INTRODUCTION - Scandinavia - page 18

▲Southeast Sweden Växjö, with a first-rate emigration museum and the
Smålands Museum of glass-making; Kalmar, with its massive 12th-cen-
tury Kalmar Castle and nearby holiday island of Öland; and the touristy
“Kingdom of Crystal” Glass Country.
Finland
▲▲Helsinki Finland's capital city—an architectural delight for its Neo-
classical and Art Nouveau buildings and churches—with the stirring
“Chapel in the Rock,” fine National Museum of Finland, and island fort-
ress and open-air folk museum.
Estonia
▲▲Tallinn Russian-influenced, full-of-life capital of Estonia, with
quaint Old Town center, remarkably intact medieval walls, and stirringly
patriotic sights (Estonian art museum and the historic Song Festival
Grounds).
Know Before You Go
Your trip is more likely to go smoothly if you plan ahead. Check this list of
things to arrange while you're still at home.
You need a passport —but no visa or shots—to travel in Scandinavia. You
may be denied entry into certain European countries if your passport is due
to expire within three to six months of your ticketed date of return. Get it re-
newed if you'll be cutting it close. It can take up to six weeks to get or renew a
passport (for more on passports, see www.travel.state.gov ) . Pack a photocopy
of your passport in your luggage in case the original is lost or stolen.
Book rooms well in advance if you'll be traveling during peak season
(July and August) or any major holidays (see here ) . Try to schedule visits to
the capitals outside of convention season, when hotels can be hard to find.