Posts Tagged ‘baltic sea’

Five of the Best Baltic Ports for Cruises

Posted in Cruises, Estonia, Finland, Russia, Scandanavia, sweden | by admin
September 8th, 2010

Cruise ships offer visitors to the Baltic region a chance to see the incredible shorelines, fjords and islands that you can only admire from the sea. Of the 28 ports from which cruise ships regularly depart, here are the five ports of call where you can find fascinating places to explore on shore before and after your journey:

1. Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki is a part of most cruise ship itineraries and offers some interesting areas to explore. You can take a short ferry ride across the bay to stomp around the Soumenlinna Fortress, an 18th century fort that you can explore on your own or sign up for guided tour.

Soumenlinna Fortress, Helsinki(img credit: Bronnski)

The ferry departs from Market Square, an open-air market that supplies local food, crafts and souvenirs — even reindeer sausages and smoked herring. If you are in town for while, consider visiting the many Helsinki museums and climbing to the top of the Olympic tower.

2. Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn(img credit: Jurvetson)

As the capital of Estonia, this is the largest city in this tiny country and dates back over 1000 years. This charming locale is one of the best preserved medieval towns in all of Europe, although it does have a “modern” section. The Old Town Square is lined with outdoor cafes, picturesque homes and gothic civic buildings.

The cathedral boast the tallest tower in Europe, and you can climb to the top for a spectacular view of the city and harbor. Just a 2-hour ride across the bay from Helsinki, the towers and walls of Tallinn’s castles and churches border cobblestone streets that wind through this picturesque city, so bring sturdy walking shoes.

3. Stockholm, Sweden

The Old Town section in this Swedish city is called Gamla Stan and is home to the Royal Palace and City Hall — which also has a tower you can climb for a bird’s eye view of the area.

The christmas market in gamla stan (old town), stockholm. (img credit: Coulson)

Wander down the narrow winding cobblestone streets and explore the galleries, cafes, museums and shops along the way. Check out the Vasa museum which is housed in a warship that is adorned with sculptures elaborately carved in the 1600s when this boat was launched. Fully restored in the 20th century, the custom exhibition building that houses this Nordic treasure is open to visitors.

4. Copenhagen, Denmark

This cosmopolitan Danish town has many fascinating wonders within walking distance of the port — including the Tivoli Gardens, a popular destination for families during the day and romantic couples in the evening.

Tivoli Gardens(img credit: Nygaard)

At night, 100,000 lanterns are lit to create a magical ambiance that concludes with a dazzling fireworks show. Jump aboard a canal taxi to sail along the Nyhavn canal which is lined with colorful old buildings and sidewalk cafes. You can even visit the Little Mermaid statue who sits on the rock gazing out to sea waiting for her Prince Charming to return.

5. Saint Petersburg

Last but certainly not least is the Russian city that has impressed the world for centuries with its magnificent art, incredible architecture and fascinating history. Near the harbor is the Winter Palace, where you will find the Hermitage Museum, an incredible art institution that should not be missed.

Hermitage Museum, Russia(img credit: Marie-ll)

Visit the Palace Square and the Russian Museum of National Art or hire a boat and glide through the canals of Saint Petersburg, especially during the midsummer White Nights celebrations.

The Origin of Blonde Hair

Posted in Baltic Region Facts & History | by admin
December 18th, 2009

Blondes have a fascinating history, both in human origin, migration, culture and in ancient mythology. In Western culture, blonde hair is typically associated with naiveity, youth and innocence, but culturually has seen a remarkable transition from its roots to where it is today.

Blondes in Mythology

Blondes first began appearing around 11,000 years ago during the last ice age, and have since become major figures in mythology. Two of the Norse goddesses, Sif and Freyja were blondes.

Sif was a wife of the god Thor. She was known for her golden hair and was described as the most beautiful of women. She once had her hair shaved off by Loki, the god of mischief. Her hair symbolised fertility and prosperity in agriculture.

The Blonde Goddess Freya

credit

Freyja was characterized as a goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. She had blonde hair and blue eyes, and was said to be the fairest of all goddesses. The Norse people often prayed to her for help in matters of love and to assist with childbirth.

Freyja was also known to assist in such things as war, battle, and death, magic, prophecy, and wealth. One mythical story tells of her receiving half of the dead lost in a battle in her hall Fólkvangr, while Odin took in the other half at Valhalla.

In European tales, fairies preferred blonde hair in people. Blonde babies were more likely to be taken from their cribs and switched with changelings. And young blonde women were often enticed to join the land of the fairies. And of course many of us know the tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears!

Blonde Hair credit

Genetic History of Blondes

Natural blonde hair, is caused by a lack of a pigment called eumelanin. This pigment deficiency is what gives blondes their hair color.

The general explanation as to how blondes came into being, is related the need for Vitamin D and lower levels of sunlight in some regions. To compensate for the deficiency in sunlight, people with lighter hair and skin were born.

Blondes: Where are they now?

In Northern Europe, natural blondes are a common sight, especially around the southern areas of the Baltic Sea. Lighter pigmentation of eyes is also associated with people of this region. Some sources, such as Eupedia, claim that in central parts of Norway, Sweden and Finland, 80% of the population is blonde, with natural fair-haired people in other Baltic Countries (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Russia, Poland and other parts of Scandinavia) making up 50-79% of the population.

Migration of blondes today can be seen across the globe as far as  America, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa (largely due to colonialism of the last 400-500 years).

The stories of blondes throughout history is fascinating and just a piece of all the amazing things in our past to explore and discover! The Baltic states host a rich spectrum of mythology, cultural heritage, migration and history waiting to be discovered.