The countries of Northern Europe have much to offer travelers. The Northern Lights, thick, rich forests, and medieval charms are a few characteristics that attract tourists and nature-lovers.
An Oslo to Bergen train ride or itinerary in Norway is one of the best journeys to embark on in Northern Europe. Picturesque landscapes, fjords, parks, waterfalls, and lakes will fill your windows on this ride.
A Belfast to Dublin train, also in Northern Europe, graces you with Neolithic settlement sites, the highest point in Northern Ireland, and castles.
Northern Europe is rich in history. Spring and summer are the peak seasons when temperatures moderate, though winter travel could save you money. Here are five bucket list destinations in Northern Europe to consider.
1. Stonehenge – Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Stonehenge is a stone circle monument, a cemetery, a renowned archaeological site, and a mystery.
This prehistoric monument was built in six phases between 3000 and 1520 BC. It was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, along with surrounding henges, monuments, and a temple complex at Avebury.
Stonehenge’s specific use and relevance have always been speculated about, but there’s been no consensus among scholars.
The only activity that has resulted in evidence around the monument is burials, as human bones and ashes have been excavated.
Various hypotheses included that it was a place of gathering among prehistoric kingdoms, a construction to guide the ancestors in their death, and a way to predict lunar and solar eclipses; however, most of these perceptions have been rejected by experts.
Stonehenge does not stand as a whole today as the original sarsens have either been taken away or destroyed during archeological digs. The people that built this impressive monument remain unknown.
2. Suomenlinna – Helsinki, Finland
Along the coast of Helsinki stands, proudly, a sea fortress. This impressive mid-18th century military structure defended the Kingdom of Sweden, the Russian Empire, and Finland.
The fortress was initially named Sveaborg (“Castle of the Swedes”) but was changed to Suomenlinna (“Castle of Finland”) in 1918, for patriotic reasons, after Finland gained independence.
With a stretch of 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) of defensive walls and 200 buildings built on six islands, the fortress was…
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