Scandinavian Natural Wonders: Best Places to Visit in Scandinavia

Scandinavian Natural Wonders: Best Places to Visit in Scandinavia

The magic and beauty of Scandinavia will take your breath away! Norway, Finland, Iceland and Sweden are all home to some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in the world. Each country has its own unique way of delivering that ‘wow’ factor you’re looking for

Iceland’s Blue Lagoon

Reykjanes Peninsula is known for its lava fields, rugged landscapes and hot springs. It’s also home of the famous Blue Lagoon, named one of National Geographic’s 25 wonders of the world in 2012. It’s a wonderfully warm, mineral rich geothermal pool of sea water sitting right in the middle of a huge 800- year-old lava field. We highly encourage you to take a soak in this very special place.

The Northern Lights in Finland

The Aurora Borealis, also known as The Northern Lights, is nature’s most incredible light show. The burst of colourful flickering lights in the night sky is viewable on about 200 nights a year, and it can be seen from a wide range of places from igloos to luxury suites or even boat cruises. It’s truly a dazzling sight to behold.

Sweden’s Stockholm Archipelago

A few minutes away from Stockholm, this cluster of 30,000 islands, islets and rocks blends with rocky cliffs, wooded islands and sandy beaches to create a truly beautiful and diverse landscape. Some islands are uninhabited, while others are home to active communities both new and ancient. Visitors enjoy sight-seeing, shopping, and fresh, local cuisine lovingly prepared in charming cafes.

The Majestic Fjord Region in Norway

Visit the fjord region of Western Norway to see narrow fjords cut into tall mountains. Waterfalls cascade magnificently down mountainsides and the glaciers stand firm, never melting. See the seals, eagles and whales who make their homes here and enjoy incredible food made from local produce.

Norway’s Waterfalls

Norway is home to many magnificent waterfalls, but the “Seven Sisters” are among the most photographed and admired in Geirangerfjorden. They are more visible during May through July when the snow melts and are best seen by taking a boat trip. The legend is that the “Seven Sisters” were all single and the waterfall on the other side of the fjord is “The Suitor” whose attempts to court the sisters failed.

No matter where you choose to travel, the scenery will not disappoint. Nobody puts on a show quite like mother nature!

Kristen Gilbert - As a Digital Content Copywriter at Collette, Kristen has travelled extensively. When she’s not busy writing about fabulous tours, she’s dreaming of being in a place where she can sip an umbrella drink with her toes in the sand and a good book in her hand.
Blog copy used with permission from Collette.

Planning a Trip to the Galapagos Islands

 The Galapagos Islands are one of the most ecologically extraordinary places on the planet. The ecosystem that inspired Darwin – now a protected part of our world heritage - continues to fascinate. Free and fearless animals, different from any others found anywhere else in the world, awe visitors who make the journey to this remote destination.

If you're thinking about a trip to the Galapagos, here are some tips for your planning:

What makes the Galapagos Islands so special?

The Galapagos Islands are both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a World Biosphere reserve, the second largest in the world. Isolated and remote with a rich ecosystem, the archipelago is a living museum of natural history.

The pivotal moment came in 1835, when Charles Darwin visited the islands. What he discovered among the wildlife, related to - but very different from - any creatures found elsewhere, inspired his theory of evolution and the origin of species. Darwin's theories shocked the scientific world of the 19th century and put the Galapagos Islands on the map and on the lips of generations of curious nature lovers.

The Galapagos Islands have been described as one of the most unique, scientifically important, and biologically outstanding areas on earth.

Where are the Galapagos Islands?

The Galapagos Islands are part of the South American country of Ecuador, but are hundreds of miles west of continental Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. They form an archipelago of volcanic islands on both sides of the Equator. Thirteen large islands, six lesser ones, more than 40 islets and their surrounding waters form an Ecuadorian province, a national park, and a biological marine reserve.

How did they get their name?

The most symbolic creature of the islands is the extraordinary, giant Galapagos tortoise. Its magnificent shell reminded explorers of a British horse riding saddle, which in Spanish is called 'Galapagos'.

When should I go?

Because the Galapagos is so close to the equator, it's a sunny year round destination. The average year-round temperature is 24°C. (76°F) with a rainy season in the early months of the year.

North Americans are more familiar with a 'four season' life cycle of wildlife, but in the Galapagos Islands, there are natural wonders year round.

Here are some highlights of what you may experience at different times in the Galapagos Islands:

January

· Marine iguanas get a bright coloring to attract mates.

· Hatching of Giant tortoises' eggs.

February

· Greater flamingos start nesting.

· Penguins migrate to cooler waters.

March

· Frigate birds mating season starts.

· Perfect time for snorkeling.

April

· Rainy season comes to an end.

· Sea turtles, marine iguanas and land iguanas nesting.

May

· Waved albatross lay eggs.

· Blue-footed boobies begin their world-known courtship.

June

· Whale shark and humpback whale sightings possible

· Giant tortoises migrate to lowlands searching for good nesting-places.

July

· Start of sea lion breeding season.

· Lava lizards mating season.

August

· Frigatebird chicks are hatching.

· Sea lions give birth during this time.

September

· Galapagos penguins courtship

· A good month to see baby sea lions.

October

· Blue-footed booby chicks can be seen.

· Galapagos fur sea lions' mating season.

November

· Chance of seeing whale sharks

· Green sea turtle mating season starts.

· Great for swimming and snorkeling with baby sea lions.

December

· Start of the warmer season.

A trip to the Galapagos Islands to get up close to extraordinary wildlife in one of the world's remaining pristine environments is on many nature lovers' travel bucket lists. For many, it's not just a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but life changing.

Start your Trip!

Celebrate Music and Modern Architecture in Hamburg

The landmark, modernist Elbphilharmonie, designed by 'starchitects' Herzog & deMeuron, has opened its doors at last this month. The complex adds three world-class concert halls, a hotel, and a public area with a panoramic view to the city famously associated with the music of Mahler, Brahms and the Beatles.

Hamburg is Europe's second largest port.  It handles large, ocean-going ships, so it's considered a seaport, even though it's nearly 70 miles (110 km) inland from the North Sea on the Elbe River at its confluence with 2 other rivers.

The Elbphilharmonie is in a unique location in Hamburg’s historic port.  It's part of Europe’s largest inner-city urban revitalization project, in direct proximity to the Speicherstadt warehouse district UNESCO World Heritage site. 

In location, in design, and in function, the Elbphilharmonie serves as a symbol of the city’s past, present and its future.

Spectacular Architecture

The renowned Swiss architecture firm Herzog & deMeuron designed the exciting structure to perch on top of a brick warehouse that used to store tea, tobacco and cocoa arriving from abroad. 1700 reinforced concrete piles support the modernist, glass structure, whose wave-like roofline rises above the water of the port that surrounds it on three sides.

The Plaza is the area that links the warehouse and the new structure, and it's the central meeting place in the Elbphilharmonie. There's a viewing platform here that's open to the public. Even getting to it is an experience: an 82-metre-long (over 250 foot-long) curved escalator transports visitors through the building. Once you get there, you have a stunning panoramic view over the city and port of Hamburg.

The heart of the Elbphilharmonie is the spectacular, Grand Concert Hall. 2,100 seats are arranged around a centrally located stage, designed to remind you of visits to terraced vineyards. Amazingly, no member of the audience is seated more than 30 metres (about a hundred feet) from the conductor. Being so unusually close to the action turns this new acoustic space into a place of unforgettable musical encounters.

In order to achieve optimum acoustics, the architects developed a special wall and roof structure together with internationally renowned acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota. 10,000 individually shaped fibre panels cut with millimetre precision ensure targeted sound distribution that reaches you in every corner. For the Grand Hall, the German organ builder Klais developed an extraordinary concert hall organ with 4,765 pipes that are located in, next to and even behind the audience stands.

A Boundless Music Experience

In addition to the one-of-a-kind Grand Hall, the complex includes the acoustically outstanding, wood paneled Recital Hall and The 'Kaistudios', the Elbphilharmonie’s interactive music education area for people of all ages. The 'Kaistudios' are also home to the new 'Elbphilharmonie World of Instruments': diverse workshops in which children and adults can try out instruments from all over the world.

Are you thinking this all sounds fantastic, but you really aren't a fan of classical music? Don't fear: there's a line up of concerts and performances that not only include orchestral and operatic performances with the best orchestras in the world; piano, string quartet and German 'lieder'; but also world music, popular, and even electronic music.   Music for every fan, and a reflection of a city that not only supported famous composers, but also has had a world-celebrated club scene since the earliest days of the Fab Four.

They call it 'a perfect symbiosis of architecture and music'.  We agree.  The new Elbphilharmonie highlights Hamburg on the map of must-see global destinations for lovers of music and celebrated modern design.

Start your Trip!

Shades of Northern Ireland

Shades of Northern Ireland

1. Northern Ireland completes the story of Ireland. Not visiting 'The North' is a bit like deciding to skip the season finale of your favourite TV show. 

2. It is the most beautiful part of the Emerald Isle. 

3. By visiting Northern Ireland we are actively supporting 18 years of peace. Tourism is one of the most important drivers of Northern Ireland's economic growth, and steady tourism is necessary to provide continued economic, social and political stability. 

 4. It's home to the Giant's Causeway, The Glens of Antrim, Game of Thrones, the Walled City of Derry (my favourite city – forget Dublin!), Liam Neeson, Titanic, St. Patrick, the Ejector Seat and the Delorean, C.S. Lewis, HARP, Bushmills whiskey, Air Conditioning, Rory Mcllroy, and the penalty kick!  

5. Our passengers are 'living history' when they visit Northern Ireland. Thirty or forty years ago, you'd be considered quite a daredevil if you went to Northern Ireland. Consider Northern Ireland somewhat similar to the unveiling of the 'Iron Curtain' after the collapse of the Soviet Union. American tourists flocked to catch a glimpse of the 'forbidden' cities of Prague, East Berlin, Budapest and St Petersburg. For many, a visit to Northern Ireland has this same sense of 'peaking behind the curtain' of a once off-limits destination now open – and safe – to explore. 

6. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, Northern Ireland is proof that good triumphs over evil, tolerance over prejudice, and love over hate.

Diana Ditto, one of Collette's Product Managers, has been travelling all her life. You can find her seeking out the best of Ireland, Scotland, England and beyond. If you see her out on the road be sure to say hello and raise a glass of Guiness.  Blog copy used with permission from Collette.