My husband and I would like to visit Scandinavia countries next summer. Our travel agent strongly recommends an escorted tour because of the language barrier. We don't enjoy travel groups. Is there enough English spoken for us to make our own way? Also, time is limited. What are the "must see" places in Sweeden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark? Could we fly between these destinations? Thanks.

<BR>Kay, language is not a problem with these countries. I've been to Denmark several times, and first time to Norway this summer. I always learn a few words and phrases, and never have a problem. English is spoken most everywhere in the touristy places and big cities. While tours do offer certain conveniences, I think you'd be ok in these countries on your own. My favorite city was Bergen and can't wait to go back. For some very good information, use Fodors country search at the top of this msg board for Europe.

There's no language barrier in Scandinavia. When I visited Denmark and Sweden 2 years ago, everyone I met spoke excellent English. Check out Copenhagen, Kay. Tivoli Gardens is a downtown amusment park, LegoLand, and the "Stroget" is a cool pedestrian shopping strip. 3-4 days should be enough. Oh yeah, the women are all blonde and gorgeous. Watch your husband!

My wife & I went to Scandinavia a couple of years ago, on our own. We stayed 4 nights in Oslo, 4 in Stokholm, & 3 in Copenhagen. We bought a Scanrail ticket which got us from Oslo to Stockholm, & took an overnight train from Stockholm to Copenhagen. Not enough time to see more in Norway or go to Finland, we will do that at another time. In Oslos, take the ferry over to Bygdoy island & see the Vicking ship, open air historical, Kontiki & other Museums. A tour through the castle was very good. Froggner Park worth a visit. Take a 2 hrOslo fiord boatride. Not many problems with Language, even when our part of our train ride from Oslo was changed to a bus because of floods, we had no problems understanding what we were supposed to do. In Stockholm, vist oldtown, & the Royal palace & see the changing of the guard. There is also an open air museum here. Take one of the many boatrides in thru the area. I forget what the name of the ship is - but see the museum containing the old warship that was raised from the water. In Stockholm, in June, we were taking pictures, without flashes, outside at 10:00 at night. Gets dark about 11pm & light again about 2am. In Copenhagen, see the many palaces & museums, & also might want to take a boat ride which starts at the Nuhaven area. Tivoli was quit a palce to visit & eat at, especially in the evening. Also, the round tower was something to go up to the top in, & if you have the time, a brewery tour was well worth it. <BR>In each of those cities, we went to the information centers & purchased 3-day passes which included most of the attractions in those cities. Enjoy. <BR>

You will have no problem with language at all. I'm an Australian living in Denmark for the past ½ year, and I can speak to everyone the same way I do at home. In Denmark, just do Copenhagen and skip the rest. Copenhagen is definately the best part of Denmark. In Norway, I have driven around the south with friends and it was great. It's really so beautiful. We didn't book any accomadation, just found places each night and it was no problem at all. Go to Bergen and we spent a day climbing the Galdhøpiggen, the tallest mountain in Norway which was an amazing experience. There is also a ski centre (with real snow)there where you could spend a day skiing. But it rained almost everyday in Norway, even though it was the middle of July.

welcome to scandinavia and especiallly welcome to finland! if you come from sweden, take a ship from stockholm. ships leave stockholme in the evening, at 9 am you arrive in helsinki. in helsinki the must-see-places are the market square, temppeliaukio church, sibelius monument, suomenlinna islands , it is fun to walk around the city, helsinki is a city with small town characters. outside of helsinki go to porvoo (30 miles from helsinki), they have a lovely old town, also turku and naantali are worth to see. remember, sales tax and tips are included in prices in scandinavia, so everything is not so expensive as it seems. if you come in june or early july you can enjoy the famous light nights, to see the midniight sun you have to go to he polar circle, wherer you can also meet the on and only santa claus, who, of course, lives in finland... <BR>

No problem at all with language. [and this was almost twenty years ago. <BR>I beg to differ re: Denmark. There are at least two daytrips from Copenhagen that will give you a further *taste* of the country. One is Roskilde with its Viking ship museum and charming town. We took the train there. The other is to Helsingor [Hamlet's castle] and the Louisiana [an art center] both north of the city. We were fortunate in this case to be taken around by a native, but there should be tours that cover both. A note re: beer. There are two kinds export & normal. You'll last longer if you order normal. It's lower in alcohol! <BR>