Copenhagen , Denmark
From chic design stores to cozy cafes , historic castles to modern design museums , there ’ s something for every interest in Copenhagen . You could start with the must-see attractions — The Little Mermaid statue , the colorful facades of Nyhavn canal — but there ’ s so much more beyond the quintessential snapshot sites . Try year-round skiing on CopenHill , a waste management center with a ski slope on the roof . Enjoy a day of roller coasters and carnival games at Tivoli Gardens , the theme park that served as the inspiration for Disneyland . Shop vintage clothing and admire art galleries along Jægersborggade Street . Climb to the top of Our Saviour ’ s Church for a bird ’ s-eye view of the city or rent a bicycle and experience the bustling streets as a local — roughly half the city commutes by bike , meaning a scenic bike ride to any of the above will have you blending right in as a Dane .
Oslo , Norway
Right outside the Baltic Sea sits Skagerrak strait , which is where you ’ ll find Oslo , the capital of Norway . Dubbed the “ newest capital of Nordic cool ,” this ever-walkable city is brimming with life — and has no shortage of museums and parks to peruse . The Bygdøy Peninsula is likely at the top of your must-see list : Beautiful sandy beaches , tranquil nature paths and a collection of Norway ’ s most popular museums ( the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History , the Fram Museum and the Viking Ship Museum , just to name three of the seven ) make it a prime venue for spending a day . Back in the city center , there are still more museums to see . The National Museum sprawls across 140,000 square feet of exhibition space and houses masterpieces such as Edvard Munch ’ s The Scream . Ekebergparken — a vast forested park with priceless sculptures hidden among the trees like massive Easter eggs — is a tranquil outing . If at any point you ’ re feeling peckish , rest assured you ’ ve got options . Between the world-ranked restaurants , food stalls , renowned coffee baristas and a growing food truck culture , you ’ re never more than a stone ’ s throw from something delicious .
The Little Mermaid statue Fresh oysters
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