Tag Archives: Scandinavia

Denmark is saving bookshops and inspiring readers

Posted on August 29, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

I was recently shocked to see many news stories about the dramatic decline in literacy in Denmark. Surveys have shown that reading skills of the nation’s children were in a steep decline. According to the New York Times, the Denmark’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Is It Even A City

Posted on June 26, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

The simple creativity in the new video below for VisitOslo is rare in tourism ads these days, most of which blend into each other. This is different, a typical understated Norse dry sense of humor.   

Posted in Europe, Film, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes

Posted on August 14, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

I was recently trying to remember the details of a camping trip in Denmark many summers ago and ran across this wonderful series of short time-lapse videos of the four seasons there. Filmmaker Casper Rolsted beautifully captures the magic of … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film, Tourism | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Another Reason To Envy Norwegians

Posted on November 17, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Norway has some of the globe’s most scenic geography, one of the world’s highest standards of living, and a genuinely happy populace, and now they also have these amazing passport’s too. Norway’s new passports were developed by creative agency Neue … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Europe | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Go Loopy in Scandinavia

Posted on July 11, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

I have fond memories from a mid-summer overnight ferry trip from Stockholm to Helsinki. With the midnight sun—and duty-free treats—everyone stayed up all night talking, singing, and whatever. Now the Hyperloop One company wants to spoil all that fun with … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Public Transport, Tech, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Trains, Planes and More Trains

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

Construction began back in 2000 on the Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg, Germanyand has never really stopped. It’s now the largest model railway in the world and one of Germany’s most popular tourist attractions. Now everyone can take a virtual ride … Continue reading →

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Nordic Noir

Posted on June 22, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Philadelphia author Joe Queenan recently visited Sweden for the BBC World Service and recorded a fascinating podcast on the phenomenon of Scandinavian crime fiction. Queenan explores the social stressors that are making the Nordic region such fecund ground for popular … Continue reading →

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