Bon Voyage

Taste of Stockholm

2012-03-04T19:19:00.001+05:30

During the last two decades Stockholm has seen an ever increasing number of new high standard eating places. Today Stockholm can offer an impressive amount of high quality restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars. In addition to the well established restaurants that serve traditional Swedish dishes, a variety of ethnic restaurants have sprung up during the last two decades. Fish has a prominent place in the modern Swedish cuisine, do not leave town without tasting it. Not only is Stockholm a beautiful city to look at, it is also clean, really organized, funky and stylish. The people are gorgeous and really know how to enjoy life. With its great food markets, fairs, shops, restaurants and waterfront you'll never be short of things to do there. The city is made up of fourteen main islands, so there are bridges and waterways everywhere, which is why it is often called 'the Venice of the North'. The old town, Gamla Stan, is one of the most beautiful medieval cities around.

Although modern day Swedish cuisine is in large parts highly internationalized, many "typical" Swedish attributes, traditions and dishes remain, some of which are many hundreds of years old, others perhaps a century or less. Anyway, authentic Swedish food is not so common nowadays. Internationally, the most renowned Swedish meal is Köttbullar, Swedish meatballs generally made from a combination of pork and beef. They are usually served with mashed potato and a sweet jam. Wine, liquor and beer prices are high in Sweden because of heavy taxation. Beside restaurants and bars, liquor and strong beer can only be purchased in state-owned shops (Systembolaget), during business hours on weekdays. Two lively areas for eating and drinking for both locals and tourists are Sodermalm and Kungsholmen island, but forget about eating cheaply in Stockholm with the exception of good-value set menus for lunch, and Chinese food or pizzas for dinner.

"Taste of Stockholm", Stockholm's major annual event, is a food lover’s dream with countless free events. During the six-day June event, Sweden visitors can participate in food-related activities and enjoy Swedish entertainment until everyone had their fill. Every year's Taste of Stockholm begins in the first week of June. Hundreds of delectable treats are on offer in the Kungstradgarden park in the center of Stockholm. Along with good eats, visitors also enjoy live music, entertainment and sports events. Many of the city’s restaurants even cook up special festival menus for this major annual event. Some of the things you must try while in Stockholm are Ulla Winbladh, Konstnärsbaren, Tranan, Rolfs kök, Tennstopet and Magnus Ladulås.

Breakfast (frukost) is a fairly big and healthy meal consisting of eggs (scrambled or hard-boiled) with Kavring bread or knäckebröd, ham, cheese, sausages and yoghurt. Most hotels have impressive breakfast buffets. Breakfast is normally included in room rate. Lunch (lunch) is usually a lighter meal. Visitors can also enjoy big buffet tables (smorgasbord) where one can sample a variety of Sweden’s culinary specialties all at once. Dinner (middag) is normally eaten sometime between 6 pm to 10 pm. However, in Stockholm, you will find that dinners are served as late as midnight at a range of establishments especially during the summertime.

Some traditional dishes

Pickled herrings are another one of the most famous traditional Swedish dishes, but in Stockholm, you will find herring prepared in a number of styles. Other classic dishes you will find in Stockholm are:
Janssons frestelse ("Jansson's temptation"), a traditional Swedish casserole made of potatoes, onion, pickled sprats and cream.
Kräftskivor (Boiled crayfish), small lobsters primarily consumed during the fishing season in August. The boil is typically flavoured with salt, sugar, ale, and large quantities of the flowers of the dill plant.
Ärtsoppa (Pea soup), basically consisting of yellow peas, a little onion and often pieces of pork. It is often served with a little mustard and followed by thin pancakes.
Gravlax, Scandinavian dish consisting of raw salmon cured in salt, sugar, and dill. It is usually served as an appetizer, sliced thinly and accompanied by hovmästarsås (also known as gravlaxsås), a dill and mustard sauce, either on bread of some kind, or with boiled potatoes. Falukorv, a traditional Swedish sausage which uses a mixture of pork and beef or veal. The meat is then smoked and salted. It can be served boiled or grilled.
Pyttipanna ("leftovers in pan"), is a hodge-potch of food similar to hash. Traditionally consisting of potatoes, onions, and sausage or ham, diced and then pan fried, it is often served with a fried egg, pickled diced beets, sour pickled gherkin, and capers.

Östermalm Food Hall

Östermalms Saluhall (also called Östermalmshallen) is a beautiful marketplace food hall, in a magnificent building from 1888. Situated right on the corner of Östermalms Torg and Nybrogatan, it is in the heart of the old Östermalm area of Stockholm. It's a permanent indoor food market that's been around for over a century and is a place that really puts a lot of value and importance on good ingredients and responsible sourcing.The market, situated inside the 3000m2 big hall, was eremoniously inaugurated in 1888 with the presence of King Oscar II. Impressively, the building was raised in only 6 months. Gorgeous food hall with counters and shelves are packed with the best of the finest. There are also numerous restaurants and cafés where you can enjoy traditional Swedish delicacies, with an emphasis on seafood and the classic Swedish fare we call ’husmanskost’. Open lunch and afternoons only. If you're new to Swedish food then it should absolutely be one of your first stops in Stockholm. A great place to people-watch. It's a brilliant way of diving into the food culture and seeing, smelling, and tasting what it's really all about.

Swedish Fast Food

You'll find korvkiosker (hot dog stands) all over the city. Try one! A Swedish specialty is a "tunnbrödrulle" which is a soft wrap bread (sort of like a tortilla) with a hot dog and mashed potatoes. It's often topped with shrimp salad. It's as weird as it sounds, but people really do eat it. And if you're there in the summer, go to Slussen subway station, get to the plaza on top and find Strömmingsvagnen for fried herring sandwiches. Not a coffee drinker? Longing for an excellent cup of tea? Go to Chaikhana or Esters The & Kaffehandel.

For the Sweet Tooth

You'll find tons of bakeries and pastry shops ("konditorier") all over the city and most of them are very good. Things you definitely want to try include cinnamon buns, Princess cake, chokladbollar, chokladbiskvier and dammsugare. A very good place to go, is Vetekatten. It's very old-fashioned and very quaint. A similar place is Sturekatten on Riddargatan 4 - also very nice. Don't forget to try Lussekatter if you're there in December, or Semlor if you're there between January-March. You'll find excellent home made ice cream at 18 smaker. Stikki Nikki is also great, and serve gelato. And when nothing else will do, there *is* always Ben & Jerry's - in several locations.

Coffee

Swedish consumption of coffee (kaffe) is among the highest in the world. Drinking coffee at home or in a café, an act called fika, is a common Swedish social ritual, used for planning activities, dating, exchanging gossip or simply spending time and money. Swedish coffee is slightly stronger than American one. Italian varieties (espresso, cappuccino, caffe latte) are available at most city cafés. One coffee will cost you around 25 SEK ($3,5/€2,8).

Alcoholic beverages

The most famous Swedish alcoholic beverage is Absolut Vodka, one of the world's most famous vodkas. There are several brands of distilled, and usually seasoned, liquor, called brännvin or akvavit. When served in a shot glass with a meal it is called snaps (not to confuse with the German "Schnapps"). It is part of custom to drink snaps at midsummers eve and at Christmas. Sweden does produce some outstanding beers, and have in the recent years seen a rise in the numbers of microbreweries. If you are looking for great local beer keep an eye out for breweries like "Slottskällans", "Nils Oscar", "Närke kulturbryggeri", "Jämtlands ångbryggeri" and "Dugges Ale- & Porterbryggeri". You may have some trouble finding them, unless you go to a bar specialized in providing uncommon beer, or one of the well stocked "Systembolag", but you will find a few of them in every major city. Despite this the most common beer is the rather plain "international lager". The beer you get in normal food shops is called folköl and has 2.8 or 3.5% alcohol. You are able to find a variety of different brands of beers in food stores, Swedish, English and even Czech beer. Sweden has a seasonal beer for Christmas, julöl. It is sweeter than normal beer and usually seasoned with Christmas spices, mostly it is of the beer type ale. All Swedish breweries make at least one type of julöl. Wine is popular, but the Swedish production is very modest.

Shopping in Stockholm

2012-03-02T15:35:00.001+05:30

Stockholm is known as a leading design centre, and design in the broadest sense – both contemporary and traditional – is an important part of the city’s exciting shopping scene. Stockholm attracts shopping-hungry visitors from all over the world. And compared to other international cities, Stockholm is reasonably priced. In the city district you’ll find the big department stores and chains, with affordable shopping, especially for the young trendy crowd. Stockholm is filled with shop after shop of dazzling merchandise -- often at dazzlingly steep prices that reflect the high esteem in which Swedish craftspeople are held. Bargain shoppers should proceed with caution. Some good buys do exist, but it takes a lot of searching. If you're a casual shopper, you may want to confine your purchases to handsome souvenirs and gifts. Swedish glass, of course, is world famous. Swedish wooden items are works of great craftsmanship, and many people like to acquire Swedish functional furniture in blond pine or birch. Other items to look for include playsuits for children, silver necklaces, reindeer gloves, stainless-steel utensils, hand-woven neckties and skirts, sweaters and mittens in Nordic patterns, Swedish clogs, and colourful handicrafts from the provinces. The most popular souvenir is the Dala horse from Dalarna. Östermalm is Stockholm’s most exclusive district, offering the finest of everything interior design, international fashion, jewellery, etc. The blocks south of Folkungagatan are packed with interesting, cool and creative shops specializing in clothing, design, jewellery, knickknacks, vintage and second-hand. Several fashion brands have their own stores in this district. There are also scores of restaurants, cafés and galleries. The atmosphere is laid-back, yet highly aware. In the warm months, Nytorget Square is a bustling social atmosphere. Typical tourist shops are in Gamla Stan, the old town in the heart of the city. If you are looking for souvenirs you’ll certainly find something in Västerlånggatan, the busiest street in Gamla Stan. Prices are high. Nevertheless, many find a cuddly elk or a straw puppet dressed in Swedish yellow and blue hard to resist.

Shopping hours - Stockholm shops are open Monday to Friday 10am to between 6pm (for large department stores) and 7pm (for smaller, boutique-style shops). Saturday shopping is possible between 10am and somewhere between 1 and 4pm. Once a week, usually on Monday or Friday, some of the larger stores are open from 9:30am to 7pm (July-Aug to 6pm).

The value-added tax in Sweden, called MOMS, is imposed on all products and services, but you can avoid MOMS if you spend a total of at least 1,200SEK ($240/£120) in each shop. Just give the store your name, address, and passport number and ask for a tax-free check. Don't unwrap your purchase until after you've left Sweden. The customs official will want to see both the tax-free check and your purchase; you'll be given a cash refund, minus a small commission, on the spot. If you're departing by plane, hold on to your luggage until after you've received your refund, and then you can pack your purchase in your bag and check it (or carry the purchase with you, if it's not too big). At the Tourist Center,Hamngatan 27 (tel. 08/508-285-08), you can pick up a pamphlet about tax-free shopping in Sweden.

Ikea

A phenomenon that has changed the entire world's view of home furnishing. Kungens Kurva in Skärholmen, south of Stockholm, is the home of the largest IKEA store in the world. IKEA is a privately held, international home products company that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture such as beds and desks, appliances and home accessories. The company is the world's largest furniture retailer.The area is also home to numerous other megastores and shopping centers with affordable shopping. Founded in 1943 by 17-year-old Ingvar Kamprad in Sweden, the company is named as an acronym comprising the initials of the founder's name (Ingvar Kamprad), the farm where he grew up (Elmtaryd), and his home parish (Agunnaryd, in Småland, South Sweden).

Södermalm

Generally, shopping in Södermalm is trendy, young and bohemian. It is an area in Stockholm that houses atypical, modern boutiques for vintage merchandise and antiques, design, fashion and interior décor. Unique and acclaimed vintage items can be found in SoFo, the area south of Folkungagatan. SoFo, coupled with Götgatan, has become an assorted scene for new and unanticipated shopping variety, as well as classic retail. These blocks south of Folkungagatan are home to shops specializing in jewellery, vintage and second-hand, clothing, design, books and magazines, music and more. Several fashion brands have their own individual stores in this district. The area has a laid-back atmosphere but in the warm months is usually an active social scene, especially Nytorget Square. A row of galleries can be found west of Slussen at Horngatspuckeln, along with art, jewellery and handicraft stores. Between Mariatorget and Zinkensdamm, further up Hornsgatan, is a group of vintage clothing stores, such as the well-known Judits Second Hand, Herr Judit and typical budget savers such as Stockholms Stadsmission and Myrorna.

Vasastan

For many young people in Stockholm, Vasastan is the district that holds the most appeal – the area is rich with cozy cafés and a range of shops that guarantee to suit all tastes. More and more designers are looking to Vasastan for potential store locations, first and foremost the Birkastan area with the most popular section for shopping being Rörstrandsgatan, where for example Swedish designer Carin Wester can be found. Expanding on Rörstrandsgatan, the boutique area encompasses the streets all the way down towards the train station Karlberg. One store of Stockholm’s infamous second-hand chain Myrorna can be found on Tomtebogatan, offering a selection of everything from clothing, shoes and accessories to books, pottery and decorations at relatively low prices. This organization is run by the Salvation Army and all of the revenue goes to charity, so if you find you’re not interested in buying anything it would be an appropriate place to do away with your unwanted clothes or knick-knacks. Next to Myrorna is People Like Us, a somewhat more expensive but well-assorted second-hand boutique where one can find vintage clothes paired with shoes and accessories from their own self-titled brand.

Kungsholmen

The island to the west of the city centre, Kungsholmen is a popular place to live. The area is quiet and not the first place to recommend for shopping, but nevertheless if you find yourself in this district and want to do some shopping there are a variety of options to choose from. International designers have set up shop in the area, for example old-photography-studio-turned-store Beneath on Kronobergsgatan, with a selection of street fashion including designs from New Zealander Karen Walker. If you’re looking for merchandise from typical Swedish designers such as Bea Szenfelt and Ulrika Sandström, Few on Fridhemsgatan offers shoes, bags, jeans and such from Swedish designers while also offering a few international brands such as LA-label Teenage Millionaire. On Hantverkargatan one can find unique, moderately sized vintage and second-hand stores that mix new, trendy pieces with classic ones for their collections. 59 Vintage Store and Katitzi, to name a few, have a range of second-hand clothing along with brands like Stylein and La Principessa. For general shopping the mall Västermalmsgallerian on St Eriksgatan has everything from mainstream clothing stores H&M, Saks, Indiska and more to shops for interior design, health and beauty, books, and electronics.

Gamla Stan

Gamla Stan, “the old town”, is the original Stockholm, with most of the buildings in the area dating back to the 18th and 19th century. The Royal Castle, the largest building in the area, is one aspect that draws many tourists to the rich display of history available there. It is because of this popularity that Gamla Stan’s shops aim to satisfy the visiting crowds; tourist shops offering souvenirs, handicrafts and such line the many cobblestone streets. It is said that Stockholm’s biggest range of restaurants, small shops, studios and museums can be found in this district, and the prices for this variety are relatively high. Despite the expensive merchandise, there are a lot of stores along for example Västerlånggatan that are worth going into. Stockholm’s old town, when it comes to shopping, has everything from unique clothing boutiques that import their own products from exclusive producers worldwide, to interior décor shops and art galleries with pieces from all over Sweden and Scandinavia. Examples of the selection on Köpmangatan, to name one of many streets in Gamla Stan, include antique stores Kreuter Konst & Antikhandel and Antiques of the Future. Also nearby is Jackson’s 20th Century Design which sells designer furniture, lamps, pottery and jewelry. For those interested in books and fantasy-themed items, Science Fiction Bokhandeln on Västerlånggatan is well-known and has a large assortment of interesting objects.

Östermalm

Östermalm, with major luxury brands clustered around Birger Jarlsgatan, Biblioteksgatan, Nybrogatan, Östermalmstorg and Stureplan, is the most exclusive district in Stockholm. Elite international labels such as Guess, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Armani and Boss are situated in the area (along Biblioteksgatan), as well as Swedish brands J Lindberg, Anna Holtblad, Northface, Peak, Filippa K and more. A popular store in the neighbourhood is American fashion brand Urban Outfitters, which is in the old Röda Kvarn movie theatre building also on Biblioteksgatan. Östermalm is recognized for its collection of high-class Scandinavian design in fashion and décor; on Kungsgatan and Birger Jarlsgatan one can find merchandise of Swedish art glass and crystal makers Kosta Boda and Orrefors. International furniture design is also something to look out for in Östermalm; those interested in interior design shouldn’t miss Svenskt Tenn on Strandvägen which features classic and contemporary Swedish furniture, plus other stores such as Malmstensbutiken, Asplund and Nordiska Galleriet. In short, with its largely exclusive goods – Östermalm’s shopping offers timeless classic design, in addition to the latest in international fashion.

Hornstullstrand Street Market

Funky Items for Counterculture Shoppers, the Hornstullstrand Street Market, often known simply as "Street", is a funky, battered market positioned at the western waterfront on the rapidly gentrifying island of Södermalm. This relative newcomer to Stockholm's punk underground scene is often compared to London's Camden Market. In cold weather, its booths are confined to the impersonal perimeter of a city-owned, cement-sided former parking garage that evokes a penitentiary. Dozens of stalls here sell costume jewellery, second-hand clothing, and budget-conscious products of struggling, up-and-coming designer wannabes. In clement weather, the venue expands into rows of outdoor booths.

Art in Sweden

2012-02-21T13:25:00.001+05:30

The art scene in Sweden has attracted increasing international attention in recent years. Some may ask whether, in today’s age of globalisation, mobility and a growing exchange of information, it is appropriate and sensible to look at art from a country-specific perspective. After all, with the avant - gardes born at the beginning of the 20th century, common ideas, themes and formal languages were developed which went beyond national horizons. Upon closer inspection, the history of art and culture reveals that individual countries have provided the impetus for artistic developments in other countries time and again. Art and culture spring from a national context, while at the same time crossing national boundaries. The different nations and cultures of Europe are a valuable source from which Europe can draw inspiration. Without a curiosity for and receptiveness to cultural diversity, this potential would remain untapped, and there would be little room for innovation or for creating common experience.

Due to its position on the map, Scandinavia was for a long time somewhat isolated from mainstream European culture. Since a vivid cultural exchange did not take place, folk art motifs and traditional handicraft have instead influenced the development of modern design. Scandinavian 20th century design has gained a good reputation and is exported to countries all over the world. A characteristic feature of the Swedish arts scene is the large number of art associations (about 1800). Most of them are formed by art-loving employees at companies or institutions. Foreign art experts often find Swedish design very functional, and no wonder, since Sweden was one of the strongholds of the Functional movement. Its breakthrough can be dated back to the Stockholm Exhibition in 1930, which was conceived by architect Gunnar Asplund and 'the ideologist' Gregor Paulsson. Asplund´s very simple but still sophisticated architecture received much attention abroad at that time. One of his creations is the District Court House in Sölvesborg, which became a source of inspiration to European and American architects. The ideas if the Functionalist movement can still be found in the profile of the IKEA company. It produces cheap furniture and household goods of a simple design, which still has a lot of charm and personal touch about it.

All around Dalarna there are numerous shops and other outlets where you can see and purchase high-quality folk art and handicrafts, including Leksands hemslöjdsförening, a large, well-stocked shop in the town of Leksam. Dalarnas museum in Falun, and of course the Nordic Museum in Stockholm, are the places to go if you are looking for an overview of historic Swedish folk art. The village of Nusnäs is the original home of the Dalacarlian horse, with several workshops open to the public where you can buy your own handpainted horse. If you are interested in the origins of contemporary Swedish design and interiors, and Nordic aesthetics in general, a visit to the marvellous Sundborn, near Falun, is an absolute must. Sundborn is the preserved home of turn-of-the-century national romantic artist Carl Larsson and his wife Karin – one of the leading pioneers in Swedish interior decorating. For contemporary design in the broadest sense, Stockholm is widely acknowledged as a leading centre in Europe, on a par with Milan, Paris and London. It’s a city where the design aficionado can spend weeks indulging in the beauty of shapes, colours and proportions. But you can also find many sites of great interest outside of the capital. These days, cities such as Uppsala, Örebro, Västerås, Falun, Eskilstuna and Gävle all offer shops, interiors and attractions if your passion is contemporary design. There are also many design and craft sites of particular interest in the countryside.

Tiled Stoves

Tiled stoves are not only decorative, but in the old days they offered a more economical way of heating a house than an open fireplace. The production of tiled stoves in Sweden was resumed in 1980 at the Gustavsberg porcelain factory. Tile stoves has a long history in Sweden. During the 1700s an energy crisis occurred in Sweden, due to the lack of wood. This was primarily due to the iron works massive use of wood fuel for their production of bar iron. Tile stoves have always been designed as a luxurious interior object in accordance with contemporary fashion. In the 1960s something weird happened, to fashion and opinion, and 10,000 or more stoves were emptied in dumps. People didn’t appreciate them anymore.

Woodcarvings

Sweden is renowned for its decorative and beautiful handy crafts, this especially evident in the wood carvings of the Sami people of Northern Sweden. Since a large part of Sweden is forested there is plenty of material for woodcarvings. In the province of Dalarna this old tradition has become a tourist industry, the most famous product of which is the gaudily painted Dalecarlian horse. The Dalarna region is Sweden’s leading centre for traditional crafts. The Dalacarlian horse is painted in the typical kurbitz technique of colourful floral ornamentation. It’s a style that graces many of the region´s characteristic folkloristic craft objects, including items of woodwork, ironwork, textiles, pottery, jewellery, and even hair art – a unique weaving technique using human hair.

Mora of Sweden

The town of Mora in Sweden has been a centre of knife making for many centuries. The naturally superior Swedish steel, combined with skilled craftsmanship, resulted in knives that became famous for their ability to hold a superior edge and sharpen easily. The smiths in Mora developed a basic functional style that became a classic, known simply as the “Mora Knife.” Until recently there were two remaining large companies in Mora, KJ Eriksson and Frosts of Mora. They have merged into "Mora of Sweden", but some stock is marked with the previous names. Mora knives place function before style. But the simplicity of functionality has a beauty of it's own. The quality and prices are great, and they're one of the best knife bargains around. They have the flat Scandinavian grind that goes cleanly to the edge, and come from the factory very sharp. This style of grind is easy to sharpen without jigs or gadgets.

Swedish Glass

The Swedish glass art form has thrived for centuries. Glass craftsmen create dazzling works of art, featuring everything from ornate modern dinnerware to exotic luxury sculptures that only the very rich can afford. Swedish glass craftsmen constantly push the envelope in terms of what the dynamic art form can accomplish. However, thanks to competition from cheaper international glassmakers, Swedish glassmakers themselves have recently been put on the defensive.In Sweden, glassmaking is a highly localized industry, which takes place in a small province commonly referred to as the Kingdom of Glass. This area is situated in the Swedish province of Smaland and spans from Kalmar to Vaxjo. Minor craft shops abound, but the major force in the Swedish glass industry is a company called Offerfors Kosta Boda.Technically, Offerfors Kosta Boda is really four different glassmakers. These designers employ dozens of artisans, and they produce some of the most enduring works of Swedish glass you can find anywhere.

Swedish Paintings

Most Swedish painters with an international reputation were active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Among the most renowned artists from this period are Anders Zorn, Carl Larsson and Bruno Liljefors. Many of their works can be found in Swedish art museums. Swedish art has always been influenced from around the world, but the influences have come from different geographical regions in different ages. Swedish art is inherently a part of Swedish culture and the cultural tradition of the Western world. The influences of Swedish art have has mostly come from continental Europe, especially Western Europe: the other Nordic countries and countries like France, Germany and Italy.

Dance and Music

Sweden shares the tradition of Nordic folk dance music with its neighbouring countries including polka, schottische, waltz, polska and mazurka. The accordion, clarinet, fiddle and nyckelharpa are among the most common Swedish folk instruments. This instrumental genre is the biggest one in Swedish traditional music. In the 1960s, Swedish youth sparked a roots revival in Swedish folk culture. Swedish music has also included more modern and pop influences. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Scandinavian death metal bands became very popular with the international heavy metal community. Swedish pop bands like ABBA, Roxette, Ace of Base, The Cardigans and Swedish singers Meja, Carola Häggkvist, September and Robyn have had international success. A number of bands with less emphasis on pop and rock music but still have international success have come out of the country in recent years. Another Swedish artist, DeDe, was so successful in Japan in the late 1990s that she inspired a collectible doll. Sweden has also historically dominated the Scandinavian music scene, with Danes and Norwegians listening to music in Swedish.

Culture in Sweden

2012-02-06T12:54:00.001+05:30

Centuries of relative ethnic, religious, and linguistic homogeneity were followed by substantial immigration during the last sixty years, creating a multicultural society in Sweden. Most citizens speak Swedish as their first language and English as their second. Swedish is a north Germanic language related to Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, and Faeroese; it has incorporated elements of German, French, English, and Finnish. The language has been nationally standardized for more than a century, but regional variations in pronunciation persist. English is a required second language in school. With a robust feminist movement, comprehensive publicly supported child care, and an unparalleled percentage of women in government, Sweden is considered a leader in gender equality. Advancement in this arena is a significant national self-stereotype, a symbol of what distinguishes Swedes from others. Families are predominantly nuclear rather than extended. While the two-parent household with children remains normative, the rate of single-parent households is high. No industrialized nation has a higher frequency of one-person households, which are particularly common among young adults in urban areas and among the elderly.

Much etiquette involves the ritual enactment of equality. Thanking occurs frequently, and it is common for the person being thanked to offer thanks in return. People seek to repay debts of gratitude and thus restore symmetrical relations. Conversation partners rarely interrupt one another. Swedes prefer to listen to others as opposed to ensuring that their own voice is heard. Politeness requires attentive listening, which is often made evident by affirmative murmurs. When people disagree, they avoid open expression of conflict. Rigorous codes of modesty prevent interpersonal competition from sabotaging collective life. All forms of boastfulness are proscribed. Academic and corporate titles are seldom used, and conspicuous consumption is condemned. One of the key characteristics of Swedish culture is that Swedes are egalitarian in nature, humble and find boasting absolutely unacceptable. These norms are beginning to erode, however, particularly among businesspeople who participate in a transnational corporate world in which self-promotion is seen as a virtue.

When speaking, Swedes speak softly and calmly. It is rare that you were witness a Swede demonstrating anger or strong emotion in public. In terms, Swedes rarely take hospitality or kindness for granted and as such, they will give often give thanks. Failing to say thank you for something is perceived negatively in Sweden. Behaviours in Sweden are strongly balanced towards ‘lagom’ or, ‘everything in moderation’. Excess, flashiness and boasting are abhorred in Sweden and individuals strive towards the middle way. As an example, work hard and play hard are not common concepts in Sweden. People work hard but not too hard, they go out and enjoy themselves, but without participating in anything extreme. Due to the strong leaning towards egalitarianism in Sweden, competition is not encouraged and children are not raised to believe that they are any more special than any other child.

The Family

The family in Sweden is extremely important and as such, the rights of children are well protected. The rights afforded to Swedish families to ensure that they are able to adequately care for their children are some of the best rights in the world. An overview of these rights is as follows:
. Either the mother or father is entitled to be absent from work until their child reaches 18 months old.
. Either parent has the right to reduce their workload by 25% until their child reaches 8 years old (and is formally ready for school).
. A parental allowance is paid for 480 days, which is intended for both parents. Sixty of these days must be used by the ‘minority’ parents. For this reason, this element of the allowance is often known as ‘Daddy’s months’.
. You have the right to up to 60 days off per year to care for a sick child.
. A number of people in Sweden however, challenge the degree to which these rights are truly positive as statistics suggest that women often fall way behind their male colleague in respect to position in pay.
. Anyone travelling to Sweden will notice the family friendly environment of most restaurants and other such establishments. Even trains have a toy and play area.

Hospitality and Dining Etiquette

Although Sweden is a largely egalitarian and relaxed environment, hospitality and eating arrangements are often a formal affair. It is more common for guests to be invited to a Swede’s home for coffee and cake as opposed to a meal, but, if you are invited for a meal then ensure that you are punctual as it is considered extremely impolite if you are rude. In the same essence, do not arrive too early. It is not an uncommon event in Sweden for guests to sit in the car until the last minute or walk around the block until the expected time of arrival has arrived. Dress smartly as to otherwise would be considered disrespectful to the hosts. Do not ask to see the rest of the house as Swedes are general very private and it is likely that the only room (other than the dining / sitting room) that they would expect you to go to would be the bathroom. When eating, keep your hands in full view, with your wrists on top of the table. The European eating etiquette should be adhered to in respect to knife in the right hand and fork in the left. Do not start eating until the hostess has started. Do not take the last helping from a plate. Finish everything on your plate as it is considered rude to leave any food uneaten. Do not offer a toast to anyone more senior to you in age. When offering a toast then lift your glass and nod at everyone present looking from those seated on your right to those seated on your left before taking a sip. You should then nod again before replacing your glass on the table. Always ask permission before smoking. It is important that you do not discuss business at the table as Swedes try to distinguish between home and work. During formal events, the guest seated on the left of the hostess typically stands to make a speech during the sweet, to thank her on behalf of the whole group. Always write or call to thank the host / hostess within a few days of attending the dinner.

Here are some general cultural norms:

1. Generally, Swedes are reserved in body language. They do not embrace or touch often in public. Maintain eye contact at all times while talking with someone. To beckon a waiter wave your hand and make eye contact.

2. Shake hands with everyone present - men, women, and children - at business and social meetings. Shake hands again when leaving. Younger people generally do not shake hands when meeting friends. Older people expect a handshake when being greeted or when leaving. If no one is available to introduce you, shake each person's hand and introduce yourself. Men should tip their hats to women and remove their hats while talking to women.

3. Knowledge about Sweden's economy, high standard of living, sports, architecture, history, etc. is appreciated. Do not praise another city or area in Sweden over the one you are presently visiting. Swedes are very proud of their own town or region. Do not criticize Swedish lifestyle, sexual habits, suicide rate, prices, etc.

4. It is essential that you are cool and controlled during negotiations and that you do not demonstrate any emotion as this will be perceived negatively. Additionally, always bear in mind that the egalitarian nature of Sweden means that decisions and consensus are made across teams. As such endearing yourself to the most senior executives and directors will be of no avail.

Sights and sounds of Stockholm

2012-02-05T17:53:00.001+05:30

Sweden, the land of forests and lakes, also boasts bustling cities where cutting edge design mixes with rich cultural heritage. The capital city Stockholm is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, largely due to the archipelago system it is built around. Captivating landscapes abound in Sweden from scenic coastlines, idyllic islands, arctic wilderness areas, vast lakes and starkly beautiful forests that cover over half the country. Stockholm has to be seen by water as it sparkles with the water that surrounds it. Made up of fourteen islands ‘the water city’, as it has been nicknamed, is the capital of Sweden and the Nordic region’s largest city. Here grand historic buildings and culture dating back to the 13th century intermingle with some of the best contemporary art and design in the world. Stockholm’s extensive public transport system makes it easy to get around and discover hidden corners of one of the world’s most beautiful cities. City Sightseeing has bus tours guided in several different languages. The buses take you from the centre of the city and around the different parts of Stockholm passing all interesting sights. If you prefer to step off at the sights we recommend our Open Top busses and the Hop-on Hop-off tour that can also be combined with the Hop-on Hop-off boat. If you want to go further out in the archipelago the Cinderella boats depart from Strandvägen heading far out to small isles. Also recommended is the purchasing of the Stockholm Card which provides free entrance to 75 sightseeing spots, free use of city sightseeing buses, undergrounds, bus and suburb trains. The Stockholm card is sold in most tourist information centers and hotels. There are many ways to see Stockholm apart from the ones mentioned above. There are biking tours, kayaking tour of the archipelago, sunset wildlife safari tour, royal tour, historical tour, Viking history day trips, royal canal tour and so on and so forth. You can take your pick as per your liking and convenience. You can also do a round of sightseeing in just a day if you are short on time.

Gamla Stan

The old town centre and the most popular of all Stockholm sights. On this island Stockholm began – and never changed, at least not here. Medieval streets and buildings create an atmosphere where time stood still. Almost fairy-tale like at night. Most sightseeing trips start here. It is now very touristy. But for centuries this island was the main political, cultural, commercial and working centre of the city. At the north eastern end of the island the king had his residence in Tre Kronor castle which was replaced by Kungliga Slottet. Next to the royal palace you’ll find Storkyrkan, the Great Church where the monarchs were crowned. The building is in use since the 14th Century, but was altered several times since. Around the corner of Storkyrkan lies Stortorget, the main square. Stortorget with its colourful houses attracts tourists like a magnet. But also businessmen used to come here: the building of the Swedish stock exchange, now home to the Nobel Museum, was located here.

Kungliga Slottet

Located at the north eastern end of Gamla Stan, this square royal castle was finished in 1754. It has no less than 608 rooms. Magnificent interior with all luxury you’d expect from a king, although he uses the castle only for official meetings. From its slope at the eastern waterside the huge, light brown building almost radiates power and self-confidence. The interior is in Baroque and Rococo style. Artists from all over Europe decorated most of the 608 rooms. One of the most famous objects is Queen Kristina’s silver throne in the Hall of State. In the Treasury you will see jewels, sceptres and crowns. Costumes, carriages and weapons are shown in the Armoury. The Museum of Antiquities displays sculptures and other treasures collected by Gustav III.

Skansen

The world’s first open air museum, and still the most beautiful. Houses, farms and cottages from all over Sweden were rebuilt in this park-like area on the Djurgården island. The highest point in Stockholm is found here and marked by the red brick tower Bredablick. From its 30 meters high platform you can overlook the whole park. Includes a zoo with Nordic animals. The zoological garden displays Nordic animals like reindeers, elks, brown bears, wolverines and seals. Most of these animals do not stay in cages, but in an area that resembles their natural environment. It’s a paradise for flora lovers. There are numerous gardens and flower beds. You will find bare rocks and wild vegetation, all in the centre of a capital. This is truly ‘Sweden in miniature’. Throughout the year there are special events like concert, plays, markets and folk dancing, providing extra entertainment for all visitors, including those less interested in history. For example on Walpurgis Night.

Archipelago

The biggest of all Stockholm sights: thousands and thousands of small and medium-sized green, rocky or sandy islands. The archipelago stretches out from the city centre to (almost) Finland. You haven’t seen Stockholm without a boat trip through the archipelago. Over 24,000 islands and rocks create a majestic scenery that connects the Swedish capital with the Baltic Sea. You can go there for a day trip, for a weekend, for a whole vacation: the choice is yours. The Stockholm archipelago was created at the end of the Ice Age. It stayed intact ever since. Only few people have their homes there. Most of these live in the gentle fisher town of Vaxholm, one of the pearls of the archipelago. But many Stockholmers spend their holidays on one the numerous islands, staying in cottages of all sizes. From plain wooden sheds to palace-like buildings: there are houses for every one.

Stadshuset (city hall)

One of Stockholm’s landmarks, on the eastern point of the Kungsholmen island. The stately bell tower of the Stockholm city hall has become one of the city’s symbols. Bell tower and garden of this architectural masterpiece offer great views on other parts of the capital. The Stockholm city hall is one of the capital’s major landmarks and national symbols of Sweden. The town hall looks a bit like a dark-brown church. But, as you will know, first impressions are sometimes deceptive. Once you see the inside or pictures of it, you will understand why it is one of the most photographed buildings of Stockholm. Elegant, dignified and serious. That’s how the town hall looks. Daily tours last from 10.00 till 12.00, during summer there are also tours at 11.00, 14.00 and 15.00. The tower is open daily from May to September and also Saturdays and Sundays in April, from 10.00-16.30.

Vasa Museum

The Vasa Museum was built around a warship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628. It stayed in the mud for over 330 years. Then it was raised, restored and presented in its own home. You cannot only see the ship in all its glory, but also thousands of objects that were found inside. The Vasa has a total length of 69 metres and a width of 11.7 metres. The main mast measures 19 metres from keel to the top. With 64 guns on board it was built for battle. The ship was ordered by the Swedish king Gustav Adolph, who was building a Swedish empire around the Baltic Sea in the early 17th Century. On August 10, 1628 the mighty warship began its maiden trip. Only a few minutes later the ship began to heel over and sank, only 100 metres from the southern tip of Djurgården. There were 150 seamen on board of which 30-50 died. The Vasa Museum in Stockholm is open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Just outside you will find two more ships you can visit during the summer: the icebreaker Sankt Erik, built in 1915, and the lightship Finngrundet from 1903.

Östermalms Saluhall

The in-door market Östermalms Saluhall is located on Östermalmstorg at 114 39 in central Stockholm, in a fantastic building. This market is definitely worth a visit, especially for lovers of good food. Visit this market for a pleasant lunch. Stockholm’s haven for lovers of good food, anyone who really appreciated good and fresh food and the finest ingredients flocked here. In here, Chefs and restaurateurs who were purveyors to the royal household mingled with ordinary folk, standing in the same queue at their favourite stall to buy from one of the many dedicated traders. These stalls of restaurant or café in Östermalms Saluhall are a much sought after place of honour for food.

Kungsträdgården

Translated it means the garden of the king. It now belongs to the people. This intersection between garden, park and event ground is one of the main meeting points of the Swedes. Great place to sit and relax. It also hosts open-air concerts and events in summer, while offering an ice rink during winters. There is also a number of cafés, art galleries and restaurants. The park is divided into four distinct spaces (south to north): (1) Square of Charles XII; (2) Molin's Fountain; (3); Square of Charles XIII and (4) "Fountain of Wolodarski" (without an official name).

Stunning Stockholm

2012-01-15T19:03:00.001+05:30

If you ask someone who has visited Stockholm the first word they would probably use to describe it is “beautiful”, and that it is. Sweden's capital is one of the most beautiful major cities in the world, a mirage of saffron and terracotta coloured buildings shimmering between blue water and bluer skies all summer, or covered with snow and dotted with lights in winter. Perhaps more than any other city of its size. What is so special about Stockholm is its natural location, its waterways and its parks. To the north, south, east and west are lakes, sea and forest. Even the city centre is crisscrossed by vast open water and wonderful parks, forests and walking areas, filled with historical sights and attractions. It's also a vibrant, modern city, famous for producing sleek designs, edgy fashion and world-class nightclubs. Stockholm offers great shopping, quality eateries in abundance, fabulous standard hotels, an internationally renowned club and music scene and a vibrant cultural life. Where Stockholm comes into its own, however, is its sheer natural beauty. Stockholm, as a city, is over 700 years old and spreads across 14 islands as it faces proudly out to the Baltic Sea. You can get to just about all of Stockholm’s many wondrous sites on foot, which is the perfect way to see the city. You can also take a boat trip that will give you a different facet of Scandinavia’s largest and probably most beautiful city. Around 16% of greater Stockholm's 1.2 million people are immigrants, which creates a much more multicultural and diverse cityscape than many travellers might expect. Stockholmers themselves are almost uniformly polite and friendly, making travel both easy and rewarding. Swedes are helpful and speak adequate English in general. Most swedes won't approach a tourist if they think that they are lost, in respect that they might not need help. But if you ask for directions or recommendations you will most likely get it. A popular destination in the summer months, the Stockholm Archipelago begins just a few miles east of the capital, covering about 140 kilometres (90 miles) from north to south. Only 150 of the islands are inhabited but many Stockholmers have summerhouses there. The landscape varies tremendously, from the more populated, thickly wooded inner archipelago to the bare, flat rocks of the central and other islands.

Some General Information

Country : Sweden

Official Language : Swedish

Religion : Evangelical Lutheran ( a form of Christianity )

Currency : Swedish Krona ( SEK )

Time Zone : + 1 Hour GMT

Temperature : The climate for Stockholm, Sweden is one of the best kept secrets of the travel industry. Most people think that it's cold, dark and wet. Reality is different. Visit the Swedish capital in July or August and most of the time you'll enjoy sunny, warm and dry weather. Depending on source, average temperatures are: 18° C in June, 21° C in July and 20° C in August. In January and February temperature is usually below 0° C, and there is a good chance of snow between November and March. An interesting phenomenon in Sweden (and some other parts of Scandinavia) is the seasonal change in the length of day and night. In midwinter, darkness prevails. Those dark days and nights are a Scandinavian phenomenon called The Polar Nights. In midsummer, daylight takes over and there is barely any night darkness during June and July. The name for this is the Midnight Sun.

Sightseeing : Strolling through Sweden’s major city is always a joy. No Stockholm tourist should leave the opportunity of making just a walk without clear destination. It is inevitable you will find great views, beautiful buildings, nice parks or an interesting museum. The Swedish capital has many points of interests. Most Stockholm sights are easily accessible for everyone and located in beautiful areas that are landmarks in itself. Some sights not to be missed are Gamla Stan (old centre), Skansen (open air museum), Archipelago, Stadshuset (city hall), Sergels Torg (plaza), Vasa museum, Kungliga Slottet (royal palace), Kungsträdgården (garden), Södermalm (neighborhood), Drottningholm (royal palace).

Getting There

Arlanda Airport ( ARN )

There are no less than four Stockholm airports. Arlanda is the most modern of all Stockholm airports and the one where most international passengers arrive and all traditional airlines fly to. It’s Sweden’s major gateway, located 40 km north of the city, and the only of these four with connections to destinations outside Europe. The most comfortable and affordable way to reach the city center is taking the airport coach. Arlanda Airport was used by 17 million passengers in 2010, with 13 million international passengers and 4 million domestic. Since its opening Stockholm Arlanda has always managed to continue its operations during heavy snowfall and difficult weather. The airport administration claims to be world-leading at clearing snow from the runways. Arlanda has a policy to never close due to snowfall. Heavy snowfall can however cause delays. During heavy snowfall at least one runway stays open but in bad weather condition there may be delays even if flight operations continue at all times. Not just runways need to be cleared, aprons and aircraft parking areas need snow clearing as well. In the terminal areas and the shopping area "Sky City" there are restaurants, shopping facilities, bars etc. to cater to the needs for passengers and visitors to the airport. There are hotels both at the airport in connection with the terminals and in its surroundings. The hotel capacity at the airport is being increased by the new Clarion Hotel Arlanda with 400 rooms set to open in November 2012. There are also conference facilities at the airport having 49 conference rooms, 35 stores, 33 restaurants, 3 hotels, 2 banks, 1 pharmacy, 1 chapel, Exhibition hall for up to 1,000 delegates.

The other 3 airports in Stockholm are Bromma, Skavsta and Västerås. Bromma was opened in 1936 and used to be Stockholm’s main airfield. Great location in the suburbs: the bus ride to the centre is only 15 minutes long. Quick service too: you’ll get your bags shortly after landing. But there are only two international destinations, Brussels (Belgium) and Århus (Denmark). All other flights from Bromma are domestic. Skavsta is found near the town of Nyköping, 100 km south of the capital. Airport buses need 80 minutes to reach the Stockholm city terminal. The bus waits for delayed flights. The main airlines who operate to and from Skavsta are low cost companies Ryanair and Wizz Air. Västerås is a city west of Stockholm, also 75 bus minutes away from the Beauty on Water. It’s another quiet airfield used by Ryanair, with connections to the UK and Ireland.

Address: Stockholm Arlanda Airport, Swedavia, 190 45 Stockholm-Arlanda, Sweden.

Website: arlanda@swedavia.se

Phone: +46 8 797 60 00

Tourist Information

Stockholm Tourist Center, Vasagatan 14 (T T-Centralen) : Open Mon to Fri 9am to 7pm, Sat 10am to 5pm, Sun 10am to 4pm. The official tourist centre has a lot of information in English and helpful staff. They also sell tickets to museums and sightseeing tours.

Stockholm Information Service is the official name of the tourist information office. You’ll find the Stockholm Information Service in Sweden House at Hamngatan, opposite of NK department store. Sweden House opens at 9 am in summer.

Travel Tips

1. Smoking is prohibited in public buildings, public transport and even at bus stops. Restaurants are obliged to have a non-smoking zone.

2. From the frozen lands up north to the islands in Stockholm, Sweden is full of history and culture. The best time to go is in the summer when it’s actually warm or in the fall as the leaves from the trees change colour and the air is a little crisp.

3. Drink Beer. Alcohol isn’t cheap in Sweden as it is heavily taxed. However, beer is quite cheap. If you stick to beer, you can save yourself a lot of money when you go to the bars. Skip the Restaurants. Eating out in Sweden is very expensive, especially if you are going to a sit down restaurant. If you want to eat out, stick to the outside food vendors you see on the street. Avoid Clubs. Most clubs have a cover. Don’t waste your money.

4. Tap water is safe to drink. Buying water is expensive. Just buy once, then refill and use.

5. Stockholm's taxi service is efficient but overpriced. If you call a cab, ask the dispatcher to quote you a fast pris (fixed price), which is usually lower than the metered fare. Reputable cab companies are Taxi 020, Taxi Stockholm, and Taxi Kurir. Taxi Stockholm has an immediate charge of SKr 36 whether you hail a cab or order one by telephone. A trip of 10 km (6 mi) should cost about SKr 110 between 6 am and 7 pm, SKr 115 at night, and SKr 123 on weekends.

Surviving Denmark

2011-12-21T11:57:00.001+05:30

Danes in general are a very quiet and patient people. They are seldom loud and self-indulgent (except for the occasional teenager). They keep to themselves out of courtesy and consideration for others. Don´t take their reserved nature as indifference or unkindness, because it is often more due to friendliness and their respect for your privacy. In most countries, we are used to saying and hearing "How are you?" all the time. It's just a typical part of greeting, and you might not necessarily want to know the answer. However, in Denmark, "How are you?" is reserved for people you have a close relationship with, and it's only asked if you truly want to know the answer. Denmark is a country that is very proud of their culture. Respect the Danish while on your trip and keep some basic etiquette in mind. You will find that people in Denmark are very polite, so return the thoughtfulness and be polite back to them! You'll blend in much better and impress those around you. Have a wonderful trip to Denmark.

1. Do not discuss business when invited to a Danish home.

2. Never dress sloppily.

3. Don’t be late! Punctuality is important in Denmark. If you're running more than five minutes late, call to explain.

4. Don’t mistake a Dane for being Swedish or Norwegian.

5. Do not begin eating until the host toasts with 'Skol'.

6. Do not waste food, the Danes hate that.

7. Don’t give extravagant gifts. Liquor or flowers is often appreciated it. Also, a book about your hometown makes a nice gift.

8. Don’t give sharp objects as a gift.

9. Do not try to schedule meetings from mid June through mid August as many Danes are on vacation.

10. Do not assume that women are the primary childcare givers, or treat them as such. Danish men are recognized for being more actively involved in childrearing than men in many other European countries, often taking lengthy periods off work to help care for new-born children.

11. Refrain from asking a woman with children whether or not she is married. It is considered socially acceptable in Denmark for men and women to decide to start families without legalizing their partnerships.

12. Do not address a woman by her first name unless she requests it. If you do not know a woman's professional title or she does not have one, replace it with "Fru" if she is married and "Froken" if she is single.

13. Don’t be too touchy feely. It's not appreciated in Denmark.

14. Refrain from abundantly complimenting or commenting on anyone's clothing.

Danish Cuisine

2011-12-21T11:35:00.001+05:30

Danish food culture has been cultivated and improved for many generations and is mainly rooted from the old country kitchen and the cold weather conditions in Denmark. The cold and often wet climate in Denmark requires a lot of food with high nutritional values that contains many vitamins - minerals and proteins to mobilise a great potion of energy - which is a vital source - needed for work - school - sports and other form of daily activities - when living in a dynamic and modern society like Denmark that demands plenty of human recourses every day. The natural content and ingredients in Danish food culture has been built up for centuries and flavoured to match the taste of the traditional eating habits of the Danish people from region to region and up to this century. To preserve food in olden days - the items of meat - fish and fruit was either salted - smoked or brine-pickled and could be stored for a very long time. The modern Danish kitchen uses many old recipes from the non refrigeration period - and is still highly preferred and enjoyed at the dinner tables in Denmark.

Rye bread and beer has for thousands of years been a basic part of the daily food consumption and later potatoes and heavy gravy was the main supplement to fish and meat dishes. The present Danish food culture is still very traditional and conservative - and is nevertheless based on deep-rooted recipes prepared during generations and centuries - in spite of influence from foreign countries and cultures. Almost every Danish restaurant in Copenhagen serve the traditional open faced sandwich called "smørrebrød" - with many different potions of food items as cold cuts - pieces of meat or fish - various paste - salad dressings and cheese on buttered rye bread and decorated with all types of toppings that gives the creation a great visual appeal - and is surely a piece of genuine art, when presented on a well laid table with cold Danish beer and snaps. “Smørrebrød” is normally served together with the famous Danish beer and snaps.

As Denmark is the largest exporter of pork in the world - the traditional everyday dishes include plenty of delicious pork recipes with potatoes - vegetables and heavy brown sauce - often with sour or sweet supplements. The Danes are great lovers of pork and have been it for generations. Beef is the second choice - while poultry and fish are the last preferences - when selecting daily treats as well as heavy soups - especially at winter time - which is a substantial part of the Danish cuisine - together with desserts and pastry. The Danes have a very sweet tooth too. Denmark's food culture is more than just seafood (give the traditional pickled herring a try, though). There's the kolde bord (cold buffet) for lunch, Frikadeller (meatballs), Hakkebøf (chopped meat patties), Pølser (hot long sausages), and many other dishes with typical food in Denmark.

Danish Breakfast

In the morning, most adults drink coffee or tea and eat rye bread or white bread with cheese or jam. Children and young people often eat milk products with cereals such as corn flakes, muesli or oatmeal.
Unique to Denmark is junket crumble (ymerdrys), a mixture of grated rye bread and brown sugar. Øllebrød, a dish made of rye bread, sugar and non-alcoholic beer, which has been eaten for breakfast since the middle ages, is no longer common. On Sundays, many Danes eat fresh-baked breakfast rolls with cheese or jam and wienerbrød (Danish pastry), little pastries filled with custard or a mixture of butter, sugar and cinnamon, made of rich bread dough, rolled out several times in layers with butter between so that the finished pastry is flaky. In addition, fruit juice is often served and sometimes a glass of Gammel Dansk or another bitter.

Danish Lunch

While breakfast and dinner are eaten at home, most Danes eat lunch elsewhere. Generally lunch is a cold meal consisting of slices of rye bread buttered and covered with for instance various kinds of sausage, sliced boiled egg or liver paste, a baked mixture of chopped pig’s liver and lard of a spreadable consistency. Copenhagen is currently associated with top gastronomy in places such as Noma, the world’s best restaurant, Bocuse d’Or winner Rasmus Kofod’s Geranium. Koldt bord- The Danish equivalent of smörgåsbord is a multi-course affair. You start by loading up on various types of herring, other seafoods, and salads, then get a clean plate for a main course that may include cold cuts, hot sausages, meatballs, and fried potatoes. Breads and a dessert buffet round out the menu.

Danish Dinner

The evening meal is called middag, because it used to be eaten in the middle of the day. It is eaten at home and most Danes make an effort to gather the family around a hot meal every evening. Until the mid 20th century, two courses were served: a first course, for instance gruel, meat broth or sweet fruit soup, and a main course of meat or fish, always accompanied by potatoes and gravy. The American influence is obvious with dishes such as salad buffets, baked potatoes, barbecues, turkey and ready-to-serve chicken dishes. In the 1980s, the Italian cuisine gained ground with pizza, pasta and extensive use of tomatoes. In the 1990s, it was Asiatic food that became fashionable, although it was never really pervasive. Meat consumption has risen dramatically, still with pork as the most common kind of meat. The Danes eat mainly mince and cuts for pan-frying and traditional gravy and potato dishes are still very common.

'Kaffeborde'

A secondary meal which has had a special development and importance in Denmark is kaffeborde, a gathering where coffee is served with currant buns, Danish pastry, sponge cake, layer cake and biscuits. Afternoon or evening coffee was particularly important in North Schleswig at the Danish national meetings after Denmark’s defeat by Prussia in 1864, but well into the 20th century it was indispensable at political and popular meetings all over the country. Afternoon coffee still exists, albeit in a reduced format, but in large towns and among young people it has been replaced by other meals.

Drinking habits in Denmark

The Danes has a huge variety of drinks to select from as beers - snaps - milk products - wine - soft drinks and juices - but most of all they drink a lot of clean fresh water directly from the tap - which is a bonus - when living in Denmark. Fresh water from the tap is called “Postevand”.
No matter where you are in Copenhagen or Denmark there will always be fresh drinking tap water around you. As one of the few countries in the world – Denmark can offer their citizens and visitors sparkling clean drinking water directly from the tap - and as a curiosity the same Sparkling Clean and Fresh Drinking Water is used in the shower - for watering lawns - for car wash and for flushing toilets etc. As of interest - many restaurants requires between DKK 50.00,- – 100.00,- for a can or jar of cold free and fresh tap water.

Shopping in Copenhagen

2011-11-23T18:44:00.001+05:30

A showcase for world-famous Danish design and craftsmanship, Copenhagen seems to have been set up with shoppers in mind. In fact, the city name Copenhagen (København in Danish), actually means the "merchant's harbour," because it was once a major centre of trade. The spirit of those days remains with countless specialty shops in almost every corner of the city. The best buys are such luxury items as amber, crystal, porcelain, silver, and furs. Danish clothing design is now coming into fashion and is considered one of the nation's most important exports. Besides offering a great classic shopping, the Danes are famous for their range of quality designed cloths, furniture, glass-wares, ceramics and jewellery. The inner city has lots of exiting and creative handcrafters and designers with small ateliers. One of the things that make Copenhagen so attractive for shoppers is that you can do the whole thing by foot. Be sure you visit the pedestrian shopping street Strøget and Købmagergade with several small boutiques and the malls as Illum and Magasin. Other great places to shop in Copenhagen are Strædet, Kronprinsensgade, Grønnegade, Ny Østergade, Latin Quarter, Vesterbro and Nørrebro. The two longest shopping streets are Strøget and Købmagergade. Here you will find brands such as Prada, Louis Vuitton, Mulberry, Chanel, Karen Millen, Marc Jacobs, Hennes and Mauritz, Benetton, and many more. You can wander for hours and still find the shopping exciting. You find shopping malls in the heart of the city as in the outskirts of Copenhagen. In the shopping malls you find exclusive boutiques as well as chain shops represented all over Denmark. While the shops and stores offer plenty of temptation and enjoyment, the atmosphere itself is a part of Copenhagen's appeal for shoppers, from the ateliers, jewellery, souvenir, fashion, design stores to different second hand shops. Shopping hours in Copenhagen: Shops & Stores: Monday-Friday: 9.00/9.30/10.00 a.m. - to - 5.30/7.00 p.m. Saturday: 9.00 a.m. - to - 4.00/5.00 p.m. City centre in and around greater Copenhagen: Monday-Friday: 9.00 a.m. - to - 9.00 p.m. Saturday: 9.00 a.m. - to - 5.00 p.m. Small supermarkets, kiosks, bakeries etc. : Open: 10.00 a.m. - to - 4.00 p.m. Bakeries open early every day. Sunday - Shops and malls: The first Sunday in every month – shops and malls are open from 9:00 to 17:00.

Street Shopping

Strøget and Strædet

Between Raadhuspladsen and Kongens Nytorv you can walk along Copenhagen's famous pedestrian shopping street called Strøget. The pedestrian street "Strøget" is the world largest and oldest - and is just like a maze of several walking streets that runs from east to west. Strøget is therefore not a name of a specific street, but a connection between the west and east part of Copenhagen. Actually, Stroget is comprised of four streets - Frederiksberggade, Vimmelskaftet, Amagertorv and Ostergade. They are linked by three squares. Strolling down Strøget there are giant exclusive stores to curious speciality shops. Let your eyes wander the shop-window or carry on and discover the large range of different commodities on the inside. If you turn in into Strædet, that goes parallel to Strøget, and explore side streets as well, you will find many specialized stores selling clothes, jewellery, and antiques there, along with cafés and bodegas. The pedestrian street was establish in 1962 and has been a great success - especially for tourists and shoppers. Since then - many streets in the area have been changed into pedestrian streets and linked to the main walking street "Strøget". The pedestrian street system in Copenhagen is slowly expanding and since its development 1962 - many new fashion shops - restaurants - sidewalks cafés - department stores etc. - and there is always some kind of activity day or night in this part of central Copenhagen.

Downtown shopping

Vesterbrogade

From the other end of the Town Hall Square - east to west - the grand Vesterbrogade - stretches way down to the Zoo Garden at Valby - with hundreds of big and small shops in all categories - blended in as a perfect mixture that matches the vibrant city atmosphere. It will take more than a half day to walk up and down Vesterbrogade and the joined shopping streets to Valby - and back again to the Town Hall Square. This part of the city is called - Vesterbro - which is the genuine Downtown Area of Copenhagen.

Department Stores

Magasin, Illum, Fisketorvet and Field’s

The elegant department stores Magasin and Illum make you feel like you are in the luxury of London or New York. If you're looking for the latest in international fashion and design, the 25,000 sq. metre department store Illum at Østergade (Strøget) with men's and women's clothing, children's, sports, hard- and kitchen ware; and Magasin at Kongens Nytorv with five floors, offering bookshops, supermarket and a extensive range of commodities to browse through. Magasin offers a huge selection of menswear, and the women's wear section takes up three floors. The prices vary, though the best deals are to be had during sales in January and late summer. In the major shopping seasons the malls are incredibly crowded. Fisketorvet Shopping Centre is relatively new (opened in 2000) shopping mall, located near the harbour on the outskirts of the city centre. In Hellerup, not far from Strandvejen in the former Tuborg Harbour, there is Waterfront Shopping mall: 8,000 sq.metres of shopping, entertainment, fitness centres etc. Field’s is another modern mall, one of the largest in Scandinavia, if not the largest one: 115,000 sq.metres, more than 150 shops, located just a few kilometers from the city center close to the Öresund bridge. This massive modern mall has a unique mixture of ambiance, shops and brand names that can’t be found anywhere else in the country, such as Topshop which exclusively resides here. An entire floor is devoted to cafés, restaurants, entertainment and leisure. It is a great place for kids too - with its so called Capella Play area.

Flea Markets

Spring and summer (May – September/October) is the season for open air flea markets. Overlooked unique antique, bric-a-brac and just second-hand goods can be found at several bazaars that open at weekends. In the very centre of the city there is the Gammel Strand Flea Market, open during the summer season every Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. On this relatively small market one can buy high-quality antique or vintage household items, china collectibles and Danish porcelain. Every Saturday (7 a.m. - 3 p.m.) during the period between May and October, along the 300 metres long cemetery wall on Nørrebrogade blooms Nørrebro Loppemarked. Antiques, furniture and collectibles such as Royal Copenhagen porcelain are the main features here. On Israels Plads, near the Nørreport S-Train Station, there is another flea market, the oldest one in Copenhagen, full of antiques and objets d’art. At Frederiksberg City Hall flea market there are design clothes to be purchased for bargain prices. Gentofte Flea Market has both clothes and furniture. Lunden flea market is arranged at the Charlottenlund Trotting Track, so between the races, you can indulge yourself with bargain shopping. Arts and crafts market on Kongens Nytorv is organized by the artists' group Kunst i Byen. Open on Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., May through September. Indoors markets: Det Grå Marked: clothes, furniture, and electronics. Near Buddinge Station; every Sat and Sun 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Annual markets are arranged also at Copenhagen Forum and Bella Centre.

Art in Denmark

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Denmark is rich in craftsmen, who can often be visited in their galleries, potteries, glass and candle factories, weaving mills or other workshops around the country. Here you can observe the artists as they work and perhaps buy some of their art and unique specimens. In more candle factories you are able to make your own candles. At these Danish places you can see and buy everything from beautiful oil and watercolour paintings to graphics, lithographs, life-drawings, paper collages, figures and sculptures, made out of granite, gypsum, iron, wood etc., hand-made candles, home-made soaps, flower decorations, knitwear, woollens, textile art, leather goods, glass art in all colours and shades, amber ornaments, ceramic ware, raku as well as articles for everyday use of wood and pottery. The Art and Culture of Denmark are rich in its diversity and variety. However, there are some general characteristics of Danish Art and culture, associated with Danish society and daily life. Danish people are generally fun loving sympathetic, and expressive.

Denmark art & culture is considered as one of the most socially progressive art and cultures in the world. In the Danish Golden Age, an era of outstanding achievement in the first half of the 19th century, European Neoclassicism and Romanticism found a Danish expression, with concepts such as the Skagen and Funen Schools evolving out of some of the finest landscape painting, while prominent Danish members of the European COBRA group such as Asger Jorn took their inspiration from the artistry of their Viking forebears. Danish artists have drawn inspiration from international movements yet also from their own Danish styles, both historical and contemporary. Even the most modern of Denmark’s fine artists are avatars of bygone artistic idioms, and a trip round Denmark’s many museums of art is a journey back into a thousand-year history as captured on canvas – from sacked medieval forts to avant - garde Danish architecture. Denmark has a wealthy cultural and intellectual heritage . Hans Christian Andersen is known worldwide for his moralistic fairy tales, such as "The Emperor's New Clothes", "The Little Mermaid", and "The Ugly Duckling". Karen Blixen, the famous Nobel laureate author Henrik Pontoppidan, and the Philosopher Soren Kierkegaard have also made a name for themselves outside Denmark. Modern Danish film makers have also shown considerable efforts in the film making art. Some famous Danish film makers are Lars von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg. The most popular sport in Denmark is football, which is also a distinctive part of Danish art and culture. Apart from soccer, sailing and water sports are also popular in Denmark. Many sports, such as badminton, handball and gymnastics are equally popular in Denmark.

Danish Music

The Danish music scene offers a wide variety of genres and traditions, so you are bound to find something that you will enjoy when listening to music from Denmark. Most famous outside of the country these days are artists from the pop and alternative rock scenes, such as The Raveonettes, Alphabeat, Duné and Mew. But quite a few electronic artists like Trentemøller, Laid Back and Thomas Knark have also made names for themselves internationally. Danes have distinguished themselves as jazz musicians, and the Copenhagen Jazz Festival has acquired an international reputation. Opera has continued to figure prominently on the Danish music scene, thanks in part to the Copenhagen Opera House which was opened in 2000. Although the majority of performances cover the works of the well-known European composers, Danish operas are also included from time to time. Did you know that ABBA played their first live concert in Denmark in 1974? ABBA started their Tour of Europe in Denmark on November 17, 1974, playing at Falconer Centret, Copenhagen, before continuing their tour around.

Danish Art

Danish art goes back thousands of years. From the late 18th century on, with the beginning of the Danish Golden Age, a distinct tradition of Danish art has continued to flourish until today. Church wall paintings are to be found in some 600 churches across Denmark, no doubt representing the highest concentration of surviving church murals anywhere in the world. Around the beginning of the 19th century the Golden Age of Danish Painting emerged to form a distinct national style for the first time since the Middle Ages; the period lasted until the middle of the 19th century. Collections of modern art enjoy unusually attractive settings at the Louisiana Museum north of Copenhagen and at the North Jutland Art Museum in Aalborg. The National Museum of Art and the Glyptotek, both in Copenhagen, contain treasures of Danish and international art.

Danish Literature

Danish literature, a subset of Scandinavian literature, stretches back to the Middle Ages. Of special note across the centuries are the historian Saxo Grammaticus, the playwright Ludvig Holberg, the storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, the philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, and Karen Blixen who achieved worldwide fame with her autobiographical story Out of Africa. Though Danish literature is often associated with famous authors like Hans Christian Andersen, Søren Kierkegaard, Karen Blixen and Peter Høeg several other Danish authors have created works and oeuvres which attract both national and international attention. Hans Christian Andersen (April 2, 1805 – August 4, 1875) was a Danish author and poet noted for his children's stories. These include "The Steadfast Tin Soldier", "The Snow Queen", "The Little Mermaid", "Thumbelina", "The Little Match Girl", and the "The Ugly Duckling". During his lifetime he was acclaimed for having delighted children worldwide, and was feted by royalty. His poetry and stories have been translated into more than 150 languages. They have inspired motion pictures, plays, ballets, and animated films.

Danish Ceramics

In idyllic surroundings in Middelfart with views across the Little Belt lies Denmark’s Museum of International Ceramic Art Denmark, Grimmerhus – the Nordic region’s only specialist museum of ceramic art. Built as a dower house in 1857, the building was designed by architect Johan Daniel Herholdt and modelled on Italian 16th-century villas. Besides the changing exhibitions, the museum also houses Denmark’s largest private collection of Danish ceramics from 1890 to the present day. The collector behind the many nice pieces is Erik Veistrup, whose self-diagnosis is Ceramics-mania.

Glassware

One advantage of buying hand-blown glass is being able to bring home something truly unique. When it comes to Danish glassware, the 700-year-old market town of Ebeltoft leads the field. You can’t miss Glasmuseet Ebeltoft on Strandvejen, right beside the Frigate Jylland. The museum in the former custom house has just been enlarged by 795 m2. The new extension, with its glass and white rendered brickwork, protrudes elegantly over the water. The café patio provides a magnificent view over the tall ships docks, Ebeltoft Vig and Mols Bjerge. But the most popular part of the extension is the Glashytte (glassworks) in the museum gardens. Here, you can watch the glassblowers transform the molten, syrupy mass into drinking glasses, votives and bowls, which are on sale in the shop. After the glass museum, we recommend a stroll through Ebeltoft. The little glass galleries are stretched out like a string of pearls. This is also where the glass museum’s founder, Finn Lynggaard, has his glass studio and gallery. A little over 30 years ago, Finn Lynggaard became the first Dane to experiment with glass purely as an art medium, melting down fragments of glass and soda bottles to make colourful sculptures.

Jewellery

Jewellery lovers will find items for their wish-lists in the legendary Galerie Metal. The little basement gallery on Nybrogade by Gammel Strand has existed since 1978 and is the oldest exhibition centre in Denmark for jewellery art and modern silverware. A group of jewellery specialists – including the renowned Camilla Prasch, Karina Noyons and Nicolai Appel – run the place. And the exhibitions challenge the prevalent perception of jewellery art with accessories to embellish the male or female body in a rich array of materials ranging from gold, silver and precious stones to felt, rubber and snooker balls.

Workshops

If you’re looking for an authentic experience of craft art in Copenhagen, head away from Strøget and down the little side streets – or, perhaps better still, head for design-savvy Vesterbro. Here, the little combined workshops, outlets and galleries will tempt you with the avant-garde side of tailor-made clothing, jewellery art and ceramics. It is no longer sufficient for things to work – now they must also tell a story. Craft art is well equipped to deliver the genuine article with all the intimacy and uniqueness of a personal fingerprint. In the workshop outlet, you can meet your designer and you can also learn about the background to the objects. The Danish Crafts information centre has provided detailed listings of craft art outlets nationwide. At Amagertorv, there are exhibitions of the centre's own collection of contemporary Danish utility art, selected by different guest curators.

Culture in Denmark

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Denmark's culture and society stems from long history and an ethnically homogeneous people. In Denmark, culture can be described through these three aspects of Danish life: Simplicity, politeness, and propriety. Countries are very diverse in their family values and gender roles, so it's important to do some research before you embark on a journey abroad. If you'll be traveling to Denmark, learn a bit about the culture, home and work environment so you'll be prepared to behave properly and treat women in a culturally appropriate manner. For the Danes their cultural heritage is very important. Denmark is an egalitarian society. Interestingly this is reflected in their language, which employs gender-neutral words. A simple life is the essence of the culture of Denmark. Not much weight is given to possessions or high income, and bragging is considered to be quite rude. Most Danes are modest about their own accomplishments and are more concerned about the group than their own individual needs. Maternity and paternity leave provisions are particularly generous in Denmark. Men are more actively involved in child-rearing activities than in many countries, although the division of domestic chores is similar to other developed countries. Also the Danish songs, the food and their flag called "Dannebrog" are yet further examples of the value the traditions hold for the Danish people.

Women in Danish Society

In terms of gender roles, men are more actively involved in child care activities than in many other countries, although the division of domestic chores is similar to other developed countries. Women within Danish society expect and receive equal treatment in business and in law, and for the most part this is true. However, many Danish women's groups still believe that there is a "glass ceiling" imposed on the advancement of women to the highest levels of business. Women are highly respected in business and generally receive equal pay and have access to senior positions. Shake hands with women first when you enter a room, making sure to treat them respectfully by looking them in the eyes. Working mothers can easily arrange flexible hours so that they can maintain both a career and a family. Most children attend day care from about one year old. Danish women expect to be treated with respect in the office. 37% of the members of the parliament, the Folketing, are women. Gender discrimination in job advertisements is prohibited. The public childcare system enhances women’s opportunities to pursue a career outside the home. Around 95.7% of all children aged 3-5 are looked after in day-care institutions.

"Hygge" and freedom of opinion

One of the fundamental aspects of Danish culture is "hygge" which expression is translated as"coziness" but is more akin to "tranquility". Hygge refers to the complete absence of anything annoying, irritating or emotionally overwhelming but also includes the concept of presence and pleasure coming from comforting, gentle and soothing things. Hygge is often associated with family and close friends. Christmas time, for example, when loved ones snuggle together by candle light on a cold rainy night is "hygge" as is grilling a přlse (Danish sausage) on a long summer evening. These examples do not accurately define "hygge" but can still give an English speaker the idea of a deeply valued traditional concept in Danish culture. Danes also value their interpretation of freedom of opinion "ytringsfrihed" or freedom of speech. This might appear to be rude to an outsider but it is not intended to be. For example, a Dane may call an opinion "stupid" without meaning offence. Hygge and Christmas are closely related in Denmark. Unlike many other western languages, Danish has no separate word for Christmas. The closest Danish equivalent is “Jul”, the current spelling of the ancient word Yule which was adopted after the introduction of the letter “J” in the Danish alphabet. As such, the word does not refer to the birth of Christ but instead to an ancient pagan winter feast. Naturally, its customs have changed throughout the ages but it has always been part of Scandinavian culture. This winter feast was such an integral and popular part of pagan culture that in order to convert Scandinavians into Christianity, these traditional celebrations had to be transferred and re-presented in traditional Christian holidays.

Dining Etiquette

In Denmark it is not uncommon to be invited to someone's home. You should always arrive on time as Danes are punctual in both business and social situations. When invited by a Dane - to visit their home, join them at their table or engage in an activity - don't hesitate to accept the invitation. Check to see if you should remove your shoes before entering the house. Danes generally don't strew invitations out of politeness, and only say it if they mean it. The same goes for compliments. Bring a small gift; chocolate, flowers or wine. It is a good idea to contact the hostess beforehand and enquire whether she would like you to prepare and bring a dish along. Also, offering to help the hostess with the preparation or the clearing up is an appreciated gesture. Danes enjoy showing off their homes since they have usually done the decorating themselves and are proud of their accomplishments. Therefore, they are happy when you ask for a tour of their house. Remember despite their disregard for formality, to practice good table manners while at restaurants or in people's homes. Greetings between people who know each other (e.g. are good friends, close relatives, etc.) is often in the form of a careful hug. It is rare to see a peck on the cheek as a form of greeting, and it might be taken as way too personal.

Proper Public Behaviour

Danes believe that there is a proper way of behaving in any given circumstance. Should you not follow the (un)written code of proper behaviour, someone will remind you of the rules and ask you to obey the accepted protocol. Danes expect courteous behaviour from everyone. Talk in moderate tones and do not do anything to call attention to yourself. Greetings are often casual accompanied by a firm handshake, direct eye contact and a smile. It is common to shake hands and say farewell individually at arrival or departure. Denmark appears to follow rather informal traditions and Danes tend to introduce themselves with their first names.

Here are some general cultural norms:

1. Be punctual, few things can make the Danes more annoyed than showing up later, even by minutes, than the agreed time, save social gatherings at people's homes, where the requirements for punctuality is much more relaxed.

2. If there are free seats on a bus or train, it's not customary to seat yourself next to strangers if you can avoid it or to initiate a conversation with a local - Danish culture views this as being somewhat disrespectful.

3. Danes try to abridge differences between social classes. Modesty is a virtue - bragging, or showing off wealth, is considered rude, as is loud and passionate behaviour. Economic matters are private - don't ask Danes questions like how much they earn, or what their car costs. As in Germany, Britain, and the rest of the Nordic countries, weather is a good conversation topic.

4. Even though 82% of the population is officially Lutheran, Denmark is by and large an agnostic country. Investigations into people's faith is largely unwelcome, and outside places of worship, displays of your faith should be kept private. Saying grace for example, is likely to be met with bewilderment and silence. Religious attire such as Muslim headscarfs, Kippahs or even t-shirts with religious slogans, will - while tolerated - also make many Danes feel uncomfortable.

5. If in Denmark on business, it's important to note that family nearly without exception takes priority over work. So don't be surprised if Danes excuse themselves from even the most important of meetings by 4PM to pick up kids, a burden equally shared between the sexes.

Sights and Sounds of Copenhagen

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Copenhagen is a wonderfully compact city with an efficient public transport system. This is why even if time is short, you can quite easily get a feel of the place and see most of the city and its many sights and attractions. You’ll want to see as much as you can, so get your soft shoes on so you’re comfortable and get ready to have an exciting time going around the city of Copenhagen. The city is a blend of historic and modern architecture and you can find many very unusual attractions. You can pick from some fantastic things to see and do. Find out why they call it "wonderful Copenhagen" with a city sightseeing tour of Denmark's vibrant and graceful capital, and get a bird's eye view of Copenhagen's swirling towers and turrets, not forgetting the Little Mermaid by trying out the Hop-on hop-off bus tour of Copenhagen. Make the most of your time in Denmark's capital and take advantage of free and discounted transport and admission as you explore the numerous museums and attractions the city has to offer by taking the Copenhagen Card. Be sure to see the Kastelett and the Tivoli when you’re in the city of Copenhagen. You’ll have your choices of so many wonderful things to do. Go and gaze at the Amalienborg, the Royal Castle, right near the centre of the city – it is actually four castles formed around a parade square and the residence of the Queen and the royal family. Every day at 12 noon you can enjoy the Changing of the Guard. Copenhagen landmarks are conveniently clustered in an area that is easily accessible by foot, train or bus. Around 900 years ago, a footpath was formed down what is now the heart of the city: the pedestrians-only street, Stroget, with its centuries-old architecture, fountains and busy shops.

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Castle was built in the years 1606-34 as the country residence of Christian IV outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace. He often stayed at Rosenborg when residing in Copenhagen, and died there in 1648. Throughout the 18th century, considerable treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle. The collection increased among other things from the estates of deceased royalty and after the fire of Christiansborg in 1794. Soon the idea of a museum arose. It was realised in 1833, which is the official year of the foundation of The Chronological Collection of the Danish Kings. In 1838, the palace was opened to the general public. A tour of Rosenborg presented the history of the Royal House from the age of Christian IV to the visitor’s own time. When the palace was opened, a room had been arranged with souvenirs of Frederik VI, even though the King did not die until the following year. The chronological review and the furnished interiors, which even today remain the characteristics of Rosenborg, were introduced here for the first time in European museum history. The collection continued to grow, and in the 1960s the initiative was taken to set up a section at Amalienborg Palace for the more recent part of the Royal House. This was realised in 1977, and since 1994 with rooms at Christian VIII’s Palace.

Amalienborg Museum

The Amalienborg Museum, like Rosenborg Castle, is part of The Chronological Collection of the Danish Kings. It is the Royal House’s own museum presenting royal culture and background to the general public. It presents culture that concerns us all. Not merely because the history of Denmark is being told, but throughout history the Royal Household has served as a model with respect to taste and customs that the population, with varying time lags, has imitated and adopted. The Museum presents a number of private interiors. They reflect the personalities of various members of the Royal House as well as the changing styles of interior design from the Victorian age to our time. In “Guldburet” (the Golden Cage), which is the treasury of the Museum, jewellery and precious objects of art are on view. Among other things, there are several works of Fabergé, the famous Russian crown jeweller, who prior to the Russian Revolution provided the Imperial Court with presents. In addition, the Museum holds a major collection of costumes, some of which are often placed on view. There are, furthermore, special exhibitions on an on-going basis. They present subjects of historical as well as present interest against the background of the royal environment.

Christian VII’s Palace

Christian VII’s Palace is the Queen’s palace for guests and official functions. The Royal Residence in Copenhagen consists of this palace and the three other Amalienborg palaces, which together are commonly referred to as Amalienborg Castle. Amalienborg is one of the finest specimens of Danish rococo architecture, and indeed of Danish architecture generally. The octagonal space formed by the palaces around the equestrian statue of Frederik V was the culmination of the new part of the city, Frederiksstaden, which was established in 1749 as part of the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Royal Family of Oldenborg.

Tivoli Gardens

When a man named Georg Carstensen opened an area of the old Copenhagen fortifications at the edge of Copenhagen as an amusement park in 1843, he probably had no idea what kind of an entertainment success he was creating. Since then, more than 280 million people have visited the Tivoli Gardens. Today, Tivoli is centrally located right between the Central Station and the Town Hall Square at the edge of downtown Copenhagen, and is visited by virtually every tourist visiting Copenhagen when it's open. Tivoli generally follows an oriental / Asian theme, although a few recent additions like the Valhalla restaurant have broken with that tradition. It is a garden full of beautiful flowers that bloom here by the hundred thousands, and most of the trees have been in residence since the opening of the Tivoli Gardens. Tivoli is a place of lights and illumination, which makes Tivoli a very special place to visit once it gets dark. You have to go to Tivoli twice (or for a while) to experience both Tivoli atmospheres: In the daytime the abundance of flowers and the beautiful buildings, in the night time the many lights and an atmosphere that could be taken directly from a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen.

Nyhavn

Nyhavn is part of the original Copenhagen Harbour all the way back to the founding of Haven, as Copenhagen was then called, in the 12th century. Today, old sailing vessels and the Harbour Canal Tour boats are the only boats observed, contributing to the unique atmosphere in Nyhavn. When in Nyhavn, the Danes really get into the typical Danish term "Hygge" - they relax and forget all about the worries of life. Now it's time to have a good time in the company of friends. That's all that matters. Relaxation is the key concept here. Having a bottle of beer within reach is not too bad an idea, either. In Denmark, contrary to other Nordic countries, it's not only allowed to sit and drink in the street, it's a common practice by all, regardless of social standing or age. It is considered part of the concept of "Hygge" - have fun, relax, enjoy the weather, get into a good mood.

The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid statue was a present from brewer Carl Jacobsen (The Carlsberg Breweries) to the city of Copenhagen, made by a then little known sculptor called Edvard Erichsen. The Little Mermaid was unveiled at Langelinje in 1913, as part of a general trend in Copenhagen in those days, selecting classical and historical figures to be used as decorations in the city's parks and public areas. In 1909, brewer Carl Jacobsen saw solo dancer Ellen Price dance in Fini Henriques' ballet "The Little Mermaid" at the Royal Theatre. He was so taken with her that he asked her if she would pose for a statue. She agreed in principle, but was not very interested in posing without any clothes on, when she found out just how public the statue would be. Instead sculptor Edvard Erichsen's wife stepped in and modelled for the body. On September 14, 1912, the Little Mermaid statue was first placed at a test location, and on August 23, 1913, at its current and permanent site. The statue's birthday is celebrated in various ways every year on August 23. Throughout the year, 75% of all tourists visiting Copenhagen go to see The Little Mermaid. The Little Mermaid symbolizes the fairy tale by Danish author and poet Hans Christian Andersen, the story of a young mermaid who fell in love with a prince who lived on land, and often came up to the edge of the water to look for her love.

Rundetaarn or Round Tower

Rundetaarn, Rundetårn or Round Tower was built in 1642 as part of a 3-in-1 facility for Copenhagen University: Observatory (Round Tower), church for the students (Trinitatis Church) and university library on the upper level above the church. The text on the front of Rundetaarn is a rebus by the king who built it, King Chriatian IV, and says: "Lead God, the right teaching and justice into the heart of the crowned King Christian IV, 1642". The cupola at the top of Rundetaarn contains what is Europe's oldest functioning observatory, available to students at Copenhagen University and others who may have an interest in using it, usually in the dark winter months. The view from Rundetaarn is spectacular.

Kastellet – Copenhagen Fortress

Copenhagen has not always been such a peaceful place to live. In 1801 and again in 1807, the English fleet came calling and these visits resulted in bombardments and sieges of Copenhagen, and the abduction of the Danish fleet. The walls and grassy areas around Kastellet not only provide protection from invading forces, they also participate in ensuring a large degree of self sufficiency, or in other words, durability in case of a siege. Thus the cannon and the windmill were both necessary parts of Kastellet. The windmill is the third one on that spot, and was built in 1847, after the previous one was blown down. The mill is still fully functional, and is tested every year on October 28th. There are only two roads into Kastellet, the gates facing North and South. Today, Kastellet houses both Army and Home Guard functions, but still have a contingent of soldiers guarding the fortress, and parading around it every evening before the flag is lowered. Today Kastellet is a peaceful place to visit. Grass everywhere, and a number of water birds.

Langelinje – The Cruise Harbour

The Northeastern quay of Copenhagen Harbor is called Langelinje, or the older Langelinie, which means long line. This refers to its long, straight design. Langelinje is the most visited cruise harbour in Europe. The Copenhagen Harbour has a unique location for cruises into the Baltic Sea and Scandinavia, and Copenhagen Airport is among the Worlds' best, with excellent connections between airport and Langelinje. At Langelinje you'll find several restaurants, a tourist information, pay and card phones and shops dealing in rather upscale Danish goods.

North of Frederiksstad

Moving North from The Royal Castle, Amalienborg towards Langelinje and The Little Mermaid, you come to Copenhagen's largest monument - the Gefion Fountain. It is not only a great sight, but also commonly used as a wishing well, as the many coins at the bottom of the basin indicate. Next to the Gefion Fountain you find the English church in Copenhagen, called Saint Alban's Church, built in 1885-87. Make sure you take the time to admire the glass windows. To the Southwest of the English church is the Danish Freedom Museum, which primarily deals with World War 2 and what took place in Denmark from 1939 to 1945. One of the largest exhibits is the probably newest Danish-produced armoured car, which was put together covertly during the last days of the German occupation, and helped persuade the last German troops to surrender.

Strøget

Strøget, Copenhagen’s famous pedestrian street, is a lively street with an endless selection of fantastic boutiques and with many of the city’s main sights and attractions nearby. When walking through strøget you will pass Copenhagen Court House and Gammel Torv (Old Square) with the Caritas fountain, that sprays golden apples on royal birthdays and on Constitution Day. On Amagertorv and in Østergade near strøget there are many exclusive shops and boutiques selling both Danish and international labels. The city’s big department stores, Illum and Magasin du Nord, are also situated in this part of Strøget. South of Strøget you will find the atmospheric old lanes Læderstræde and Kompagnistræde. Cafés lie side by side with smart boutiques, antique dealers and small galleries. North of Strøget is Købmagergade with Rundetårn (The Round Tower) where in nearby small side streets like Kronprinsensgade, Pilestræde, Grønnegade and Ny Østergade you will find many of the most trendy fashion boutiques and hottest cafés in Copenhagen.

Captivating Copenhagen (København)

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Copenhagen or København, the premier capital of Northern Europe, is Scandinavia's most fantastic and largest city; and the centre of the most dynamic region in Europe, the Øresund Region. Although steeped in traditions that go back to the time of the Vikings, Copenhagen is on the cutting edge of 21st century technology, transportation, education and social welfare. Copenhagen is a major regional centre of culture, business, media and science. Life science, information technology and shipping are important sectors, and research & development plays a major role in the city's economy. Its strategic location and excellent infrastructure, with the largest airport in Scandinavia. The city is one of Europe's oldest capitals with a royal touch - the monarchy in Denmark is the oldest in the world. Copenhagen is situated on the islands of Zealand and Amager. The town is big enough to be a metropolis with shopping, culture and nightlife par excellence, yet still small enough to be intimate, safe and easy to navigate. Overlooking the Øresund strait with Sweden just minutes away, it is a cultural and geographic link between mainland Europe and Scandinavia. This is where old fairy tales blend with flashy new architecture and world-class design; where warm jazz mixes with cold electronica from Copenhagen's basements. You'll feel you've seen it all in a day, but could keep on discovering more for months. Copenhagen has repeatedly been recognized as one of the cities with the best quality of life and is also considered one of the most environmentally friendly places on earth. The water in the inner harbour is clean and safe for swimming. 36% of all citizens commute to work by bicycle. It is in the top 10 most expensive cities in the world too, as per Forbes list of 2010. If you are looking for an earthy, hard-core travel experience look elsewhere. Copenhagen is clean, safe and ridiculously easy to get to know, the locals all speak superb English and the transport system is excellent. Please remember it's koh-pehn-HAY-gehn not koh-pehn-HAH-gehn.

Some General Information

Country : Denmark

Official Language : Danish

Religion : Evangelical Lutheran ( a form of Christianity )

Currency : Danish Krone ( DKK )

Time Zone : + 1 Hour GMT

Temperature : Copenhagen, as in the rest of Denmark, has four distinct seasons. The best time to visit is definitely the warm period from early May to late August. Summers bring temperatures averaging around 68F (20C), while in mid-winter temperatures hover just above or below zero. Rainfall is moderate too, but spread throughout the year, so showers are possible in any season. Grey skies are the norm rather than the exception in Copenhagen.

Sightseeing : Copenhagen is a wonderfully compact city with an efficient public transport system. This is why even if time is short, you can quite easily get a feel of the place and see most of the city and its many sights and attractions. On a short visit you will also get time to visit a museum or two and to go shopping. Town Hall Square, The Little Mermaid, Tivoli Gardens, Amalienborg Palace, Nyhavn, Bredgade & Amalienborg, Copenhagen’s Bridge Quarters, Gammel Strand and Slotsholmen, Langelinje, Strøget’s little alleyways, Strøget - from the Town Hall Square to Kongens Nytorv (The King’s New Square) are some of the sights of Copenhagen.

Getting There

Copenhagen Airport ( CPH )

Originally the airport was called the Kastrup Airport, after where the airport is located. The official name of the airport is still Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup is only to distinguish it from the smaller airport by the Danish capital, Copenhagen Airport – Roskilde. Kastrup is the largest airport in Scandinavia. Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup is the main international airport serving Copenhagen, Denmark and the Øresund Region. It is located on the island of Amager, 8 kms south of Copenhagen city centre. It is one of the oldest airports of Northern Europe and the largest airport of the Scandinavian / Nordic countries. The airport handles 60 scheduled airlines and serves nearly 60,000 passengers everyday. It is also the busiest airport in the Nordic countries. Copenhagen Airport has four terminals. Terminal 1 is used for all domestic flights. Terminals 2 and 3 handle international flights (both Schengen and non-Schengen) and share a common airside passenger concourse as well as the arrivals section - which houses customs and baggage claim and is physically located in Terminal 3. The newest terminal, CPH Go, dedicated to low-cost carriers opened the 31st of October 2010. So far EasyJet is the only airline operating from this terminal. An all new Terminal 4 is currently being planned. There are left luggage-baggage storage facilities in each terminal at Copenhagen Airport. All kind of baggage and luggage items can be stored for up to one month at reasonable prices. Opening hours: Every day 5 am - 10 pm. Unfortunately - the maximum rental period for baggage lockers at the airport are 72 hours. The shopping centre at Copenhagen Airport offers you a wide range of famous Scandinavian and international brands. Explore the Atrium, the new 2,700 square metre tax free shopping area where you can find everything your heart desires. The Hilton Copenhagen Airport is a five star hotel with all the facilities you could wish for at hand. The airport has facilities for the disabled, cloakroom, baggage storage, meeting point and meeting facilities, lounges, nurseries, internet facilities, post office and many more amenities.

Address : Copenhagen Airports A/S, Lufthavnsboulevarden 6, Postbox 74
2770 Kastrup, Denmark.

Phone: + 45 3231 3231, Fax: + 45 3231 3132

Tourist Information

Information desks are located in the arrivals and transit hall areas of Terminals 2 and 3, and there is a Visitor Center (with great tourist information) located in Terminal 3. Additionally the ones below are centres too.

1. Wonderful Copenhagen Tourist Information : Bernstorffsgade 1, 1577 Copenhagen V, Tel. (+45) 7022 2442, Fax (+45) 7022 2452.

2. Swedish Tourist Board : Skindergade 38, 1159 Copenhagen K, Tel. (+45) 3330 1360.

3. Meet The Danes – Nyhavns Tourist Information : Nyhavn 65, 1051 Copenhagen K, Tel. (+45) 3346 4646.

Travel Tips

1. Although English is wide spoken and understood, Danes have a tendency to speak at a snappy clip that often requires them to repeat things to bewildered listeners. The Danes have become infamous for being closed and tight lipped, bordering the outright rude. So while it is by no means impossible, you will still be hard pressed to find a Dane readily engaging in casual conversations with strangers.

2. Danes have a very high tolerance for drunk behaviour, provided it takes place in the weekends. Drink a glass or two of wine for dinner during the week, and you can be mistaken for an alcoholic, but down 20 pints on a Saturday night, and puke all over the place, and everything will be in order. There is no legal drinking age in Denmark, although a legal purchase age of 16 is in effect in shops and supermarkets, and 18 in bars, discos and restaurants.

3. Drivers in Denmark, drive on the right side of the road. Danes drive by the rules, and they have every expectation that pedestrians do the same. Therefore, it is important to obey Walk/Don't Walk signals and avoid jaywalking in cities, simply because cars will not slow down since you're not supposed to be there.

4. Don't bathe alone. Don't get too far away from land. Swim along the coast rather than away from it. In some areas undertow is a danger, and kills a number of tourists every year, but will mostly be signed at the beach. On many beaches, flags inform of water quality. A blue flag means excellent water quality, green flag means good water quality, red flag means that bathing is not advised. A sign with the text "Badning forbudt" means that bathing is forbidden. Obey these signs, as it often means that the water is polluted with poisonous algae, bacteria, or chemicals, or that there is a dangerous undertow.

5. Denmark is a very safe country, with almost no risk of natural disasters or animal attacks. Compared to most other countries crime and traffic are only minor risks, and most crime visitors are likely to encounter is non violent pickpocketing.

Surviving Poland

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If traveling to Poland, leave your sweats at home. Dress is a little more formal in Poland than what you might be used to. T-shirts, shorts, sneakers, and sweat suits are almost always considered inappropriate. The general rule of thumb in terms of attire in Poland is to dress smartly and conservatively. From dress to table manners to business customs, it's important to learn about Poland's etiquette while visiting their country. Poland is a country full of interesting history and culture, so remember to be respectful of that. Below is a list of etiquette for your trip to Poland. Although Poland might seem more formal that you may be used to, you will find that Poles are very friendly people. Most importantly, be friendly back to them, be polite, and act and dress conservatively. Enjoy your trip to Poland!

1. Don’t wear t-shirts, shorts, sneakers, or sweats.

2. Don’t overdo it with perfume, aftershave, or cologne.

3. Don’t leave the knife and fork in the plate if you are done eating,

4. Don’t begin eating until the host does.

5. Don’t tip in restaurants. A 10% service charge will be included on the bill.

6. Don’t give anything pricey when you give a gift; this may embarrass the recipient.

7. Don’t give yellow chrysanthemums, as they are used for funerals. Red or white flowers should be avoided, too.

8. Don’t give flowers in even numbers.

9. Don’t move to a first name basis until invited to do so.

10.Don’t kiss a woman's hand upon greeting. Older Polish businessmen may do so, but it might be offensive if you do.

11. Don’t be late!

12. Don’t put your hands in your pockets or sit with an ankle resting on the other knee. Both are considered extremely rude.

13. Please do not try to hide your feelings. Poles will think you are dishonest.

14. Don’t bring up the Holocaust or World War II.

15. Don’t discuss Polish-Russian, Polish-German, or Polish-Austrian relations or Poland's geographical borders. It can be a very touchy subject.

A Taste of Poland

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Poland is a haven for food buffs. Polish cuisine ranges from the simple to the exotic, with a dish to suit the most eclectic and eccentric of taste buds. In Poland, you have staple foods, seasonal foods as well as territorial foods. The mainstays of the Polish diet are meat, bread, and potatoes. For many Poles, dinner is not dinner without meat, primarily pork. Bread is consumed and treated with reverence. Polish food is usually very wholesome and people consume large portions. The cuisine had definite leanings towards meat, although Poles do consume diary products and vegetables and especially root vegetables. Polish food goes down well with vodka. In any Polish dish, you will be sure to find a smattering of any of beetroot, cucumber, sour cream, egg, kohlrabi, mushroom or sausage. A meal owes it taste to the herbs and spices used; such as marjoram, dill, caraway seeds, parsley, or pepper. The most popular desserts are cakes and pastries. Popular beverages include coffee, tea, milk, buttermilk, and fruit syrup and water. However, vodka distilled from rye is known as the national drink.

Given the wide variety of dishes available, some exotic ones at that, Poland surely has on offer, gastronomic treats fit for the king. you want to try traditional Polish cuisine, stop counting your calories. Just sampling them is enough to discover that they are really delicious and worth putting on a few ounces. The most recommendable dishes are: bigos, kotlet schabowy, pierogi and gołąbki. Poland's culture has always integrated elements from its neighbours, and there are also many recipes of Jewish origin. Nowadays the Polish menu is still changing, being influenced by various, sometimes exotic tastes. Apart from traditional restaurants specialising in Polish cooking, restaurants serving Italian, French and Asian foods are mushrooming in Poland's cities, as well as vegetarian bars. Fish dishes are also popular, especially in regional Polish traditional food. Carp, pike, perch, eel, and sturgeon are all popular and served in various ways. Pork is the most common meat in traditional Polish cuisine, but chicken, beef, venison, duck, and other meats are seen on restaurant menus today.

Kielbasa and Polish Sausage

The Spaniards have chorizo, the Italians have salami and pepperoni, the Germans have the frankfurter and bratwurst, the Americans have the hotdog and the Brits have a whole array of British bangers. Second to none of the above, the Poles chip in with kielbasa, their sausage of the spiced and smoked variety. The white version is generally cheaper and fattier and is what you’re likely to find in Zurek. You’ll find the regular, red kielbasa everywhere in Poland, whether it’s in a street grill restaurant, milk bar, upper-crust exclusive establishments and even on pizzas. Sausage is a very important part of Polish fare and no hub on Polish food would be complete without the mention of Polish sausages. Kiszka is a very popular sausage in Poland. This sausage is made from a variety of different meats but also contains either grains or, more commonly potatoes. Varieties differ in fat and garlic content, type of coating and combinations of seasoning, and some varieties are more suited to barbecuing than home cooking and vice versa, but providing it's Polish, you’re unlikely to go wrong.

Soups

Most meals in Poland start off with a soup of some sort. Perhaps the most commonly discussed soup of Poland is czernina, which is made from duck blood. Polish traditional food features many soups, made with mushrooms, broth, and beets. But imagine, if you will, a hearty hunter’s stew that is a meal in itself. This stew, called bigos is a combination of cabbage, mushrooms, and various meats—traditionally pork, bacon, and delicious Polish sausage, but today bigos may also contain venison or duck. If you've tried choucroute before (a really popular French dish which you have to try,) this is very similar, but it is not quite as acidic. Chłodnik is another popular soup in Poland which is made from beets, cucumbers, and dill. This cold soup is similar to borscht as it has a red or pink colour.

Pierogi

Pierogi have long been a traditional Polish food staple. They may have come from Russia in the Middle Ages, but they are as Polish as Polish food gets. Pierogi is perhaps one of the most widely known and loved of Polish dishes. Dough filled with cheese, potatoes, onions, cabbage, mushrooms, meat (or almost any other ingredient, savory or sweet, that you can think of), pierogi are served steaming hot boiled or fried and are accompanied by sour cream. Homemade pierogi are a special treat that even the pickiest eater will beg for more.

Gołąbki

Gołąbki are cabbage rolls. It is basically just seasoned meat and rice wrapped in boiled cabbage leaves and then baked with a really light tomato sauce. Many recipes also contain mushrooms and other types of stuffing. Cabbage roll are a traditional Polish recipe, but many people in neighbouring countries make a variation of this wonderful dish.

Schabowy

Schabowy is the Polish version of pork chops, nothing goes better with potatoes than some hearty cutlets. They can be breaded or not, and grilled or baked, depending on the establishment.

Zrazy

Zrazy is Polish traditional food that will stick to your ribs. A filling of bacon, breadcrumbs, mushrooms, and cucumber is rolled inside a seasoned slice of sirloin beef then fried or grilled to allow the flavors to mingle. With a side of mizeria, or cucumber salad, you’ll have a meal bursting with all the flavors of the best Polish traditional food. This chilled salad is composed of thinly-sliced cucumbers, sprigs of dill, and chopped onion in a sour cream and lemon juice dressing.

Desserts

Polish food is absolutely wonderful with the delicious soups and filling main dishes but is not complete without the amazing desserts that are what makes Polish cuisine so famous among non-Poles. Polish cuisine is full of cookies and cakes that are to die for. There are many different recipes for different tastes when it comes to dessert so anyone will enjoy a Polish sweet treat. Kolaczki are perhaps one of the most popular desserts from Poland. These are folded cookies that contain a fruit filling (usually apricot) or a sweet cheese filling and then are lightly dusted with powdered sugar. For desert, Polish meals will include Polish cheesecake, or sernik, apple tarts (szarlotka),makowiec (a sponge cake with a poppyseed filling), or eklerka (éclairs). Mazurka/mazurek is the name of a wonderful flat cake. This cake is made from similar ingredients as kolaczki, but is rolled flat. Like kolaczki, Mazurka also contains jam, but usually contains more than one type of jams in one cake. These jams are used to add a delicious fruity flavor to the cake and serve as the decor. Babka is a delicious yeast cake that is shaped like an angel food cake. Many desserts and other foods in different cultures have a tradition of being cooked a certain time of year, but over time the foods started to be made year round. Babka is almost an exception to this trend as it is still known for being an Easter dish. Babka is often made with raisins mixed in the dough and contain a fruit topping.

Shopping in Warsaw

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As Poland's capital, Warsaw has attracted all the big international names in shopping, keen to take part in the country's economic resurgence. As a business hub, Warsaw is also an oasis for travellers looking for smart clothes at reasonable prices. Still, the city continues to retain its old world charm, and there are plenty of smaller stores tucked on the back streets with treasures waiting to be discovered. Warsaw has a long way to go before it’s regarded as a shopping mecca, but nevertheless the city now touts an array of shops that make further investigation not just recommended, but required. Whether it’s western style malls, designer boutiques, dusty family stores or antique markets a day spent shopping can result in both bargains and treasures. In Poland it is even possible to go shopping on Sunday. The best places to shop are the shopping malls that have been built in last 10 years, they usually contain a hypermarket, so you will be able to do all the shopping in one location. Most often the malls are equipped with cinemas and even fitness centres. Warsaw really is a great place to go shopping. Shopping hours are usually from 11 am to 7 pm on weekdays and from 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday, but shopping malls are open until 8 or even 10 pm. There are no fixed dates for sell-outs and sales in Poland, so that the stores have to decide when to do their final sales. The summer sale begins at the end of June and the winter sale starts at the beginning of January. The sales last for around 6 weeks.

Arkadia

Arkadia is situated at Rondo Radoslawa (Babka) it is the biggest shopping centre in Eastern Europe and by far the largest mall in Warsaw. So you should definitely find what you are looking for. Around 200 shops can be found here. The biggest advantage comparing it to other malls in Warsaw, besides the size, is the variety of culinary offers. 30 restaurants and food outlets are located within the 287.000 sq m complex, with most of them situated near the main entrance and in or at the food court. Besides typical fast food (Burger King, McDonalds and KFC), there is also a brewery (Bierhalle) serving an excellent weizen beer. The sushi place (Hana Sushi) is one of the best in town. Moreover the location is equipped with a multiplex cinema (Cinema City), a medical centre (Enel) and a fitness centre (Holmes Place).

Złote Tarasy

Złote Tarasy mean trade, entertainment, services and offices, right in the heart of Warsaw. This modern multifunctional complex stands between Złota Street, Emilia Plater Street, the Central Railway Station, and Jana Pawła II Ave. It is easily accessible by any public transport method or by rail. The Golden Terraces name (Złote Tarasy) refers to Złota (Golden) Street and the architecture of the building. The cascading terraces cover two plazas – an internal plaza with fountains and an external one, surrounded by restaurants. Alleys and passages with stores and a main avenue for pedestrians leading from the railways station to Złota Street create a very urban atmosphere for the interior of Złote Tarasy. Sandstones, granites, a lot of greenery and water elements create an internal environment that is close to nature. All of this is contained under a folding glass roof, with over a hectare in surface area.

Nowy Świat

Nowy Świat is very popular with tourists and locals for recreation and shopping and has many good restaurants, bars and shops for you to enjoy. A terrific place to sit down and watch the world go by. It is one of the most popular streets in Warsaw for shopping, eating out and enjoying a few drinks is Ulica Nowy Świat, Polish for "New World Street". It is about 1 mile long and runs from Triple Cross Square northwards and intersects another two popular streets, Jerusalem Avenue and Holy Cross Street.

Klif

The nationwide Klif chain have long been present in Warsaw, though if you think you’ve seen it all before then think again. These chaps have rebranded and re-launched with October 2008 refit resulting in the addition of new floors, an updated design and a thorough facelift. But as with all shopping centres the proof comes in the pudding, i.e the tenants. Now on show are top tags from Max Mara to Penny Black, as well outlets for casual favourites like Paul & Shark. For the juniors watch for Casper and Mothercare.

Blue City

Blue City is a modern Mall with about 200 shops, including 20 food outlets. Medical treatments are part of the offer as is gigantic gaming and entertainment area which is split according to the age (for children, youngsters and a nightclub for adults). In the centre of the building there is a fountain which lets the water jump up to 26 metres. Next to the fountain you will see some benches where it is nice to watch and relax. From time to time Blue City arranges special events, e.g. an inside market with local specialties from Poland.

Fort Wola

Fort Wola seems the only mall in Warsaw that is not almost fully rented. It is only recommended to go there if you live nearby, Wola Park has a lot more to offer is not far away. Currently one finds about 50 stores in the shopping centre including a Real supermarket.

Galeria Bemowo

Galeria Bemowo is a slightly smaller shopping centre with around 80 stores in the northwest part of Warsaw. However, you will able to do a large part of the shopping especially because of the huge Carrefour hypermarket. Parking is available in a big multi-storey car park. Next door (on the left side) there is a multiplex cinema (Cinema City) and a leisure centre (Hokus Pokus) with billiards, bowling and arcade games.

Galeria Mokotow

Galeria Mokotow is an especially nice shopping centre in the south of Warsaw, in a part of town called Mokotow. It was opened back in 2000 and is still one the most popular. With its more than 200 stores spread around the60.000 square metres there is plenty to see, eat (30 food outlets) and shop. Furthermore the complex includes a big cinema, a fitness studio, a bowling alley with gaming arcade and a place where children can play.

Promenada

Promenada is the most Western European like shopping centre in Warsaw. It hosts more than200 stores. While most other malls remind one rather of typical American malls this one would be like you’d expect in Paris or in another European city. Promenada was first shopping mall to open in Warsaw. It opened its doors in 1996 and was extended in 1999 it was extended (it now includes a 13 screen cinema). No other mall offers more designer fashion outlets than Promenada. The supermarket (Alma) is rather a gigantic delicatessen store than supermarket, you will find lots of products here that are not available anywhere else in Warsaw.

Reduta (Centrum Handlowe)

Reduta looks rather small at first sight; however, you will find lots of opportunities to shop in its more than 120 stores. This shopping centre has been expanded from time to time and can be found opposite of Blue City. As special service for customers: in the whole complex there is free wireless Internet (Wi-Fi) access.

Targowek (Centrum Handlowe)

Targowek offers about140 stores that cover all needs. It is a very bright and friendly formed shopping centre. In spite of the big number in shops everything is quickly accessible as everything is located at the ground floor level. As in most malls you can find a cinema here. If you want to try Polish specialties try something from Karoca (in the food court).

Wilenska (Centrum Handlowe)

Wilenska is a rather hectic shopping centre as it is connected directly to the railway station Wilenska. However, all essential things can be bought in around 100 shops. A major plus is the good accessibility by tram and bus particularly if you are staying on the eastern side of the Vistula river.

Rozycki Bazaar

After liquidation of marketplace near National Stadium, this famous bazaar is returning to grace. This place is totally filled with specific atmosphere of Vistula right bank. Peddlers praise their articles, dodgers try to make the best deals, there is crowd and noise, but you can find here things that you won’t find anywhere else. This is one of the best places if you want to buy souvenir which will always commemorate you capital of Poland.

Art in Poland

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The Art Culture of Poland is closely connected with its intricate 1000 year history. The culture of Poland has a lot to do with everything in Poland. Its unique character developed at the crossroads of the Latinate and Byzantine worlds, in continual dialog with the many ethnic groups living in Poland. The people of Poland have always been hospitable to artists from abroad and eager to follow cultural and artistic trends popular in other countries. In the 19th and 20th centuries the Polish focus on cultural advancement often took precedence over political and economic activity. These factors have contributed to the versatile nature of Polish art, with all its complex nuances. Nowadays music festivals, concerts, theatre performances and other cultural events make essential part of any trip. Moreover they are becoming one of the main motives to visit other countries or cities. And cities play here the major role in organizing events and festival and creating the right atmosphere for enjoying and experiencing culture. Each Polish city has a calendar filled with local and international events that offer the highest quality, still at the moderate price.

The variety of music, from folk through jazz to modern classical music makes the country a good destination for all music lover. Soak up the culture of Poland, which is a colourful mixture of Eastern and Western European influences, in some of the country’s most notable museums. The museums’ collections are vast and note-worthy, although experts believe that a huge chunk of the valuable items were destroyed during World War II, when most areas where collections were stored were almost completely destroyed. Anybody visiting Poland will be surprised by the range and diversity of folk art and handicrafts that have endured for many years. There is an impressive amount of them in markets and galleries all over the country. What is more, you can even encounter them on the parking areas of major tourist sites. And yet, during the long Communist period, popular artistic expression, often connected with religious or pagan beliefs, was not encouraged. Despite all this, handicraft, like folk dancing and regional costumes, was so dear to the heart of the Poles that they could not do without them. To this day, Poland is well known for its handicraft goods and folk art that are deeply rooted in Polish tradition.

Art

Polish art is varied and rich. Historians differ as to the periodization of the various stages through which Poland passed. It should be emphasized that Poland did experience, as did other European countries, the distinct eras of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Impressionism and Modern art and architecture. These periods never have sharp edges in any country; they melt, blur and shade into each other. Works of art in Poland have a very strong European flavour, and have evolved quite beautifully during recent years. The unique characteristics of the artworks can be seen in various museums and galleries throughout the country, with the addition of fascinating modern Polish art pieces to make things even more interesting. Jan Matejko (1838-1893) was Poland's greatest national historical painter. Familiar with history and archaeological studies, Matejko decided to portray the honour and glory of the past in massive canvases such as "The Battle of Grunwald." Every detail of costume and background was assiduously and correctly portrayed by the master and his students.

Music

The music of Poland is as colourful as its heritage and culture, and it seems that almost every genre is covered with the variety of artists in this country. The classical pieces of Chopin never fail to move even the most seasoned of music lovers, while folk musicians give a different vibe to the local music scene. It should also be noted that rock and hip hop music seem to have a bigger following in Poland compared to pop music, so don’t be surprised if you hear the latest hip hop and rock music coming from most homes and establishments in the country. Fredryk Chopin (1810-1849) is the most beloved of Polish composers, though many people still think he was French. Indeed his father was French, but Chopin was born in Poland. His home is now a national shrine. He used the themes and rhythms of his native land making them part of the world's musical heritage.

Dance

Polish dance contains elements of many cultures. Interaction historically with Czechs, Russians, Germans, Swedes, Bohemians, Ukrainians and Turks has produced a rich variety of uniquely Polish dances, such as the kujawiak, krakowiak and oberek. Americans tend to associate the polka with true Polish culture, but those who visit Poland never see the polka performed. The association of the polka with Poland is partly due to the close word resemblance (a Polka means a female Pole in the Polish language) and the mutation of the above native Polish dances, upon their transplantation to American soil. Two state-sponsored Polish dance troupes are the Mazowsze and Slask who perform all over the world. Polish dance and music has a long history and is alive and very popular today.

Handicrafts

Bright splashes of colour and vibrant designs characterize traditional Polish handicrafts.These include folk art using a variety of materials, such as paper, wood, clay and even eggs. Some of these crafts are still practiced in the 21st century and can be purchased in ethnic stores or online at websites specializing in Polish cultural products. Some of the greatest attractions for tourists in Poland are products such as: hand-woven tapestries, embroidered tablecloths and doilies which are part of the folk art of many regions of Poland. They are usually sold in Cepelia shops scattered all around the country, especially in big cities.

Jewellery

Designer jewellery, another high-profile Polish craft, as well as amber products are also attractive. Amber is an especially renowned raw material in Poland. It is a fossilized tree resin that ranges in colour from cream through translucent yellow and orange to rich brown. It is considered to be the symbol of the Baltic, a precious gift that many contemporary designers continue to cut. The translucent material is turned into jewellery that is extremely popular in Poland. What is more, as amber artefacts epitomize Polish craftsmanship, amber is also used for lampshades, medals or clocks.

Cut Glass

Poland has also a long tradition of high-quality cut glass- widely known as crystal. The most beautiful cut glass is made in many Silesian factories where glass production started as early as the 14th century. The delicate hand-cut patterns on perfectly transparent glass are famous all over the world.

Wycinanki

"Wycinanki" (pronounced vee-chee-non-kee) describes a traditional Polish paper cutting craft, which dates back to the19th century, when the ancient art of Chinese paper cutting spread to Europe. Paper cutting in Poland includes two design styles. "Kurpie" is symmetrical, cut from a single piece of folded coloured paper, usually depicting spruce trees and birds. Designs from Poland's Lowicz district are characterized by many layers of bright coloured paper cut in a more free-form fashion.

Carved Wooden Boxes

Handcrafted boxes, carved from native Linden wood from the Tatra mountain region of Poland, are traditional crafts that utilize wood carving, burning and staining techniques. Many are adorned with brass and copper inlays and painted with intricate brushes. Some boxes illustrate Polish culture with images of the "Lady of Czestochowa," known as the "Black Madonna" as well as mountain flowers. Others reflect more universal elements with carved rosettes, hearts, crosses and love birds. A range of sizes makes these boxes suitable for a variety of uses.

Pisanki Eggs

Eggs are exchanged among family members in Poland during the Easter celebration to signify friendship and love. Polish women wax and dye these eggs before the holiday, utilizing a craft known as Pisanki (or Pysanki). They use a hollow metal tool known as a "kistka," to draw wax designs onto eggs. The kistka is filled with wax and has a pin-sized head to control the flow. Similar to traditional batik and the tjanting tool, the wax creates a resist when designs are painted on with dyes. Pisanki has become a popular traditional Polish craft practiced even outside of Poland.

Pottery

Pottery is an early Polish craft begun without lathes or intricate machinery. Boleslawiec pottery, unlike many pieces of European stoneware, contains no lead and can be used for cooking and tableware. Boleslawiec pottery dates back to the 16th century in the Silesia region of the country, which is abundant with rich minerals, including clay. Bright coloured painting on pottery is characteristic of the Boleslawiec style, especially the white and navy-blue crockery lavishly decorated with either flowers or circles. Decorative elements are applied to the surface of the pottery using a traditional " punch" technique. A variety of paint soaked stamps are utilized for a single piece of pottery using this design method. The most popular porcelain from Cmielow is available all over Poland.

Culture in Poland

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Warsaw has no location that could get away from the culture’s embrace. Poland's national culture emerged as a synthesis of Latin and Byzantine influences and was further engendered by the numerous European occupations, throughout its history. Customs, traditions and mores display a diverse mix of the East and the West - a colourful cohabitation of the vibrant Eastern ornamental style and the sombre Islamic influence. Every day and every night, all over Warsaw, something impressive is going on. The agenda is packed with abundant amount of events of different calibre, which define the cultural map of the city. For the centuries Warsaw always represented a proverbial melting-pot comprised of different multicultural customs and traditions. Today such description would be entirely appropriate – a pure cultural Mecca frequently visited by the artists, inventors and creators which directly contribute to the longest, in this part of Europe, list of events and attractions taking place in this amazing city. Poland is pretty much ethnically homogeneous. Ukrainian, Belorussian, Slovakian, and Lithuanian minorities reside along the borders. A German minority is concentrated near the southwest city of Opole. The capital and other cities are experiencing some inward migration from foreigners.

Family

In Polish etiquette the family always comes first, then close friends, then business associates and other people. The family is the centre of the social structure. One’s obligation is to the family first and foremost. Extended families are still the norm and really form an individual’s social network. Poles draw a line between their inner circle and outsiders. Family members are naturally part of the inner circle along with close friends, usually “family friends”. Poles will interact differently with their inner circle and outsiders. The inner circle forms the basis of a person's social and business network. The people from the inner circle can be relied upon to: offer advice, help find a job, cut through bureaucracy, or even rent an apartment. There is an elaborate etiquette of extending favours and using contacts to get things done. It is very important to show special consideration and care for the senior citizens of Poland. Children are taught good manners and etiquette from an early age, to give up their seats for the elderly is just an accepted way of life.

Social Behaviour

Greetings are generally reserved yet courteous. When greeting someone a good handshake, direct eye contact, a smile and the appropriate greeting for that time of day will suffice. When greeting someone, you often kiss them on the cheek - one or three times. Kissing a woman on the hand is very polite. Good morning/afternoon is "dzien dobry" and good evening is "dobry wieczor". Address people by their honorific title, “Pan” for a man and “Pani” for a woman, and their surname. Do not use first names until invited to. Moving from the use of formal to the informal names is such an important step that there is a ritual to acknowledge the changed status and your inclusion in their ‘inner circle’. At parties or other social gatherings, your hosts will introduce you, usually starting with the women and then moving on to the men. A man gives way to a lady, he lets her walk first. A woman should walk on the right hand side of a man.

Dining Etiquette

If you are invited to a private home for dinner, be prepared to remove your shoes before entering (no holes in socks please!) it is usual to arrive around 8 pm and to stay until past midnight. It is considered to be polite to arrive about 15 minutes late to give the hostess time to prepare, but later than 15 minutes is considered bad manners and not good etiquette. Be sure to bring a small gift such as a bottle of wine or bouquet of flowers for the hostess if you are dining in their home. It is also good etiquette to send a hand written card to your host and hostess thanking them for their invitation and time. Offer to help the hostess with the preparation or clearing up after a meal is served. This is good manners. This will more often that not be turned down out of politeness. Do not ask for a tour of the house. Table manners are Continental, i.e. hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating. Wait for the hostess to invite you to start eating. Most meals are served family-style. Take small amounts of food initially so you can accept second helpings. Try a bit of everything. Expect frequent toasting throughout the meal. The host offers the first toast. Toasts are only made with hard liquor (generally vodka). You should reciprocate with your own toast later in the meal. Alcohol is served in small glasses so you can swallow in one gulp. The Poles are very conscious of practising good etiquette and are extremely goods hosts, the more you drink, the more they will offer, so if you cannot hold your liquor, know when to say no. In Polish etiquette, direct eye contact should be maintained, especially when toasting. Flicking a few fingers against the neck is not a rude gesture; it is simply an invitation from one male to another to join the person for a drink of vodka.

Dress Etiquette

Generally the business culture in Poland dislikes ostentatious displays of wealth. Mostly the dress is smart casual conservative. In the larger companies and banks conservative suits and ties in subdued colours are usually worn. Bright colours are considered inappropriate. Women's dress etiquette is to wear conservative suits or dresses, again bright colours should be avoided. The usual classical colours are worn, for example black, navy blue, grey, brown or beige. T-shits, sweatpants, shorts and runner shoes are not acceptable in the business or social world. Perfumes and aftershave should be used sparingly. Jewellery should never be ostentatious, elegant and modest is the key. To sum it up, Polish dress etiquette is conservative, respectable, elegant and modest.

Here are some general cultural norms :

1. On an international scale, the Polish etiquette would be considered formal. Mr and Mrs plus the family name is an absolute requirement when introductions are made. Always be on time, it is considered extreme bad manners and poor etiquette to keep people waiting. When departing, men shake hands with everyone individually.

2. Dining etiquette for tipping. A 10 percent tip is usually sufficient for restaurants. Restaurants usually have the 10 percent tip already included on the bill, but if you are unsure, ask if service is included.

3. Dining etiquette for paying the bill. Usually the one who does the inviting pays the bill, although the guest is expected to make an effort to pay. Sometimes other circumstances determine the payee (such as rank).

Sights and Sounds of Warsaw

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Sightseeing and Warsaw don’t usually go together, and the reason, if not the blame, for that falls on her citizens. While some cities may have been happy to wait out Nazi occupation, the Warsaw locals were having none of that. The ensuing uprising which took place in 1944 would become both the most glorious and tragic episode in the city’s history. Warsaw is among the greenest metropolises on the continent, with the Europe’s wildest river gushing through the centre of the city. During World War II Warsaw was reduced to rubble, nonetheless she was brought back to life and continues flourishing. There are many ways to fully comprehend Warsaw, get to it better, and many more are waiting to be defined and shared with others. Everyone will find amusing or entertaining ways to spend time in Warsaw, which should help with understanding this multitude of contrasts and variations that define this spectacular city. Paradoxically Warsaw’s Old Town is only fifty years old. After World War II it was proudly and laboriously reconstructed to its present form. In 1980 it was placed on the UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. Monumental and lapidarian Socialist realism neighbours the subtle and ethereal Art Nouveau, and modern-glass skyscrapers tower over the apartment buildings. Modern office building designed by the famous architect beautifully blends in with its neighbouring Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which was constructed as the arcade of Saxon Palace. Monumental district Praga, which for decades was in the shadows of cultural life, is enduring meticulous revitalization, and it is becoming a promised land for the artists and the oasis for the creative undertakings. There is an absolutely, one hundred percent authentic orchard on the roof of the largest University Library in the city. There is Hip-hop and all-pervading Fryderyk Chopin whose music you can listen to within ancient walls of the Łazienki Park – where the composer himself used to play. It is an interesting contrast.

Łazienki Park

Anyone who still thinks that Warsaw is a city of concrete and cement has clearly never been to the city’s lung, the incomparable Łazienki Park. Quite simply, this glorious, 17th century park, spread over 74 hectares, is one of the jewels in Poland’s crown, which might explain why half of Warsaw chooses to spend its summer Sundays here. Fear not though, for so big is Łazienki that it never gives the impression of being crowded, and even on the busiest of days you will always be able to find a quiet, shady corner somewhere.

Royal Castle

A castle, built as a residence for the King of Poland, Sigmund III, who descending from the Swedish Vasa dynasty, had a pretence to rule Sweden, therefore moved the capital north from Krakow, the traditional capital of Poland. Italian architects built the castle. Until today, this mixture of Polish grand gesture, Italian style and Swedish soberness, despite all the contradictions in terms, is clearly visible in the castle’s structure. During the WWII, Germans have methodically destroyed the Royal Castle. The Castle has been rebuilt in the years 1971-1988 as a national monument of Polish history and culture. Interiors were meticulously restored using the preserved ruin fragments and the old documents as examples of the original state. Now the castle is fully rebuilt with an effort of many Poles in the country and abroad.

Copernicus Science Centre

While the world’s attention was drawn towards the highly-visible, round-the-clock construction of Warsaw’s amazing new stadium on the right bank of the Wisła, work was being carried out on the river’s left bank on a building that might well outshine the stadium once the Euro 2012 bunting has been taken down. Built on time and on budget (well, just about), the Copernicus Science Centre (CSC) - which stands almost directly opposite the stadium, looks set to become Warsaw’s top visitor attraction for years to come.

Holy Cross Church

No Chopinologist can leave Warsaw without first visiting the final resting place of his heart. Although this serves as the church's key draw there’s several other features of note to tempt the visitor inside this astonishing Baroque creation. Throughout history the church has played its role in Warsaw’s glories and calamities. Devastated during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944 the church was painstakingly rebuilt at the end of the war and is today a feast for the heart, eyes and soul.

The Old Town

The Stare Miasto or Old Town is the main attraction. An historical area where one can stroll along cobblestone streets, relax in open aired cafés and soak up the unique & inspiring surroundings. There are many charming buildings & monuments, interesting museums and some of the most beautiful squares in Europe, all in a localized area that can easily be discovered on foot. What’s fascinating about Warsaw’s Old Town, is in fact, that it is not that old at all, as the Old Town was completely destroyed during WWII and later was painstakingly rebuilt, literally brick by brick, to look like the original. Without a city guide to tell you these things, one would never guess that the Old Town is a complete reconstruction. The Stare Miasto will be the highlight to your city break stay in Poland and will be a memory you’ll cherish forever. Warsaw’s Old Town is truly a beautiful scene and quite an inspirational place, to think that despite all the odds, the ancient town rose again from the devastation of the Nazis. Today, the Old Town is an asset of World Culture listed in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1980 and is the capitals prime city break attraction, throughout the year. Day or night the old town welcomes visitors to explore its cobbled paths, defensive walls, romantic alleys and green summer gardens.

Palace of Culture and Science

Don’t let the name fool you – this is not the cultural hub of Warsaw. That said, however long you’re in the city for this is a must-see to experience Soviet Warsaw. You couldn’t miss this hulking giant of a landmark if you tried. Soaring 231 metres into the sky the building remains the tallest in Poland, in spite of recent competition from its high-rise neighbours. City with the highest 4-faced clock tower in the world. Its four faces are each 6 m in diameter, making this the largest clock of its kind in Europe. It is positioned on one of the youngest, yet one of this most prominent symbols of Socialist architecture – The Palace of Culture and Science.

Wilanow Palace

The baroque-style Wilanow Palace was designed by many famous artists including Michelangelo. The palace is remarkable for its original architecture, a blend of the European art with the Old-Polish building tradition, with spectacular interior wall paintings and carvings that convey a great sense of royal grandeur and triumph. The Wilanow Palace is one of the most beautiful buildings in the capital and has been a major Poland holiday focal point since it turned into an open museum in 1962. Don’t miss this on your Warsaw breaks, its one of the main points of interest for all guests to enjoy. It’s well preserved 43 hectare park is the other major attraction to the palace, where people can roam and find many different types of garden designs, from Baroque, English, neo-classical and Chinese. The palace and its surrounding parks are without a doubt one of the finest places to visit.

The Citadel

The Citadel is a 19th century fortification by the Vistula River and is another main Polish historical site to be visited on a weekend breaks to Warsaw. The fortress is a pentagon-shaped brick structure with high outer walls, enclosing an area of 36 hectares. Today the fortress is home to the fantastic Independence museum, which allows visitors to explore underground tunnels and prison cells. The citadel is one of the best-preserved objects of 19th century fortification and defensive architecture and is a fantastic Poland city break attraction that must be visited.

Chopin Museum

The Frederick Chopin Museum is situated within the Ostrogski castle built in the 17th century and contains thousands of original Chopin artefacts, manuscripts, handwritten annotations to music scores, autographs and personal letters & mementos. Chopin is perhaps still Warsaw's most famous son and his memory & music is regularly celebrated with music concerts at the castle. Don’t miss the opportunity in seeing a classical concert.

The National Museum

The National Museum includes 780,000 items displayed in numerous temporary & permanent galleries. This is without a doubt Warsaw’s most important museum, which exhibits a complete range of subjects, from medieval & ancient Egyptian art to European furniture and Polish paintings. For travellers with a keen interest in history and Polish culture, then don’t miss the opportunity to visit the National Museum.

The Tomb of Unknown Soldier

On a vast square, named after Marshal Pilsudski, is the Tomb of Unknown Soldier, a very important place indeed, dedicated to the sacrifices made by Polish men who fought for their freedom and independence. The Tomb was constructed in 1925 beneath the arcades of the 17th-century Saxon Palace. When the Nazis blew up the palace in 1944, amazingly, the only part of the building to survive was the fragment standing directly over the tomb. Today, two smartly uniformed soldiers guard it day and night, 365 days a year. After visiting this important tourism site, take a walk through the Saxon Gardens, which are found at the back of the Tomb.

Gestapo HQ

The former Gestapo HQ was one of the most feared addresses in Poland, used as a brutal interrogation centre during the war. Today, there is a museum which re-lives the horror that went on in the building and although a shocking place to discover, it is well worth visiting here (Free entry). In the museum, you’ll discover; bullet marked scarred walls, torture methods, terrible stories of how prisoners were subjected to long drawn out torture and executions. It might be shocking but it’s a fascinating place to visit.

Jewish Ghetto

During the Nazi occupation, a Jewish Ghetto (Getto Zydowskie) was constructed and some 400,000 Jewish people were forced to live there in the confines of an enclosed area (Muranow, in the north west of the city). From here hundreds of thousands of Jews were sent to the Treblinka concentration camp, where most were executed on mass in the gas chambers. Today, there are a number of landmarks of great importance to remind people of the suffering and hardship the Jewish community had experienced. The historic Jewish Cemetery on Okopowa Street has been in continuous use since late in the 18th century and contains an estimated 250,000 individual graves as well as mass graves of thousands of residents of the Ghetto.

Praga District

It is certainly one of the most interesting and lively districts in Warsaw. It is also one of the oldest, set up at the end of the 18th century. It is one of very few districts in the city where pre-war architecture and climate preserved, including the traditional folklore of the city. However, over time Praga was neglected and therefore considered “bad” and “dangerous”. It is only recently that it was rediscovered and appreciated by numerous artists and city activists. It is becoming a lively and fashionable place, full of art galleries, underground clubs, cafés and ateliers, situated in old brick houses or deserted factories. It is also full of different tourist attractions, such as the only Orthodox Church in Warsaw, a Zoo and Koneser - a historical Vodka Distillery which now became a cultural centre of the district.

One can discover Warsaw’s gems, popularly known as tourist attractions, in several different ways. On foot, on the bike, following ancient sites, or Chopin trail, as well as following concerts and festivals contemporary music, club-hopping or pursuing other ambitious artistic events. There are many more place to visit. The churches and monuments are too many to mention here. Every day Varsovians walk by the multitude of commemoration sites, and after work they relax in abundant parks and gardens. Warsaw is a city with the enchanted soul in locations that don’t exist anymore, and the ambiance produced by fantastic combination of modern urban development and historical architecture. Palaces, churches and architectural clusters are interwoven with the wide open space of squares, parks and city gardens.

Wonderful Warsaw

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Warsaw, also known as Warszawa, is the capital and the largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, equidistant from the Baltic Sea and the Carpathian Mountains. Completely destroyed by the Nazis during World War II, the city managed to lift itself from the ashes. The only thing that persevered was the Polish spirit. Since the fall of communism in 1989, Warsaw has been developing much more rapidly than Poland as a whole. You wouldn't recognize the city if you saw it ten years ago, and more changes are constantly taking place. Warsaw has long been the easiest place in Poland to find employment, and for this reason many of the Polish inhabitants of the city are first or second generation, originating from all over the country. Today, almost every building in Warsaw dates to the post war era - with what little remains of the old structures being confined largely to the restored districts of Stare Miasto (the 'old city') and Nowe Miasto ('new city'), as well as selected monuments and cemeteries. The vibrant heart of the largest country in "New Europe", Warsaw is now poised to make is presence felt as a business and cultural hub. This awesome city is full of contrasts, questions and astonishments. Warsaw will not leave you different – reflection and euphoria simultaneously spring to mind. Warsaw is home to some of the largest corporations serving business or conducting financial activities and to the largest legal companies operating in Poland. Warsaw hosts Stock Exchange and the headquarters of the most commercial banks operating in Poland and is also the location of main offices of the largest transport and shipping companies. Poland is a country rich in history and attractions. It is part of EU and NATO. It is one of the most stable and affluent countries in the world. Apart from Warsaw - we recommend tourists to visit the town of Krakow. Krakow was a capital of Poland for centuries and was almost left intact after 2nd World War. The train ride from Warsaw to Krakow takes only 2.5 hours and it is possible to do a day trip from Warsaw to Krakow.

Some General Information

Country : Poland

Official Language : Polish

Religion : Roman Catholic

Currency : Polish zloty ( PLN )

Time Zone : + 1 Hour GMT, Summers are + 2 hours GMT

Temperature : Summers in Warsaw can vary from mild to exhaustingly hot. In most residences and some hotels, there is no air conditioning, which means the days and nights can be hot to the point of interrupting one's sleep. The winters, on the other hand, are brutally cold. Weather can often force the city to come to a standstill. When it snows, it may take up to an hour's time just to travel a few city blocks with traffic at a standstill and road crews seemingly caught off guard.

Sightseeing : Warsaw's current urban landscape is one of modern and contemporary architecture. Most of the historical buildings were thoroughly reconstructed. However, some of the buildings from the 19th century that had been preserved in reasonably re-constructible form were nonetheless eradicated in the 1950s and 1960s. St. John's Cathedral, St. Mary's Church , Gunpowder Tower and the Royal Castle Curia Maior, Łazienki Park and Palace, Palace of Culture and Science, Old Town, Copernicus Science Centre and many churches and cathedrals.

Getting There

The Frederic Chopin International Airport ( WAW )

The Frederic Chopin is just 10km south west of Warsaw in Okecie, and the journey time by bus is usually only around 25 minutes. Formerly Warsaw-Okecie Airport or Okecie International Airport, the airport bore the name of its Okęcie neighbourhood throughout its history, until its renaming for Polish composer and former Warsaw resident Frédéric Chopin in 2001. There are car rental facilities, disabled facilities, conference and business lounges, insurance, lost luggage service, left luggage counters, vat refund counter, transit hotel, shopping, tourist info. Airport catering services include two restaurants, snack bars, ice-cream stands and self-service cafeterias. The Etiuda Terminal has vending machines and a coffee bar, while in Terminal 2 Arrivals there is also a coffee bar. There is a bank in the Terminal 1 Departures hall, and bureaux de change and ATMs in Arrivals and Departures. There is also a post office in the Departures hall. There are two Wi-Fi hotspots (provided by Era and Orange) that can be accessed in all areas of Terminal 1 to ease you off your internet worries, a chapel, baby rooms, observation deck and first aid help for any unforeseen mishaps.

Address : Ulica Zwirki i Wigury 1, 00 906 Warszawa, Poland

Airport Info - (6am to 10pm) or try +48 22 650 4220

Airport Telephone Operator - +48 22 650 1111

Website : http://www.lotnisko-chopina.pl/en/passenger

Tourist Information

The Warsaw Tourist Office (Stołeczne Biuro Turystyki) is an entity that operates within the larger organisation of the City of Warsaw; it concerns itself with informing visitors about comprehensive activities related to tourism. Their tasks include managing the Warsaw Tourist Information Points and telephone hotlines, which are at: +48 22 194 31
• providing information about Warsaw and its attractions, as well as cultural, sporting and business/ trade fair events in the capital
• booking reservations in Warsaw hotels
• arranging tour guides
• distributing the Warsaw Tourist Card and travel publications (such as maps, guides, general information, etc.)

Tourist Points are :

Palace of Culture and Science (Pałac Kultury i Nauki) Tel. +48 22 194 31

Warsaw Central Train Station (Dworzec Warszawa Centralna) main hall, Opening hours: Mon. - Sun. 8 am - 8 pm

Rynek Starego Miasta 19/21/21a

Chopin Airport (Lotnisko Chopina)
Terminal A, exit 2

Kordegarda ul. Krakowskie Przedmieście 15/17. Opening hours: Tue.-Sun. 11 am-7 pm

Travel Tips

1. If you're looking to mingle with real Varsovians, there's a well-kept, secret row of nameless, dark bars located off of Nowy Świat. They are reportedly good for those wishing to participate in the more decadent side of Varsovian night life. In truth, the places attract a younger crowd who want to socialize over a beer. If you'd like to give one of these bars a try, walk through the gateway at Nowy Świat 22. You'll find a few small buildings with bars tucked away. The number one tip about visiting one of these bars is go early if you want find a seat. You won't be able to find one after 10PM.

2. Kantors (currency-exchange offices) and ATMs are easy to find around the city centre. There are 24-hour kantors at the Warszawa Centralna train station and either side of the immigration counters at the airport, but exchange rates at these places are about 10% lower than in the city centre. Avoid changing money in the Old Town, where rates are shocking.

3. Warsaw is no more dangerous than any other European capital city, but you should take precautions while strolling about the streets at night, and watch your possessions on public transport and in other crowded places. Pickpockets are especially active on bus 175 (between the airport and the city centre), on the trams that run along Al Jerozolimskie, and in and around the central train station. Beware also of ‘mafia taxis’.

4. Praga has a reputation as a rough area at night. Most locals use taxis as transport in and out of the neighbourhood, and so should you. The bus and rail stations can be a magnet for homeless and drunkards, who, for the most part, will leave you alone. There are, however, some problems that are not widespread but, unfortunately, happen too frequently and travelers should be forewarned.

5. Visitors not knowing Polish may also be the target of "bar girls," especially in Underground off of ul. Mazowiecka on days where there isn't a cover charge. Be cautious if you encounter a girl speaking English who will offer you a drink or a cigarette. She will then ask you to walk her to her car parked outside of the club and then explain how her friend still inside of the club has her car keys. Then she will ask if you would like to share a cab back to her place for 70 zloty and then go back to the club. Doing so puts yourself in danger because it isn't known where she lives and you could besetting yourself up for possible harm or other scams.

6. Football hooligans can be a problem in Warsaw, so it's best to avoid them, because they seem to understand only two things: football and destruction. Visitors will want to avoid particularly Łazienki Park when there's a football match, as the Legia stadium is located near the park.

7. In general, the problems that plague many visitors to Warsaw are alcohol-related: a hangover with a possible run-in with the police (Polish: Policja). The city centre has a strong police presence and is generally a very safe area.

Surviving Hungary

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Hungarians put a great emphasis on socializing, including eating, drinking, and entertainment. So, when you are out and about and being social, impress those around you with your knowledge of Hungarian etiquette. Below are some etiquette tips to help you out on your trip to Hungary. Since socializing is such an important part of Hungarian culture, proper etiquette is important. You'll blend in better and make a far better impression if you can follow their etiquette and have a wonderful trip to Hungary.

1. Don’t discuss politics or religion.

2. Don’t be surprised if a man doesn’t shake your hand.

3. Don’t begin eating until the host starts.

4. Don’t clink glasses when drinking beer.

5. Don’t put your elbows on the table.

6. Do not blow your nose or clear your throat loudly in the presence of others.

7. At a restaurant, do not let a woman pay, even if she is actually. This is frowned upon. Do your accounting later.

8. Never discuss business during a meal.

9. Don’t give lilies, chrysanthemums or red roses as gifts.

10. Don’t be more than 5 minutes late.

11. Don’t ask for a tour of the house.

12. Don’t bring wine to someone’s house. The Hungarians are proud of their own wine.

13. Don’t try to schedule meetings on Friday afternoons in the summer or from mid-December to mid-January.

14. Don’t be late. If you think you're going to be late, call to explain.

15. Don’t cancel a meeting at the last minute.

16. Don’t be the one to move the conversation to business. Before getting down to business there is usually a bit of small talk. Let your Hungarian business associates be the ones to get down to business.

17. Don’t remove your suit jacket without asking first.

18. Do not carry valuables with you.

19. Do not hail down a taxi on the road.

20. Do not board a public transport system without a ticket.

21. Do not cross the road without checking. Watch out for rash driving.

Hungarian Food

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The simplest way to learn a nation is said to be through its cuisine and experiencing Hungary’s food is the best way for learning about Hungarian culture and traditions. This city has a number of flavours: different in Óbuda, Buda and Pest. What is Hungarian cuisine like? Many think that Hungarians eat heavy, fatty dishes, a key ingredient of which is the throat-burning hot red paprika. Traditional Hungarian dishes abound in piquant flavours and aromas. Dishes are flavourful, spicy and often even heavy. People with a sensitive stomach should be careful. Flavours of Hungarian dishes are based on centuries old traditions in spicing and preparation methods. The exquisite ingredients are produced by local farmers. Lard has long been replaced with vegetable oils, and red paprika is only used to enhance the flavour of the dishes. Every region has got its own special food that encompass a wide variety of fishes, poultry, vegetable and meat and of course cakes in all styles. Budapest has over 1,000 restaurants, offering Hungarian and international cuisine. In the past ten years the choice has been growing fast: French, Chinese, Russian, Italian, Serbian, Indian, American, Greek, British, Czech, Danish, even vegetarian or kosher eateries have been opened. Fast-food operations with all the major chains have outlets in Budapest.

Meals

The first thing that people recall about Hungarian cuisine is goulash, which is, contrary to popular belief , not a stew but an artistically prepared thick soup. Hungarian goulash (gulyas) is a thick beef soup cooked with onions and potatoes and usually eaten as a main course. What we think of as goulash is actually ‘porkolt’, meat stewed with onions and paprika, the addition of sour cream makes the dish, whatever it may be, paprikas. Pork is the most common meat dish. Sour cream is often used to soften flavour. You must try fish soup, chicken paprika, good home-made pörkölt (stew) and the excellent fresh-water fishes: grilled pike-perch, trout with almond. Also compulsory is goose liver. Whether fried or grilled, cold or hot, it is simply unforgettable.

Desserts

If you have a sweet tooth you do not want to miss luscious Hungarian cakes scrumptious pastries. Coffee houses or cafés are the best places to try these sweet delights. Take your time to select from the array of cakes and gateau's behind the counter.The most delicious ones are strudels, Gundel pancakes, Somlói dumplings and Gesztenyepüré (cooked chestnuts mashed, topped with whipped cream). Specialities include salty and sweet pastas, of which Túrós csusza (pasta with curd and sour cream) is warmly recommended. For quick morning snacks try Túrós táska (pastry filled with cottage cheese) or Kakós csiga (cacao snail: rolled pastry filled with chocolate) pastries from bakeries. Lángos, a round, deep-fried dough is a savoury snack that you can get at food stalls in vegetable markets. Pogácsa, a kind of salty biscuit with various flavourings (cracklings, cheese, cabbage) is another option for a quick bite.

Drinks

Hungarians, like most Eastern Europeans, like their liquor and hold it well. The national liquor is Pálinka, a brandy that’s somewhere between 60% and 70% alcohol and usually served in a shot glass that’s usually about two ounces. Good palinkas are a real treat to drink, and come in different fruit flavors. The second liquor most identified with Hungary is Unicum, which tastes and looks like Jaegermeister. If you’ve never had Jaeger, think cough syrup. If you like it, you’ll like Unicum. For over 150 years, a blend of 40 Hungarian herbs has been used to create Unicum. Hungarians like to have a shot of Unicum before and/or after a meal. This is a bitter liqueur and can be drunk as an apéritif or after a meal, thus helping digestion. Wine is also quite popular, Hungary produces some nice reds. It’s usually served in a soft drink glass at pubs. Red wine from Villány is generally considered the best, although Tokaji wine is just as well-known and not bad either. Hungarians enjoy drinking refreshing spritzers. This is basically a proportion of wine with a proportion of soda water.

In many restaurants with live Gypsy music, mainly frequented by foreign tourists, musicians go up to the tables and play a song on request. They expect a gratuity in return. If you do not like this kind of entertainment, try to sit further away from the band or go to a "music-free" restaurant. There are plenty of both types. You are not advised to accept the waiter’s offer about the speciality of the house, particularly if you do not know the price. You should study the menu whether the main course includes the price of garnishes. Always ask for an itemised bill. Beverage prices are usually rather high in good restaurants, so first consult the wine list. Waiters usually receive a tip in restaurants, which is about 10-15 percent of the bill. Service is included in the price at some places, where no tip is expected.

Shopping in Budapest

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Whether you are looking for gifts to take home from Budapest, or just want to do some shopping, there are plenty of opportunities to indulge yourself in the pleasure of money-spending. Shopping in Budapest is quirky. It defies expectation. Things tend to be dispersed, so similar shops most often don't cluster in a single neighbourhood. Even stores often stock random associations of goods - down comforters and used books. Other places stock very narrow arrays. You frequently can't tell exactly what a store is selling by looking in its windows. Shopping in Budapest has never been better and tourists are in for local souvenir treats. Folk art products are very typical of Hungary. They are handmade by the locals. The most popular folklore products are: embroidered cloths, pillowcases, dolls dressed in Hungarian folklore costumes, dresses, pottery, and porcelain. Food stores are open from 6.00 or 7.00 to 18.00, 19.00, Monday to Friday, on Saturdays from 6.00 or 7.00 to 13.00. Other Budapest shops are open Monday to Friday from 10.00 to 18.00, on Saturdays from 10.00 to 13.00. The large supermarkets have longer opening hours and are open on Sunday. Some of them, like Tesco are open 24 hours. In the centre, mainly in Pest, you'll find several non-stop, 24-hour shops. They sell cigarettes, alcohol, soft drinks and snacks, and other foodstuff, usually at a higher price. During the heart of the summer in Budapest, in July and August, a number of the smaller shops close for this entire period. Budapest is a city of market halls, shops, and markets.

Budapest Flea Markets

Budapest is home to the daily Ecseri Piac market on Nagykorösi, one of the largest flea markets in the whole of Central Europe. Here you can shop for Hungary and purchase everything from antique jewellery to watches and silverware and Herend porcelain. Saturday is said to be the best day to go; dealers get there early to search for those proverbial diamonds amidst the rust. The City Park flea market is another of Budapest's many shopping highlights and takes place each Saturday and Sunday on the Zichy Mihály Utca, close to the Petofi Csarnok youth centre and in the City Park (Városliget) itself.

Báv

This chain of pawn and secondhand shops, with a number of branches around town, is always a fun place to comb for trinkets and treasures, especially if you don’t have time to get to the Ecseri or City Park flea markets. Check out this branch for chinaware, textiles and furniture. Other stores include the Belváros branch for knick-knacks, porcelain, glassware and artwork and the Buda branch for jewellery, lamps and fine porcelain.

Váci Utca

Traffic-free shopping is available along the bustling Váci Utca, a famous central promenade lined with shops and fully pedestrianized. The Váci Utca really is an integral part of any Budapest shopping trip and is a pleasant way to spend any afternoon, with plenty of pavement cafes if you need to take a break and enjoy a coffee. For serious antiques shopping in Budapest, visit the Falk Miksa Utca within the central Belvaros district, which is also home to a surprising concentration of small art galleries. The Váci Utca contains some particularly interesting shops, such as Inuita and the Folk-art Centrum, both of which specialise in modern Hungarian folk craft and painted eggs. Neighbouring streets like Fashion Street on Deák Ferenc utca, which links Vörösmarty tér with Deák tér, also offer a great shopping experience. Shops like Hugo Boss, Max Mara, Benetton, Sisley, Tommy Hilfiger, Lacoste and Mexx are some of the stores located here.

Central Market Hall

Many traditional gift shops are grouped around central Pest and in particular around the main boulevards of Kiskörút and Nagykörút, and close to Budapest's famous Nagy Vasarcsarnok market hall. These stretches tend to contain some of the most interesting shops that the city has to offer tourists, selling a range of authentic Hungarian handicrafts and souvenirs of Budapest, most of which are good value. However, if you are in this area, then do pay a leisurely visit to the market at Nagy Vasarcsarnok, which is known to attract some 30,000 visitors on a good day.

Andrássy Avenue

The biggest luxury brands are opening stores one after the other in Budapest, mostly in the city centre and on Andrássy avenue. Trendy young people may find the shops Retrock and Retrock Deluxe interesting, where you can buy clothes made by young designers. Upscale boutiques like Louis Vuitton, Ermenegildo Zegna, Burberry, Gucci, and Roberto Cavalli are located here. Bajcsy-Zsilinszky utca and Rákóczi út have many shops as well. For some inspirational gift ideas from contemporary designers check out Király utca, Budapest's Design Street, filled with design galleries and funky boutiques.

Malls

Budapest has many shopping malls, including the largest shopping mall in Central Europe, the Arena Plaza. These soulless malls, like everywhere else in the world, combine brand name shops with entertainment facilities. Due to a lack of space, most malls are located outside the City Center. The closest shopping malls to the City Center are : West End City Centre, Mammut, Corvin Shopping centre, Arkad, Arena Plaza, Allee, Europeum and Mom Park. To avoid crowds, shop between 10 to 12am . Be careful of pickpockets.

Art in Hungary

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You can get a real flavour of Hungary past and present by tasting the culture in its galleries and museums. Furthermore, there are clues all around in the country’s architecture. A single street can take you on a journey through several centuries; Hungary contains examples from a host of architectural periods, including Roman ruins, medieval castles, Baroque palaces, Art-Nouveau mansions and cutting-edge contemporary buildings. There are the remains of ancient castles and centuries-old country houses all over the country, and over 50 of these have been converted into elegant hotels where you can enjoy historic charm and aristocratic luxury while making use of the facilities and comforts you’d expect from 21st-century accommodation. Roman, Gothic, Baroque influenced the Hungarian art and architecture and Art Nouveau styles. The musical tradition of the country is also remarkable, famous works are the rhapsodies of Ferenc Liszt, the operas of Ferenc Erkel, the folk-music and gypsy music. Music enthusiasts should coincide their visit with one of several international cultural and music festivals. Lovers of opera and classical music are particularly well catered for – the capital’s beautiful State Opera House is world class, and there are many concert venues around the country hosting high-quality performances by famous Hungarian and international artists.

Furthermore, Hungary offers entertainment for those interested in less-mainstream cultural forms, including fashion shows and art-house films. The most famous works of literature are connected to the main events of the Hungarian history. Hungary has one of the most valuable folk traditions and folk art. The most important folk crafts: woodcarving, pottery, ceramics, embroidery, weaving, blue painting, tanning, saddler, clothes and costume manufacturer, hatmaker, straw spinner, matting, wicker, lace worker, pearl stringer, jewel and horse jewel manufacturer, felt maker, blacksmith, toy-maker, furniture maker, paper dipper, bone and horn carving, egg painter, farrier, candle dipper, music instrument maker , shoemaker, boot maker . Travellers can familiarise themselves with the Hungarian folk art in museums, exhibitions and markets. The Hungarian applied arts are also remarkable. The products of the Herend, Zsolnay and Hollóház china factories are world famous.

Painting and Graphic Arts

The earliest relic of Hungarian painting is the 12th century fresco of the undercroft of the church in Feldebrõ. The painting of Byzantine style is in the interior of the Romanesque building. Of the art nouveau, post-impressionist painters of the 20th century Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka was the first one. The period after World War Two put the masters of graphic art , Ádám Würtz, János Kass, Arnold Gross and Károly Reich into the forefront. The best-known contemporary painters include, among others, Tibor Csernus, István Mácsai, the expressionist avant-garde Károly Klimó, Lili Ország, István Nádler, Ilona Keserû, Pál Deim, Péter Földi and Endre Szász.

Sculpture

The best-known works of sculpture of the Romanesque period are the figures of the gate of the Ják church. One of the relics preserved until this day of the wooden sculptures characteristic of Hungary in the 14th and 15th centuries is the Saint Nicholas Altar of Jánosrét. The best-known work of art of Renaissance sculpture is the relief of King Matthias and Queen Beatrix by an Italian master. The last major sculptural-architectural endeavour of the century dedicated to the millennium was Heroes Square based on the plans of György Zala and Albert Schickedanz. Sculpture in the 20th century adopted new plastic means of expression. The David statue of Zsigmond Kisfaludi Stróbl, the Standing Girl of Béni Ferenczy and the Seedsman of Ferenc Medgyessy are displayed in the Hungarian National Gallery and these adequately show the changes.

Architecture

The first Hungarian architecture relics date back to the Romanesque period. The military camp of Aquincum was situated on the territory of today's Óbuda during the second century, and smaller castles can be found in Nagytétény, Tác and Leányfalu. Following the Mongolic invasion, royal stone castles were built in Gothic style, the Buda Castle came into being during this period, the Church of Our Lady and the monastery on Margaret Island were also built at the same time. Budapest became a metropolis at the turn of the century as a result of the millennium celebrations. Andrássy avenue, Heroes' Square with its museums were built together with the City Park with Vajdahunyad Castle in it. The construction project that has attracted the most attention recently is that of the National Theatre in Ferencváros, based on the designs of Mária Siklósi.

Music

Hungary has won high renown in world musical history. Though the country's history has repeatedly prevented uninterrupted development, talented Hungarian musicians in classical music and jazz alike are world famous in our days as well. The history of Hungarian music stared with folk music. Hungarian spirit finds its expression through the music of Hungary. Gypsy music is very popular in Hungary. However, Hungarian music has its own style and characteristics, different from the gypsies. After the end of the Turkish occupation, church music was reborn in the baroque style of the 18th century. The collection of sheet music of the cathedral of Gyõr includes the works of Mozart and Haydn, who composed music for the bishopric. In the 1960's Hungarian rock music conveyed political protest; the bands Illés, Metró and Omega are still popular. The alternative, underground musicians of the eighties (Sziámi, Európa Kiadó) are classics today. Since then, Hungarian popular music of varying standards has achieved international recognition: in the eighties the disco music of the Neoton Family was successful in the Far East, while most recently the electronic dance music of Yonderboi has won international acclaim.

Dance

Dancing provided the primary source of recreation for village people before the electronic entertainment forms of the modern world penetrated filtered into the lives of the tiniest settlements. Hungarian dance is a set of Hungarian folkloric dances. Hungarians have been noted for their "exceptionally well developed sense of rhythm". The Csárdás is undoubtedly the most popular and important dance in the Hungarian repertoire.A courting dance for couples, it begins with a slow section (lassu), followed by an exhilarating fast section (friss). The individual dancers carry themselves proudly and improvise on a simple fundamental step, their feet snapping inward and outward, the couples whirling.

Folk Art

It was in the beginning of the eighteenth century that the present style of Hungarian folk art took shape, incorporating both Renaissance and Baroque elements, depending on the area, as well as Persian Sassanide influences. Flowers and leaves, sometimes a bird or a spiral ornament, are the principal decorative themes. The most frequent ornament is a flower with a centrepiece resembling the eye of a peacock's feather. The finest achievements in their textile arts are the embroideries which vary from region to region. Those of Kalotaszeg in Transylvania are charming products of Oriental design, sewn chiefly in a single colour - red, blue, or black. Soft in line, the embroideries are applied on altar cloths, pillow cases and sheets.

Matyó

Matyó folk embroidery, originating in Mezökövesd, is popular both within Hungary and abroad. Shawls, tablecloths and aprons of black material are thickly embroidered with a dense accumulation of multicolored flowers in rich Oriental colors which harmonize despite their gaudiness. According to legend, there is a symbolism in the colors used in Matyo decorative work: black represents the soil from which life springs, red is the color of summer - representing light and joy - and blue stands for grief and death. Matyó embroidery decorates men's wear, too, providing men with coats, vests and shirts more ornate than anywhere else in the country.

Kalosca

Kalosca also ranks high in popularity. "Writing women" in this town on the Danube in Southern Hungary draw their designs on white or pastel colored fabrics. Daisies, marigolds, cornflowers, poppies, lilies, tulips and roses furnish the colorful motifs. Kalocsa designs are also applied to wall decorations. The reason embroidery has become so widespread in folk art lies in the ancient custom of dowry. It was expected that a well-to-do peasant family provide their marriageable daughter with a dozen ornate pillows and embroidered sheets, two to four decorated featherbeds and six to eightembroidered tablecloths.

Kalotaszeg

One of the favorite destinations for lovers of ethnographic art in Transylvania is Kalotaszeg. A famous painter, referring to the beauty of the women's costumes in Kalotaszeg, once asserted that even the ancient Greeks would not have found them barbaric. Their lines and cut conform to the structure of the human body, so that besides being picturesque they are architectonic too. Women's aprons, worn both front and back, are especially interesting parts of their apparel. Both aprons are gathered into small folds. The back apron is hemmed with broad, colored cloth - generally bright red - and is fastened in such a way that the colored hem shows curious shapes and, especially when walking, the movements of its wearer are accentuated.

Ceramics

Hungarian ceramic arts and pottery are an excellent example of purely Hungarian traditional arts. The Great Plain of Hungary, which is the place to go to learn horse riding in Hungary, is located in the centre and east of the country has traditionally been the home and centre for production of this type of Hungarian art.

Hungarian Culture

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When most people think of the European country of Hungary, the first things that may come to mind are Hungarian cuisine (particularly paprika), the capital Budapest, horse riding and perhaps a tradition for romantic literature and renaissance architecture. Of course, these alone are good reasons to visit Hungary. However, modern Hungary is a country with so much more than these famous cultural and historic staples. Everyday Hungarian life is still rich and varied, but perhaps doesn’t adhere to the more cultural stereotypes as much as one might expect. If you have plans to visit Hungary, it’s always a good idea to familiarise yourself with Hungarian culture and etiquette before you depart, whether visiting for business or pleasure. Hungary is very diverse. Hungarians are humanistic thinkers and people-oriented, yet free-spirited, stubborn individualists. Hungarians respect people who know what they’re doing, but reject authoritarian rule. Hospitality entails an extraordinary effort to feed and care for guests. Guests are always encouraged to step into one's home first.

Family Structure

The family is the centre of the social structure. Generations of extended family often live together. The grandparents play an important role in helping raise the grandchildren. The family provides both emotional and financial support to its members. The family continues to be a source of personal comfort and reassurance in the face of worsening economic conditions. The traditional sense of family loyalty and responsibility also seems to have survived. Family members continued to help each other in finding jobs or housing, in gaining admission to schools, and in providing for each other in times of need.

Social Behaviour

Friends, family members, and close acquaintances who have not seen one another for a while greet and part from one another with pecks on both the left and right cheeks. Touching the hands, arms, and shoulders of partners in conversation is common. It is customary for a woman to offer her hand first both to men of all ages and to younger women and children. Differentiated formal terms of address are seldom used among younger people. Informal styles of greeting and terms of address are used from the moment of initial meeting. Considerably less time is spent visiting and socializing in coffeehouses and on the streets than in the past. Bodily contact is rather intimate on public transportation and in malls and shopping centres. In isolated rural settlements, villagers still stare at strangers. Bear in mind that Hungarians are not adverse to a spot of ‘people watching’ and openly studying people around them. For instance, if waiting as a bus stop or on the train, don’t be alarmed if you appear to be a subject of interest for someone else. Hungarians expect friends to share private and intimate details of their personal lives. If you ever feel you are being asked personal questions, this is simply meant as part of the getting-to-know-you process. Hungarians will even enjoy sharing details of their romantic life with you.

Gift Giving

When visiting a company it is not necessary to bring gifts. If invited to a Hungarian's home for a meal, bring a box of good chocolates, flowers or Western liquor. Do not bring wine as the Hungarians are proud of the wines they produce. Flowers should be given in odd numbers, but not 13, which is considered an unlucky number. Do not give lilies, chrysanthemums or red roses. Gifts are usually opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

If in the rare case you invited to a Hungarian's house, arrive on time if invited for dinner, although a 5-minute grace period is granted. If invited to a party or other large gathering, arrive no more than 30 minutes later than invited. You may be asked to remove your outdoor shoes before entering the house. Do not ask for a tour of the house. Table manners are formal in Hungary. Table manners are Continental -- the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating. The hostess will wish the guests a hearty appetite at the start of each course. Hospitality is measured by the amount and variety of food served. Try everything. If you have not finished eating, cross your knife and fork across your plate. Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork parallel across the right side of your plate. The guest of honour usually proposes the first toast which generally salutes the health of the individuals present. At the end of the meal, someone toasts the hosts in appreciation of their hospitality. An empty glass is immediately refilled so if you do not want more to drink, leave your glass ½ full.

Here are some general cultural norms:

1. On the streets, it is customary for men to walk on the left side of women, ostensibly because in the past gentlemen kept their swords on the left side and women had to be on the opposite side of the sword. A Hungarian man enters first into a pub, restaurant, coffeehouse, or other public establishment, yet leaves behind them, as an expression of protective politeness.

2. Always say what you mean and maintain good eye contact.

3. Note that in the business world, Hungarians are much more reluctant to discuss family or private matters and may never share openly with their colleagues. Know the right topics to discuss. Avoid discussing business at dinner, which is a special time for relaxation. Sports, music or Hungarian food and wine are good conversation points. Stay away from discussing politics or religion.

4. In Hungary, men are expected to pay the wait staff. This is true even in cases when the woman is paying for both parties, or the bill is being split evenly. In such cases, do not be surprised (if you are a man) when your female companion hands you her wallet under the table, an act performed in the name of discretion. Alternately, accounting is done after the wait staff has left.