Northern Europe

Every country in Northern Europe is worth a visit. However, each one has a different flavour. For some peace, quiet, and an all round relaxing experience, visit Finland. It is known for its national parks, clean atmosphere, and sauna culture. If you believe in magic, pack your bags and go visit Iceland because it has some of nature's wonders. It's famous for its midnight sun and it's an ideal location to view the northern lights. It also some some magnificent geothermal baths and spectacular whale watching events. Ireland is known for its rich history, castles and festivals. If you're travelling during the winter months, make sure to get a taste of Norway's snow and ice culture. Sweden has some of the most beautiful lakes and breathtaking sceneries. United Kingdom is a must visit while travelling to Northern Europe. It has some of the world's most famous sites, a rich history, along with an urbanized environment.

You would find a variety of accommodation options in Northern Europe from deluxe hotels to midrange hotels, private rooms, pensions, hostels, and budget hotels. If you're travelling to the high - end cities, you would find fewer mid - range hotels. For budget travellers, campsites are available which are affordable and quite comfortable.

Evangelical Lutheran Christianity is the major religion of Northern Europe. The languages of this region includes North Germanic languages, Finnic, and Baltic languages. English is spoken in countries like United Kingdom and Ireland but not all throughout the region. Although, the Scandinavian countries will have some understanding of the language but English isn't their primary language. So, it's best to learn a few local phrases.

Northern European meals usually consist of dairy and protein. This is usually served in the form of meat, poultry, fish, clams, mussels, shrimp, and other seafood with a side of vegetables. Potatoes, rye, barley, cabbage, carrots, beetroot, herring and eggs are some common ingredients. Baked goods are quite common in this region and bread - based items are widely consumed. Soups are often consumed before a meal. Common beverages include beer, vodka, buttermilk and tea.

Make copies of your travel documents. Don't go to dimly lit areas at night. Keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded places.

Northern European nightlife caters to all tastes including comedy, theatre or music. There are many places open at wee hours where you can party the night away. Most of the nightlife is concentrated in United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland, and Norway. One would find many cocktail bars, discos, glamorous venues, hip bars and underground clubs.

Commonly bought items include silver and porcelain, woolen sweaters, textiles, ceramics, glassware, amber and pieces of folk art. There are some flee markets where you could get your souvenirs for a bargain. If you're lucky, you might be able to watch the artists work on the handicrafts that are being sold. Bargaining is not the norm in Northern Europe. Although, in Denmark you can shop tax - free. Overall, Northern Europe is quite expensive but getting a token of memory is a must.

Northern Europeans make a note to live their life to the fullest. You can see their zest for life in their festivals which have proven to be a blend of colours, costumes, food, and raw talent. One of the biggest carnivals of the region takes place in Aalborg, Denmark. The streets becomes a stage while spectators feast their eyes on the band performances, parade, and other carnival activities. If you're looking for a magical night, Silkeborg's (Denmark) fire festival has some of the best fireworks display. The lake is lined with candles while people enjoy the lake cruises, live shows, and amusement park activities. If you're in Iceland', make sure to stop by the Reykjavik Cultural Night, the streets are adorned with art exhibitions, concerts, dance performances, fireworks and fairs. Dublin's Internationa Festival is another talent minefield that you could stop by. It features the best films, and many well known stars from all over the globe. If you'rein for a unique experience, make sure to attend Dublin's Horse show. With international show jumping competitions, world class entertainment, and activities, you will definitely get your money's worth.

Northern Europe is quite clean and you should maintain the cleanliness standard. Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot. Besides that you should get vaccinated for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies.

Avoid being too loud. Make sure to be punctual. Always remember to greet the host. People greet with a firm handshake while maintaining a safe distance. Tipping is not mandatory. Athough, a 10% tip or rounding off the bil has become common.