Volunteers For Peace

Help clean up the environment, teach locals your native language or assist those in  need.

Many Volunteer for Peace vacations are available in Sweden, Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands.

An affordable intercultural immersion service projects typically runs 2 to 4 weeks, although some last up to 12 weeks. Programs are geared for different age groups and vary since they are driven by the needs of the target community.

Work & Volunteer Abroad (WAVA)

English-speaking UK residents can travel to Norway as a working guest to be part of programs that run from 8 to 24 weeks and are offered year-round.

Stay with a local family and experience the Norwegian lifestyle up close and personal. You work effort of 35 hours per week earns you room and board and even a little weekly pocket money.

WAVA focuses on jobs in the agricultural or tourist industry.

United Planet

Experience a life-changing trip when you volunteer for the Long-Term Quest program to Scandinavia.

United Planet’s Quest programs offer 100% cultural immersion with personalized attention and training before departure.  Stay in local homes or on-site in group lodges as you participate in environmental projects, elderly assistance, youth drug addiction counseling and assistance to people with disabilities.

Available to U.S. and Canadian residents over 18 years of age, these trips begin in August and January annually and last for 6 months to 1 year. They are ideal for retirees or students who are taking some time off from their academic studies to learn more about their world first-hand.

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF)

Begun back in 1971, this volunteer exchange program offers their participants listings of organic farms all over the world that are willing to exchange room and board for help on their property.

WWOOFERS, as they are called, are very welcomed in the Baltic region, and many small farms depend on the yearly help provided by members of this organization to collect their harvests.

There is a small fee to sign-up for the program, but once you are a member you can travel to most points on the globe and find a friendly host ready to welcome you with open arms.

1. North Cape

One of the favorite spots for watching the Northern Lights is Nordkapp, appropriately referred to as the North Cape of Finnmark. You can leave the city lights far behind and climb onto the rocky cliffs or book passage aboard a cruise ship for a great view of the action.

2. Tromso

Tromso offers ringside seats for watching the Aurora Borealis. But even when they are not available, visitors can still enjoy shows about the land of the Midnight Sun at The Northern Lights Planetarium.

3. Kirkenes

Dress warm and climb aboard a bus or snowmobile to ride out into the winter landscape on one of the popular tours from the town of Kirkenes. Far away from the city lights, you can enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea while you wait in the dark to be dazzled by the display.

4. Pasvik Valley

For a real arctic adventure, set out from Kirkenes by dogsled into the Pasvik Valley which runs along the Russian boarder of Finnmark. During this five hour evening tour, you can have dinner in the wilderness and return to your nice warm room after your Aurora experience — unless you are staying in the Snow Hotel!

5. Vesterålen Islands

The tiny Vesterålen Islands situated in the extreme north. Consequenlty, they offer spectacular views of the Northern Lights without all the light pollution given off on the mainland.

6. Lofoten

Groups of up to 15 people regularly hike into the back country of the Lofoten archipelago to enjoy the pitch dark skies for viewing the Aurora in all its glory. Since the Gulf Stream keeps the temperature moderate, a hike into the back country is much more pleasant than on the mainland.

7. Andøy

A new popular spot for aurora watching is Andoy, where strange phenomenon have been captured in recent aural photographs. This notoriety is leading many researchers and curious tourist to include Andoy on their tour of the Northern lights.

Stretching from the Sea of Japan across Mongolia, China and into the heart of Russia, the Trans-Siberian Railway has provided a mysterious backdrop for numerous creative works and transported untold millions of people across the Eurasian land mas through some of the most scenic areas in the world.

Covering a total of 9,259 kilometers, the railway has attracted great fame as the longest in the world.

Exploring Russia

Traveling through Russia alone in this immense broad-track train line will take a staggering seven days of nearly incessant chugging down the tracks. A typical journey begins at the historic Yaroslavsky Rail Terminal in Moscow and travels through some of the greatest rural and urban areas of the country. With careful planning, it is possible to arrange extended stopovers in some of the best towns and villages lining the railway route.

Trans-Siberian Villages

The railway takes passengers through several historic towns and past important landmarks that symbolise important parts of Russia’s great past.

Yaroslavl, one of the oldest cities in all of Russia, is known for being home to hundreds of centuries-old churches that were built by great patrons of the arts.

Continuing along the journey brings the train through Krasnoyarsk, where the immense taiga — Russian forest — begins and the steppes recede. Deep into Siberia, the city of Ulan Ude showcases a rich Buddhist tradition, once repressed under Stalin but now experiencing a great resurgence.

Dividing the Journey

As noted above, planning the stops along the journey is an important part of the Trans-Siberian Railway experience. While some people have no trouble with spending a full week on a train moving at forty miles per hour without more than brief stops at station platforms, others have more time and a greater desire to explore the beautiful Russian countryside and experience the rich cultural landscapes of Russian society.

Some passengers divide their travels into two or more parts, making stops along the way, exploring Russia for the entirety of their one month Russian visa stay.

While this method may be more costly than a single train journey, passengers have the chance to enjoy their trip across Russia, using the train only in individual overnight jaunts.

Sognefjord - King of the Fjords

Sognefjord is Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, extending more than 250 kilometers inland to the foot of the Jotunheimen Mountains.

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A boat trip along this dramatic channel leads to the charming city of Flåm snuggled into the mountain valley. From there you can hop on the Flåm railway and tour the countryside.

Lysefjord - Light Fjord

Described by Victor Hugo as one of the most terrifying ocean reefs in his book “Toilers of the Sea,” Lysefjordb’s waters plunge to 400 meters below the square topped Preikestolen cliff, known as Pulpit Rock.

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Day hikes to the cliff top during the summer reward travelers with stunning views of this narrow winding waterway.

Vindafjord - Turning Fjord

In the northern section of the Norway coast is the enchanting Vindafjord, named for the dramatic turn in this narrow fjord at Dragneset.

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The winding fjord is dotted with charming hamlets but remains an important center of trade.

Hardangerfjord - The Fjord of Lovers

Known for its beautiful romantic views, the ever changing sunlight across this enchanting fjord adds a magic touch to the area known as “the garden of Norway” where charming farms have beautiful orhards.

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Hardangerfjord is the the second largest fjiord in Norway. Considered the ‘Gateway to the Fjords’ and is a about a 2 hour trip from the city of Bergen.

Nærøyfjord - God of the Sea

Nærøyfjord is officially named for from the norse god ‘Njord’, but the name also refers to the extreme narrowness of its waterways. There are spectacular views for hikers on the Rimstigen trail.

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In 2005, Nærøyfjord became part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Tour, together with neighboring Geirangerfjord.

Geirangerfjord - Venice of the North

Narrow cliffs and 1,700 meter high snow-capped mountains are reflected in the waters of Geirangerfjord, giving an appearance of a city floating under the sea.

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On either side are breathtakingly high waterfalls with names like the Bridal Veil and the Seven Sisters. The southernmost fjord on Norway’s western shore, it is located 120 km from Bergen.

To see more about Norway holidays and tours, visit our website’s Norway section here: http://www.baltictravelcompany.com/fu/co20/Norway-holidays

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No visit to Iceland is complete without a visit to the northernmost capital city in the world. This dynamic city is full of cultural attractions. Reykjavik during the summer experiences also constant daylight, so that you can enjoy the city’s energetic nightlife while Iceland is still bathed in sun.

During the summer, you should also take advantage of your opportunity to participate in some of Iceland’s outdoor activities. Leaving all of Reykjavik’s attractions can be difficult, so make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to explore this unique city before you leave to experience some of Iceland’s other amazing attractions.

Relax In A Bath

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Once you have your fill of Reykjavik’s museums, shopping, and dining, refresh and unwind at the volcanically heated swimming facility located in the city, known locally as Sundlaugar Reykjavíkur. For an even more unique experience, you should visit the Blue Lagoon. This man made lagoon is now a famous spa, and it is Iceland’s most popular tourist attraction. The mineral waters of the Blue Lagoon are known for being beneficial to the health of bathers.

Climb To The Top Of A Mountain

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Mount Esja is located right outside the city of Reykjavik. The climb to the summit is relatively easy, and offers stunning views. If you are an experienced hiker and would like more of a challenging climb, you can choose to follow an expert path. Along the way you will be able to see some of Iceland’s beautiful summer flora. On your hike, expect to meet many native Icelanders. The hike to the top of Mount Esja is particularly popular with Reykjavik locals.

Watch The Whales

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Whale watching excursions allow you to see some of the majestic creatures that call the waters of Iceland home. Whale watching tours are very popular with locals and visitors alike. There are many tour boats that depart from the Reykjavik area, but no matter where you stay in Iceland, most coastal cities offer whale watching opportunities.

Visit a National Park

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Iceland’s extraordinary natural resources can be best appreciated by visiting one of the country’s national parks. Within the parks you can hike, camp, and fully take in the beauty and grandeur of the Icelandic landscape. Vatnajökull National Park is the largest national park in Europe, and the park makes up 11% of Iceland. This park is home to both glaciers and volcanoes. Within this park you will be able to witness why Iceland is often known as the island of fire and ice.

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1) The Moscow Subway System is Home to Astonishing Art Piece, Architecture and Decor

The first thing you’ll notice when stepping down in to the Moscow metro is just how beautiful it is. For instance, Komsomolskaya station is more reminiscent of a royal palace with its ornate design. Large chandeliers light up the hallways, which feature baroque detail from floor to ceiling. Other stations feature more modern Socialist Realist art, which makes it easy to remember the country’s communist history.

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The eight-car trains that glide to from each station are modeled after the same ones that nearly all ex-Soviet Eastern European systems have been using. Although they’re not quite as ornate as the stations themselves, they still add to the classical feel of the subway.

2) Half of All Moscow Subway Stations Were Designed as Nuclear ‘Fall Out’ Type Shelters

Because Moscow is such a sprawling city, it takes an ambitious train system to get the job done. The subway system, in all, covers 180 stations. Interesting note: about half of them are deep-level stations.

Due to the constant threat of nuclear attack during the cold war, it was decided that the subway should double as a nuclear fall-out shelter.

The system features 11 lines in total, including the Koltsevaya line which circles the capital. This line is key to dispersing the massive amounts of daily commuters.

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3) It’s Actually Reasonably Cheap To Travel on The Moscow Subway

If there’s one aspect that may not perfectly correlate with the rest of the city. it is that the subway in Moscow is not very expensive. Twenty-six rubles (about 60p) will get you a single trip ticket. In 1998, this city was actually the first in all of Europe to switch to Smart Cards. Now it currently accepts magnetic cards known as “Contact Cards.”

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4) The Moscow Metro is the Second Most Heavily Used Subway System in the World

Considering this Moscow train system only started running in 1935, over 70 years after the London Underground, it’s really quite impressive how fast it has developed into one of the most intricate and efficient in the world. In 2009, the Moscow Metro is estimated to have transported 2,392,200,000 passengers on its  292.9 kilometre-long system. This is second in terms of usage and passengers only to Tokyo’s subway system.

While most visitors use undergrounds to get from place to place, the Moscow subway system is a destination in itself.

Volga River

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The Volga is the longest river in Europe. It passes through more than half of the largest cities in Russia, including Moscow. Many consider the Volga to be Russia’s national river. Pike, perch, burbot/eelpout, and catfish can be caught in the Volga near the capital. Some fish have been caught here that weigh over 100 kilos!

Volga Delta

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In addition to the river itself, there is some fantastic fishing to be had in the delta of the Volga. All of the above fish can be found in the Volga delta, as well as tench, zander and asp.

Lake Baikal

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Lake Baikal is the largest freshwater lake on the planet, and second only the Caspian Sea overall. Hucho taimen, grayling, and many other types of fish are found in the lake, but many come seeking the Omul whitefish, which is only found at Lake Baikal.

Kamchatka Peninsula

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If you are looking to catch Pacific salmon, then look no further than the Kamchatka peninsula, on the eastern side of the country. The variety of salmon available here make it a suitable spot for both the amateur and professional fisherman. King salmon, pink salmon, cherry salmon, and over a dozen other varieties of salmon spawn in the rivers here.

Caucasus Region

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The Caucasus region in south Russia near the Georgian border is an out of the way experience for the true outdoors enthusiast. The area is famous for its brown trout availability. On a good day, dozens of trout can be caught in the waterways in the region.

With such a large and diverse geographic area, you are almost certain to find the perfect fishing holiday waiting for you somewhere in Russia. The next time you plan an international fishing vacation, give Russia a look. It will be an experience you definitely will not soon forget!

Poland is a democratic country located in the middle of Europe that boasts a friendly population of hospitable people that are welcoming and genuine, giving travelers a unique look into the culture of this natural beauty.

2.   Natural Beauty Meets City Life

Poland is a tourist hot spot with over a million travelers flocking to their lush forests, beautiful seascapes, and modern metropolis’.

3.   Rich Heritage & Arts

Palace on the Water, Warsaw. The summer residence of the Polish King - (credit)

The museums, palaces and art scenes of the historic country are among some of the most amazing in the world with world class exhibits and these are operating year round.

4.    Winter Sport Wonderland

If winter sports are your cup of joy then Poland provides you with the scenic Tatras range or the Carpathians which contain some of the most amazing skiing conditions available.

5.     Summer Activities Galore

During the summer hiking, biking, backpacking, and camping are king with many lakes, forests, and mountains to entertain the most experienced outdoorsman.

6.    Exuberant Night Life

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For those with a more urban liking, the modern cities of Warsaw and Cracow offer world touring concerts, music gigs of all genres and a vibrant night life.

7.    Gothic Architecture & Cathedrals

The Polish people are devoutly religious and there are numerous cathedrals scattered across the nation such as the Basilica of Our Lady of Licheń and the Eastern Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral in Warsaw with its beautiful gothic architecture and rich history.

8.    Cultural & Historical Significance

Poland has been a melting pot of sorts melding eastern and western culture and through history this fact has developed Poland into an advante garde of the arts, sciences, and mathematics producing masters of astronomy Nicolaus Copernicus, and the master composer Frederick Chopin. Poets and writers Jan Kochanowski, Adam Mickiewicz, Bolesław Prus, Juliusz Słowacki, Witold Gombrowicz, Stanisław Lem and, Ryszard Kapuściński all were from Poland.

9.   Unique Cuisine

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Poland also boasts a cuisine that has been influenced by surrounding countries and occupations and is truly original of the region. Poles allow themselves a generous amount of time to prepare and enjoy their hearty meals, with some meals, like Christmas Eve or Easter Breakfast, taking days to prepare completely.

10.    Something For Everyone

Poland is the perfect European adventure for a wide variety of interests and likings and should be explored to be truly appreciated.

Whether looking for world class cuisine, an avante garde art scene, a vibrant nightlife, or a rich cultural history, it can be found in the magnificent beauty of Poland and the experience will be one in a lifetime.

Vilnius

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Vilnius is Lithuania’s capital. Whenever I hear that name I can’t help but think of the Russian submarine Captain, played by Sean Connery, in the movie The Hunt for Red October. He spoke of his love for the city that was his home. Vilnius is considered to be a “hidden gem” in Eastern Europe and despite its history, the Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque style buildings have held up beautifully. If you travel to Lithuania, you must go to Vilnius and see the Archcathedral Basilica, Gediminas Castle, and the Lithuanian National Museum.

In Siauilai in the northern part of the country you can visit Lithuania’s most famous attraction, the Hill of Crosses.

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This is a popular destination for religious pilgrims. The origins of the tradition aren’t documented, but over the years since 1832, these religious travelers have brought giant crucifixes, small crosses, carvings of the country’s patriots, and statues of the Virgin Mary to this hill. It is quite a sight.

Lithuania is on the Baltic Sea, so naturally there are some beaches. Palanga is a seaside resort that tops the list of attractions in Lithuania.

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The prices are very reasonable and the beach is thought to be one of the best on the Baltic. Palanga can be quite crowded in the summers since many Lithuanians come here to holiday.

Klaipeda, also on the Baltic, is the country’s third largest city. It was originally founded by Baltic tribes and the city and its ancient castle were built in 1252. There is a lot of history to be discovered in Klaipeda. Another popular beach can be found near Klaipeda, called Smiltyne.

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Holidays to Lithuania can be very easy to arrange, especially the travel. If you live or are traveling from London, you can get there by train that goes through Berlin and Warsaw. The drive is easy from Poland, Belarus, and Latvia and there are no border controls between these countries so entry is painless. If you plan to fly, you’ll probably land in Vilnius, but Palanga has a small airport. If you want all the arrangements made for you, you can sign for a tour of the country to be sure you see everything worth seeing in Lithuania.

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1.) Karhunkierros (or Bear’s Ring)

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An ideal attraction for nature lovers and hikers alike, Karhunkierros has become the most loved hiking trail in all of Finland. Do not worry though, the trail is around fifty miles long so there are plenty of places along the way where you will be surrounded by the Finnish landscape and nothing else.

2.) Moomin World

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An absolute must visit for anyone on holiday in Finland with children along for the trip, Moomin World is an amusement park based on the Moomin books written by Tove Jansson. The five story Moomin House is the main attraction of this amusement park and visitors roam the whole of the house freely. Other attractions include Moominmamas Kitchen, the Moomin Fire Station, and other attractions based on the book series complete with characters posing for pictures and talking with fans.

3.) The Arctic Trail

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This is another fascinating attraction that will attract hikers, but not the faint of heart. Finland has 380 kilometers of the trail located along its border with the total distance of the trail totaling 800 kilometers and crossing 15 international borders and ends in Sulitjelma, Norway.

4.) Snow Castle of Kemi

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The Snow Castle of Kemi has been operating annually since 1996 and each year the architecture is varied. The castle has boasted 20m high towers, 1,000m long walls and has been built up to three stories. This may sound normal until you know that it is completely built of snow and ice. Get there before it melts.

5.) Suomenlinna

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For those who would like a little more history in Finland the Island Fortress of Suomenlinna will satisfy your needs. This amazing island fortress is an excellent example of European military architecture and is also a popular recreation area for residents. So romp through the halls and feel like a knight of old in this castle.

But don’t let this list be your only source of ideas. Finland offers such a wide variety of attractions that no book could ever hold them all. So stay open minded and get informed and the beauty and splendor of your Finland tour will blossom into an amazing, memorable trip.