Briyani Rice with Chicken ( Rice Cooker)

Ingredients needed:

4 cups bismati rice
4 tomatoes chopped
4 medium potatoes
5 medium sized red onions
4 cloves of garlic minced
2 stems of ginger sliced in thick slices to be removed later or grated finely to be incorporated
200ml plain yoghurt
1 chicken chopped into sections
1 packet of briyani spice mix

Method
1. Fry all the red onions, garlic, ginger and once cooked place all the rest of the ingredients potatoes, tomatoes
2. Once the chicken and potatoes is cooked could place it in the rice cooker with the briyani spice mix.

Chicken Korma Recipe

Chicken Korma (Ayam Masak Korma)

Note: Beef and Mutton can be substituted for Chicken

Ingredients: 6 Tbsp / 1 ½ oz Ghee (Minyak Sapi) 2 Onions, peeled and finely sliced 10 Shallots (Red Onions), peeled and finely sliced 12 large Green Chilies, de-seeded and cut in halves (optional) 1 Limes (Limau Nipis) – halved 1 Lemongrass (Serai)– halved and bruised 10 Cherry Tomatoes - halved 4 cm / 2 inch Cinnamon Bark (Kulit Kayu Manis) 3 Star Anise 4 Cardamom Pods 5 Cloves 3 Tbsp of Kurma or Korma Powder 1 kg / 2 pounds / 3 oz Chicken 1 litre / 32 fl oz Coconut Milk (Santan Cair) 1 cup water 4 Potatoes, quartered 150 ml / 5 fl oz Natural Yoghurt 6 Tbsp / 1 ½ oz Almond, finely grounded 4 Tbsp / 1 fl oz Crisp-fried Shallots (Bawang Goreng) Handful of Coriander (Cilantro, Chinese Parsley or Ketumbar) - finely sliced Handful of Mint Leaves (Daun Pudina) - finely sliced Salt, pepper and sugar to taste Paste Ingredients A (to be finely grounded): 15 Shallot (Red Onion), peeled 3 Garlic cloves, peeled 2 cm / 1 inch of Ginger, peeled 1 Onion Paste Ingredients B (to be finely grounded): 1 bunch Parsley 5 Coriander Roots – cleaned, save leaves for garnish 10 sprigs Mint Leaves (Daun Pudina) - save half for garnish 4 Green Chilies, seeds removed 1 cup of water Method: Melt Ghee in a pot and fry 1 Onion together with the fresh Shallots. Add in spices: Cinnamon, Star Anise, Cardamom, Cloves, and Lemongrass. Fry till fragrant and golden. Add in Paste (A), Stir-fry for 5 minutes. Then, add in Korma powder and Paste (B). Stir well and fry for approximately 20 minutes over moderate heat till excess oil begins to appear on the surface. Wait for a few minutes until most of the water has been evaporated. Add in Chicken pieces and continue cooking over moderate heat for 5 minutes. Add in Coconut Milk, water, Potatoes, grounded Almonds and 4 Green Chilies. Also add in salt, pepper and sugar to taste. Stir well and simmer gently over a low fire till gravy thickens and Chicken becomes tender (approximately 35 minutes). Just prior to serving, add in Yoghurt, a squeeze of fresh Lime Juice, Cherry Tomatoes, Mint and Coriander leaves, Fried Shallots and the remaining Green Chilies. Fold them together and simmer for another half a minute. Dish onto a serving plate. Garnish with crisp-fried Shallots (to taste). Serve with rice or Nasi Biryani.

 

Biryani Rice Recipe

Biryani Rice

(Nasi Biryani)

Ingredients:

400 g / 14 oz / 1 ¾ cups Basmati Rice, washed and drained
55 g / 2 oz / ¼ cup Ghee (Minyak Sapi) or Margarine
6 Onions, peeled and sliced
10 Shallots (Red Onion), peeled and sliced
2 Lemongrass (Serai), bruised
1 Bulb Fresh Ginger, finely sliced into small strips
1 Screw Pine Leaf (Daun Pandan), shredded and knotted
4 Tomatoes, finely chopped
2 Tbsp / 1 fl oz Tomato puree - optional
435 ml / 14 fl oz / 1 ¾ cups Chicken or Beef Stock
125 ml / fl oz ½ cup Evaporated Milk
2 tsp Saffron Strands
60 ml / fl oz ¼ cup Rose Water
1 cup Raisins
1 cup toasted Cashew Nuts
Crisp-fried Shallots (Bawang Goreng) for garnish
1 bunch Mint Leaves (Daun Pudina), chopped and rinsed
Banana Leaves, (enough to cover pot)
Salt to taste

Whole Spices Ingredients:

5 Cloves
6 Cardamom Pods
4 Star Anise
2 Cinnamon Sticks

Method:
Melt Ghee and sauté the whole spices ingredients for a few minutes. Add in Onions, Shallots, Fresh Ginger, Lemongrass and Screw Pine Leaf (Daun Pandan), and fry till golden.

Add in Raisins and fresh tomatoes; cook till tomatoes begin to soften.

Add in Basmati Rice and stir gently. Then, add Beef or Chicken Stock (ratio to rice is 1.2:1), Cashew nuts, Saffron Strands, a little salt (optional, depends on the saltiness of stock), half of the fresh Mint leaves, and Evaporated Milk. *Optional* Tomato puree can be added at this stage.

Cook on moderate heat and stir occasionally till rice softens. Add in Rose Water, crisp-fried Shallots and the remaining Mint leaves. Cover the rice with Banana Leaves, then cover the pot and cook till rice is tender (5 -10 minutes).

Serve steaming hot and garnish with left over Raisins, Cashew Nuts, crisp-fried Shallots and Mint Leaves to taste.

Vaxholm - Stockholm

Vaxholm

Latitud N 59° 24´16.14"
Longitud E 18° 18´29.02"
Vaxholm lies on the northern sea route out of Stockholm. It is a genuine archipelago town which has been an important place for the maritime defence of Stockholm through the ages. The name is thought to come from the Old Norse word "vaks" which means beacon, i.e. a fire that is lit to warn the capital city of impending danger.
There are about 10,000 permanent residents here and many more during the summer. The harbour is the heart of Vaxholm. There is plenty of shopping on the main street and activity at the cafés and restaurants around the harbour where pleasure boats, Waxholmsbolaget's ships and the public ferries to Rindö on the other side of the sound, all fight for their place. The guest harbour is large and offers full services. There is room for 120 boats.
Take a stroll in the idyllic small town. Stroll through the northern harbour area in the oldest part of the town. Hamngatan is there with its shops. Take a look at the square with the town hall and its onion dome roofs, or take a boat to Kastellet (the fortifications) in the centre of the sea channel. The Vaxholms Fästningsmuseum (fort museum) is here along with a café, and function and conference rooms. There is also a Bed & Breakfast where it is possible to sleep behind the thick walls.
There are plenty good restaurants here. The most well known is Waxholms Hotell with echoes from the end of the 19^th century. It lies furthest out on Vaxön's easterly headland with marvellous views of the boat traffic and Kastellet from the dining room on the second floor.
A few kilometres south is Bogesunds Slott (castle) from the 17^th century where there are guided tours at the weekend. There is also a hostel here.
To the east is Rindö where Kustartilleriet (the coastal artillery) had a large defence development until 2005. A large residential area is being built in this area now. The public ferries go here from Vaxholm and the road continues out into the Stockholm Archipelago and Värmdö.
How to Get ThereYou can get there by taking the SL bus number 670 from Tekniska Högskolan. The Cinderella boat and services go there from Strandvägen and of course Waxholm's ferriess from Strömkajen. It was here that Waxholmsbolaget started their scheduled services once upon a time. The boat journey is about an hour from Stockholm. The bus takes about 40 minutes.
Accommodation Waxholms Hotell, tel 08-541 301 50 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 08-541 301 50 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
STF (Swedish Tourist Association) Bogesunds Slottsvandrarhem (hostel) & konferens, tel 08-541 750 60 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 08-541 750 60 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
Bed & Breakfast through the tourist office tel 08-541 314 80 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 08-541 314 80 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
FoodWaxholms Hotell, tel 08-541 301 50 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 08-541 301 50 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Hamnkrogen, tel 08-541 320 39 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 08-541 320 39 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Melanders Fisk, tel 08-541 334 66 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 08-541 334 66 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Magasinet, tel 08-541 325 00 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 08-541 325 00 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Cafés and tea rooms

Guest Harbours Österhamn has 120 berths and all services
Gästhamn
Västerhamnen med 120 platser och all service
Services & InformationMost amenities are available in Vaxholm:
Restaurants, tea rooms, banks, post office, systembolaget (off-licence), apoteket (pharmacy), food stores, clothes, household items, gifts and so on.
Vaxholm's tourist office, tel 08-541 314 80 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 08-541 314 80 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
HistoryVaxholm has been populated since the Viking Age. Evidence of this is found in graveyards and rune stones on Bogesundslandet. In the 16^th century the location of Vaxholm made it interesting as a defence fortification. A blockhouse was built by Svante Sture in 1510. It didn't prove to be very effective however, as King Christian of Denmark went past on his way to the capital where he ordered the Stockholm Massacre in 1520. Permanent defences were built on the island during Gustav Vasa's time in the spot where Kastellet stands today. Maintenance of the fortifications, fishing, piloting and customs work required a lot of workers and the population grew. In 1647 Vaxholm was given town privileges. In 1711 the plague hit the area hard and 2/3 of the population died. Despite that, they were able to halt the Russian attack on Stockholm in 1719.
In the 19^th century, Vaxholm became a summer destination for the privileged of Stockholm and magnificent summer residences were built here and on the surrounding islands. Apart from fresh air and pub life there were warm and cold baths and salt, malt, steam and mud baths available. Europe's mineral richest water was found in Rindöbaden. The people of Vaxholm lived well on fishing, every morning freshly caught Baltic herring were rowed into Stockholm's and sold by street traders, apart from the income from the summer residents. The scheduled services of Waxholmsbolaget's steam ships from Stockholm were started at this time. The first daily trips began in 1869.
The defence development, Kastellet, was re-built and modernised during the 19^th century. However the rebuilding took so long that when they tested the walls with a modern ship's cannon in 1872, the shot went right through the thick walls. All of Vaxholm's coastal defence was moved to Oskar-Fredriksborg at Oxdjupet, north of the town.
Visit Skärgården
e-mail: info@visitskargarden.se
Telephone: 08-100 222 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 08-100 222 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Stavsnas Vinterhamn - Stockholm

Stavsnäs is a locality situated in Värmdö Municipality, Stockholm County, Sweden with 810 inhabitants in 2010.^[1] As there are numerous vacation houses in the area, the population is significantly larger during summer. Stavsnäs is accessible by road from Stockholm.

Vinterhamnen of Stavsnäs.

Stavsnäs consists of three different parts; Stavsnäs By (the original picturesque wood-house village built up around the old harbour, dating back to medieval times), Stavsnäs Gärde (a modern housing area with detached houses and blocks of flats), and Stavsnäs Vinterhamn or Vinterhamnen (the all-year ferry harbour connecting the nearby inhabited islands (such as Sandhamn) with the Stockholm bus transportation network).
South of Vinterhamnen at Hölö, Sjösala, the summer house of Evert Taube and the Taube family, is located.

Italy - Places Of Interest

Best Places to Visit in Italy

Vacation travel in Italy is about as good as it gets and the best places to visit in Italy are spectacular. For the art buff Italy is the home to the major works of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and other notables; for the architecture aficionado there’s the Colosseum in Rome, St. Mark's Square in Venice and the Duomo in Florence; and for those of you who like chic, it's shopping in Milan. Those looking for the countryside will revel in Tuscany, Umbria, Liguria, Campania or Sicily. We cover the all of the below, but recommend you see our detailed travel guides for the cities and regions of Italy for details on what to see and do, as well as some stunning photos of your chosen destination.

Rome (Roma)

• The "Eternal City" is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Once the capital of western civilization, Rome has an incredible number of world-class attractions, including the Colosseum, the Forums of the Roman Empire, gorgeous piazzas, stunning fountains, and fabulous museums.
  • The saying "All roads lead to Rome" was a truism during the Roman Empire and the city displays its heritage in a spectacular fashion. Rome is a fantastic destination; you will run out of time before you run out of worthwhile things to see and do. Rome is a tourist friendly city - see our recommendations on the best places to visit in Rome and, then, book your vacation.
    • Be sure the see Ancient Rome, including the Colosseum, the Capitoline Hill, the Roman and Imperial Forums, the Pantheon, and Castel Sant'Angelo.
      
    • The city's many piazzas (Piazza Navona, Piazza di Spagna (and the Spanish Steps), Piazza Venezia) and the city's fabulous fountains (the Trevi Fountain, the Fountain of the Four Rivers and others) are popular places for good reason. In addition to the masterpieces they contain, these areas usually are surrounded by good quality restaurants, fine shopping, and gelato shops (gelaterias) are usually easy to find.
      
    • Museums are the city's strong suite, but the museums dedicated to the history of Ancient Rome, as well as to the arts are the most acclaimed.
      
    • You might want to spend an afternoon visiting a few of Rome's many churches, as they often are incredibly beautiful and endowed with stunning art and architecture.

For detailed descriptions and numerous photographs of the Eternal City's many famous attractions, see our expanded travel guide to the Best Places to Visit in Rome.

• Anyone who visits Rome should reserve time to experience the Best Places to Visit in the Vatican, which we cover in our destination guide for the Holy See.
  • Take time to see the Vatican Museums, as they contain unimaginable treasures of civilization, as well those of the Catholic faith. In addition, be sure to see St. Peter's Basilica and its famous Square.
    • Although surrounded by Rome, the Vatican is an independent state that was established under the Lateran Treaties of 1929 (see our section on country facts on the Vatican for more information).

Venice (Venezia)

• Travel in Venice oozes romance and history. Canals, beautiful buildings, world famous landmarks - Venice is an experience unique in the world of travel. Whether taking a gondola down the Grand Canal or gazing at this romantic city's unique setting and architecture, Venice is a vision that you will never forget.
  • Be sure to see the Piazza San Marco, including the Basilica (St. Mark's) and the Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale). The Grand Canal is another must, as are its palazzos, bridges and gondolas.
    
  • Venice has delightful art museums such as the Guggenheim, the Galleria dell'Academia and the Museo Corer, incredibly beautiful churches, and if that were not enough, you can take a boat trip the colorful islands of Murano (center for glassmaking) and Burano (center for lace).

• Click this link for detailed descriptions and photographs of the Best Places to Visit in Venice, Italy.

Florence (Firenze)

• From the point of view of art and architecture, Florence rivals Rome. During the renaissance, Florence was the art center of western civilization. A list of past residents of the city represents the "Who's Who" of the Masters, including: Dante, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, among others.
  
  • Culture is the strong suite of Florence; perhaps that is why its museums are so popular. However, this is not a one-stop town, as shopping and restaurants in Florence tend to be incredibly attractive to tourists. If you have an interest in cooking, this may be the place to find a cooking school.
    
    • Be sure to see the Duomo (cathedral) and its impressive Piazza and the adjacent Piazza San Giovanni, containing the famous Baptistery, the Museo of the Duomo and the famous Bell Tower by Giotto.
      
    • For art, it is the Uffizi Gallery and the Galleria Dell'Accademia, which contains Michelangelo's world-famous sculpture of David
      
    • While museums abound, you may find yourself lured to the Ponte Vecchio, the famous shop-lined bridge across the Arno River.

Click this link for detailed descriptions and photos of the Best Places to Visit in Florence, Italy.

Tuscany (Toscana)

• Florence is the crown jewel of Tuscany (Toscana), although the region is known for its scenic, rural hill towns, agricultural setting interesting culture and unique architecture.
  
  • While the region's quaint hill towns are popular with all travelers, Tuscany and its people are the main attraction. The countryside is beautiful and varied, including coastal plains and mountains. In turn, the magic of Tuscany's landscapes has been used to establish the setting of many wonderful works of literature.
    
  • Tuscany is a region to be savored and it has become the region of Italy most favored for lengthy vacations by visitors. Its hill towns are known for their scenic settings, interesting history, good food and pleasant quality of life. An increasing number of vacationers who visit Tuscany do so in hopes of savoring the pace and quality of Tuscan life, rather than flitting from one eye-popping attraction to the next, as is common when visiting Rome, Venice, or Tuscany’s own Florence.
    
    • Leading destinations in Tuscany include Florence, Siena, Pisa and these famous hill towns: San Gimignano, Cortona, and the Chianti Hills between Florence and Siena.
  • Click for our detailed guide to the attractions listed above as well as other of the Best Places to Visit in Tuscany

Liguria and the Cinque Terre (Ligurian Coast)
The Ligurian Coast is home to the Italian Riviera, one of the most scenic and appealing sections of the Italian coast, although the Amalfi in Campania is preferred by some. There are three sections to the Ligurian Coast and each has a distinctly different flavor.

• • The Riviera di Ponente is to the west of Genoa and includes the wonderful, popular, and pricey resorts towns as San Remo and Ventimiglia.
    
  • The central section of the Italian Riviera includes and surrounds Genoa, a working port that celebrates its history of navigation and its amazing explorers.
    
  • The Riviera Levante to the east of Genoa includes the five scenic villages nestled within dramatic craggy hillsides and coastline of the Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is an area that invites you to hike between the towns and visiting is a treat, although the villages (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore) can be quite crowded at the peak of summer.
    
    • Further north on the Riviera Levante, you will find the storied resort towns of Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure and Rapallo that are a popular spots for yachting, luxury vacations and fun in the sun.
      
    • For photographs and more detail on the locations mentioned above, click here for our travel guide to the best places to visit in Liguria and the Cinque Terre.

 Milan (Milano)

• Be sure to see the Cathedral (Duomo) and its museum, as well as La Scala (the world-famous opera house), the impressive Castello Sforzesco and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for fine shopping and dramatic architecture.. Budget time to see the city's many interesting art museums, such as the Brera Art Museum and the Museo Poldi Pezzoli.
  
  • If you plan on seeing DaVinci's famous painting The Last Supper at the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, you will need to reserve tickets several weeks in advance to guarantee admission.
    
  • Milan is the perfect place to begin on a tour of the majestic and charming Italian Lakes..

• For photos and details on visiting Milano, see our travel guide to the best places to visit in Milan.

Naples and the Amalfi Coast (Campania)

Campania is one of the most popular regions of Italy, and its attractiveness is largely manifested along its spectacular scenic coast. If you like hairpin turns, this is a great coast to drive (unless you are stuck behind a string of tour buses). For mariners there are numerous boating adventures that let you view this elegant coastline from the sea, where its beauty is close to overwhelming, especially near dusk.

• Campania is on most traveler's wish list due to the magnetic attraction of the picturesque towns of the Amalfi Coast (Amalfi, Ravello, Positano) and nearby Sorrento. These colorful resort towns, all with winding, narrow streets, colorful buildings, and fine restaurants crawl from the waters edge up and into the nearby imposing mountains.
• Campania is, also, famous as the site of Pompeii, the Roman town that was encapsulated by lava and gases from an eruption of nearby Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D.
  • Now excavated and in remarkable condition, Pompeii is one of Italy's most popular attractions.
• If you have want to get away from it all for a relaxing vacation, consider the lure of the scenic Isle of Capri and its luxury resorts and spas. Most visitors are day trippers, but the lure of staying on this enchanting island appeals to many.
• Of course, there are other attractions to fill your time, such as the wonderful museums in Naples (where you will find most of the treasures from Pompeii), the well-preserved Greek Temple at Paestum and the island of Ischia, a lower cost alternative to Capri, although it is somewhat less attractive.

• For details on this area, see our detailed guide to the best places to visit in Campania

Italy's Lake Country (The Italian Lakes)

Along Italy's scenic border with the Swiss Alps are several large glacial lakes nestled into the rolling hills leading to the mountains. The landscape is beautiful, the shoreline serene and the combination creates an area that is pure delight. The Italian Lakes are a place to savor. Driving through the area and slowing for a view will allow you to see a lot, yet miss the best parts of this peaceful, serene and amazing corner of Italy.

• Lake Como is considered by many to have the most beautiful setting of all the lakes, although Lake Maggiori attracts many visitors to its Borromean Islands and the gardens of Isola Bella.
  
• Lake Garda is a recreation center and the most popular of the lakes with locals.
  
• Although most of the shoreline of Lake Lugano is in Switzerland, it can easily be accessed from Italy and benefits from the mix of cultures.

• For photographs and more information on visiting the Italian Lake Country, click for our travel guide to the best places to visit in Italy's Lake Country.  
  Umbria (Regione Umbria)

Often thought of as an alternative to Tuscany, Umbria, which is graced with beautiful countryside and interesting, fortified hill towns, represents some of the best travel in Italy. While each town has its artistic and architectural treasure, the beauty of Umbria is in its simplicity and its residents leisurely approach to life.

• • Popular towns include Perugia, Assisi, Spello and Orvieto. These are smallish hill towns with interesting architecture, mysterious winding streets, amazing town halls, wonderful piazzas and amazing churches. However, the attractions are limited, as are the museums, although we find them delightful to visit.
  • Perhaps it is the pace life, the beauty of the countryside or the marvelous food, but the ambiance of Umbria will grow on you, if you give it the chance.
  • Note that the area can be very crowded during the high travel season and for that reason, we recommend you consider spending a night or two in one of the hill towns to understand the lure of Umbria.

Click here for our detailed guide the best places to visit in Umbria

Sicily (Sicilia)

• Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and was long considered a strategic stepping stone for those interested in invading southern Europe. The earliest colonization of the island was by the Phoenicians, followed by invasions by almost every empire that developed along the shores of the Mediterranean. The Greeks, Romans, Muslims and Normans had the greatest historical influence, although modern Sicily is a mix of numerous cultures.
  • Visit Palermo for its spectacular mix of architectures inspired by the Muslim and Norman conquests.
  • Segesta is another must-see location that is known for its large collection of well-preserved Greek temples.
    • More temples and excavations can be found at Selinunte, although Agrigento (known as the Valley of the Temples) is world-famous for its unusual collection of excavated Greek Temples.
    • Visit the Roman Villa at Casale to view some of the finest mosaics to be found anywhere in the Mediterranean.
• For a little variety plan on touring the active volcano Mount Etna, although this is usually a side-visit from the nearby Taormina, a beautiful town that is one of the most popular resort areas of Sicily.
• If you need more reasons to visit Sicily, then plan to exploring Siracusa, once the largest city in the Greek Empire, to see its impressive collection of Greek ruins.
• Those wanting a water adventure and willing to travel a little further afield might find the scenic Aeolian Isles, just the place for a summer vacation.
• For photos and details on the locations described above, see our travel guide to the best places to visit in Sicily.

Assisi travel guide

Assisi, situated in the Abruzzo region on the offshoots of the Subasio range, is a lovely medieval town with beautiful architecture, which, for the number of its monuments, is considered one of the most artistically rich destinations in Italy. The churches, palaces, castles and ruins are the heritage of an eventful past. The town’s main square has the perfectly preserved Roman Temple of Minerva, however the focus point of Assisi is the St. Francis Basilica. Assisi was St. Francis’ birthplace and masses of peregrines come every year to visit the town in his honour. Assisi has a mystical atmosphere that mixed with the medieval charms of the narrow cobblestone streets make it a fascinating holiday destination. As well as the art monuments and churches, Assisi has a lot of traditional festivals such as the medieval celebrations at the beginning of May. The Easter celebrations are very touching and picturesque, as well as the Ascension and the celebrations in honour of St. Francis, Patron Saint of Italy. The city is surrounded by a beautiful countryside of rolling hills covered with olive groves and vineyards producing very good olive oil and wines. Click on our interactive maps on the side menu and check out the sites that interest

Transportation in Europe

Trains are generally an expensive way to travel. The regular fares are measured by distance travelled, the longer the distance travelled the higher the price. (And the distances you want to travel are not exactly very short.)

There are special deals for train travel, but you need to book in advance over the internet. Availablity is very limited too. For trains going to and leaving Germany look at www.bahn.de, for trains to and from the Netherlands see www.ns.nl and for trains to and from France see www.voyages-sncf.com.

www.bahn.de has the best website for searching train schedules all over Europe, use it to find out whether there is a train going when and where you want it.

If you cannot find a price for an international train ticket online, try www.jizdenka.cz - it is very good with estimates.

Considering the distances involved also look at flights. I can recommend the websites www.skyscanner.net and www.whichbudget.com.

For bus see www.eurolines.com

Finally, look at a Eurail pass. This seems to be the best way to combine all the cities you want by train.

Helsinki Card

Helsinki Card is a city card with a number of benefits that will help you to discover and experience Helsinki plus save money, time and energy during your visit.

The whole city with one card:

• FREE Audio Sightseeing Tour or Guided Tour SAVE 28€
• FREE unlimited travel on metro, buses, trams, trains inside Helsinki and ferry to/from Suomenlinna Sea Fortress
• FREE entry to major Helsinki museums and sights
• FREE Helsinki Card guide book (maps and complete tourist info)
• Discounts -20% -15% -10% in restaurants, shops, tours, car rental, sauna and concerts.

• The NEW Helsinki Card Region is your ticket for public transport in Helsinki, Espoo, Kauniainen and Vantaa
• More about NEW Helsinki Card Region!

Prices and validity 2012

Validity	Adults	Children (7-16 years)
1 day / 24 hours	36 €	15 €
2 days / 48 hours	46 €	18 €
3 days / 72 hours	56 €	21 €

More about Helsinki Card

Suomenlinna, Helsinki

Suomenlinna, until 1918 Viapori (Finnish), or Sveaborg (Swedish), is an inhabited sea fortress built on six islands (Kustaanmiekka, Susisaari, Iso-Mustasaari, Pikku-Mustasaari, Länsi-Mustasaari and Långören), and which now forms part of the city of Helsinki, the capital of Finland.
Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage site and popular with both tourists and locals, who enjoy it as a picturesque picnic site. Originally named Sveaborg (Fortress of Svea), or Viapori as called by Finns, it was renamed Suomenlinna (Castle of Finland) in 1918 for patriotic and nationalistic reasons, though it is still also sometimes known by its original name. In Swedish-speaking contexts, the name Sveaborg is always used.^[1]
The Swedish crown commenced the construction of the fortress in 1748 as protection against Russian expansionism. The general responsibility for the fortification work was given to Augustin Ehrensvärd. The original plan of the bastion fortress was strongly influenced by the ideas of Vauban, the foremost military engineer of the time, and the principles of Star Fort style of fortification, albeit adapted to a group of rocky islands.
In addition to the island fortress itself, seafacing fortifications on the mainland would ensure that an enemy would not acquire a beach-head from which to stage attacks. The plan was also to stock munitions for the whole Finnish contingent of the Swedish Army and Royal Swedish Navy there. In the Finnish War the fortress surrendered to Russia on May 3, 1808, paving the way for the occupation of Finland by Russian forces in 1809

The Flam Railway - Norway

The Flåm Railway

A steep railway taking you by spectacular waterfalls, in and out of snow-capped mountains and ending up by the Aurlandsfjord.

The Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana) winds its way from Myrdal to Flåm, 865 metres below, nestled in the innermost corner of the Aurlandfjord.
Each year, this exciting stretch of railway attracts people from all corners of the world, making the Flåm Railway one of Norway's major and most spectacular tourist attractions.

Cascading waterfalls

The train journey provides some of Norway's wildest and most magnificent scenery. On the 20-kilometre long train ride you can see rivers that cut through deep ravines, waterfalls cascade down the side of steep, snow-capped mountains and mountain farms that cling dizzily to sheer slopes.
The Flåm Railway is one of the world's steepest railway lines on normal gauge. The gradient is 55/1000 on almost 80% of the line. The twisting tunnels that spiral in and out of the mountain are manifestations of the most daring and skilful engineering in Norwegian railway history.
At the foot of the mountains you can enjoy the natural beauty of the Flåm Valley and admire the majestic Aurlandfjord, a branch of Norway's longest fjord, the Sognefjord.

Time of travel

A trip on the Flåm Railway is just as stunning in winter as in summer. Indeed you should try both if you get the chance, as the landscape changes so dramatically with each season it makes for a radically different experience.
If you are travelling in winter remember that days are short this time of year, so make sure your trip is scheduled during daylight hours (typically 9 am to 4 pm). Earlier or later than that and part of your journey will be in the dark, which means you may miss out on the magnificent scenery along the way.
The trip between Myrdal and Flåm takes about one hour.