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Irish Daily Mirror
01-08-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
'I visited a hidden gem just 30 minutes from Europe's most liveable city'
Copenhagen, Denmark's capital and most populous city, is steeped in history and boasts stunning architecture. A short flight away, the city is brimming with delightful restaurants, shops and cafes. However, when it came to exploring the surrounding areas, nothing particularly stood out for journalist Sophie Harris until she discovered that Sweden was a mere 30-minute journey away. Sweden is renowned for its bustling cities like Stockholm, but Malmo, the country's third-largest city, was relatively unknown to her, she said. Situated in the far south of Sweden, it's at the eastern end of the impressive Öresund Bridge, a lengthy road and railway bridge connecting to Copenhagen, reports the Express. Sophie said: "After deciding I wanted to visit the city to tick off two countries in one visit, I purchased the tickets and was in Sweden in just 30 minutes. Malmo is located in the far south of Sweden (Image: Getty) "Having done some research, I headed to Lilla Torg in the centre, a gorgeous cobblestone square full of cafes, restaurants and half-timbered houses." Constructed in 1952 as a market square, she said it proved to be one of the most picturesque spots to grab a bite to eat and a drink. Malmo ranks among the top 10 cycling cities globally, and while she didn't explore the city on a bike, many others were. The city centre features an extensive network of bike lanes and scenic waterfront paths for sightseeing. Sophie said one must-see landmark in the area is the Turning Torso, a neo-futurist residential skyscraper designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Completed in 2005, it's based on one of his earlier works named Twisting Toso, a white marble piece that mimics the form of a twisting human being and was the world's first twisting skyscraper. Lilla Torg is a gorgeous square in the centre (Image: Sophie Harris) Other must-see attractions include the Disgusting Food Museum, Malmo City Library, St. Peter's Church and Malmohus Castle. The Western Harbour is another must-see in Malmo, offering a respite from the city's hustle and bustle. It's just a short stroll from the city centre, where locals enjoy a kickabout on the grass, indulge in ice cream from local shops and take in the sea views towards Denmark. Sophie added: "Sweden is also known for its famous sweets, known as Bubs, so I was sure to pick some up from the many sweet shops located in the centre. "There was also a huge shopping centre full of well-known chain restaurants and shops, which was handy when looking for some supplies. "Malmo was a gorgeous city to visit and with lots of green space, it didn't feel like a city at all. I'd highly recommend making the trip over to Sweden if you do visit Copenhagen."
Boston Globe
07-02-2025
- Boston Globe
A sea change: In the Baltics, a cruise comeback
We embarked on our cruise in Stockholm, whose imposing brick-and-stone royal palace stands as a symbol of Sweden's pivotal political role and former military prowess in the Baltic area. Advertisement The futuristic "Turning Torso" in Malmo, Sweden, was the world's first twisting residential skyscraper. Claudia Capos The Baltic Sea is relatively small ― roughly five times the surface-area size of Lake Superior ― so we awakened each morning at a different port. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Enter Email Sign Up At our first stop, Helsinki, we snaked through the crowded 'Vanha Kauppahalli' (indoor city market) on the harborfront and stocked up on smoked-reindeer pate. A short walk took us to Senate Square, a broad, airy plaza surrounded by stately Neoclassical buildings. Climbing up 47 steps to the Helsinki Cathedral rewarded us with a lofty view. Afterward we hired a Taksi Helsink to take us along the city's parklike esplanade and through the commercial district to the underground Temppeliaukio 'Rock' Church, which was hewn from solid rock. A Finnish woman in period dress sells traditional items from the early 1900s at the Shopkeeper's Museum in Hamina, Finland. Claudia Capos The following day, the Sirena docked at Kotka, a seaside city on Finland's southeastern coast, which attracts visitors to its serene Sapokka Water Garden. An afternoon tour transported us to Hamina, a historical garrison town where Swedish and Russian military forces battled for centuries to gain control of the area. Today the restored Hamina bastion hosts outdoor beer festivals and car shows. Over the next three days, we hit the Baltic's 'big three' ― Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. At each stop, we explored the lively Old Town districts, which beguiled us with their winding cobblestone streets, amber-jewelry boutiques, and pleasant outdoor cafes. A symbolic metallic Christmas tree stands in front of the House of the Black Heads in Riga, Latvia. Claudia Capos Stiff winds and rain buffeted us as we scurried past flower stalls to the ancient, red-capped twin towers of the Viru Gate leading into Tallinn, Estonia's beautifully restored Old Town. The first thing we saw was ― you guessed it ― a McDonald's restaurant. Nearby, the aroma of roasted chestnuts lured us into the Olde Hansa Shoppe, where girls in medieval-style dresses sold handmade candles and soaps. Advertisement Just past Town Hall Square, we ducked into a gift shop to buy Russian-made Matryoshka nesting dolls. Was the Pakistani storekeeper worried about the Russians? 'Of course,' he replied. 'But we are safe for now. We have NATO.' We asked directions to Toompea, the Upper Town, where centuries ago the feudal nobility walled off their elevated enclave from the Lower Town's hoi polloi. Pikk Jalg street led through an archway and up a steep cobblestone lane to the hilltop. There, sunbeams glinted off iron crosses on the five onion domes of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and burnished the façade of Toompea Castle, now a parliament building. Medieval meets modern in Tallinn, Estonia's Old Town. Claudia Capos Riga, Latvia, a.k.a. the 'Paris of the Baltic,' has a special claim to fame. According to local lore, the tradition of decorating Christmas trees was started in 1510 by a guild of unmarried German merchants at the House of the Black Heads. After the Sirena navigated up the Daugava River to the port, we headed for the Old Town to find the famous landmark, which was bombed in World War II, but authentically rebuilt in 1999. Entering through the Biskapa Gate, we stopped at the 13th-century Riga Cathedral to admire its eclectic architecture, massive pipe organ, and stained-glass windows. At the vast Dome Square, we saw black cats (the city's freedom symbol) and gargoyles perched atop restored Art Nouveau buildings. Advertisement After losing our way in the labyrinth of streets, we finally spotted the opulent red-brick façade of the Black Heads House. In front stood a symbolic metallic Christmas tree. An artisan sells Baltic amber jewelry on Theatre Square in Klaipeda, Lithuania. Claudia Capos Klaipeda, Lithuania, appeared to be a work in progress, with construction crews scattered around the historical section. We browsed at artisans' stalls on Theatre Square and meandered along the tree-lined Dane River promenade past the majestic three-masted schooner Meridianas. Then we stumbled upon the Clock and Watch Museum. It was a hidden gem that traced the evolution of clock designs from ancient sundials to modern quartz-powered Swiss watches. During our stop at Gdynia, Poland, we stepped back in history by exploring, from stem to stern, the last surviving World War II Polish naval destroyer, the ORP Blyskawica, now a fascinating museum ship. Nearby, we delved into the Baltic Sea's underwater life, coming eye to eye with its scaly inhabitants at the Gdynia Aquarium. A World War II Polish naval destroyer now serves as a floating ship museum in Gdynia, Poland. Claudia Capos When the sea kicked up its heels that night, our ship changed course and docked at Malmo, Sweden, instead of Ronne, Denmark. Malmo's 'Turning Torso,' the world's first twisting residential skyscraper, dominated the shoreline. That day we explored the Old Town square and toured Malmohus Castle. The Sirena arrived at the seaside resort town of Warnemunde, Germany, on Oct. 3, the Day of German Unity. We joined the throngs of German families who were commemorating the nation's reunification. Families celebrate the Day of German Unity in the seaside resort town of Warnemunde, Germany. Claudia Capos It was one big party. Revelers guzzled tall glasses of beer at outdoor cafes, snacked on fried fish at floating restaurants, and crowded into souvenir shops on the Am Strom promenade along the old shipping channel. We walked out to the gleaming white lighthouse and the broad strand, pausing to dig our toes in the beach sand. Advertisement The following day, we took an excursion to neighboring Schwerin and boarded a sightseeing boat on Lake Schwerin. As the morning mist lifted, the Schwerin 'Fairytale' Castle came into view. The sight of its gleaming towers and turrets mirrored in the opal-hued water took our breath away. Once we docked, guides led us through the palace, which began as a 12th-century island fortress and was transformed into the lavish residence of the Grand Dukes of Mecklenburg-Schwerin in the mid-1800s. Today, the regally restored living quarters, state rooms, and church are adorned with priceless paintings, sculptures, and carved woodwork. The following day, our cruise ended in Copenhagen. As we headed for the airport, fanciful visions of the Fairytale Castle still danced in our heads. If you go … Oceania Cruises offers Baltic cruises with various itineraries. For information on sailing dates and pricing, call 855-623-2642 or visit
