Drobak, Norway Tregaarden’s Christmas House, also known as the Julehusset, or House of Yule, is possibly the most famous holiday institution in Norway. A 19th century church that was later converted to its present use, it is one of the world’s most popular year-round Christmas stores thanks in part to the neighboring Christmas post office. Although not as large Wohlfahrt’s … [Read more...]
TIVOLI GARDENS CHRISTMAS MARKET
Copenhagen, Denmark Tivoli Gardens, just outside of Copenhagen’s old town, is one of Denmark’s most venerable and beloved institutions. Founded in 1843 as a diversion for Copenhagen’s hard-working citizens, it is the world’s oldest operational theme park. A unique concept in its inception, Tivoli combined beautiful landscapes, exotic architecture, live entertainment, … [Read more...]
SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE
Rovaniemi, Finland Of the numerous Santa Claus villages, castles, workshops and the like that dot the northern countries of the western world, the Santa Claus Village of Rovaniemi, Finland is the reigning champion. Literally straddling the invisible line of the Arctic Circle, the city of Rovaniemi is out of the way, but the pine-forested, often snow-covered landscape is the … [Read more...]
THE NORTH POLE
The Arctic Okay, you’re probably not going to visit this one. But no discussion of Santa Claus’ home would be complete without the North Pole. Its difficult to say exactly where the tradition of St. Nicholas ends and the tradition of Santa Claus begins, but a good place to start looking is here. Exactly how Santa Claus came to make this isolated, desolate place his … [Read more...]
DANISH JEWISH MUSEUM
Copenhagen, Denmark Not every story of the Holocaust had a heartbreaking and catastrophic ending. Such was the case of the Jews of Denmark, almost all of whom survived Hitler’s genocide thanks to the heroic and miraculous efforts of the Danish people. The tale of the escape of Denmark’s Jews to Sweden may be one of history’s greatest moments of courage and humanity. … [Read more...]
STAVE CHURCH OF URNES
Luster, Norway When Christianity arrived in Scandinavia, it found a land rich in lumber and people highly skilled in carpentry and woodworking. When the first churches began springing up throughout the Scandinavian countryside, the people adopted the local styles and created one of the most unique forms of Christian architecture: the stave church. Throughout the Middle … [Read more...]
