinavia is significantly smaller than what we are used to in the U.S. If you have any dietary needs, room requirements, or health concerns, please let us know ahead of time so that we can accommodate you at the time of booking hotels.
We invite you to learn more at our pages dedicated to Finland travel; Iceland tours and Iceland travel; Norway tours, Norway travel and a Norwegian coastal voyage; St. Petersburg travel and Sweden travel.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Group Tours Still Going Strong
We have a new Blog about Scandinavia and our insider's view with our custom travel and tours. Please continue to follow our blog posting on our new blog Insider's Scandinavia - Great Places to Go and Things to do!
With all this talk of FIT, we want to make sure that group tours are not overlooked. Group tours continue to be an excellent and long-standing opportunity for foreign travel. Where the FIT appeals to the more industrious, independent traveler, group travel caters to clients who love the camaraderie of a group and the extra special care of a tour guide who is with you every step of the way.
Group travel is ideal for our clients who want to see the best of Scandinavia with the insight of a local guide and the ease of private transportation. Our escorted tours range from 4 days/3 nights to 21 days/20 nights and everything in between. Some of them cover all of Scandinavia, such as our Grand Scandinavian Capitals Journey, while others strive to dig deep into the rich history and culture of one country, such our Fjords & Countryside tour that introduces you to the grandeur of Norway’s finest fjords. For all tours, we pre-select outstanding accommodations in the capital cities as well as scenic countryside locations. We give you the flexibility to take some nights out on the town in addition to the delicious smorgasbords offered at the hotel.
The most attractive aspect of group travel is the bond created by the experience. Group tours give you the opportunity to meet people from around the world while experiencing the allure of Scandinavia. New walks of life are met and new memories are made. Your tour guide almost instantly becomes everybody’s best friend. Not only does he or she seek to surprise and delight you every day, they work to solve any logistical problem that may arise in your travels. Thus, although the FIT receives the cake these days in terms of travel, group tours definitely earn their rightful place.
Our most popular tours continue to be Discover Fjords and Countryside in Norway, Face to Face with Finland, St. Petersburg by Rail in Russia, Trace the Viking Path in Denmark, Glaciers, Geysirs, and Waterfalls in Iceland, and the True Colors of the Baltics. Additionally, our tours that encompass all of Scandinavia prove to be a success year after year for our clients who are looking to get the full picture of this mesmerizing corner of the world. Now that you fully realize the benefits of FIT and group travel, it may be hard to decide which is right for you. Don’t worry – you don’t have to. The Nordic Company also specializes in combining group tours with independent portions upon request. If you want to join a group tour, then head off into the sun on your own for a few days, we’re happy to accommodate. No matter your travel style, The Nordic Company is capable of crafting the itinerary for YOU.
We invite you to learn more at our pages dedicated to Finland travel; Iceland tours and Iceland travel; Norway tours, Norway travel and a Norwegian coastal voyage; St. Petersburg travel and Sweden travel.
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With all this talk of FIT, we want to make sure that group tours are not overlooked. Group tours continue to be an excellent and long-standing opportunity for foreign travel. Where the FIT appeals to the more industrious, independent traveler, group travel caters to clients who love the camaraderie of a group and the extra special care of a tour guide who is with you every step of the way.
Group travel is ideal for our clients who want to see the best of Scandinavia with the insight of a local guide and the ease of private transportation. Our escorted tours range from 4 days/3 nights to 21 days/20 nights and everything in between. Some of them cover all of Scandinavia, such as our Grand Scandinavian Capitals Journey, while others strive to dig deep into the rich history and culture of one country, such our Fjords & Countryside tour that introduces you to the grandeur of Norway’s finest fjords. For all tours, we pre-select outstanding accommodations in the capital cities as well as scenic countryside locations. We give you the flexibility to take some nights out on the town in addition to the delicious smorgasbords offered at the hotel.
The most attractive aspect of group travel is the bond created by the experience. Group tours give you the opportunity to meet people from around the world while experiencing the allure of Scandinavia. New walks of life are met and new memories are made. Your tour guide almost instantly becomes everybody’s best friend. Not only does he or she seek to surprise and delight you every day, they work to solve any logistical problem that may arise in your travels. Thus, although the FIT receives the cake these days in terms of travel, group tours definitely earn their rightful place.
Our most popular tours continue to be Discover Fjords and Countryside in Norway, Face to Face with Finland, St. Petersburg by Rail in Russia, Trace the Viking Path in Denmark, Glaciers, Geysirs, and Waterfalls in Iceland, and the True Colors of the Baltics. Additionally, our tours that encompass all of Scandinavia prove to be a success year after year for our clients who are looking to get the full picture of this mesmerizing corner of the world. Now that you fully realize the benefits of FIT and group travel, it may be hard to decide which is right for you. Don’t worry – you don’t have to. The Nordic Company also specializes in combining group tours with independent portions upon request. If you want to join a group tour, then head off into the sun on your own for a few days, we’re happy to accommodate. No matter your travel style, The Nordic Company is capable of crafting the itinerary for YOU.
We invite you to learn more at our pages dedicated to Finland travel; Iceland tours and Iceland travel; Norway tours, Norway travel and a Norwegian coastal voyage; St. Petersburg travel and Sweden travel.
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Monday, June 23, 2008
FIT – What is it and is it for me?
We have a new Blog about Scandinavia and our insider's view with our custom travel and tours. Please continue to follow our blog posting on our new blog Insider's Scandinavia - Great Places to Go and Things to do!
During the thirteen years The Nordic Company has been in business, the travel industry has always readjusted and revolutionized itself many times. We have worked hard to maintain our cutting edge with each one of its new facets. Perhaps the most predominant paradigm shift is in the dawn of the FIT. The FIT stands for foreign independent travel and implies a customized, individual itinerary that will cater to your specific needs. The Nordic Company has grabbed hold of this vastly popular style of travel as soon as its versatility came into demand and we are proud to say that 80% of our business is now driven by FIT clientele.
With the introduction of globalization and the internet, the world is getting smaller. Our knowledge of other destination possibilities is constantly expanding and this is exciting news for the world of travel. People now have a better idea of where they want to go and what they want to see. Our expertise is then called upon to fill in the blanks in terms of transportation, accommodation, and affordable pricing, as well as extensive local knowledge that we have to offer. Clients often come to us with a general itinerary in mind. We are then able to expand upon this framework to turn it into something that has all the bells and whistles of a group tour, but with a more intimate, individual appeal.
There are many benefits to having us design your FIT itinerary. FITs offer you the flexibility of travel dates, instead of having to go with pre-set tour dates. FITs allow you to see everything you want to see. If you don’t have enough time in one area, you can always go back. FITs allow you to vary your style of travel. Where group tours tend to be characterized by bus and standard level accommodation, FITs let you choose the comfort of your hotel each night and whether you want to travel by boat, bus, train, or all three! Perhaps most attractive to our clients, FITs give you room to move on price. Where group tour prices are determined at the beginning of our fiscal year, FITs are based on the individual itinerary. We work in rearranging your accommodation, transportation, and sightseeing excursions until we find an itinerary and a price that works for you.
So when you’re finally gearing up to go to Scandinavia, remember that your options are indeed unlimited. You don’t need to arrange your vacation time to fall on specific departure dates. You don’t have to compromise one city in order to see another. You don’t even have to worry about missing your flight and not making the tour! If you call The Nordic Company, we’ll make sure you do it all, on your own time, at your own pace, and with all the extras you need.
We invite you to learn more at our pages dedicated to Finland travel; Iceland tours and Iceland travel; Norway tours, Norway travel and a Norwegian coastal voyage; St. Petersburg travel and Sweden travel.
Sitemap
During the thirteen years The Nordic Company has been in business, the travel industry has always readjusted and revolutionized itself many times. We have worked hard to maintain our cutting edge with each one of its new facets. Perhaps the most predominant paradigm shift is in the dawn of the FIT. The FIT stands for foreign independent travel and implies a customized, individual itinerary that will cater to your specific needs. The Nordic Company has grabbed hold of this vastly popular style of travel as soon as its versatility came into demand and we are proud to say that 80% of our business is now driven by FIT clientele.
With the introduction of globalization and the internet, the world is getting smaller. Our knowledge of other destination possibilities is constantly expanding and this is exciting news for the world of travel. People now have a better idea of where they want to go and what they want to see. Our expertise is then called upon to fill in the blanks in terms of transportation, accommodation, and affordable pricing, as well as extensive local knowledge that we have to offer. Clients often come to us with a general itinerary in mind. We are then able to expand upon this framework to turn it into something that has all the bells and whistles of a group tour, but with a more intimate, individual appeal.
There are many benefits to having us design your FIT itinerary. FITs offer you the flexibility of travel dates, instead of having to go with pre-set tour dates. FITs allow you to see everything you want to see. If you don’t have enough time in one area, you can always go back. FITs allow you to vary your style of travel. Where group tours tend to be characterized by bus and standard level accommodation, FITs let you choose the comfort of your hotel each night and whether you want to travel by boat, bus, train, or all three! Perhaps most attractive to our clients, FITs give you room to move on price. Where group tour prices are determined at the beginning of our fiscal year, FITs are based on the individual itinerary. We work in rearranging your accommodation, transportation, and sightseeing excursions until we find an itinerary and a price that works for you.
So when you’re finally gearing up to go to Scandinavia, remember that your options are indeed unlimited. You don’t need to arrange your vacation time to fall on specific departure dates. You don’t have to compromise one city in order to see another. You don’t even have to worry about missing your flight and not making the tour! If you call The Nordic Company, we’ll make sure you do it all, on your own time, at your own pace, and with all the extras you need.
We invite you to learn more at our pages dedicated to Finland travel; Iceland tours and Iceland travel; Norway tours, Norway travel and a Norwegian coastal voyage; St. Petersburg travel and Sweden travel.
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