Xceltrip

After the world-famous St Petersburg and Moscow,  Novosibirsk is Russia‘s third most important city. Off limits to foreigners during Soviet times, this beautifully historic town is only just being discovered by outsiders and its unspoiled nature makes Novosibirsk the ideal place to gain a true and authentic taste of Russia. The State Art Museum Novosibirsk’s Art Museum is one of the most extensive art galleries in the whole of Siberia. This cultural capital of the Siberian region houses everything from sculpture, to ancient local crafts, to fine paintings, to exquisite Russian Orthodox icons, to the most cutting edge of Russia’s modern art, and with over 10,000 exhibits, there’ll be no end of masterpieces to explore. The immense, grey art deco building is one of the city’s most striking sights and a must-visit for any art buffs travelling the Siberian region. The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Completed...

Linkoping is popular for being one of the largest cities in Sweden and an old city that has a rich culture as well. Since I work for a Swedish software company, based in Linkoping, I had the opportunity to visit there for a three-week stay. I visited there just before the winter set in, so although it was relatively cold it was very beautiful with leaves taking different colours etc. Travelling and visiting places is something I always enjoyed, so this was a great experience for me. In this lens I will give brief descriptions about the must-visit places in Linkoping. There are quite a few interesting and diverse places to see there and if you are a history fan then this is one of the best cities to visit in Sweden.  Linkoping Cathedral The oldest and one of the most majestic buildings in Linkoping , the main tower of the Cathedral is around 100M and dominates the Linkoping skyline, in fact I used to find my way back to hotel using the tower whenever I lost my way duri...

With its rich history and varied landscapes, Sweden is a traveler's paradise. If you love the outdoors, it's certainly hard to beat. The air and water are crystal clean, and there are thousands of acres of unspoiled forests and majestic lakes to explore, not to mention vast archipelagos along its coasts. The roads and public transport are excellent, the citizens are invariably friendly and helpful, and in recent years Swedish cuisine has undergone what can only be described as a revolution. Skansen Skansen , the world's oldest open-air museum, is a historic village made up of houses and farmsteads from all over Sweden, representing both rural and urban culture at various periods from 1720 to the 1960s. Gathered here are churches, schoolhouses, manor houses, shops, mills, workers' homes, artisan's shops (including a book bindery, print shop, shoemaker, tinsmith, comb maker and glassworks), a bakery, a funicular railroad, a Sami camp with reindeer, and a...

Trondheim , Norway's third largest city, is also one of the country's oldest. Founded as a trading post by the Vikings in AD 997, it was Norway's capital until 1217, and new kings are still crowned here. Built on a peninsula and linked to the mainland at its west end, Trondheim is the main town of the county of Sør-Trøndelag in central Norway. Bakklandet and Gamle Bybro (Old Town Bridge) Cross the river Nidelva through the red arches of the Gamle Bybro (Old Town Bridge) to reach the picturesque lanes and colorful old houses of the Bakklandet neighborhood. It feels like a small village, and the historic wooden riverside buildings have become small shops, galleries, coffee houses, and restaurants. Stroll along the river for views of the buildings lining the opposite bank. This is Trondheim's most historic and atmospheric neighbourhood. Kristiansten Fortress Standing on a hill to the city's east, Kristiansten Fortress (Kristiansten Festning) was ...

If you were asked to close your eyes and to tell the first image that comes to mind about Helsinki, you’d probably say that it is the Helsinki Cathedral . At least this is what it happens with most people. It is the most recognizable spot of the city. Since 1852, when the construction of the Helsinki Cathedral was over, this building has been imposing its beauty over the Senate Square of Helsinki, right in the middle of the city (map). Its facade can be seen in many photos and during all kinds of media coverage, because many events and protests take place in front of it. The cathedral originally was built as a tribute to the Tzar Nicholas I of Russia, because for many years Finland was part of Russia and was known as the Great Duchy of Finland. The Cathedral, by Carl Ludvig Engel, rising on the northern side of the Senate Square is the stage of national and academic festive services and one of the most popular tourist sights. The church is part of Helsinki's Empire era ...