joegri

Patty: Of course, the best skansen is in Stockholm. But if you are going through Arhus (as you have indicated), Den Gammle By is worth a stop.
Of the three glass works in Southern Sweden, Bergdala and Kosta offer the best tours. Orrefors is very commercial and their primary interest is in your purchases.
If you get to Ribe (it is a very charming village), be sure to go to the Viking Village nearby. The costumed staff pays particular attention to children involving them in the crafts and activities. Have a great trip.

Mariew

Hi Patty: I hope this is not too late. I have done Norway in a Nutshell twice, and loved it. It's not something you'd do by car. We got the train from Oslo to Myrhdal, and then changed to a cog rail line down to the head of the Sogne Fjord. A boatride from there can take you either to Bergen or back to another point--forget the name--where you can catch train back to Oslo or on to Bergen. You can do this in one day (Oslo roun-trip) and I believe you can get tickets at the train station. Scenery is fabulous.! Have a great time. Greetings from Atlanta, Ga.

Patty_UK

Abram, Will, Boots, Joe & Mariew;
Thanks for all the great info. We leave from Leeds-Bradford, UK on Sat afternoon, 9 Aug flying through Amsterdam and arrive into Stockholm at 9:55PM. You have all given me such great info. Thanks Boots for reminding me about the House of Emigrants in Vaxjo. I had found some info on that in the beginning of my research, but think I had recently overlooked it. I think the children will really be interested in learning a little more about their ancestry. Joe, we are planning to go the the Viking Village near Ribe, Ryan will be really interested in this. Sorry to sound silly, what is skansen? Where are the Bergdala & Kosta glass works? They sound very interesting. Mariew, Thanks for the input. Based on the time we have, not sure if we'll have a chance to do Norway in a Nutshell this time. Might have to make a trip back to do just Norway. One of the advantages of being on an overseas assignment, we have had the opportunity to do a lot of traveling with the children in Europe. Probably wouldn't be able to afford to do it all if we lived in the US. Trying to get as much done before we return to the States (2-3 years). Have been living the the UK (3-hours North of London) for almost 7 years. Really beautiful, especially in the summer, not the winter. Thanks again to everyone to all the info. Will check in again before we depart on Sat.

Patty_UK

One question I forgot to ask. Can anyone tell me where I might be able to find laundry facilities in Denmark and/or Sweden? This is really important when traveling with children, otherwise you have to pack as if you were going to be gone a month. Thanks.

WillTravel

A laundromat is called a møntvask in Denmark. In Copenhagen, they can be found all over the place. If you are staying in a central area in Copenhagen, look at the 1610 - 1760 København V listings on this page:

http://www.montvask.dk/1000-2290.htm

The hotel you are staying at can probably help you pick out the closest place.

joegri

Patty: A skansen is a living museum. Homes (peasant huts, farm houses, country and city manors; etc.) are brought to an area and furnished in the period with appropriate gardens and animals and staffed by docents in costume who are knowledeable about the period (usually runs the timeframe from 17th and 18th centuries and even an occaisional 16th century building. Shops, stores, scholl houses, post offices, windmills (in Holand) are included. You can see tin smiths, barrell makers, broom and carpenter shops, etc. Usually, jids are given special attention. They are great for learning about an area and good entertainment. Kids usually love them. The one in Stockholm (out beyond the Vasa Museum) is exceptional. The one at Arhus is OK.
The two glass works are in Southern Sweden very near Vaxso and Lessbo where the 300 year old paper mill offers tours. Also, on the way to Kalmar (the wondereful castle) and going in the direction of Stockholm.

joegri

Patty: I shouldn't post late at night. Re skansens, read that 19th and 20th centuries with an occaisional 18th century (buildings). Regards.