If you want to keep your cost down while in Scandinavia, take a Baltic detour to Tallin (Estonia) from Helsinki. It's only 1.5 hours by hydrofoil but a million miles away as far as sights and cost of living are concerned. It would remind you of Prague but without the tacky commercialism. 2 days would cover you there. And if you want to continue your quest for history, castles etc. take a bus (6 hrs.)right down to Riga (Latvia)for another 2/3 days. From there I think you should be able to get a ferry to Sweden. So then you'll have had the best of both worlds. I think 10/12 days in Scandinavia alone could leave a big hole in your pocket.

We've returned from a Grand Circle Tour for senior travelers to in August to four Scandinavian countries, putting us in several locations for several nights. Traveling on your own with a 13 and a 16 year old, however, is quite different and might be quite a challenge. What to see? It surely depends on your kids, but since you said they are OK with history and castles and museums that helps. Thinking of my own adults kids and their kids, I am aware that they may get bored easily.

I do think that Scandinavia is expensive, especially Norway and Denmark, which is why we sometimes snacked for one meal in our hotel or park. So we grabbed open faced sandwiches, fruit, etc in markets, borrowed some grub from our elaborate breakfast smorgasbord, and even took some peanut butter and such from home.

What to see? There is plenty to see, of course. As to sggestions thus far, I would recommend fjord trips, including the Norway in a Nutshell, Bergen is a good place, Stockholm also because of the museums mentioned such as Vasa, also certainly Vigeland Park in Oslo, and also Bygdoy with several sites, yes also to Tivolli Gardens and Stroget and other pedestrian walkways, etc. Yes, English is very comon.

Glad to give more details.
Bill Longman [email protected]

I want to correct a wrong impression I just gave about our traveling with kids. I think it's great you have done so with your two so that you have engendered an appreciation for history and culture. We went many places on camping vacations (couldn't afford overseas travel on a preacher's salary) and it may have encouraged a daughter working in a history museum, a son as a prof. of political science, and even our aeronautics engineer son who does enjoy history and politics even though more tied down with family. We focused on historic and scenic sights and made fun of the TTs.

As others have mentioned, there are many great places to explore such as Egypt, Spain, Greece , Ireland and others mentioned which we haven't yet seen. But there is much to see and do in Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden.
Good luck in your planning, In fact, I think the reading up and advance planning with the kids might be a big part of the adventure.
Bill in Missouri [email protected]

If you go to Sweden:

Carl Larsson's house is one of the most wonderful things I have ever seen. It is the most-visited place in Sweden, mostly by Swedes I guess. As you may know his life and work had a lot to do with his large family, so it is full of child-related things.

Near it in Dalarna, a beautiful district (and not expensive) is also the house of Anders Zorn, another Swedish artist.

Bronholm.... Danish school children take a visit there, why shouldn't you? It's lovely.

OOPS Meant Bornholm... :)

Hi

I live in Stavanger on the south west coast of Norway. It is a nice place to start if you want a taste of the Norwegian fjords and mountain. The two most popular places is Kjerag and Preikestolen (the pulpit rock). Kjerag is located deep in the Lyse fjord and when you are at the top you are 1000 meters above the sea level and the view is amazing. I have posted some pictures from the place on this page: http://www.gardkarlsen.com/kjerag.htm

Preikestolen is also located in Lyse fjord but it is a bit smaller than Kjerag (about 600 meters) but it can also offer a great view. Here are some pictures: http://www.gardkarlsen.com/preikestolen.htm

Apart from that I will recommend Oslo. Nice museums, a bit of history, the amazing Vigelands park etc.

Good luck with your planning :-)

Regards
Gard
www.gardkarlsen.com

Hey, Gard...great picts you have as a world traveler. I could browse for quite awhile. Tried to contact you at your www but couldn't.
Bill in Missouri
[email protected]