Scan Magazine | Issue 38 | March 2012

MARCH 2012 ISSUE 38 PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA

PETER JÖBACK RETURNS TO HAUNT THE STAGE THE BEST OF SOUTHERN SWEDEN DISCOVER HAUGESUND AND STAVANGER SWEDISH WELLNESS & BEAUTY

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Scan Magazine | Contents

Contents COVER FEATURE 8

8

37

Haugesund

40

In Norway, in the middle of Fjord Norway, you will find the Haugesund area. This is the Homeland of the Viking Kings – Norway’s birthplace, where you can find amazing history, beautiful nature and peaceful surroundings.

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26

47

Swedish Wellness From north to south, whether on a long or short visit to Sweden, there is a large variety of highclass spas to choose from: from old spas with traditional saunas to peri-urban day spas with state-of-the-art gyms.

Spring & Summer in Finland While Finland is known for its magnificent scenery and sights in wintertime, when spring finally arrives, you will discover a whole new side to the country.

Conferences and Weekend Breaks in Denmark When choosing the most suitable location for your next conference or business seminar, or alternatively a weekend break away from everyday worries, you should consider the wide variety of establishments available all around Denmark – you might feel inspired!

Stavanger Magnificent nature, colourful culture and great culinary offers: the Stavanger region is situated within a landscape full of contrasts and offers many exciting activities. It is never far to your next adventure!

Hunting in Denmark Danish hunters are considered some of the happiest people on earth, and any Danish hunter would be able to rekindle your relationship with wildlife when you come to visit Denmark.

SPECIAL THEMES 13

Southern Sweden Southern Sweden is where around 80% of the population of the country lives, and while it does not share the rugged landscape of the north, it makes up for it with pastoral, rolling countryside, endless forest and more temperate climes.

Peter Jöback Peter Jöback is celebrating a 30-year long career with the lead role in one of the world’s most prominent musicals, The Phantom of the Opera.

We caught up with Sweden’s biggest singer and musical star a few days before his move to London.

24

30

55

Swedish Beauty Sweden has a long tradition in both reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery and has a high international reputation.

REGULARS & COLUMNS 11 70

68

We Love This | 12 Fashion Diary | 58 Hotels of the Month | 64 Attractions of the Month Restaurants of the Month | 76 Humour | 88 Music & Culture | 89 Culture Calendar

Scan Business

82

REGULARS & COLUMNS

FEATURES 80

Ramboll Energy Having been a major player within construction and infrastructure in the UK for decades, Danish consultancy firm Ramboll is now making way in the country’s effort to renew its energy sector.

78

Business Columns & News Notes on international law, tax and banking.

82

Conferences of the Month The best conference venues, events and congresses of the month.

87

Scandinavian Business Calendar Highlights of Scandinavian business events.

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 3

Scan Magazine | Editor’s Note

Dear Reader, After having the opportunity to wear my spring jacket for a fews days and even feeling slightly hot in the sun, I’m already completely ready for spring and summer.

I’m sure the English weather will have its fair share of surprises in store for us for the next few months, so I’m not holding my hopes up too high, but at least that feeling is now there – the one that tells you to start planning ahead for summer BBQs and, of course, the summer holidays.

In Scandianvia, or at least back home in Finland, the picture is still slightly different (well, not -25 Celsius like at the beginning of February…), as winter often sticks around for quite a bit longer.

But when spring finally arrives, it’s a glorious occasion indeed.

In this issue, we’ve even got a short introduction to what you can expect from Finland in spring and summer. It’s like a completely different country!

few gems for you to read about. And there is a sepcial treat for hunting enthusiasts as well!

Wellness and beauty are both very current topics, constantly found in the news, and accordingly, we wanted to further explore the choice of spas and beauty clinics in Sweden.

In our cover feature this month, we introduce you to the new Phantom: Swedish singer Peter Jöback will join the London production of The Phantom of the Opera this month. I definitely don’t want to miss that!

Nia Kajastie Editor

Our other travel themes this month will give you insight into what the muncicipalities of Haugesund and Stavanger have to offer, as well as introducing the best bits of southern Sweden.

We’ve also taken a closer look at the wide variety of conference and weekend break destinations within Denmark, picking out a

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Issue 38 | March 2012

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Scan Magazine | Contributors

Regular Contributors Nia Kajastie (Editor) was born and raised in Helsinki, Finland, and moved to London in 2005 to study writing. With a BA in Journalism & Creative Writing, she now describes herself as a fulltime writer and grammar stickler.

Emelie Krugly Hill has worked on a number of Swedish newspapers. After travelling extensively, she has been based in London since 2006. Her particular interests are news and current affairs within Sweden and the export of Scandinavian culture to the UK. Mette Lisby is Denmark’s leading female comedian. She invites you to laugh along with her monthly humour columns.

Since her stand-up debut in 1992, Mette has hosted the Danish versions of “Have I Got News For You” and “Room 101”.

Julie Guldbrandsen is Scan Magazine’s fashion and design expert; she has worked in the fashion industry for more than 10 years, and advised various Scandinavian design and fashion companies. Besides, Julie has a BA in business and philosophy and has lived in Copenhagen, Singapore and Beijing before settling down in London.

Sven Riis Houston has lived in Edinburgh for six years, having graduated from Edinburgh Napier University with a BA in Journalism in 2009. He currently works as a freelance writer and media researcher, and has an unhealthy interest in football.

Lykke Fabricius Port is a Danish journalist, who lost her heart to London while finishing her degree at City University. Now she is a proud Scandinavian expat working as a freelance journalist, when she’s not busy blogging, cooking or experimenting with her camera.

6 | Issue 38 | March 2012

Swedish Sara Schedin is a freelance writer with a degree in journalism from City University London. She moved here in 2006 and is currently covering Scandinavian culture in the UK. Maria Smedstad moved to the UK from Sweden in 1994. She received a degree in Illustration in 2001, before settling in the capital as a freelance cartoonist, creating the autobiographical cartoon Em. She writes a column on the trials and tribulations of life as a Swede in the UK. Karl Batterbee is devoted to Scandinavian music and knows exactly what is coming up in the UK. Apart from writing a monthly music update for Scan Magazine Karl has also started the Scandipop Club Night and its corresponding website: www.scandipop.co.uk.

Danish Yane Christensen has lived in London half her life.

She’s a designer, illustrator and mother of twin girls. She also has an on-line shop www.fleamarketfloozy.com and writes to exercise her brain.

Norwegian Karin Modig has lived in London since 1998: she arrived with the intention of staying just four months. She currently works as a freelance journalist and PR consultant, and is a keen handball player.

Linnea Dunne has been writing professionally for over 10 years. Having started out on a local paper in Sweden, she is passionate about Scandinavian music and culture, and currently works in London as a full-time writer and translator.

Inna Allen is a freelance writer, translator and photographer whose passions lie in all things art and design. She moved to the UK from her native Finland in 2001 and has since developed a chronic yearning for sauna.

Having travelled much of the world, Signe Hansen, MA graduate in Journalism and previous editor at Scan Magazine, is now back freelancing in London, where she writes on everything Scandinavian and her main passions: culture, travel and health.

Ulrika Osterlund spent most of her life in London, but recently returned to Stockholm, where she is working as a journalist.

She studied international business in Paris and journalism in London. She is also a budding novelist.

Linnéa Mitchell is a freelance journalist who came to London in 2003 as a TV announcer for Swedish TV3. She now contributes to English and Swedish publications, parallel to doing voiceover jobs as well as blogging for a children’s/parents’ website.

Margrete Dybbroe is Danish born and bred, but has a very soft spot for London. With an MA in English and music from the University of Aarhus, she has worked as a copywriter at an advertising agency for a great many years. Today, she is on her own, working as a freelance writer and translator from her own one-woman company, Text it!

Based in Copenhagen, Kirstine Trauelsen contributes to Scan Magazine as a freelance writer.

She loves travelling and is especially devoted to music and theatre. Kirstine has a Master’s degree in history and rhetoric from the University of Copenhagen and works in communication and PR.

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Making it possible Nordea Bank S.A is a part of the leading financial services group in the Nordic and Baltic Sea regions. Some products and services mentioned may, due to local regulations, not be available to individuals resident in certain countries. The attention of the investor is drawn to the fact that there can be no guarantee on the profitability of any investment in financial instruments and that such investment may entail losses, and this irrespective of the quality of the fund managers selected by the Bank. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Nordea Bank is subject to the supervision of the CSSF (www.cssf.lu). Approved by Nordea Bank Finland Plc., London Branch regulated by the FSA in the UK. Published by Nordea Bank S.A., (R.C.S. Luxembourg No. B 14157) 562, rue de Neudorf, L-2220 Luxembourg, Tel +352 43 88 77 77.

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Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Peter Jรถback

Scan Magazine | Cover Feature | Peter Jöback

Peter Jöback returns to haunt the stage Peter Jöback is celebrating a 30-year long career with the lead role in one of the world’s most prominent musicals, The Phantom of the Opera. We caught up with Sweden’s biggest singer and musical star a few days before his move to London.

By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photos: Karin Thörnblom

Peter Jöback’s career began as an 11year-old, and his silky smooth voice captivated me in the early 90s, when I saw him on stage for the first time in Fame The Musical in Stockholm. I was 13 years old and quickly developed my first secret crush on this handsome brown-eyed and extraordinarily talented artist.

A few years later, in 1995, Peter experienced a huge breakthrough with the ABBA duo Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson’s hit musical Kristina från Duvemåla, an interpretation of Swedish author Vilhem Moberg’s four novels, charting a family’s poverty-driven migration from Sweden to America in the mid-19th century. It was not only Jöback’s big break on the musical stage, but also meant a spot on Sweden’s musical charts, where he remained for no less than 110 weeks, with the song Guldet blev till sand (The gold turned into sand).

For his role as Robert in the musical, he received the prestigious Guldmasken award.

Since then, he has moved between the two popular spheres of musical theatre and pop. He has sold over a million albums, and one of them, Jag Kommer Hem Igen Till Jul (I’m coming home again for Christmas) has become somewhat of

a modern Christmas classic in Sweden.

Peter has toured sold-out concert halls and has been praised for musical roles both in Sweden and internationally.

Taking on the Phantom Jöback is on his way to the airport when I catch him on the phone. It is only a few days before his move to London, having been handpicked for the lead role in The Phantom of the Opera, now in its 26th year at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London’s West End. So how does one prepare for such a grand role? “I just don’t know,” Peter says. “I prepare myself as best I can. I’m not sure you can fully prepare for a job like the Phantom. But I believe the magic will happen in the moment. I will, of course, be terribly nervous on stage at the premiere, but I have decided to try and enjoy every single moment.”

“It’s the perfect time to enter a new era, and it feels fantastic! I feel very grateful for this opportunity and to be working with such an incredible cast. It’s a dream role and a great starting point to return to the stage after a long break.”

It is not the first time Jöback has performed in the West End. In 1997, he was

offered the lead as Chris in Miss Saigon, and three years later, he took the role of Michael in the original cast of The Witches of Eastwick. He remembers that the expectations were high and the pressure as well, but overall it was exhilarating. Soon work offers arrived from Sweden, and Peter decided to move home to focus on his career on his home soil.

“Fourteen years on and I have so much more experience and am feeling much stronger,” says Peter, who is more than ready to meet the British audience again.

“I have a long career behind me now. I notice that people have respect for me; it feels wonderful.”

“I love London and the British audiences; they have been very supportive. Hopefully I’ll have some time to visit my favourite spots, such as Notting Hill, Hyde Park and my favourite seafood restaurant in the Michelin House in Knightsbridge,” Peter reveals.

Pulling the brake In 2009, after a long career with numerous major roles, shows and successful albums, he abruptly took some time out, cancelling all jobs, and moved to New York to seek a more balanced life. That same

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 9

year, the SVT documentary Happy, Handsome and Unknown was released. For the first time, he talked about how his troubled past with issues concerning sexual abuse and an alcoholic father had caught up with him. However, his inner journey over the last ten years has made him stronger than ever.

“Today, I have an amazing life and an inspiring career. Now, I have peace with everything in my life and am not ashamed at all.”

and it was broadcast live to cinema audiences in several countries.

“It was a huge honour to be there with Andrew Lloyd Webber and the legendary producer Cameron Mackintosh on stage; it was basically musical history. They were very happy and very encouraging,” says Peter. “It naturally felt great and was the best possible start to an exciting journey.”

Current and future projects

The Phantom turns 25

Recently, Peter Jöback released a new album of songs by famous French composers that have been translated into Swedish, something he describes as a dream project. A short film was also produced with the same title as the album, La Vie, L’Amour, La Mort; it is a dramatic tale of an entertainer’s love, life and death, where Peter Jöback plays his French alter-ego, and which includes actresses Izabella Scorupco, Melinda Kinnaman and Emma Sjöberg-Wiklund.

When The Phantom of the Opera celebrated its 25th anniversary in October last year, Peter participated in the jubilee performances held at the Royal Albert Hall,

Peter Jöback recently also followed in the footsteps of his idols, Frank Sinatra, Edith Piaf and Charles Aznavours, on a trip to

It was during his time in New York that he attended the audition for Love Never Dies, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, mostly just for fun, and was almost picked for the lead. When the opportunity in London was offered to him off the back of this, Peter did not hesitate.

10 | Issue 38 | March 2012

New York, Paris and Berlin, in the Swedish TV documentary Med hjärtat som insats, to discover the secret of immense fame and how to become a true entertainer.

And what about his next project? “First of all, I will return to Sweden for a rest and enjoy my new residence on Värmdö outside of Stockholm. I’m longing to work behind as well as in front of the camera; I keep pitching ideas to Swedish television,” he says.

Last year was a big one for Peter in many ways, as he turned 40 and also married his long-term boyfriend Oscar Nilsson.

“Our wedding was amazing, and I will remember that day for a very, very long time. It was a powerful ceremony of love for us and all our friends.”

Peter Jöback will star as the Phantom at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London from 19 March until September 2012.

For more information, please visit: www.peterjoback.com

Scan Magazine | Design | We Love This

We love this...

Welcome spring and Easter with fresh colourful decorating ideas for the home. Birds, flowers and light spring colours invite the warmth and sunny days back into the everyday.

By Julie Guldbrandsen. Email: julie@scanmagazine.co.uk

Inspired by Royal Copenhagen’s first Flora Danica service from 1790, the Spring Eggs are an annual tradition. £30. www.royalcopenhagen.com

A super-cute and decorative beanbag in 100% organic cotton (80cm) by ferm LIVING Kids. £139.95. www.95percentshop.co.uk

These luxurious soft coat hangers

by Hay will add finesse to the hallway or closet. £43. www.ivor-innes.co.uk

These ceramic trays by Tine K Home have a light and rich Scandi aesthetic.

Prices from £8-41. www.tinekhome.com

The best way to embrace spring is with these gorgeous seasonal flower decorations in vintage vases by Scandi florist Flor Unikon. From £40. www.flor-unikon.com

The Raft Stool is a beautiful blend of raw natural materials and industrial metal structures. Designed by Norm Architects for Danish manufacturer & tradition. £345. www.95percentshop.co.uk

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 11

Scan Magazine | Design | Fashion Diary

Fashion Diary...

Print blouses, metallics, muted tones and pastel shades are set to reign this spring. Dip into the trends now with these cool Scandi items, and stay one step ahead of the fashion pack.

By Julie Guldbrandsen. Email: julie@scanmagazine.co.uk

Paint print blouse by Weekday. Team with muted tones for a cool spring look. £42. www.weekday.se

Short blazer by Vila in a zesty pink colour that will add interest to a sleek outfit. £38. www.vila.com

Invest in a sleek pair of beige jeans – they will work perfectly with the spring’s pastel shade trend. £150. shop.acnestudios.com

Tap into the metallic trend in this effortlessly chic silver top by Vila. £30. www.vila.com

12 | Issue 38 | March 2012

A cool handmade leather bracelet by Marie Terre. Comes in a variety of colours, sizes and designs.

This one is £95. www.marieterre.co.uk

Pleats are big this spring. This dress

by Vero Moda has a whimsical and feminine silhouette. £32. www.veromoda.com

SP EC HA IAL UG TH ES EM UN E: D

Haugesund area – Homeland of the Viking Kings

By Destinasjon Haugesund & Haugalandet AS | Photos: Geir Øyvind Gismervik/ visithaugesund.no

In Norway, in the middle of Fjord Norway, you will find the Haugesund area. This is the Homeland of the Viking Kings – Norway’s birthplace, where you can find amazing history, beautiful nature and peaceful surroundings.

A long and dramatic history tells us how they established the nation of Norway in this region. It was the first ice-free area in Norway and home to the first king - Harald Fair-haired. For 3,000 years, chieftains and kings controlled the strait Karmsundet – Nordvegen, the shipping lane that gave Norway its name. Today, it is possible to experience Viking history at close quarters through a visit to Avaldsnes. Here, you can visit several attractions, such as the Nordvegen History Cen-

tre, St. Olav’s Church and the Viking Settlement.

It is not only at Avaldsnes that you can experience Norway’s important history. In Haugesund, you will find the magnificent national monument. This is where Norway’s first king Harald Fair-haired was buried. In 1872, a 17-metre high monument with its 29 surrounding stone monuments was raised to commemorate the passing of a millennium since he united Norway.

Haugesund is surrounded by beautiful nature. You can take a stroll on the idyllic white sandy dunes on the Karmøy beaches. In the summer, it is a popular place for bathing, and the rest of the year,

people travel here to kite and surf on the dramatic waves. In Åkrafjorden, you can see one of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls, Langfoss. For a magnificent view, you can take the easy-to-climb footpath all the way to the top. If it is snow you are looking for, you can take a trip to Røldal, where there are downhill trails and offpiste riding for all abilities, and all this in the deepest snow in Europe!

Welcome to the Haugesund area!

For more information, please visit: www.visithaugesund.no

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 13

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Haugesund

The Ironman city of Norway invites you to a public party to remember Haugesund is hosting Norway’s first ever Ironman 70.3 triathlon and promises excellent conditions for the contestants and a proper party for everyone in and around the city on 8 July.

By Anne Line Kaxrud Photos: Courtesy of Ironman Haugesund

The small city of Haugesund, just northwest of Stavanger, is hosting Norway’s first ever Ironman 70.3 competition on 8 July. After a long process to win the bid for the race, race manager Ivar Jacobsen could finally let the party loose on 8 December last year and start preparing for one of the world’s most prestigious triathlon events. “It was fierce competition, and we are incredibly pleased that we

14 | Issue 38 | March 2012

can finally invite people to Ironman 70.3 in Haugesund,” says Jacobsen.

The sports highlight of the year Ironman 70.3 in Haugesund is one of a series of long-distance triathlon races where athletes qualify for the Ironman World Championship in Las Vegas. The triathlon consists of a 1,900 metre swim, 90 km cycle and 21.1 km run, and is open to

everyone. “It is an aspiration for many to one day participate in an Ironman triathlon, and it does of course require some hours of training, but everyone can participate, both your old aunt and your younger brother,” says Jacobsen. In the first hour after tickets were released, they had sold one a minute. The interest has been enormous in the local area, but Jacobsen also expects great interest abroad.

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Haugesund

“The first contestants from South Africa and the United States have secured their places, and we are working with, for example, Nirvana in the United Kingdom, a company that arranges trips for triathletes, so it will be a great international event,” explains Jacobsen. As it is the first year, they are advised to limit the contestants to 1,500. “We want to do it properly, so the event can grow year by year. We have got a contract for five years, but history shows that once a city has got Ironman, it never gives it up,” says Jacobsen.

sen. It was the mixture of the passion for Ironman and his own home city Haugesund that inspired him to bring the triathlon home. “I have had triathlon in my blood since I started back in 1983, and I have always been proud of my city, so I thought I would combine the two,” explains Jacobsen. After a few years of many meetings and conversations, Jacobsen can finally see the fruit of his two passions combined. “It will be an incredibly inspiring and joyful time to be in Haugesund,” says Jacobsen.

An inspiration for others

Haugesund - the ideal location

Jacobsen was only 18 when he entered his first triathlon and has participated in several Ironman triathlons, both full distance and 70.3. “Once you have done it once, you are hooked,” he explains. The Ironman 70.3 series has become the fastest growing triathlon series in the world, and the contestants reflect a healthy lifestyle. “Society needs healthy role models, and that is what Ironman stands for,” says Jacob-

The European jury that granted Haugesund with Ironman 70.3 emphasised the fantastic location of the city. Located close to the world-famous fjords, Haugesund is the ideal starting point for a holiday along what is often referred to as the most beautiful coastline in the world. “Many commented on the fantastic nature surrounding Haugesund, and it is exotic to many foreigners. There is no doubt that

this helped us to attract the event, particularly as many combine Ironman with a longer holiday,” says Jacobsen. And the city knows how to welcome the expected 1,500 contestants. The inhabitants have already volunteered their labour during the event, while others have offered to open their homes to contestants who are in need of a bed. “The city is hosting this event, and everyone is involved one way or another. It is incredible not having to ask for help, and the inhabitants have been amazingly open-hearted,” says Jacobsen with obvious gratitude.

An event for both active contestants and eager supporters For those who prefer to cheer rather than participate in what has been referred to as a test in the “true Viking spirit”, you can watch the contestants through their different challenges within short distances.

“We have an excellent arena where the distances are short from one area to another, so it will be easy for the viewers to follow the contestants,” says Jacobsen.

The viewer-friendly course takes viewers and contestants from swimming in Skeisvatnet, a small lake in rural Haugesund, to biking along the coastline of the North Sea and running through the city centre.

“The whole city welcomes you to the sports event of the year,” says Jacobsen.

For more information, please visit: www.ironmanhaugesund.com www.ironman.com

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 15

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Haugesund

Haugesund is home to high-quality private health care Norway might not immediately spring to mind when considering private health care options; however, with top-qualified personnel, low costs, the latest technology, excellent facilities and no waiting lists, the private hospital and infertility clinic in Haugesund offer comprehensive care, not to be discounted.

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Scanhealth Scandinavia

Scanhealth Scandinavia, a partnership of health care providers in Haugesund, includes Privatsykehuset Haugesund and Klinikk Hausken, both government approved clinics. As the clinics are only located 15 minutes away from Haugesund Airport, they are easy and quick to reach from a lot of locations, including London and Edinburgh.

the UK. We are ISO certified, follow EU regulations on tissue and cells, and the health authorities in Norway inspect the clinic annually. There is also no waiting time, and we’re the only clinic in Norway with Embryoscopes, which give us added information on embryo selection.”

“The main questions that people coming from abroad often consider are: Can I trust them? What is the price like? And how easy is it to get there? All these aspects are covered here, so there is no need to worry,” explains Klinikk Hausken’s medical director Jon Hausken.

Privatsykehuset Haugesund offers the same high-quality treatment when it comes to a range of operative procedures, including orthopaedic, eye, cosmetic, urology and general surgery. With a drastically lower occurrence of MRSA infections in Norway and the rest of Scandinavia, the private hospital is a safe and comfortable place for all patients.

“The price can often be the main deciding factor, but it’s important to highlight that the quality of our care is just as good as in

“People in the UK think that Norway is very expensive and don’t often see it as a realistic option for their treatment,” says Turid

16 | Issue 38 | March 2012

Staveland Nygaard, the director of Privatsykehuset Haugesund. “But we offer highquality care, within a similar culture to the UK, and at a surprisingly low cost. We also assist all patients with their booking of air tickets and hotel rooms; it’s VIP treatment.

It’s very easy, as we speak English and there is no hassle in contacting us.”

When it comes to the IVF treatment at Klinikk Hausken, patients are equally satisfied with their care, as they can talk directly to their doctors throughout the care; they are involved in the treatment and introduced to a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

For more information, please visit: www.privatsykehuset.no www.klinikkhausken.no

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Haugesund

Creativity, passion and a famous house In Ølen, a 50-minute drive from Haugesund Airport, Unni Marie Lien has been introducing visitors to Norwegian craftsmanship through her shop Unni Marie Rosemaling for the last 31 years.

A style of Norwegian decorative painting, Rosemaling first originated in rural valleys and dates back at least to the 1700s.

“Many people are surprised to learn that Rosemaling can actually be modern, and I really want to show people that it is not dull and old-fashioned,” says Lien.

Both she and her house are well known in the region, so well known in fact, that the lo-

cal director of tourism made an appearance when she opened her new guest toilet!

“As well as being a shop selling arts and crafts and souvenirs, this is also where I live and have my workshop, plus I run the local tourist information,” she says. “I enjoy having visitors here, and the most important thing for me is to give visitors an experience and to show them that there is still such a thing as craftsmanship. Everything I make is a true one of a kind.”

In 2010, the Korean World Masters Organizing Committee, an international NGO that promotes cultural exchanges, named

her a World Master for her dedication to representing Norwegian culture abroad.

“My aim is to preserve a local craft tradition, and quality is always my number one concern,” she says. “Although I make traditional pieces, a lot of my work is modern, and I paint on shoes, helmets, bags, bikes, anything at all really!”

By Karin Modig Photos: Rosemaling/rosemaling.com

For further information about Unni Marie Rosemaling, please visit: www.rosemaling.com For further information about World Masters, please visit: www.worldmasters.org

Enjoy a personal and cost-friendly stay at Dugneberg B&B The family Likenes can offer you accommodation out of the ordinary at their farm, close to the beautiful seaside on the Karmøyisland, just south of Haugesund.

“It all started when my youngest son worked at the local tourist office in Skudeneshavn and had to disappoint tourist after tourist as there was no accommodation in the area. However, rather than sending them away, he took them back home, assuming quite rightly that we would have a bed for the night,” says owner Jan Arnstein Likenes with a grin.

Since then the B&B has grown into four guest rooms, and he has taken over, while the son has set off for new adventures.

A cost-friendly and intimate stay With a set price of only £25 per person per night, the B&B is a cost-friendly alterna-

tive on the island. “My children often say: ‘Oh, you’re silly Daddy’, as we offer the rooms so cheap. But I have never wanted to be a millionaire, and it’s a great pleasure for me to see happy smiles around the breakfast table every day,” says Jan Arnstein. The B&B is busy during the high season and attracts tourists from all over the world. “We have had guests from all over the world, from Australia to Taiwan,” says Jan Arnstein. “We often invite our

guests into our private home for a cup of coffee, and most people appreciate the intimacy and friendliness you get here, among the beautiful nature of course.”

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: Dugneberg B&B

For more information, please visit: www.dugneberg.com

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 17

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Haugesund

Fugl Fonix Hotel offers food, art and culture aplenty The Fugl Fønix Hotel, ideally nestled among fjords and mountains, is a cultural hub that caters to art lovers, food connoisseurs and musicians alike. Located in Etne, it also acts as a perfect base for visitors keen to sample outdoor activities all year round.

The boutique hotel itself comprises 24 newly refurbished rooms, complete with flat-screen TVs, en-suite bathrooms and balconies from which to take in the splendid scenery.

The hotel’s restaurant is a trendy and tastefully designed eatery that offers delicious local cuisine throughout the day. In

the evening, it offers an extensive à la carte menu, making it a popular choice with both locals and visitors.

The restaurant is also host to various art exhibitions, featuring paintings by the in-house artist Jan Terje Rafdal, who also has his own exhibition gallery in Etne.

Art and culture are a key theme at the hotel, with up-and-coming bands frequently performing on the premises. Etne is an attractive destination for budding musicians, many of whom use the local ABC music studio, which is co-run by the hotel. The studio has its own music label and state-of-the-art facilities available for hire.

In terms of outdoor activities, the options are endless. The nearby Røldal Ski Resort has the deepest snow in Europe, while the vast terrain surrounding Etne is ideal for hiking and mountain biking.

Salmon fishing and deer hunting are also popular activities, both of which can be arranged through the hotel, enabling visitors to be accompanied by local experts on their excursions.

By Sven Riis Houston | Photos: Fugl Fonix Hotel

For more information, please visit: www.fuglfonix.no

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SP EC ST IAL T AV AN HEM GE E: R

The Stavanger region – everything within reach

atres. For a list of upcoming festivals and events, please visit our homepage.

Magnificent nature, colourful culture and great culinary offers: the Stavanger region is situated within a landscape full of contrasts and offers many exciting activities. It is never far to your next adventure!

Whether you are up to doing long hiking trips, or you just want to spend a lazy day on the beach, there are suitable conditions for everyone. You could go see the magnificent Lysefjord and the famous Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) on a relaxing fjord cruise, or perhaps you would like to hike up to the rock formation at 604 metres above the fjord and enjoy the wonderful views from there. Last year, Lonely Planet declared Preikestolen to be one of the top ten most spectacular viewing points in the world.

Festivals and culture Each year, more than 40 festivals are arranged in the region. If you like music, this is the place to be. Whether you prefer jazz, chamber music or rock, we have a

By Liv Kristina Bantel/Region Stavanger BA Photos: Terje Rakke/Nordic Life

Food and Nightlife Hungry after a long daytrip? Enjoy seafood, lamb, vegetables and fruit from our local producers in world-class restaurants. The Stavanger region with its good climate and its active research environment is one of Norway’s leading gastronomic regions. After dinner, a variety of bars and nightclubs await you, so you can dance the night away.

festival for you. Gladmat, the country’s biggest food festival, takes place in Stavanger and gives you a taste of the best gastronomy that the region has to offer. It is not without reason that the Stavanger region was European Capital of Culture in 2008 – visitors can choose among a wide range of museums, galleries, guided tours, musical arenas, revues and the-

No matter what you choose to do, you will surely go back home with memories for a lifetime. Take advantage of the short distances in our region. The next adventure is waiting for you just around the corner!

For more information, please visit: www.regionstavanger.com

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 19

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Stavanger

Wake up to a panoramic view of the sea

By Karin Modig Photos: Åmøy Fjordferie

has also been known to take guests out crab fishing in his boat. Should you prefer to stay on dry land, there are many walking routes in the area, and it is close to famous sights such as Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) and Kjerag.

“We are proud of this place and it is very important to us that guests feel at home and are well looked after,” says Lillian. “At breakfast, everyone sits together at one long table, enabling us all to have a chat and get to know each other a little bit.” Åmøy Fjordferie is also an ideal base for business trips and courses. A meeting room for 15-20 people is available, and there is wireless Internet available throughout the site, both indoors and outdoors.

Idyllically situated right by the sea, Åmøy Fjordferie is a privately owned bed and breakfast offering stunning panoramic views of the area. Opened in 2007, it has been run by husband and wife Jan-Thor and Lillian Holgersen since the beginning.

The couple pride themselves on their hospitality and have created a friendly environment where guests feel at home. A mere 20-minute drive from the centre of Stavanger, Åmøy Fjordferie is within easy reach of everything the city has to offer, but also has nature right on its doorstep.

“We have kept our surroundings natural, as close as possible to what the area was like before there were any buildings here, so the houses are pretty much surrounded by rocks, grass and the sea,” says Lillian.

Fishing is a popular activity with guests, and boats are available for hire. Jan-Thor

For further information or bookings, please visit: www.amoyfjordferie.no Bookings can also be made through: www.booking.com

Norwegian hospitality in the heart of Stavanger Comfortable and homely, Stavanger Bed & Breakfast offers an ideally located and reasonable place to stay when visiting Norway’s fourth largest city.

Also included of course is breakfast, in this case, a Norwegian buffet-style one.

Bread is baked fresh every morning, and guests can tuck into cheese, liver pate,

plan their onward journey, sharing stories and advice with fellow travellers.”

Stavanger B&B is situated right in Stavanger city centre and is popular both with

Owner Michael Peck leads a team of service-minded and multi-lingual staff. Born and raised in Stavanger, he knows the city like the back of his hand and has run the hotel since 1995.

Altogether, Stavanger Bed & Breakfast sleeps 55 people and has 30 rooms - a mix of singles, doubles and four-bed family rooms. “Most rooms have a shower, except for our cheaper Backpacker Rooms that are ideal for budget travellers,” says Peck. “Included in the price for all guests are Wi-Fi, use of computer, cable TV in every room and parking.”

smoked salmon, cold meat cuts and so on.

At 9pm every evening, coffee, tea and Norwegian-style waffles are served in the dining room, and the nightly get-togethers are a big hit with guests.

“The dining room becomes a little hub where guests can meet and interact in a different way from what is the norm at hotels,” says Peck. “They can share their travel stories, and many use the time to

tourists and business travellers. It is within easy walking distance from the Cathedral, railway station, and most of the city’s amenities and sights.

20 | Issue 38 | March 2012

By Karin Modig | Photos: Stavanger Bed & Breakfast

For more information, please visit: www.stavangerbedandbreakfast.no

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Stavanger

Find inner peace and the child in you at Sisyfos Stone Gallery

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: Sisyfos Stone Gallery

Sisyfos Stone Gallery has been a success among childlike adults and children alike since it opened four years ago. The gallery exhibits art made entirely out of stone and has often been described as “naive, authentic and innocent”. “No one has ever done this, so most people are very amazed,” says gallery owner and artist Anne Marie Arnøy.

years ago. Feeling that it was better to communicate with stones, she has produced an impressive collection throughout the years. However, she does not hide the fact that it is also hard work. “We have spent countless days in the mountains to find the right blocks of stone, and it is rather hard work,” she admits.

Where stones come alive Sisyfos Stone Gallery lies idyllically by Tananger harbour, only 20 minutes from Stavanger, and is a perfect getaway for a day full of unique pieces of art made of stone. “There is so much one can express with stones, and I find my inspiration in everything that goes on in my mind, whether it is climate change, relationships or loneliness. For me, it is the perfect way of expressing people’s lives,” says Arnøy. The artist started her career working with clay, but moved on to stones eight

Art that gives peace of heart The name of the gallery is a story in itself, referring to the Greek myth of Sisyphus.

Sisyphus was condemned by the gods to

ceaselessly rolling a rock to the top of a mountain, at which point the stone would fall back of its own weight. They believed there was no more dreadful punishment than futile and hopeless labour. Despite the initial negative connotations, Arnøy identifies with Sisyphos. “The myth has been interpreted in a more positive way by Camus, as he sees the stone as our destiny. We are bound to repeat ourselves, and it gives us safety in knowing what we have, which ultimately makes us embrace our destiny,” explains Arnøy and points to why the gallery remains so popular among visitors. “They are amazed by the directness of the art, and how it goes straight to their hearts,” she says.

For more information, please visit: Facebook page: Anne Marie Arnøy www.sisyfos.net

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 21

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Stavanger

Explore the dynamic exhibitions and engage in experiments at one of Europe’s top technological museums Jaermuseet is recognised as a leading science and cultural museum both in Norway and throughout Europe. The museum is spread throughout Jaeren and beyond, featuring exhibitions on local industry, culture, history and technology.

By Sven Riis Houston | Photos: Jaermuseet

Having been established in 1985, Jaermuseet has spread its wings and is now a prominent feature in the region. It consists of two main museums, “Vitengarden” (Science Museum) and “Vitenfabrikken” (Science Factory), both of which contributed to it being named Norwegian museum of the year in 2009.

Vitenfabrikken is the home of natural science, featuring an array of exhibitions, ranging from human DNA and physics to the inventions of Leonardo Da Vinci. The museum places a strong emphasis on interactive learning, aided by films, theatre performances, workshops and demonstrations.

In 2009, Jaermuseet was presented with the European Micheletti Award, recognising it as Europe’s leading technological museum.

Jaeren has a deep-rooted connection to agriculture, which can be explored in de-

22 | Issue 38 | March 2012

tail at Vitengarden. This modern museum contains a living historical farm and provides an excellent insight into the region’s landscape, animals and architecture. Visitors can interact through a variety of activities, such as carrying out the daily tasks of a farm, or for the more adventurous, taking the plunge into deep haystacks within the barn.

Jaermuseet also maintains Tungenes Fyr, a lighthouse that has helped steer ships clear of the rocky shores for nearly 200 years. The interior of the house has not changed since the 1930s, enabling visitors to take a step back in time whilst touring the building.

Elsewhere, the National Garborg Centre houses the works of Arne and Hulga Garborg, two of Jaeren’s most prominent authors. The centre is due to open in 2012 and will act as an interactive learning and community centre.

Creating a unique learning experience is a core value of the museum, something which prompted the creation of the “Science Circus”, a mobile science centre that travels around the various schools in the region.

The Circus is part of Jaermuseet’s aim to capture people’s imagination and inspire them to expand their knowledge, as Vitengarden’s department head Helene Larsen explains.

“Both Vitengarden and Vitenfabrikken are full of interactive learning activities, and we always aim to have exhibitions and experiments that encourage visitors to interact, learn and enjoy the experience.”

For more information, please visit: www.jaermuseet.no

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Stavanger

Stylish apartments for the discerning customer

By Karin Modig | Photos: Forus Leighlighets Hotel

The exclusive and modern apartment hotel is ideal for both short and long-term stays. It counts 44 flats, all of which are 5060 square metres with two bedrooms. Flats are light and modern with spacious terraces.

“Guests also have free use of a communal space with large barbeques and dining tables, and flats have cable TV and Wi-Fi,” says Øglænd. “All flats are fully furnished and equipped to a high standard, and cleaning is included.”

Surrounding the complex are large open areas, and the area provides excellent opportunities for walks and cycling trips. Supermarkets, shops and restaurants are within walking distance, and so is a golf course.

Forus Apartment Hotel is easily accessible from Stavanger Airport, Sola.

Just outside Stavanger, within easy reach of both the city and unspoilt nature, you will find Forus Apartment Hotel. An alternative to traditional hotels, it has just the right mix of the space and privacy of a home, coupled with some of the service expected from a hotel.

The Forus area, home to numerous large, international companies, sees many business travellers, contract workers and commuters throughout the year. For the last few years, Forus Apartment Hotel has been providing many of these visitors with a home away from home.

“What makes us special is mainly the fact that we provide whole flats rather than a hotel room,” says general manager Heidi Elin Øglænd. “Many of our guests spend months travelling each year, and they appreciate the extra space and comfort of a flat, and the opportunity to cook their own meals, for example.”

For more information, please visit: www.forusleilighetshotel.no

Stavanger offers a truly Norwegian experience within the British educational system

By Nia Kajastie

The British International School of Stavanger (BISS) was established in 1977 to meet the needs of parents working in the developing North Sea oil industry. Since its establishment, the school has prided itself on providing first-rate education for children, not just from the UK, but from across the whole world. Currently the school teaches 475 pupils of over 35 different nationalities, ranging between the ages of 2 and 16.

Photo: Sola Andrew

The independent education sector in the UK is world renowned, and as a part of it, BISS is regularly inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). BISS was last inspected in March 2010 and received excellent and outstanding judgments in every area. The school has earned a very solid reputation, which is based on the high standard of education as well as the facilities that are both mod-

ern and engaging. The school also makes good use of the surrounding Norwegian natural area of forests and fjords.

Since August 2008, BISS has offered students aged 11 to 16 the opportunity to complete studies in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP). The programme provides students with exciting challenges as well as a lot of

support through the help of a broad curriculum that creates a truly Norwegian experience within the British educational system.

In addition, all BISS students participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award scheme. Taking responsibility for the planning and organising of overnight expeditions amid some of the wildest landscape Norway has to offer, means that the students are challenged to solve problems by themselves. Developing community awareness and taking responsibility means that students are encouraged to make a valuable contribution to society.

For more information, please visit: www.cobis.org.uk/accredited/britishinternational-school-of-stavanger.html www.biss.no

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 23

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Stavanger

Sing along to well-known tunes by Bach and shake your hips to Latin rhythms The Stavanger Symphony Orchestra produced an unusual standing ovation during its concert at Carnegie Hall in New York last year, and continues to impress audiences abroad and at home with its quality and commitment to a creative combination of early and contemporary music.

By Anne Line Kaxrud | Photos: Anne Lise Norheim

“We always aim to think fresh, which influences our varied programme of classics as well as Latino tunes,” says managing director Trude Marit Risnes.

“Playing where the people are” The Stavanger Symphony Orchestra (SSO) has an impressive repertoire, ranging from classical compositions by Bach and Grieg to more contemporary tunes. “We play for everyone, people of all ages and occupations. We therefore have a main series of concerts for the more experienced, who often know classical music rather well. We have another classical series that provides the history behind the music, which is told from the stage. This creates a unique atmosphere and intimacy between the audience and musicians,” elaborates Risnes. The orchestra

24 | Issue 38 | March 2012

in our time, as people lead hectic lives.

“Music is an important component for a harmonious life, and we make it easier by coming to them,” she says.

also preforms single concerts, as during the traditional jazz festival MaiJazz in Stavanger, as well as operas and musicals.

The upcoming Latin Night at the end of March is expected to attract many new faces. “We have a great variety on offer,” says Risnes.

A new home – the opening of the Stavanger Concert Hall in September

The orchestra plays according to the initiative: “SSO plays where the people are”.

“There is still a barrier for many to go to a classical concert at a concert hall, and in order to reach these people, we have to get out there to show them what we actually do. It is amazing to see how people often are surprised that they really enjoy and even recognise many of the tunes, but they may never have had the opportunity to go to a concert,” explains Risnes.

She notes that it is particularly important

Stavanger has a great tradition as a cultural hotspot in Norway and was the European Capital of Culture in 2008. The SSO played an important role during the year and remains one of the most important music institutions in the city. It is therefore only natural that they are to inhabit the new concert hall opening in September.

“The Stavanger Concert Hall will be our home, and we will continue to attract new audiences, while working closer with national and international artists,” says Risnes. It is an exciting time for the or-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Stavanger

chestra, as they have also appointed a new chief conductor to take over from the internationally acclaimed Steven Sloane in 2013. Christian Vasques is only 27 years old but is already regarded as a prodigy within the world of classical music. “He reflects our visions perfectly, as innovative and modern,” says Risnes.

From finance to orchestra Managing director Trude Marit Risnes entered the SSO on 1 January 2010 and has great results to show after only two years behind the steering wheel. Great audience numbers aside, the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra has grown into one of the absolute top chamber orchestras in Norway and is referred to as having “world-class credentials”by many critics.

As the only female director of a symphonic orchestra in Norway, she has a background in leadership in finance, and a degree in history of art and pedagogy from the University of Oslo. “I enjoyed working in finance, where I strived to turn our employees into the best of the best. It, however, came to a point where I wanted to lead an organisation with the absolute top-notch people within their field, and when the opportunity with the SSO appeared, I had the chance to combine this desire and my passion for music,” explains Risnes concerning her somewhat unusual career path. “Music is my heart and passion, and I have often used music during my time in finance. Businesses constantly have to change, and many are understandably frightened by the unknown. Music, however, can help people overcome this. You are more able and willing to give into change both emotionally and rationally.”

Music as stress relief It is well documented that classical music is suitable as stress relief and brings balance to people’s lives. This is, for example, why one often hears classical music played in underground stations during rush hour, and the SSO has incorporated this into many of its productions. “It is an enormous motivation for me personally to be able to offer a product that can help people to live a better life,” says Risnes.

Managing director Trude Marit Risnes. Photo: SSO

For more information, please visit: www.sso.no

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 25

RIN SP

G

D AN L : E IN EM IN F H T R E NI MI MM U &S

Finland shows its true colours in spring and summer When the snow leisurely melts away and the sun brings out the first spring flowers, Finland truly shows off its magnificent colours. The thousands of blue lakes warm up slowly but surely, while the unspoilt green forests come to life; and the city scene is reintroduced to vibrant Marimekko dresses and red sweet summer berries.

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Visit Finland

While Finland is known for its magnificent scenery and sights in wintertime, when spring finally arrives, you will discover a whole new side to the country.

And with summer in full bloom, you have an unlimited choice of excellent things to do in the countryside as well as the city, whether you would like to rent a little cottage by a lake or experience the summer beer terrace culture in buzzing Helsinki.

The main thing, of course, is to enjoy the outdoors to the fullest. While the Finnish

spring and summer do not last that long, the days are always long, and you should take advantage of all the hours of daylight available. There is nothing more relaxing than sitting on a summer cottage’s porch, fresh from the sauna, enjoying a long summer’s evening.

If you want to keep active, the options are endless, from hiking, cycling, horseback riding and sailing to fishing, golf and much, much more. There are also plenty

of outdoor festivals and events taking place throughout the summer, so make sure you do not miss out!

When thinking about accommodation or general holiday destinations in Finland, you should first choose whether you would like to stay in the countryside, by the seaside or a beautiful lake, in the middle of Finland’s capital or another large city, or perhaps beyond the Arctic Circle in the land of the midnight sun. There are plenty of luxurious hotels, stunning manor houses, villas, traditional cottages and even camp sites to choose from.

And one event you should make sure to experience is Midsummer, or summer solstice, taking place at the end of June, celebrated around Finland with bonfires, joyous festivities and old folk rituals.

Spring and summer in Finland – you should not miss it!

For more information on everything that Finland has to offer, please visit: www.visitfinland.com

26 | Issue 38 | March 2012

Hearty hospitality and delicious local cuisine in a tranquil countryside setting Every now and then one needs some real food for the soul: some relaxation, refreshment, comfort and satisfaction. In southern Finland’s vital countryside, your body and soul can find both rest and excitement at Iloranta in Hauho, a farmstead with a lot of history and atmosphere.

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Hauhon Iloranta

Back in the summer of 1937, the Rukkoila village in Hauho was abuzz with excitement as the very first Niskavuori movie, based on a classic series of Finnish plays, was filmed there. Current owner Leena Haavisto’s grandmother Elin Iloranta helped take care of and feed the film crew, who were staying around the village. After that momentous summer, Iloranta became a guest house offering full board.

Today, the farmstead still retains it old charm with its main building, barns and cottages, seamlessly combined with more modern hotel accommodation. Set by the clear Iso-Roinevesi lake and surrounded by forest, the area is ideal for a family holiday or a fruitful conference or meeting.

“Referring to the history, the old barns are great for parties and events, such as a gathering around a traditional pit-roast or making pancakes,” says Haavisto.

Food is a big part of the experience at Iloranta, where you will taste mouth-watering homemade fare, from fresh bread to smoked fish. The ingredients come straight from the surrounding nature and will introduce you to hearty traditional Finnish food.

Iloranta is also a place to find your “favourite spot”, where you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings in peace and quiet, explains Haavisto. “There are plenty of spots to choose from, with stones and benches scattered all around, and why not sit on the sand beach in the summer and look out onto the still lake.”

The feedback from guests has been overwhelmingly positive, with families in their fourth generation continuing to spend their holidays at Iloranta, while business clients are also happy to return time after time.

It must be the great combination of history, hospitality, nature and food, together with the option to either take it easy or take part in fun activities. In the winter, you can try out some curling, kicksledding, ice fishing and skiing, among other things, while in the summer you cannot miss out on the great cycling opportunities, and of course all the fun things the lake can offer, including sitting on a raft gliding along its surface, enjoying yourself like it was a café.

And, of course, to complete a truly Finnish holiday experience, you need a sauna. Iloranta’s traditional “smoke sauna” and wood-burning sauna are both extremely popular. From spring until autumn, the smoke sauna is warmed up every day and stays on until the early morning hours.

For more information, please visit: www.iloranta.fi or contact leena.haavisto@iloranta.fi Tel. +35836542410

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 27

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Spring & Summer in Finland

The Vanajanlinna Hotel

Luxury like no other One of the leaders in the Finnish hotel and restaurant business, Vanajanlinna Group offers first-class tourism services in stunning locations across Finland. The high-class accommodation and conference facilities, culinary and sporting experiences, and friendly personalised service in impeccable surroundings make your visit an experience you want to repeat again and again.

By Inna Allen | Photos: Vanajanlinna Group

At the heart of Vanajanlinna Group’s operation is the historic Hotel Vanajanlinna, one of the most reputable meeting, conference and golf hotels in Scandinavia.

The magnificent manor hotel, the internationally acclaimed golf course and the surrounding Finnish nature create an unbeatable combination.

The hotel rooms offer quality and comfort of the highest standard. The sympathetically renovated rooms, suites and apartments bring out the unique atmosphere of the manor. Spread between the main building and the nearby old horse stable Ratsula, Vanajanlinna’s conference premises have retained the genuine manor spirit but are geared with modern hightech equipment. “Our conference and

28 | Issue 38 | March 2012

training facilities can accommodate up to 230 persons, and are suitable for many types of business and leisure events,” says sales manager Hanna Velin.

Famous for its stunning food, Vanajanlinna Restaurant offers guests plenty to choose from. Culinary pleasures can be enjoyed in beautiful and elegant milieus – from the cosy and romantic Dining Room, Salon, Wine Cottage and Old Library to the larger Ballroom, there are various different dining experiences on offer. Full of character, the Speakeasy is perfect for themed parties whilst the Pavilion in the manor’s garden provides plenty of space for summer celebrations. The surrounding Finnish nature with lakes and forests creates the perfect backdrop for the top-

rated golf course. Linna Golf's championship course has been specially designed to challenge the world's best professionals, whilst offering the average golfer an enjoyable playing experience too.

Linna Golf is a member of the prestigious European Tour Courses Group, guaranteeing the highest standards and quality.

Rustic forest and nautical seaside If you are looking for something more rural, then the Forester's Estate in Janakkala provides an idyllic setting for meetings, parties and get-togethers. As the name implies, the Forester’s Estate is located deep in the woods and right by the lake Sääjärvi. Visitors can enjoy the good food and cosy atmosphere of the restaurant Lakehouse, whilst the Smoke

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Spring & Summer in Finland

Restaurant HSF

Lakehouse at the Forester’s Estate

Linna Golf

Sauna with its hot tub and breathtaking scenery is a must all year round.

The picturesque town of Hanko, in the very south of Finland, is home to Restaurant HSF. It combines modern gastronomy and restaurant culture with Nordic traditions and the history of Finnish sailing. As Hanko is located by the shore of the Baltic Sea, sailing has always been very important to the town and its people. Restaurant HSF has thus been an essential part of the Hanko summer since 1938. The restau-

rant and its sunny terraces are spectacular spots for enjoying exquisite food and cool beverages.

An arctic adventure of a lifetime Located at Levi, the largest ski resort in Finnish Lapland, Levi Spirit consists of nine luxurious all-inclusive villas, each big enough to fit 10 persons. Levi Spirit offers guests the rare combination of exotic Arctic beauty and extraordinary comfort.

The contemporary villas sit beautifully in the deep tranquillity of the Lappish nature.

“The level of quality and service at the Levi Spirit meets the expectations of Vanajanlinna’s quality-conscious customers who are used to the standard we offer,” says Velin. “Our guests receive personal and customized service to cater to their every wish.” From the fiery northern lights and sparkling snow-covered fells to the midnight sun and sleepless nights – whatever the season, Levi Spirit provides an ideal getaway with truly unforgettable experiences.

Whether you are after an activity break or a chill-out relaxation, one thing is for sure, you will want to eat. At the heart of Levi, right by the front ski slope, Levin Ravintolakatu (The Levi Restaurant Street), caters for all tastes. The four fine restaurants, Bistro, Cantina, Tango and Tsekki, together with the catering service Gastro Catering, all offer their own approach to experiencing the gastronomy and nightlife of the Arctic world. With a wide variety of different cuisines, you are sure to find something to suit your needs.

Levi Spirit

For more information, please visit: www.vanajanlinnagroup.fi

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 29

N E: EDE M E TH N SW L IA ER EC UTH P S SO F TO S BE

legitimate parts of fika, whilst homemade baked goods, such as cinnamon buns, are popular accompaniments.

Pleasant experiences for every sense If you are interested in culture in the widest sense of the expression, the cities, towns, villages and countryside of southern Sweden are teeming with sights and attractions certain to please every preference and interest.

Fishing huts on the shore of Smögen, West Coast.

Southern Sweden:

A land of contrasts and endless variation awaits you!

The Skåne region is famous for its castles and one of its most exciting treasures is Glimmingehus, Scandinavia’s best preserved medieval castle. Here you can learn about Swedish history, discover unique archaeological artefacts, ghost hunt, relax in the herb garden or enjoy a medieval meal. Many of the castles boast beautiful gardens. Of particular historic and horticultural note is Sofiero Palace, just a short drive north of Helsingborg, voted the most beautiful park in Europe.

This fantastic garden boasts 10,000 rhododendron plants and more than 500 different species and several art and garden themed exhibitions throughout the summer months (www.sofiero.se).

By VisitSweden | Photo: Sebastian Lineros/imagebank.sweden.se

Activities Southern Sweden is where around 80% of the population of the country lives, and while it does not share the rugged landscape of the north, it makes up for it with pastoral, rolling countryside, endless forest and more temperate climes.

A holiday in Skåne can be what you want it to be – a good old-fashioned seaside holiday, staying in a cottage with your very own lake, or a stay in one of the larger cities of the region, Malmö, Lund or Helsingborg, and combining it with trips to Glasriket (Kingdom of Crystal), or just days spent lazing by the sea at Mölle or the enchanting seaside town of Torekov.

The long, languishing coastlines that lie to the east and west in southern Sweden are dotted with fishing harbours and marinas, coastal towns and beach resorts set against a natural backdrop that is as uniquely Swedish as it is gorgeous. Just

30 | Issue 38 | March 2012

off the coast, the islands of Gotland and Öland are waiting to show off their charms.

Food and drink There are plenty of places to tickle the taste buds throughout southern Sweden.

The Swedes’ healthy lifestyle shines through, and organic restaurants are in abundance, including Salt & Brygga in Malmö, Sweden’s first 100% organic restaurant, which serves locally sourced, seasonal food with a MediterraneanSwedish twist.

Visitors to southern Sweden can also indulge in the age-old Swedish tradition of ‘fika’, which involves taking a break from your day’s activities to relax and socialise with a drink and a treat. Coffee is an important part of fika, since Swedes are the world’s second largest nation of coffee drinkers, but tea and soft drinks are all

Like a good walk? Then head to Stenshuvud – one of three national parks in Skåne – situated in the far south-east of the region. The top of the cliff is flat and juts out over a beautiful beach, providing breathtaking sea views. With more than 70 golf courses within an hour’s drive of each other, no other region in Scandinavia has more to offer golfers than Skåne.

Fans of Henning Mankell and followers of the BBC series Wallander should take time to visit the historic city of Ystad, home to fictional detective Kurt Wallander. Hop on board a volunteer fireman’s truck to follow in Wallander’s crime-fighting footsteps or take one of the guided murdermystery tours where visitors get to solve a murder case worthy of Mankell’s writing!

For more information, please visit: www.visitsweden.com

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Best of Southern Sweden

Award-winning beach architecture with many guises What would you expect from the perfect venue? All the basics, of course: great service, good food and fun events. And then something special: panoramic views of the blindingly beautiful ocean, some award-winning architecture, and a forward-thinking, creative touch. Offering all of the above and more, and situated a stone’s throw from Sweden’s most sought-after beach, it is no wonder that Falsterbo Strandbad has been a great success.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Falsterbo Strandbad

When the local dance pavilion burnt down in 2006, Vellinge Council knew that they had to create something truly special in its place. The dance pavilion had been the heart of the local community for over 80 years; nothing mediocre would do to replace it. Three years and an architectural competition later, Kjellgren Kaminsky Architecture’s impressive Mirage Dancehall opened to the public, and it would not be long before architectural

magazines and enthusiasts started queuing up.

But far from exclusively high-brow, Falsterbo Strandbad, the venue run by Johan Wallenborg and Cecilia Richter, both with years of experience from the renowned Stockholm venue Wallmans Salonger, is open-minded and flexible, and caters for party-hungry visitors and local families alike. “It’s a house for everyone, all year

round,” says Richter. “Our goal is to grow with the local community, to facilitate the immensely popular Falsterbo Horse Show, house annual student proms, and inspire high-quality culinary and cultural experiences.”

While some tourists make a pilgrimage purely for the building itself, the beach is naturally a huge pull with its soft sand dunes and surrounding conservation area.

During the summer, the area fills with day-time sun worshipers, who stay for the After Beach, and night-time party animals, who can kick-start the evening with a sing-along and barbeque on the roof garden and continue in what has been dubbed the most spectacular night club in Europe, housing international DJs and pop acts.

It is a place with many guises, and diversity and flexibility are certainly keywords.

“We create new rooms every day,” says Richter. “Our head chef is always up for trying new things, and it’s really important for us that everyone feels at home here.”

Children’s birthday parties, weddings, conferences and family brunches all belong here. It started as a dance pavilion just look at it now!

For more information, please visit: www.falsterbostrandbad.se

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 31

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Best of Southern Sweden

The Lakes Course. Photo: Staffan Andersson

Uninterrupted space for golf and comfort In an age when time and space are in short supply, PGA of Sweden National is a rarity. Here, quality and focus have overcome quantity and distractions; meetings take place in the name of efficiency; and golf is given the qualities it needs: time, space and stunning scenery. Welcome to PGA of Sweden National.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: PGA of Sweden National

With a backdrop of beech woods and a view across the Öresund Bridge and Malmö’s famous Turning Torso tower, PGA of Sweden National is a resort close enough to all of Skåne’s cities and airports to be described as handy, yet far away enough from everything not to offer any distractions. Unless you are a keen golfer, that is.

Intimate and naturally beautiful “There’s no shopping, no sightseeing - no distractions at all,” says CEO Ove Sellberg. “There’s a real intimacy about the place. If you come here for a meeting, you can be sure to get a lot done.” Not that you need to be on a business trip to enjoy PGA

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of Sweden National. Sweden’s most southerly county of Skåne is known for its stunning scenery, and here, you get plenty of it. With only 16 suites, you are guaranteed some peace and quiet too.

“We want to distance ourselves from the standardised hotel milieu where everything looks the same. We’re one with nature.” As such, the restaurant’s kitchen prioritises local produce, and the menu boasts a range of Swedish classics as well as home-made bread. Additionally, the club house restaurant happily caters for special occasions like birthday parties and weddings, and a well-versed sommelier is at hand for whiskey fans who want to

arrange a weekend of golf, cigars and avec.

Golf courses embracing nature Legend has it that whiskey also had a hand in the founding of the resort, in addition to the natural resources and the far-reaching hills, of course. What better way to use this space than for three golf courses: two 18-hole courses, the Links Course and the Lakes Course, and a 9hole course for the less ambitious. With Head Pro John Grant from Scotland running the golf academy, the former grounds of the Torup castle are now home to one of the most generous golfing resorts in all of Scandinavia.

Whether you are a sophisticated golfer already or have not been on a course in years, the rolling hills of the courses at PGA of Sweden National, in perfect harmony with the natural landscape, are sure to provide a welcome, relaxing break. A successful golf coach, Grant works with a unique but tested training concept that has done wonders for beginners and veterans alike. “These days, everyone uses the same method, and everyone’s expected to adapt to that one school of thought,” Sellberg explains. “Grant is a

a real intimacy about the place.

“There’s If you come here for a meeting, you can

”

be sure to get a lot done.

A comfortable, social club house

a drink in the lounge or a meal in the restaurant. These spaces were created to maximise comfort, and a laid-back, friendly touch is a natural part of that promise.

The club house is the heart of the resort, providing all the professional spaces you need alongside social relaxation spaces.

The pro shop ensures that you are never short of equipment, while the generous changing rooms guarantee comfort at all times. And though the resort prides itself on being distraction-free, there is nothing saying that you will not get wrapped up in a conversation with one of the friendly staff or another golf zealot, while enjoying

With Malmö, Lund and Sturup Airport all within a 20-minute drive, and Kastrup not much farther than that, it is no wonder that the future looks bright. While the key concept, with its personal atmosphere, will always remain the same, there are plans to extend the resort with some houses and an additional hotel with luxury spa facilities and state-of-the-art conference equipment. This is good news for

bit old-school that way and always has the individual client and their needs as his starting point.”

Tailor-made golf analysis.

golf academy fans, who will still be able to enjoy the intimacy of the club house but also get the option to nip across to the spa for a massage or a swim.

“Regardless of what happens in the future, what we’re about will never change.

Golf will always be the backbone of the resort, and there’s enough space here to ensure that the peace and quiet will remain,” says Sellberg.

For more information, please visit: www.pgaswedennational.se

Relax in the lobby after a long day.

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 33

Twenty years of chamber music that makes you laugh and cry Founded in 1993, Båstad Chamber Music Festival is all about bringing a challenging yet playful programme of chamber music to the picturesque Swedish west coast town. “Some might think that classical music has to be all serious, and that’s a shame,” says artistic director Karin Dornbusch. “You can sit and laugh or cry or get really angry – and that’s OK. It’s not meant to be background music!”

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Orjan Kristenson

This year, the festival turns twenty. Still young and youthful, thought Dornbusch and decided that the anniversary theme would be children – also with a particular focus on American composers. “I think it’s a very appropriate theme in many ways, particularly since one of our goals is to make people curious and encourage them to really open up to the music and experience something new. With kids, there are no boundaries or predetermined rules.”

In addition to performances of Robert Schumann’s Kinderszenen, pieces composed by Mozart and Mendelsohn when they were very young, Chick Corea’s Children’s Songs and many more compositions on the theme of children, this year’s festival will offer talks and lectures on subjects such as Foetuses and children’s musical development.

Additionally, some parts of the programme are aimed directly at children

34 | Issue 38 | March 2012

themselves. An improvisation group for kids aged three to five will explore where sounds come from and whether the body can become an instrument, while writer, TV personality and UNICEF ambassador Mark Levengood will read Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf with support from a chamber music ensemble. Composer in Residence 2012, Norwegian Maja S. K. Ratkje, will also present a baby opera for toddlers up to 3 years of age, performed in a shell-shaped tent using specially-made instruments resembling sea creatures.

“Maja is amazing,” says Dornbusch.

“She’s incredibly childish in the best possible way. She is the Pippi Longstocking of contemporary music.”

The idea of annual themes was brought to the festival by Dornbusch when she joined seven years ago, and the theme of 2009, women composers, even won an award.

Having grown up, as she describes it, practically behind the opera stage, in a

family of which all members were musicians, the emigrant clarinettist is delighted to get to return to Sweden every summer and give something back and also join in on stage. With performances taking place in galleries and botanical gardens, the summer festival vibe is unmistakable. “The connection between people is fantastic,” says Dornbusch. “The music really is building bridges here.”

For more information, please visit: www.bastadkammarmusik.com

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Best of Southern Sweden

A golfer’s paradise of innovation and deep roots Founded in 1909, Falsterbo Golf Club is the third oldest in Sweden and one of the few that still has an enviable economy and a queue for membership. With an over 100year-old club house preserving that traditional atmosphere, this is a place where history meets future, and where an unforgettable customer experience is priority number one. “It’s a complete experience, from the moment you step out of your car to that long-awaited pint at hole 19,” says club manager Sandra Tancred.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Falsterbo Golf Club

A complete experience it is indeed. The local history stretches as far back in time as the 13th century, with Falsterbo having been a rich and renowned market town during the Middle Ages, and the tip of the peninsula, where the golf course is located, is a nature reserve by the name of Flommen. While the recognised 18-hole

links course attracts golfers of all ages and handicaps from all over Sweden and beyond, the awe-inspiring panoramic views and ideal bird-watching location mean that ornithologists come in their masses to admire migratory birds.

Today, Falsterbo is known mainly for its

sought-after beaches and uninterrupted views, much thanks to the railway completion in 1904, which made the area more accessible for visitors. No wonder, then, that Falsterbo Golf Club is growing and improving by the day, its links having been inaugurated in 1930, with the exception of holes 16 and 17, which were in a different location at the time and completed four years later.

A combination of the beautiful location, the strong tradition and a fine reputation meant that working with Falsterbo Golf Club was a goal for now club manager Tancred ever since she started out in the industry 12 years ago. “Having worked at a very commercial club for a while, I felt that it would be an exciting challenge to get to bring some of that experience to a more traditional club,” she explains. “It’s all about being innovative while still maintaining and respecting the tradition and history we have here.”

With great links to both Kastrup and Sturup airports, Falsterbo Golf Club offers a remote location that is easy to get to; a safe, professional and friendly experience at the heart of golf history; and a worldclass links course that just keeps getting better. It is easy to see that it is a golfer’s paradise.

For more information, please visit: www.falsterbogk.se

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 35

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Best of Southern Sweden

Golf with a first-class view

By Linnéa Mitchell | Photo: Mickael Tannus

Few golf courses leave you with a memory of that extra-special something. But when they do, that something often involves a gorgeous view. Torekov Golf club rests on the tip of the Bjäre peninsula, stretching into the sea of Kattegat. Golfers have come here since the beginning of the 20th century for the stunning view surrounded by sea, wind-swept rough nature and beautifully placed bunkers.

Torekovs GC was founded as a simple 9hole course in 1924. Fifty years later, it was extended to 18 holes, and after an extension in the 1980s, plus major renovation work as late as the winter of 2011, the course is in top shape.

“What makes us unique is the course’s natural ‘links’ feel and closeness to the sea,” says Bertil Andersson, club manager. “Our location often allows us to stay open all year around.” You can see the sea from every hole of the course, and although it is

not one of Sweden’s longest, it certainly makes up for it when it comes to strategically planned hazards. Even the most experienced player will have to choose each club carefully.

This and many other factors, such as the generous opening times, make it a favourite destination for many golfers nationally and internationally, and keep it firmly in the top

20 of Golf Digest’s ranking of the top golf clubs in Sweden.

Torekov is a short drive from Helsingborg Airport, and near many favourite Swedish summer destinations. A place well worth a visit.

For more information, please visit: www.togk.se or email info@togk.se

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Drive to Sweden with Stena Line Let Stena Line help you take the strain out of driving to Sweden.

With a choice of short routes with frequent crossings and longer routes with overnight journeys we can help to make your journey more relaxing and convenient Onboard our ships you will find a range of facilities all designed to make your crossing as comfortable as possible. Remember to book early for our best fares.

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www.stenaline.co.uk or call 08447 70 70 70

HU M NT IN I T IN G I HEM ND E EN : MA RK

Break a leg

By Steen Andersen | Photo: Twildlife, Dreamstime.com

Embarking on ventures into the wild, Danish hunters send each other off with the phrase “break a leg”. A traditional gesture, the expression suggests a bit of good fortune, and not only good hunting skills, is needed for their foray – and rightly so: not even modern-day hunters know exactly what to expect from their close encounters with nature.

The majority of hunted species are of stable or increasing populations, except hares and partridges that are in decline due to agricultural efficiency measures.

Hunting is carried out on land as silent only hunting, in larger groups with dogs and horn signals, with hail guns and rifles, and at sea, where hunters brave cold conditions to bring down seabirds.

The hunters are aware of the uncertainty, and so happily join the goodwill ritual with their companions before heading into the Danish outdoors, which offers an astonishingly wide range of possibilities.

Denmark’s 170,000 active hunters each bring down an average of 13-14 pieces of game per year. The meat ends up in local households as an alternative to industrially produced foods and represents a beautiful, rewarding finale to exciting and captivating days in Danish nature, which can be as wet and weary one day as they can be golden and gorgeous the next.

ered some of the happiest people on earth. Perhaps this is no coincidence when set to a contemporary backdrop otherwise characterised by man’s increasing detachment from nature – any Danish hunter would be able to rekindle your relationship with wildlife when you come to visit Denmark.

Break a leg.

Hunters are allowed to pursue 53 different species during the Danish hunting season, which primarily runs from September/October to January/February. Set on open acres of land, the hunting focuses on animals roaming freely in their natural habitats, making it fair, sustainable and well regulated.

The pleasure of hunting is both biological and gastronomic, and that is perhaps the reason why Danish hunters are consid-

Steen Andersen is founder and chief editor of HuntersMagazine.com. He is also the host of Danish TV programme Jagtmagasinet (The Hunting Magazine), which every week introduces viewers to new hunting experiences.

For more information, please visit: HuntersMagazine.com/en

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 37

© John Loader, Dreamstime.com

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Hunting in Denmark

Trophies, ethics and something for the soul Rewarding hunting experiences need not produce trophies. Breathtaking scenes await all nature lovers in a country, where hunters apply a certain behavioural code.

By Thomas Bech Hansen | Photos: Steen Axel Hansen

“Hunting is much more than just shooting an animal,” believes Ole Roed Jakobsen, President of the Danish Hunters’ Association. “Hunting is a way of life and a way to understand nature and wildlife. I never get tired of just spotting a roe deer, even if it’s number 27 that day, and there is a lot of game in Danish nature for such a small country,” he adds.

support hunters to act properly. “Ethical standards are high. You shoot animals to eat them, use as trophies or for example make something out of their skin. I am very conscious of our responsibility to keep hunting sustainably, educate hunters and ensure good craftsmanship,” says Jakobsen.

Intense sensory input

The natural riches are somewhat down to the hunters, who every year plant natural areas the size of 1,000 football pitches. “Danes care a lot about nature and animals. Although we want to create better hunting opportunities, our intense efforts also benefit animals that we don’t target, like amphibians, fish, insects and certain birds,” says Jakobsen.

High ethical standards Sustainability is central to Danish hunting, and the Hunters’ Association wants to

38 | Issue 38 | March 2012

Trophies are not subject to fees to the state, so there is no obstacle for securing that special prize. But even if you do not get the antlers of your dreams, Denmark’s nature might well live long in memory.

The beauty, according to Ole Roed Jakobsen, is also in “the intense sensory input: For more information, please visit: www.jaegerforbundet.dk, call +45 88 88 75 00 or email post@jaegerne.dk

the scents and hearing the animals. All this while sitting with your own thoughts on an early morning with the sun rising – that’s when you feel alive.”

Facts: Hunting in Denmark The hunting season 1 September to 31 January (majority of species). Roebucks rifle hunting also takes place 16 May to 15 July.

Approximate annual yield Red deer: 6,000 Geese: 70,000 Roe deer: 130,000 Ducks: 500,000 Pheasants: 750,000 Getting a licence A Danish hunting licence from the Danish Nature Agency is valid from 1 April - 31 March and costs 535 Danish Kroner (circa 70 euros). A valid licence from your home country is required.

Source: The Danish Hunters’ Association.

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Hunting in Denmark

A wilder wildlife experience

Holmelund Jagtrejser is one group of hunting enthusiasts looking not only to Denmark’s offerings but places like Alaska and Kyrgyzstan for truly amazing wildlife experiences. “We specialise in expeditions in the real wilderness unspoiled by humans, often hunting side by side with tribes and indigenous peoples on their terms. That makes for unforgettable and challenging experiences,” says Jan Christiansen, owner of Holmelund Jagtrejser.

Expeditions include translators and professional guides for a safe and secure experience, so essentially all you need to go is a valid hunting licence. However, these trips are not for the faint-hearted. “Our trips can

© Naturablichter, Dreamstime.com

Danish hunting travel agency Holmelund Jagtrejser arranges trips into the wildest of the wild, offering hunting expeditions through trackless land among tribes and indigenous peoples.

By Thomas Bech Hansen | Photo: Holmelund Jagtrejser

be quite demanding, both physically and mentally. So you should be the kind of person who considers climbing a mountain or camping with Inuit an adventure not a nuisance,” says Jan Christiansen.

Many hunters aspire for that special trophy with a story behind it to last for years. Jan Christiansen has his own favourite: “In Kamchatka in 2010, I managed to bring down the world’s largest bear. To get near it, we had to climb a mountain through deep

Africa on your own terms A horse safari in South Africa, a big game safari in Zimbabwe or a luxury relaxation vacation on the paradise island of Barazuto in the Indian Ocean. The Danish-Swedish travel agency African Adventure has dedicated itself to giving adventure seeking travellers a journey of their lives, whether they are into hunting, safaris or bird watching.

“We want to give our travellers the opportunity to explore Africa on their own terms,” says Trine Bengtsson, co-owner of African Adventure, who since 2005 has arranged exclusive custom-made vacations to Africa for those who want something extraordinarily different. All employees at African Adventure have a background as either travellers or

snow and spend the night outside under reindeer skin. I was ready to give up, but I am happy I didn’t, because today, I have a great trophy and a great story to tell.”

For more information, please visit: www.holmelund-jagtrejser.dk or email Jan Christiansen at jan@holmelund-jagtrejser.dk

By Kirstine Trauelsen | Photos: African Adventure

hunters, which gives a unique insight into the amazing African nature.

Fulfilling expectations By having a close dialogue with the travellers during the planning phase, African Adventure makes sure that all expectations are fulfilled. No two journeys are similar, as every trip is uniquely arranged.

“It is very important for us that the travellers travelling with us are not disturbed by other guests, so we work hard to plan the vacations so that everybody gets the vacation of their dreams,” tells Trine Bengtsson. “Travelling with us is a safe way of getting exactly the experience you want, and accordingly, experience Africa in a very personal and unique way.”

For more information, please visit: www.africanadventure.dk

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 39

D E: KEN M E E TH D WE RK L A N IA EC ES A ENM P S NC N D I E ER AKS F E N CO BR

Feel inspired and reenergised in Denmark

By Nia Kajastie | Photo: Jon Nordstrøm

For further inspiration visit: www.visitdenmark.com

When choosing the most suitable location for your next conference or business seminar, or alternatively a weekend break away from everyday worries, you should consider the wide variety of establishments available all around Denmark – you might feel inspired!

To help you out, we have compiled a list of some of the most popular and efficient conference facilities as well as great spots for short breaks in Denmark.

Kaløhus, located by Aarhus bay, is a great choice for businesses looking for something fresh and new in a maritime setting.

Why not try out some teambuilding on water? It is a great way to get the whole team to work together towards a common goal.

At Helnan Marselis Hotel, minutes away from central Aarhus, you are surrounded by lush green forests and amazing seaside views, and it is only a short walk away from the royal summer residence. The hotel offers great opportunities for getting active or relaxing, whether you are there for a revitalising holiday or flexibly arranged business meeting.

In Frederikshavn, you will find the biggest conference hotel in northern Jut-

Conquer the elements at Kaløhus Are you looking for a place that can shake up the old routines and provide your team with new ideas? Then Kaløhus might be the place to head to. This unique venue right on the bay not only provides the perfect setting for courses, conferences and other types of professional meetings, but also offers thrilling adventures and team building on water.

It is a well-known fact that change of scenery can help us see things with a new perspective. The dedicated staff at the conference centre Kaløhus take this idea one step further and exploit the amazing location right on Aarhus bay, where they let you explore a different element as well.

Whether you want to enjoy a peaceful cruise on the ocean as a break from the

office meetings or test the winds and the team spirit in an action packed matchrace, Kaløhus provides the necessary equipment and training.

“We are able to create a tailor-made programme developed around your business objectives, and on water, it’s all about getting the team to work together towards a

land. A casual, caring and creative establishment, with a fun Caribbean twist, Scandic The Reef can create distinctive conference experiences.

For a bit of fairy-tale atmosphere, the countryside of North Jutland is a great place to start. At Sohngaardsholm Castle, guests can enjoy a romantic stay in an idyllic setting full of history, and furthermore, the castle also functions as a modern conference venue.

A true architectural gem awaits you in Copenhagen’s Ørestad area. Opened in 2010, CABINN Metro was designed by world-famous architect Daniel Libeskind and is definitely a convenient, and above all stylish, choice for your city break.

By Lykke Fabricius Port Photos: Kaløhus

common goal. It’s impossible to just step out,” says manager Thomas van Nord. He highlights the fact that the instructors are among the world’s best sailors, and something indicates that Kaløhus is doing a noble job: “The feedback we get from our clients is overwhelmingly positive.

People are so concentrated on their particular task on the boats that they forget all about time and place. A feeling that can be directly applied into the working environment.”

Kaløhus offers conference packages for 2250 people and facilitates all the necessary AV and IT equipment, meals and refreshments in a relaxed atmosphere.

Furthermore, it is possible to stay overnight in one of the 24 double bedrooms.

For more information, please visit: www.kalohus.dk

40 | Issue 38 | March 2012

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Conferences and Weekend Breaks in Denmark

Stunning views and pool and wellness facilities make Helnan Marselis Hotel an excellent base for some serious relaxation.

Helnan Marselis Hotel has catered for many high profile international conventions and can accommodate up to 600 conference guests.

Peaceful and elegant seaside conferences just outside Aarhus

about, guests can unwind back at the hotel with a relaxing wellness treatment or a free pool and sauna spell.

International format

Despite being just ten minutes away from the buzzing centre of charming Aarhus, guests at Helnan Marselis Hotel wake up to the soothing sound of waves and one of Denmark’s best seaside views.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Helnan Marselis Hotel

The hotel, which was founded in 1967, is today part of the international hotel chain Helnan International Hotels, and has recently gone through extensive renovations making it one of Jutland’s most premier convention and meeting centres.

A royal location Surrounded by lush forests and just a beautiful ten-minute walk from the royal summer residence Marselisborg Castle,

Helnan Marselis Hotel is in the midst of one of Jutland’s naturally, culturally and historically most interesting areas, and there are plenty of ways to explore it, says hotel manager Mark Nykjær-Fisher. “You can do a lot of activities around the hotel when you have conferences: kayaking, mountain biking and orienteering races; we work with an event company in Aarhus with which we can arrange whatever you can imagine really.” After a day out and

With a maximum capacity of 600 conference guests, Helnan Marselis Hotel has many large international companies among their regular clients. “Helnan is an international chain, so we know how to work with international businesses; flexibility is essential – almost everything can be made possible for our guests,” explains Nykjær-Fisher. This attitude also asserts itself in the hotel’s restaurant. “We don’t want to make gourmet food, because we don’t believe that’s what our guests want for their business meetings.

But we make first-class food, and if you don’t like the menu, we will make all possible accommodations,” Nykjær-Fisher stresses.

With 163 newly renovated inviting double rooms with Scandinavian wooden floors, flat-screen TVs, and, for the majority, sea views, the high-quality experience is certain to last all throughout your stay.

For more information, please visit: www.helnan.info/helnan-marselishotel/dk or search on Facebook for: Helnan Marselis Hotel

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 41

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Conferences and Weekend Breaks in Denmark

Fairy-tale atmosphere and gourmet food in the north of Jutland As if taken from a Danish fairy tale, Sohngaardsholm Castle is situated in the idyllic countryside of North Jutland, so it is not at all surprising that its gourmet restaurant has become a favourite spot for intimate dinners and romantic weddings. Moreover, located just five minutes from Aalborg city centre, the old castle also makes a popular conference venue.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Sohngaardsholm Castle

Sohngaardsholm Castle was founded all the way back in 1556 (it was then named Filsted Ladegaard), and previously belonged to the nearby Aalborghus Castle.

Having changed owners and shapes numerous times, it was refurbished into a romantic restaurant and event venue in 2005; today, it is run by restaurateurs Anja Rørdam and Martin Jørgensen.

“This place is full of history; it used to be a part of the Danish Crown and has been owned by several people who are part of Denmark’s history,” explains Anja Rørdam, who had had a decade of experience in the restaurant business before

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standing on her own feet at Sohngaardsholm.

Romance in the air Surrounded by a beautiful six-hectare landscaped park, the castle’s gourmet restaurant, banquet hall and park saloon all boast beautiful views and offer delicate settings for every kind of event. “We are located just five minutes from Aalborg centre, but surrounded by a big park, it is pure countryside bliss here. At weddings, you can have the wedding cake and drinks served in the park,” says co-manager Martin Jørgensen. The restaurant seats up to 100 people, while the banquet hall

has room for 70, and parties of up to 24 can enjoy the smaller park salon. All the rooms are decorated in warm crème colours, adorned with chandeliers and silver candle holders, and have their original wooden floors and classic stucco ceilings.

“When we took over, we wanted to create a romantic but relaxed setting free from visual disturbances. But of course at weddings and parties we colour it up a bit with flower decorations,” explains Anja.

Delicious dishes Apart from the lovely setting, it is, of course, the castle’s delicious food that has won over its many loyal visitors. Serving

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Conferences and Weekend Breaks in Denmark

mouth-watering dishes such as veal carpaccio with truffle marinated rocket, and cold passion fruit soup with ice cream and Tahiti vanilla, the kitchen “takes great care to maintain the highest quality no matter what we do,” says experienced chef Martin. The restaurant serves a monthly four-course menu as well as a sevencourse signature menu, which spoils guests with a sumptuous treat of food, wine and spirits. “Our signature menu is perfect for special occasions. Guests are greeted with a glass of champagne, opened with a sabre, and seated at a beautiful table arrangement, where they are treated to our special seven-course meal accompanied by selected wines, which are presented during the dinner,” explains Martin.

Afterwards, the dinner guests can retreat to the castle’s snug coffee lounge, where coffee, cognac and petit fours are served.

From historic remains to modern conference venue Having changed hands many times, Sohngaardsholm Castle was taken over by Isidor Henius, who rebuilt the castle into its current shape, in 1885. Isidor Henius was the founder of the Danish Distillers in Aalborg and the most influential and significant contributor to the Danish aquavit tradition. “In many ways, the castle’s history is interconnected with the history of Aalborg - in the old days, a lot of the land around here used to belong to it,” says Anja. Maybe this is why Sohngaardsholm Castle is so popular with the locals in and around Aalborg. “We have a lot of regulars coming in for dinner. Some couples come once a month and some drive quite a long way to visit us,” Anja explains.

But it is not just local gourmands who are fond of the fairy-tale venue. The castle has also been the location of several international weddings and has become a popular conference venue for the area’s many businesses as well as the city’s university. “When people book a conference here, everything is included in our package. You don’t pay extra for anything like the use of equipment or anything like that.

And we take care of everything from lunch and coffee to a delicious four-course dinner,” stresses Anja.

Decorated in warm crème colours, with classic table arrangements and beautiful views, Sohngaardsholm Castle provides the perfect setting for romantic weddings.

Serving delicious à la carte dishes as well as set four and seven course menus, Sohngaardsholm Castle attracts guests from near and far.

Sohngaardsholm is open from Tuesday to Sunday 2pm-10pm, or by appointment for lunch or other arrangements.

For more information, please visit: www.sohngaardsholmslot.dk Anja Rørdam and Martin Jørgensen

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 43

CABINN Metro’s unique facade is the work of the famous American architect Daniel Libeskind.

CABINN

A world-famous and coveted architect and a Danish budget hotel chain

By Signe Hansen | Photos: CABINN

With eight hotels in five of Denmark’s major cities, the Danish hotel chain CABINN has expanded impressively since its beginning in 1990. But that the budget hotel chain should, in 2008, commence cooperation with the-world famous architect Daniel Libeskind was something that the chain’s founder and director Niels Fennet had never dared to imagine – but it was a dream come true.

“The fact that I actually managed to construct this extraordinary building makes me a very happy man. That we as a Danish budget chain can offer our guests a stay in an architectonic world-class building is quite unusual, but at the same time it is very much in line with the current development; guests are expecting more and more from their hotel stays, but they don’t want to spend a fortune. The expectations and competition have simply just increased, while the resources have shrunk,” says Fennet.

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CABINN Metro – an architectonic gem As the main architect behind Ørestad Down Town, it was part of the plan all along that the American architect Daniel Libeskind was also to be in charge of CABINN Metro’s construction in Ørestaden.

As one of the world’s leading architects, Daniel Libeskind (born 1946) is the mastermind behind numerous great buildings all over the world – buildings which have

become great attractions and landmarks in the cities lucky enough to have attracted him. Among Libeskind’s most famous buildings are the Jewish Museum in Berlin and Denver Art Museum. Besides, he is the main figure behind the new Ground Zero, which is to be constructed in New York as a memorial of the twin towers.

In Denmark, Libeskind has designed the Danish Jewish Museum at Kalvebod Brygge, which is architectonically a continuation of his design of the Jewish Museum in Berlin.

Only uniques CABINN’s cooperation with the acknowledged architect firm Studio Daniel Libe-

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Conferences and Weekend Breaks in Denmark

skind lasted for three years. When Niels Fennet was initially introduced to the model of the new CABINN Metro, he spontaneously exclaimed: “I’ve walked everywhere in New York, but I have not yet seen a building like this one on my way.”

In reply to this, Libeskind looked sternly at him over the rim of his glasses and said: “Mr. Fennet, I only make uniques.”

And unique it is: the square L-shaped building in red and blue, which almost sculpturally follows the crossing of Arne Jacobsens Allé and Center Boulevard. The 15-storey building is made of convex-concave surfaces with reflecting, coloured sheets and big-scale super graphical decorations. The facade design is made of aesthetic silver lines, double lined on the blue surface and single lined in blue foliation on the red surface.

CABINN A/S consists of eight CABINN hotels in Denmark’s five major cities: Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense, Aalborg and Esbjerg, with a total national capacity of 2,131 rooms.

The rooms are divided into four price categories, adjusted to the clients’ needs: Economy, Standard, Commodore and Captain’s Class.

At CABINN Metro’s official opening in 2010, Daniel Libeskind was brought in from New York and gave the audience an amazing speech in which he talked about his visions behind CABINN Metro and Ørestaden: “To create a building that is practical, efficient and profitable, but at the same time a building that can add something to people’s lives, something architectonically interesting, something which is interesting for Copenhagen, that has been the goal.”

Constructing something out of nothing Having grown up in the working-class neighbourhood Vesterbro as the only son of a single mother, Niels Fennet has fought for his success continuously since he had the crazy idea to build onshore cabins in the late 80s. It was an overnight trip on the Oslo ferry with his family that made the former engineer realise how

Prices start at 68€/ DKK 495,-.

CABINN hotels also offer buffet breakfast (10€/ DKK 70,-) and parking.

CABINN Metro was erected in 2009 and comprises 12,000 m2, 710 rooms and a large breakfast café seating up to 600 people.

practical and functional everything was in a cabin. This naturally inspired the question – why not take this concept onshore?

With that thought, a new hotel concept was born, and the first CABINN hotel, CABINN Express, saw the light of day in Frederiksberg in 1990.

Maybe the struggle and the pride in creating something from scratch are what Niels Fennet and Daniel Libeskind, apart from their mutual respect and good chemistry, have in common. Daniel Libeskind has also had to fight to get to the leading position that he holds within the architectural world today. His family immigrated to America from Poland when Libeskind was still young, and during his first years in the country, Libeskind provided for his family by playing the accordion. Architecture did, however, quickly grasp his artistic mind’s attention, and at 52, he created his first building. Today, Studio Daniel Libeskind is responsible for more than 40 projects worldwide, so it is no wonder that Fennet and his co-workers take great pride in having CABINN Metro erected in his name.

For more information, please visit: www.cabinn.com

Founder of the CABINN hotel chain, Niels Fennet, on top of his newest hotel CABINN Metro in Ørestaden.

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 45

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Conferences and Weekend Breaks in Denmark

events. “At Scandic The Reef, we have a conference manager, who arranges every event uniquely. The conference manager makes sure that everything goes according to plan, leaving the guest with only the actual conference to think about and not all the practical things,” says Marianne Bredevang. As an extra feature, Scandic has created a meeting concept, together with internationally renowned chef Jamie Oliver, that guarantees the guests at Scandic The Reef an amazing food experience during their meeting activities at the hotel.

The gateway to Scandinavia

Frederikshavn with a Caribbean touch Want to have a conference, kick-off, meeting or a product presentation? The obvious solution is travelling to Frederikshavn. Here, you will find the biggest conference hotel in northern Jutland, Scandic The Reef, which offers unique facilities in an inspiring Caribbean style.

By Kirstine Trauelsen | Photos: Scandic The Reef

Scandic The Reef's Caribbean theme influences everything from the fruit served at the conferences to the names of the 14 conference venues, all named after Caribbean places like Trinidad, Martinique or Cuba.

caring and creative, in order to offer our guests a place where they can acquire new energy and a lot of inspiration. This is also why all of our conference venues have unique decorations.”

“Our three core values are visible in everything we offer here at Scandic The Reef,” says Marianne Bredevang, General Manager of the hotel. “We strive to be casual,

A growing number of Scandinavian businesses are meeting up in Frederikshavn, and this has given Scandic The Reef great experience in organizing conferences and

Marianne Bredevang, General Manager of Scandic The Reef

Focus on the conference

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Scandic The Reef is situated right in the middle of Frederikshavn, the gateway to Scandinavia. To get there, you can either take the ferry from Oslo or Gothenburg, or you can fly to Aalborg, which is about 60 kilometres away. In addition, Scandic The Reef offers its guests the pleasures of northern Jutland, from the city of Skagen, only 40 kilometres away, to the Botanical Garden and fortress of Bangsbo, providing great opportunities for an exciting and inspiring team-building trip. And if you just feel like relaxing, you can go for a swim in the hotel's tropical water world that welcomes thousands of guests every year. Or you can visit one of Scandic The Reef's three restaurants, offering everything from pizza to Caribbean and Mediterranean inspired dishes.

“At Scandic The Reef, we have created a unique place for everyone who wants to be inspired and get a different experience and new energy out of a conference,” says Marianne Bredevang.

Contact details: Scandic The Reef Tordenskjoldsgade 14 9900 Frederikshavn, Denmark Tel: +45 98 43 32 33 thereef@scandichotels.com Operated by Scandic

For more information, please visit: www.scandichotels.com

S SW PEC ED IAL ISH TH WE EM LL E: NE SS

Sweden – your spa destination in Scandinavia From north to south, whether on a long or short visit to Sweden, there is a large variety of high-class spas to choose from: from old spas with traditional saunas to peri-urban day spas with state-of-the-art gyms - some centrally located in cities, while others are havens for relaxation well worth a detour.

Text and photos by: Föreningen Svenska Spahotell

relaxation. Modern spa facilities of the highest quality can be found all over Sweden.

The organization Swedish Spa Hotels includes quality certified Swedish spas, guaranteeing the high quality of its members.

The Swedish spa culture has its roots in old health resorts. Since the late 1600s, people have gathered at these resorts to drink the healthy water, have therapeutic baths and to recover. The 1700s and 1800s were the resorts’ greatest years, only to decrease in number and almost disappear in the 1900s. At the beginning of the century, there were about 100 wells; today there are only a small number left.

Treatments at a Swedish spa

What you will find at a Swedish spa In recent years, much emphasis has been given to improving and refining the old well locations, and today they can showcase some of the most modern spas. But other niches have also blossomed, and many Swedish spas currently have distinctive themes and all sorts of different settings. However, common to them all is that a visit is about health and wellbeing, peace and quiet, and to replenish one’s energy stores. Even training, exercise and mental balance are given wide scope.

Larger spas in Sweden are primarily active as resorts and/or hotel spas. Many offer magnificent natural splendour, while others are in sync with the city’s pulse.

A spa can be a vast facility with spacious areas, but it can also consist of a smaller space with a few treatment rooms and a pool. At high-quality Swedish spas the four cornerstones of motion, rest, nutrition and physical contact are the main focus. Water is of course a central concept of the whole spa experience.

Nutritious meals, spa treatments performed by well-educated personnel, and soothing and energizing activities are also essential elements. Many spas are investing in beautiful and enjoyable environments, with elements of different kinds of saunas and swimming pools, and space for

The classic Swedish massage has become famous worldwide and is a treatment option at almost every spa in Sweden. Its roots lie in the early 1800s with gymnastics teacher Per Henrik Ling. It is a form of massage that increases circulation and improves the balance between bone and muscle, and that can be used for both relaxation and therapeutic purposes.

The masseur uses five different techniques - long strokes (effleurage); kneading (petrissage); rapid, rhythmic taps (tapotement); friction and vibration.

For more information, please visit: www.svenskaspahotell.se www.facebook.com/svenskaspahotell www.facebook.com/spadagarna www.twitter.com/spahotell

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 47

Photo: Mikael Pilstrand

Photo: Ingela Vågsund

Seaside spa resort with results guaranteed Varbergs Kurort is the resort where qualified physiotherapists work side by side with mindfulness experts, dieticians and Thalasso therapists. With a results-driven ethos of putting the customer first, this seaside medical spa has become one of the main draws for tourists in Varberg on Sweden's west coast.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Anna Hedström

Varbergs Kurort has been the leading spa in Sweden for a good while now, and according to Carina Wallberg, the resort's spa manager, the secret is in listening to what the customer wants. "If you think about it, we're just following the general trend in society. People want results. A person who comes in with a stiff neck will return for a massage four or five times to really make sure that they get rid of it, and someone who pays for an exclusive caviar treatment doesn't do it just as a nice treat. Everything is results driven."

Ayurveda as an example. You can get what they call an Ayurvedic treatment in almost every spa in Sweden these days, but really, a lot of the time, there’s nothing Ayurvedic about it other than the oil. Why? Because it takes four years to become a qualified Ayurveda therapist," Wallberg explains. At Varbergs Kurort, naturally, you get the whole package: the oil, the craft - and the results.

The craft is something Wallberg really believes in. While other spas invest in specialist heating cabinets and showers, Varbergs Kurort has chosen to keep it simple and stay close to nature. "Not necessarily because we don't think that all those things work," Wallberg insists. "But because it's about one person meeting another person, and it's all about the craft that's what makes the difference."

Spa Manager Carina Wallberg Photo: Anders Bryngel

With that in mind, Varbergs Kurort has decided to stay true to the age-old spa tradition of using the natural resources available locally. Luckily, the spa is located on the beautiful west coast seafront, and Kattegat offers plenty of riches with healing properties. The salt water, for starters, comes in really handy as most inland spas have to make their own, and local fishermen also help to extract seaweed, dubbed

by Wallberg “the gold of the sea”, for seaweed baths and massages. "I guess this is another trend in society at the moment,

Leading medical spa As the only medical spa in Sweden where you can get a massage on referral from your GP, the staff is made up of a wide range of qualified health professionals.

There are physical therapists, specialists in cognitive sciences and personal trainers, to name a few, and whatever the treatment, you can be sure that your therapist is a specialist in their field. "Take

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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Wellness

While Varbergs Kurort offers Thalasso baths, cosmetic surgery, and a wide range of other treatments at the very forefront of recent developments, the classic massage remains a big draw, and as such, the massage section has grown significantly in recent years. Another trend is the increased interest in food and diet, which is why a full-time dietician works with the chefs in the kitchen to ensure that the food served offers a steady flow of energy all day and helps the guests to feel re-energised.

food and beautiful, comfortable surroundings are not mutually exclusive, nor are professionalism and passion. With 110,000 visitors and 42,000 performed treatments a year, and other spas across Sweden copying concepts originated at Varbergs Kurort, this is a holistic concept that works, and Wallberg's passion is one of the driving forces behind it.

"Whatever you do and whatever treatment you offer, there has to be a real, authentic feel at the heart of it," says the spa manager. "We just won't compromise on that."

Treatments with authenticity There is nothing saying, however, that results-driven means cold or clinical or that top-quality treatments mean that something else has had to give way. Healthy

For more information, please visit: www.varbergskurort.se

Photo: Comwell

Results-driven spa trends

The exercise and gym leg of the operation remains strong too, and with personal trainers specialising in everything from rehabilitation to medicinal yoga, nothing is left to fate. "This is no different from anything else we offer: it's all about getting the results you want, whether that is about improving your energy levels, getting to the root of a problem with your skin, or losing weight," says Wallberg.

"And that's why everything is personalised. Really, you are just paying for another person's time, and then they'll help you with whatever you want to do."

Photo: Mikael Pilstrand

the eco-friendliness and closeness to the local community," says Wallberg. "Naturally, we want to keep emissions at a minimum, and local farmers make use of any residues whenever possible."

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 49

Relax and recharge in Sweden’s glass design mecca Expect a spa experience out of the ordinary when you visit Kosta Boda Art Hotel - a colourful and vibrant gem in the heart of the Kingdom of Crystal in the Swedish county Småland. The hotel is an experience in itself, where everything from the glass bar to the spa is designed by Kosta Boda’s designers. Here, you can recreate your body and soul, while surrounded by some of the finest Swedish glass art.

By Sara Schedin | Photos: Kosta Boda Art Hotel

“There are many lovely hotel & spas in Sweden, but what makes us special is the glass. You can walk around here for a whole day just looking at the art work,” says Anders Warga from the hotel’s sales and marketing department.

The glassworks in Kosta was founded in 1742, and Kosta Boda is now one of the world’s leading brands of glassware. “The idea behind the Kosta Boda Art Hotel was that people should be able to come to Kosta and experience our cultural heritage up close,” says Warga. “Our guests can do everything from shopping in our outlet to having a go at glassblowing in

50 | Issue 38 | March 2012

our glassworks, or attend a glass and drink tasting session.”

At the hotel’s spa, you can unwind and treat yourself to a full or half day of relaxation. There is an array of treatments to choose from, including Qi-booster, aroma massage and aroma baths, to mention a few. After a treatment, a dip in the hotel’s spectacular pool is in order, followed by a sauna session or a trip to the ultra-modern gym. Lunch at the hotel’s Linnéa Art Restaurant is included in all the spa packages. The restaurant is run by a group of talented chefs who serve Swedish regional cuisine with classical influences.

“Our chefs cook classical but innovative food made mainly from locally produced ingredients,” says Warga.

During your stay at the hotel, a visit to Kjell Engman’s cobalt blue glass bar is a must. If you like the glass you are drinking from, you can place an order for a similar one. In fact, all the glass art in the hotel is for sale.

Kosta Boda Art Hotel opened in 2009 but has already been nominated for several awards. Last year, the hotel won Best Theme Spa in the women’s magazine Amelia, and it was also nominated for the Grand Tourism Price and TRIP Global Award.

For more information, please visit: www.kostabodaarthotel.com

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Wellness

Teaching tomorrow's travel and tourism professionals the Health and Tourism Programme.

She explains that two key concepts permeate all programmes: entrepreneurship and people skills. "Whether they go off and set up their own business or not, which of course we encourage, they need to be aware that they have to make money," says Linder. "And good communication and people skills go hand in hand with that. You need to connect with your customers and be conscious of how you treat them; how else can you be sure that they'll return?"

The motto is simple: whatever challenges the industry throws at them, be it front desk duties, skiing instruction for children or tour guiding, these professionals will be prepared - and qualified.

Health and spa experiences are on the up in Sweden, as is exceptional customer service and an awareness of the way you work with people in various settings. As such, it is no wonder that the three courses on offer at Scandinavian College of Travel & Tourism have been approved by the Authority for Higher Vocational Education, allowing the school to continue to train the next generation of travel and tourism professionals.

While students study subjects as wide ranging as spa therapy and product development, depending on their chosen pathway, all students take a theoretic module offered in conjunction with a Swedish university. With three branches offering specialisation in ski instruction, health and tourism, and travel production, the school has a strong reputation in the industry, and it is not uncommon for employers to contact the school when on the hunt for staff. "They know that our students are

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: The Scandinavian College of Travel & Tourism

well educated and have a broad skill set," says Margaret Linder, course convenor on

For more information, please visit: www.scottorsa.se

Färna Herrgård and Spa - where the old meets the new

By Ulrika Osterlund | Photos: Lasse Modin

An intimate spa set in a genuine manor house in the beautiful Bergslagen region makes for the perfect getaway. Modern beauty therapies mixed with the inspiration of the former blacksmiths who used to work there create an experience out of the ordinary.

Marketing director Susanne Flamme says: “We have a newly built relaxation area complete with indoor and outdoor pools, steam room, Jacuzzi, spa shop, treatment rooms and a gym. All of our guests should feel relaxed, pampered and taken care of during their visit.”

For those in need, help comes in the form of the spa’s signature treatment, the Spa Suite De Luxe: almost an hour of pure goodness enjoyed in total seclusion. Various other feel-good treatments are sure to satisfy, and with products from the acclaimed Babor range, a stay at Färna Herrgård and Spa is enough to make anybody’s day.

If all that pampering has left you with an appetite, take a bite out of the afternoon tea, Swedish style with scones, preserves, sandwiches, cheeses and seven types of cookies and cakes. Equally, breakfast, lunch and dinner offer a delicious blend of what the region has to offer, with all locally farmed produce.

For a slightly more active stay, take a stroll through the 300-square-metre shopping space. Designer outfits, interior decorative items, jewellery, textiles, toys and more are on offer in Herrgårdsboden.

Photo: Anna Didriksson

For more information, please visit: www.farnaherrgard.se

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 51

Enjoy the good life with a dose of American east coast flavour You might not necessarily bump into the Kennedys at Stenungsbaden Yacht Club, but you will certainly feel like one, as the cool American east coast flavour permeates the whole premises, bringing a little piece of Newport to Sweden. Whether you are there for sailing, holidaying, a conference or a spa experience, Stenungsbaden Yacht Club does it all in style.

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Stenungsbaden Yacht Club

Do not let the name scare you off; while Stenungsbaden Yacht Club might sound a bit posh, it welcomes all with open arms to a put-your-feet-up kind of environment.

There is room for sailing aficionados as well as spa enthusiasts, and even though it is clearly still a yachting hub, the club is equally popular in wintertime.

Inspired by America’s Cup Only 30 minutes’ drive north of Gothenburg, the yacht club and spa hotel is situated on Sweden’s west coast on Stenungsön Island at Hakefjorden beach. Its history stretches back to 1963, with the club soon to celebrate its 50th anniversary, when it began as a small hotel with 20 guestrooms, which was only open during the summer at the time. The name Stenungsbaden Yacht Club was introduced in 1986.

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In 1986-1992, the office of the Swedish America’s Cup team was set at Stenungsbaden, in what would later become known as Villa J C Stevens. Tre Kronor, which was planned at the yacht club, was the third Swedish boat to take part in the competition; it ended up coming in at fifth place and also winning the prize for the competition’s most beautiful boat. You can still find the original sketch of the boat at the self-contained Villa J C Stevens, which serves as a homage to America’s Cup, started by J C Stevens in 1851, with all 12 luxurious guestrooms dedicated to victorious competitors, designed and decorated in honour of the winning boats.

Perfect for board meetings & let-your-hair-down evenings Today, Stenungsbaden Yacht Club comprises 215 rooms divided into the cate-

Stenungsbaden Yacht Club - CEO Fredrik Janson

gories of Racing class, Cruising class, Premium cruising class and Royal treat,

and topped off by the exclusive Villa J C Stevens, covering the needs and requirements of all types of guests. The yacht club can accommodate 450 overnight guests, while the maximum conference capacity is 500 participants seated. With no less than 23 halls and meeting rooms of varying sizes, all equipped with stateof-the-art technical equipment, there are endless possibilities when it comes to organising board meetings, kick-off events or product launches.

For ridiculously fresh flavours of the sea, you can relax at the club’s quayside summer restaurant Kookaburra; while you can always enjoy the sea views at the club’s restaurant New Sweden, which is open every day of the week. Every weekend, you can also dance the night away at the hotel’s night club Night Shift, and do not miss the 16-metre long deck bar Stars & Stripes. Stenungsbaden Yacht Club is definitely the hotspot of the west coast!

Switch off at Bluewater Sports & Health Club In April 2009, Stenungsbaden Yacht Club opened the doors to its own spa – quite unlike anything ever seen in Sweden before. It effortlessly mixes the relaxed luxury feel of America’s east coast with Swedish west coast charm. It is not overly ostentatious, but rather more about laidback socialising complemented by professional treatments and invigorating activities.

“It’s more sporty than your typical health resort, offering a lot of different activities, ranging from boot camps to volleyball, flow, spinning and many other classes,” explains marketing manager Karin Åkerman. “Of course we’ve also got your pampering treatments and gym. But our main objective is to be easy-going and laidback, offering the best setting for relaxation.”

The Bluewater Sports & Health Club is a member of “Swedish Spa Hotels”, an association representing high-quality hotels with spas. It has an age limit of 16, but during the holidays children are also welcome, and during those times, treatments

and exercise classes designed especially for kids will also be available.

So whether you are there for a longer stay or just a day spa experience, Stenungsbaden Yacht Club is ready to pamper you from head to toe, with a Water class perhaps, then a seaweed wrap, and some further relaxation in the Jacuzzi and sauna.

At Stenungsbaden Yacht Club and Bluewater Sports & Health Club, you can either switch off or switch on, depending on whether you would like to do some well-deserved lazing about or take advantage of one of the activities the club has to offer.

For more information, please visit: www.stenungsbaden.se

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 53

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Wellness

Scandinavian wellness in a spa beyond the ordinary

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Nova Park Conference

popular demand, the spa operations will continue to grow with extended opening hours. "We started out with a few spa weekends, but since they were such a big success, we decided to open up more spa weekends and also a day spa every Thursday and Friday."

With the spa weekend package comes afternoon tea, a four-course meal, an overnight stay in pure comfort and a popular breakfast buffet. Day spa visitors simply pop in for a re-energising health boost, using the pool or getting a relaxing massage, or perhaps trying a duo treatment with a friend or a fish spa session, two of the new additions to the treatments on offer.

Planning a business conference with a touch of wellness, or want to take someone special to an oasis of calm and relaxation? Your search ends here.

When the spa section was built as part of Nova Park Conference in 2007, it was not open to the public; it was created to give added value and atmosphere to existing customers. And it did. In fact, it became so popular that in the end the venue decided to open its door to spa fans near and far.

Hoping to create a space for relaxation, where guests could recharge their batteries, Nova Park Conference joined forces with wellness guru Annette Lefterow. The result was Water Lounge, a spa beyond the ordinary with a sea-like pool, a hammam-inspired mosaic sauna and a constant temperature of 29 degrees Celsius.

The Water Lounge Wellness concept massages and concept yoga classes are immensely popular – and all of this is just a stone's throw away from Arlanda Airport.

"Conference guests who used the spa really loved it, and from there the word spread quickly," says marketing director Magnus Ericsson and explains that, due to

For more information, please visit: www.novaparkkonference.se/waterlounge

Take an artistic break at Hotel Tylösand Hotel Tylösand is beautifully situated on the seafront near Halmstad on the Swedish west coast and offers one of the country’s most luxurious spa experiences.

Hotel Tylösand saw the light in the early 1900s. Then, it was a classic beachfront hotel, and in the late 1990s, the hotel was sold to the existing owners, Roxette’s frontman Per Gessle and Björn Nordstrand. The hotel was then converted into a spa, becoming an instant success.

“What distinguishes us is that we work consistently within the theme of spa and

entertainment,” explains spa manager Karin Nielsen. “We combine spa treatments and relaxation with wine tasting and a nightclub. We also have a large art gallery.”

Throughout the hotel, works by Scandinavian and international artists are featured with a focus on contemporary art.

Besides a large collection of photographic works, the gallery displays paintings, sculptures and graphics.

“We have several treatments that are unique to us, such as chilli and wine therapy treatment; in fact, we were the first spa in the country to offer the latter known

By Emelie Krugly Hill Photos: Hotel Tylösand

as ‘vinotherapy’, which consists of a grape seed wrap, massage and a moisturizing tonic. Grape antioxidants help to slow the ageing of the skin.”

The spa includes a large indoor pool, whirlpools, an outdoor pool, several saunas and a gym, and offers 58 different workout classes and a variety of treatments. The hotel has 230 rooms and 30 meeting rooms. Seventy of the rooms are situated in the new beach house with a spectacular sea view.

“The feedback from our guests is always very positive, and we have many international guests who return year after year,” says Karin Nielsen.

Hotel Tylösand is within easy reach from Copenhagen, Malmö, Gothenburg and also from Stockholm.

For more information, please visit: www.tylosand.se

54 | Issue 38 | March 2012

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Swedish Beauty

Modern plastic surgery - the Swedish way Almost everybody has an opinion on or a relation to plastic surgery. It can be the transformation of Michael Jackson, a relative’s breast reconstruction after cancer surgery, botulinum toxin for the treatment of an angry look or a tummy tuck after pregnancies.

Whether seen as good or bad, the subject always creates discussion. However, plastic surgery creates possibilities for the individual who wants to change something that is important for her or him, and the satisfaction rate after surgery is usually very high.

Plastic surgery has undergone dramatic changes during the last decades with many new techniques and possibilities.

The media hype is enormous. How can I as a patient know what is trustworthy and effective in the jungle of plastic surgery?

Look for safety, education and experience.

What type of education and experience

does the surgeon have? Is he or she an educated plastic surgeon, which is a protected specialist title, or a self-educated aesthetic or cosmetic surgeon, which every doctor can call himself or herself? Is the surgeon a member of the national and international plastic surgery societies?

Has the clinic the safety profile and intensive care facilities that are needed? Remember that quality and safety cost money.

Sweden has a long tradition in both reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery and has a high international reputation.

For instance, the modern facelift was invented by the Swedish plastic surgeon Thord Skoog. Swedish clinics are among the world leaders in the new era of breast augmentation with anatomic implants.

The Swedish company Q-Med is world leading in the development of safe nonpermanent hyaluronic acid fillers, which have dramatically changed the possibility

By: Ulf Samuelson Photo: Lars Lydig

to treat wrinkles and volume changes in the aging face without surgical intervention. The natural look is nowadays favoured by most patients, and this is in line with the Swedish tradition and concept of beauty and youth.

Welcome to Sweden!

Ulf Samuelson, Plastic Surgeon, Chairman of the Swedish Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Fyrwik Medical Where blending plastic surgery with artistry comes naturally Fyrwik Medical in Malmö has been run as a private plastic surgery clinic for ten years under the leadership of Dr Sven Olof Wikström MD, PhD. In conjunction with the Plastic Surgery Institute, it has established Näsplastikcentrum [the Rhinoplasty Centre], Scandinavia’s only plastic surgery clinic with a rhinoplasty specialisation.

Dr Wikström is a double board certified surgeon with ear, nose and throat, and plastic surgery specialisations. He has over 25 years of experience and is senior consultant at the Plastic Surgery Clinic at SUS University Hospital in Malmö, responsible for rhinoplasty and ear reconstruction.

He is regularly invited as visiting lec-

turer and surgeon to international seminars, including most recently a symposium in Kuala Lumpur to discuss his groundbreaking work on ear reconstruction. Dr Wikström has been featured in a documentary on Swedish TV4. ”Our patients feel well taken care of and have easy access to their surgeon,” says Dr Wikström. ”We are the small, highly specialised plastic surgery centre.

Rhinoplasty is one of the most complicated areas within this field, and as such, we are focusing on it.”

Oil painting is Dr Wikström’s big passion outside of the office. He believes art and

Dr Sven Olof Wikström MD, PhD

plastic surgery go hand in hand, as they are both concerned with aesthetics. His creations have been exhibited at various venues, both internationally and at home.

By Ulrika Osterlund Photos: Fyrwik Medical

For more information, please visit: www.fyrwik.se

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 55

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Swedish Beauty

Beauty, fashion and plastic surgery Fashion trends move fast. Technology moves even faster. A plastic surgeon needs to stay on top of both areas. Today’s beauty operations are all about looking natural.

Fredrik Gewalli, plastic surgeon at Artistic Plastic Surgery Sweden talks about the impact of trends. But how ultimately, plastic surgery is about the individual’s needs.

By Anne-Marie Månsson | Photos: Artistic Plastic Surgery Sweden

Looking back in history, natural curves were for a long time the ideal. Since the 20s and especially the 60s, with Twiggy influencing fashion, we have worked hard to try to be skinnier and skinnier. According to Gewalli, we are starting to see a change. “Today, we want to look natural and healthy. And the curves are back.”

From what Gewalli has seen that is one of the major trends today. But there are other trends in cosmetic surgery. Artistic Plastic Surgery Sweden works with a three-dimensional approach. That means looking at the quality of the skin, the position of the fat and the muscles. “In order to create a natural and healthy look we need to look at the whole picture.”

Trust in the doctor/patient relationship Gewalli has chosen his line of business for

56 | Issue 38 | March 2012

a difference to individuals. In addition to that, keeping up with fashion trends is something that Gewalli enjoys. But the most important part of his work is the relationship with the patient. “First you have to understand the wishes of the patient.

After that we do a thorough examination to see that the conditions allow us to do the surgery. We show the patient pictures and go through a simulation, so they are fully aware of what the result will be. Only then, can we advise the patient.”

Making a difference

Fredrik Gewalli, plastic surgeon at Artistic Plastic Surgery Sweden

two reasons. One is that the technology is fascinating. The other is that he can make

Gewalli makes sure to point out that plastic surgery is not a magic cure for unhappiness. However, in most cases, he can see that he and the team do make a difference to the individual. Very often it is a woman who has children and wants to feel good about her stomach or breasts again. Or it is a man whose eyelids are preventing him from seeing properly. “It is a wonderful thing to age with beauty,” says Gewalli. “But there is no harm in moving the clock back five or ten years.

Many people just simply want to look less tired.”

For more information, please visit: www.artisticplasticsurgery.se

Knowledge and safety come first ‘You should have the freedom to choose an improved and natural look.’ This is the philosophy of Scanstadkliniken, a clinic of plastic surgery in the heart of Malmö and Copenhagen with ten employees and many years of experience in cosmetic plastic surgery.

19 years of experience Head of Scanstadkliniken, Doctor Finn Worm Knudsen has worked in the field of plastic surgery since 1993, when he opened his first cliniC, so he has A VAST experience in his profession, but this does not stop him from wanting to keep on developing his skills and getting even more knowledge. @I travel around the world and participate in many courses and seminars, because I want to keep improving my qualifications in order to give my clients the best possible treatment,’ says Dr. Worm Knudsen.

Focus on safety @It is our goal that the clients of Scanstadkliniken feel attractive and happy every time they look at themselves in the mirror,’ says Dr. Worm Knudsen, who has made breast surgery one of his MAIN focusES. Having done more than 2000 breast surgeries, Dr. Worm Knudsen is known as one of the best in the field.

Together with just two other Scandinavian doctors, Dr. Worm Knudsen is a member of the highly estimated American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, a professionel association working with a special focus on safety. @To me, it is all about giving our clients a safe treatment using only the best methods. This way, I am sure that all our clients will be satisfied with Scanstadkliniken,’ says Dr. Finn Worm Knudsen.

TAILOR MADE TOTAL MAKEOVER s &ACELIFT STEMCELL FACELIFT MIDFACELIFT BROWLIFT s .OSE SURGERY s ,IP ENLARGEMENT WITH YOUR OWN FAT s "REAST ENLARGEMENT COHESIVE MEMORY SILICON s "RAZILIAN BUTT LIFT s 'LUTEAL IMPLANTS

Scanstadkliniken, Själbogatan 10, 211 35 Malmö/Tel +46 (0)40-30 53 80 Østergade 18, DK-1100 København/Tel +45 33 13 77 00, www.scanstadkliniken.se, e-mail info@scanstadkliniken.se

Hotel of the Month, Sweden

Hotspot for activity and nature with a royal touch In a building in Mariefred that once housed a crown distillery, a chemical factory and the Swedish Red Cross organisation, sports fans and outdoor enthusiasts are greeted with a smile. Gripsholmsviken Hotel & Konferens is the venue that makes the active holiday comfortable and luxurious. And hey, if it is good enough for royals...

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Gripsholmsviken

Situated on royal land, its south wing dating back to the 18th century, Gripsholmsviken Hotel & Konferens is a resort well aware not only of its place in the local community but also of its history. The hotel's own brew, Vikens Ale, is still being brewed where the Swedish king Gustav III's crown distillery was once located, and schnapps and apple juice is made using fresh produce from the royal apple orchard next door.

58 | Issue 38 | March 2012

"We want to keep up the traditions," says CEO Maria Norb채ck, who left a career in international IT marketing a few years back to follow in the footsteps of her family and enter the hospitality industry. She joined Gripsholmsviken last spring, excited by the potential of a hotel with such deep roots, beautiful surroundings and a positive, ambitious owner. "We are just beside the lake M채laren, only 45 minutes from Stockholm, and the local nature and

culture mean that there are such great opportunities for development and growth here."

Skiing, cycling and golf Mariefred, Gripsholmsviken's hometown, has become a popular destination for families and active couples looking for a nice break with a sporty touch. The landscape has been put to good use in what is now known as Gripsholm Camp, a network of well-maintained tracks for running, skiing and cycling. Additionally, the local golf course is one of the first to open up in Sweden every year, providing the perfect opportunity for a good stretch and perfecting of the swing.

"The way we see it, we gain from all these brilliant resources, and we want to give something back," says Norb채ck. "Soon, we're hoping to be able to provide a badminton court, boule and other facilities to support that active lifestyle." The latest talk of the town is the idea of bringing in

artificial snow to ensure good skiing conditions at all times. "Swedes are only getting more and more into their outdoor activities, so this is a real Mecca in that sense."

But it is not all about sports. There is a whole range of attractions that tick the cultural box, including a railway museum, Gripsholms Castle and Kurt Tucholsky's grave. Even the journey to and from Gripsholm can be turned into an exciting adventure with the steam ship all the way from Stockholm, and the backdrop of the royal deer paddock makes it all the more lively.

Make yourself at home Norb채ck has really taken to the change of environment since her jet-setting business days, and it seems like to her it is all about the people. "There are endless modern hotels that are up to scratch in terms of standard and cleanliness. You can get all the hip interiors and fancy art you like, but to stand out and really be remembered you have to deliver something else as well, something more personal than that," she says. And with customers leaving Gripsholmsviken raving about the fantastic atmosphere, the personable service and the gorgeous food, it seems as if she is right. "We want people to feel like home and really be able to relax. We want them to feel completely looked after."

And indeed, everyone is looked after in Mariefred, older couples as well as families with kids. The active, healthy lifestyle permeates the entire place, but on top of that, there is always time for a great laugh and a nice, quality drink. Zumba and African dancing are on offer for those who wish to spice it up, while Restaurant 1777 at Gripsholmsviken is famous for its great service and traditionally Swedish food, made with locally sourced produce whenever possible. If the weather is too nice for dinner indoors, they will even make a picnic basket for you.

Whether you are looking for a weekend of skiing in a beautiful setting or a more laidback holiday of great food, walks and history, head off to Mariefred and Grip-

sholmsviken Hotel & Konferens. But whatever you do, do not forget your runners!

For more information, please visit: http://gripsholmsviken.se

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 59

Coffee Bar at Sokos Hotel Presidentti

Hotels of the Month, Finland

Helsinki on your doorstep Sokos Hotels is the largest hotel chain in Finland. With a wide selection of hotels in Finland, Tallinn and St. Petersburg, the chain is well known for its excellent facilities and superb locations. Sokos Hotel Helsinki and Sokos Hotel Presidentti take the central location to another level – both bang in the middle of the Finnish capital, they provide a fabulous base for exploring the city.

By Inna Allen | Photos: Sokos Hotels

Sokos Hotel Helsinki Modern and cosy Sokos Hotel Helsinki enjoys the best of both worlds. Although located in the pulsating heart of the capital, the 80-year-old hotel sits comfortably in a quiet area, surrounded by pedestrian streets. Ateneum Art Museum and the Senate Square are both a stone’s throw away, while across the street, the renewed Kluuvi Shopping Centre caters for retail-hungry visitors. “Small boutiques and cosy cafeterias are dotted around, and the majority of sights and attractions are within a walking distance,”

60 | Issue 38 | March 2012

says general manager Hannele Laurila.

“The Central Railway Station is also just around the corner, which is particularly beneficial for our business guests.”

The age and history of the hotel come out in the different shapes and sizes of the hotel rooms, some of which can even accommodate a family of six. Renovated in 2007, all 202 hotel rooms are designed in a contemporary Scandinavian style. The hotel has two sauna departments on the top floor. Included in the room rates, the sauna is available every evening, in sepa-

rate shifts for men and women. There is also a VIP sauna that can be rented for private use. Suitable for leisure and meeting purposes for up to ten people, the VIP sauna department boasts a cosy lounge area and two balconies overlooking the rooftops of the city.

The hotel also houses three great restaurants – Fransmanni, Memphis and Helsinki Club – all of which are extremely popular with locals. The hustle and bustle of these venues creates a welcoming atmosphere, where you can really sense the vibe of the city. At Fransmanni, you are treated to rustic French cuisine with uncomplicated food made from clean and fresh produce. Memphis, with its modern decor, has a laid-back feel. Its extensive menu list contains flavours from America, Asia and the Caribbean. The legendary Helsinki Club brings true night club atmosphere with its 12-metre bar and disco ball covered ceilings. As one of the original and most popular discos in the capital, Helsinki Club is also ideal for all types of

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Finland

events from client entertaining to product launches.

Sokos Hotel Presidentti Across the city centre, but in an equally pivotal location, sits Sokos Hotel Presidentti. Right by the Kamppi mall, the biggest shopping centre in Helsinki, and across the road from the Finnish Parliament House, Hotel Presidentti provides a wealth of culture and shopping attractions on its doorstep. Once the largest hotel in Scandinavia, the vast and impressive building turned 30 last year and contains nearly 500 rooms, as well as a sauna department and a swimming pool.

Hotel Presidentti houses 12 meeting rooms accommodating anything from 10 to 370 people in varying configurations.

There is different conference equipment on offer, and most meeting rooms have individual air conditioning. Available on reservation, Restaurant Presidentti is ideal for private functions and banqueting.

“There are two dining rooms; the Presidentti Room seats up to 280 people and

the Sylvi Room 80 people. These can be easily turned into one large and bright venue, topped with a wonderful view over Helsinki,” says Laurila.

There are three restaurants at the hotel.

The Spanish-style restaurant Sevilla provides a real treat for taste buds with delicious tapas, juicy steaks and, of course, buckets of sangria. Pub Adjutantti is a laid-back meeting point for locals and hotel guests, where big screens display sports and other important events. The famous Pressa is an entertainment restaurant with live music from Finland’s top artists every Friday and Saturday night. Open till the early morning hours, it is one of the most popular weekend spots for locals and tourists alike.

Buffet at Sokos Hotel Presidentti For more information, please visit: www.sokoshotels.fi

Sokos Hotel Helsinki

Sokos Hotel Presidentti

Address: Kluuvikatu 8, 00100 Helsinki, Finland Tel. +358 (0)20 1234 601 Email: hotelhelsinki.helsinki@sokoshotels.fi

Address: Eteläinen Rautatiekatu 4, 00100 Helsinki, Finland Tel: +358 (0)20 1234 608 Email: presidentti.helsinki@sokoshotels.fi

Sokos Hotel Helsinki

Sokos Hotel Presidentti’s lobby

Room at Sokos Hotel Helsinki

Restaurant Sevilla in Sokos Hotel Presidenti

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 61

Hotel Faaborg Fjord enjoys a wonderful location by the seaside in beautiful South Funen.

Just like the hotel’s five-course dinner, breakfast at Hotel Faaborg Fjord is a sumptuous treat.

Hotel of the Month, Denmark

Gear up for a high-speed experience on beautiful Funen

Hotel Faaborg Fjord was founded in 1981 via the expansion of a classic old guesthouse. In 2002, its ownership was shifted to Claus Brunse, who, with a background in travel, hotel management and marketing, hoped to create an innovative and different hotel.

“The vision was to create a place that could combine great experiences with hotel and conference stays. I wanted maritime adventures, obstacle courses in the forest and extraordinary food to be integrated into the package,” says the hotel manager, who was born and grew up in Faaborg, and has followed the development of the hotel for many years.

Maritime adventures With hotel accommodation for up to 270 people and capacity to cater for up to 700

62 | Issue 38 | March 2012

Photo: Jørgen Nielsen Outsource dk

If you are looking for adventure, beautiful settings and delicious dishes, Hotel Faaborg Fjord might be just the place for you. Located in South Funen, celebrated for its beautiful landscape and a favourite spot of inspiration for many famous Danish artists, the hotel has not only a private beach and forest but also their own high-speed RIB boats, offering amazing experiences on the sea and nearby islands.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Hotel Faaborg Fjord

The restaurant at Hotel Faaborg Fjord serves original food full of fresh produce from the local area.

conference or event guests, Hotel Faaborg Fjord can offer exciting experiences for everyone - international companies and loved-up couples alike. Spectacular days can be tailor-made for you and your guests. “A visit here might, for instance, start out with a welcome drink and a bit of local tapas, then a high-speed boat trip to Bjørnø island, where we have a huge tipi-shaped tent. Here, guests can

get involved in different activities like cooking over a campfire in small teams with a professional chef’s assistance or teamwork exercises, and the tent is heated, so it works all year round,” explains Brunse. Other out-of-theordinary activities include helicopter and Ferrari rides, as well as hilarious human tabletop football, which requires some serious teamwork. However, for the many couples and families for whom the hotel is a favourite destination for weekend getaways, chilling out at the beach or the newly renovated indoor pool and sauna are, although perhaps less adrenalin inducing, equally popular.

Local delicacies In the hotel’s lounge-like bar, guests can unwind with a drink after an exciting day, before rounding it off with a delicious five-

Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Denmark

course meal, while enjoying the restaurant’s impressive sea views.

Just as with the different activities, Brunse has an ambition to make the dining experience at Hotel Faaborg Fjord an extraordinary one. “We really focus on having our own original kitchen; we don’t want the food to be just a necessity but rather a part of the whole experience,” he explains.

“We have a defined approach and philosophy to the food we make; it’s local cuisine, and we use all the local produce from the sea, forest and fields of the area.

For instance, we use a lot of smoked fresh cheese from Funen; it’s absolutely delicious with salmon. We also have our own fishmonger who brings us the fish straight from the harbour, so it’s always completely fresh.”

From the restaurant, guests can see directly into the hotel’s wine cellar, which is built in glass to make it more inviting and accessible to guests. In summertime, the grill is (weather permitting) fired up on the terrace, offering guests an authentic Danish summer night experience.

Going inside Having recently renovated the entire hotel, the hotel manager has been able to ensure that rooms, as well as reception, restaurant and bar, all adhere to his vision. “Obviously our hotel is about using nature in activities to bring people outside, and our designer has tried to incorporate that in the rooms to get some of the wildness from the activities into the design.” This has resulted in a “rococomeets-Philip-Stark” style with Tricia Guild fabrics and Philippe Stark furniture, and, most importantly, comfortable Danish Jensen beds. Besides, all rooms have balconies or terraces allowing guests to enjoy the fresh sea breeze first thing in the morning.

Be inspired The area around Hotel Faaborg Fjord has, with its beautiful bays, green forests and idyllic seaside towns, inspired many visitors, including Denmark’s most famous fairy tale writer, Hans Christian Andersen. The writer spent much time on the

nearby estates and even had his first big (unfulfilled) love in Faaborg, which inspired many love poems not just to the girl but the area as well. Fans of the iconic Danish Morten Korch films will also recognize the landscape, which was a great inspiration for the idyllic countryside scenes characteristic of the director’s movies. Maybe a weekend out of the ordinary at Hotel Faaborg Fjord is just what you need to kick-start you and/or your imagination too.

For more information, please visit: www.hotelfaaborgfjord.dk

From left to right: Top: After a redecoration of the entire hotel, the hotel’s wine cellar has been opened up allowing guests to peek in.

All hotel rooms at Hotel Faaborg Fjord are newly refurbished with Tricia Guild fabrics, Philippe Stark furniture and comfortable Danish Jensen beds.

Middle: Guests at Hotel Faaborg Fjord can enjoy an array of outdoor activities all year round.

Speedboat trips around the beautiful South Funen archipelago are, not surprisingly, popular with guests.

Bottom: Hotel Faaborg Fjord arranges a range of high-speed, adrenalin inducing activities such as boat, helicopter and Ferrari rides.

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 63

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Faroe Islands

Left: The village of Mykines is the only settlement on Mykines – only 10 people live there all year round; Top right: A stunning view of the surrounding islands meets hikers at the peaks of Mykines; Bottom right: Puffins are one of the many birds that can be sighted on Mykines.

Attraction of the Month, Faroe Islands

Get seriously off the beaten track Secluded, tick, breathtaking, tick, lively… well, perhaps that depends on your definition of lively. With just 10-15 permanent inhabitants, the Island of Mykines, the most western island of the Faroe Islands, might not be it. But with a landscape straight out of a fable and regular helicopter and ferry links (the weather permitting), Mykines does attract its share of travellers.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Karsten Larsen

“Winter and summer time are quite different here. The winter is very quiet, but a lot of the people who have houses here come out during the summer, and that’s also when most tourists visit,” says Katrina Johannesen, who is the owner of the island’s only guesthouse and cafe, Kristianshus. The guesthouse is one of a handful of pretty, colourful wooden houses that constitute the island’s only village, Mykines.

to nature, see birds and take pictures.

Some come here to paint as well,” explains Johannesen. The divine landscape was the inspiration of one of the Faroes’ most famous painters, Sámuel JoensenMikines (1906-1979), who grew up and worked on Mykines.

A haven for birdwatchers Despite its small scale, Mykines has received its share of attention in the English media, especially for its terrific bird watching opportunities. The most popular site is Mykines Holmur, an imposing freestanding rock, connected to Mykines by a small steel bridge 35 metres above the sea. “Most people come here to get close

64 | Issue 38 | March 2012

hannesen have, together with a couple of farms, a post office and a small power plant, kept the island alive for travellers to experience not just as a fantastic nature destination but also as a fascinating example of the resilience of Faroese culture and its closeness to nature. “I have lived in other places. I lived in London for three years, which was very different, but I really wanted to come home again,” says Johannessen. “I very often go for a walk, and I love it; I find it very beautiful also in the wintertime when the waves are breaking.”

Lodging at Kristianshus is possible all year round; the cafe is open from May to September.

A natural love Though Mykines’s population has been dwindling, Kristianshus and Katrina Jo-

For more information, please visit: www.mikines.fo

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Denmark

Above: The main building in Nyvang Co-operative Village is the beautiful white manor house, which was rebuilt to its current form in 1911; ; Right: With the help of more than 500 volunteers the historical experience centre Nyvang comes alive every day.

Attraction of the Month, Denmark

Discover the British idea that shaped Danish society A visit to the Co-operative Village Nyvang (Andelslandsbyen Nyvang), beautifully situated outside Holbæk, is not just a trip down memory lane but also an insight into the idea which, although originally English, became an imbedded part of Danish society.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Andelslandsbyen Nyvang

Once upon a time there was a small country where everybody took care of their own business, baked their own bread and churned their own butter. But one day someone brought home an idea from across the sea: why not get together to find a more effective and economic way of doing those tasks. This was the beginning of the co-operative movement, which was an essential part of Denmark’s development from 1870 to 1950. It was a period not just full of change but also of values and traditions, and at Nyvang, guests can relive it all.

“Nyvang is a historical experience centre; the difference between that and a museum is that here you can take part in the

activities and touch everything,” explains head of information Lotte Lumholt.

Walk into the past Nyvang consists of 24 buildings and exhibitions, including a bakery, forge, dairy, church and sawmill. But what really brings you back in time are the more than 500 volunteers running the village. “All our exhibitions are alive and populated by people dressed in original clothes and working with traditional crafts and trades. Many of them are old blacksmiths, grocers and seamstresses who have retired from their craft, but are proud to show off their skills,” explains Lumholt.

On weekends and school holidays, the village’s younger guests are in for a treat as

special activities, such as storytelling, carpentry and embroidery, and different work tasks from former times are lined up. “We get a lot of grandparents coming here with their grandchildren to show them how it was like when they were kids,” explains Lumholt. “But we also have quite a lot of tourists; even if you don’t know anything about the co-operative movement, it is a special experience to come here and breathe in the atmosphere.”

For more information, please visit: www.andelslandsbyen.dk

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 65

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Finland

Attraction of the Month, Finland

Explore the Finnish forest and all its possibilities Are you fascinated by northern forests? Interested to find out how wood can be used in sustainable and innovative ways? If so, the Pilke Science Centre is the place to go.

By Inna Allen | Photos: Pilke Science Centre - Pekka Koski

Located in Rovaniemi, in Finnish Lapland, the Pilke Science Centre provides memorable and interactive experiences for people of all ages. It teaches us about the sustainable use of northern forests and about their diverse yields, products and commodities – all in a fun and relaxed manner.

Pilke – a Finnish word meaning a chopped piece of firewood – is an apt name for the science centre that lives and breathes anything wood and forest-related. The building is one of Finland’s largest wooden structures and has won critical acclaim and architectural prizes for its innovative design. “Our building in itself is already an interesting sight worth seeing,” says exhibition producer Heikki Hepoaho.

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Familiarize yourself with wood The exhibition at Pilke transfers knowledge through fun, interactive and multisensory investigation. It opens up a window to the Finnish forest consumption – how it is used and utilized in today’s world.

Themes include anything from the ecology and biology of forests to forestry and the various forms of wood use. The centre also provides workshops where you can experiment with new things, such as creating cardboard and wood products. “Our exhibition concept and its technical solutions are inventive. We aim to update the exhibition every year by 10%, which coincides with the sustainable use of our Nordic forests,” explains Hepoaho.

The Pilke Science Centre is open every day except on Mondays. It is easily accessible in the centre of Rovaniemi, next to the Arktikum museum, and has free customer parking spaces. The Pilke Shop sells all types of wood products, covering the produce of the Finnish forest in many forms. The concept is based on the multisensory essence of the wood's properties and use – they can be seen, heard, smelled, tasted and touched. Coffee and snack dispensers are located next to the Pilke Shop, and the adjacent Arktikum café-restaurant also serves Pilke customers.

For more information, please visit: www.sciencecentre-pilke.fi

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Iceland

Photo: Jon Reid

Photo: Frank Bradford

Attraction of the Month, Iceland

A land in the making Welcome to one of the most dynamic destinations in the world; Katla Geopark is a unique area of Iceland, were volcanic activity and its widespread effects are constantly changing the surrounding nature and landscape.

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Ingibjörg Eiríksdóttir

As the first and only Geopark in Iceland, the region in the south of the country was admitted into both the European and Global Geoparks Networks, supported by UNESCO, in September 2011. Home to the Eyjafjallajökull, Katla and Grímsvötn volcanoes as well as the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, Katla Geopark is full of natural wonders that have affected the region’s history and are still shaping the landscape and influencing the inhabitants of the area.

Geoparks are areas showing geological heritage of international significance, while also promoting sustainable tourism and development of the local communities. “In addition to geology, it’s all about what the area has to offer when it comes to our heritage and nature-based activi-

ties; and the local people are very important to the development. Tourism is also a

come,” explains Katla Geopark’s chief operating officer Vilborg Arna Gissuardóttir.

Katla Geopark covers about 9% of Iceland and includes around 2,700 inhabitants, and while traditional agriculture has been the main source of employment, tourism has recently become more important for the area’s economy. The Geopark also gives a further boost to rural development opportunities, creating more experiences and adventures for visitors.

“We highly recommend a local tour, offering you insight into the region,” says Vilborg Gissurardóttir. “You can also push your limits with ice climbing and ice walking, or a super-deep safari to areas that are not accessible by normal cars. There are also great opportunities for bird watching in places that are inhabited by huge colonies of puffins. You can also enjoy the great museums that reflect our culture and heritage, and sample some local food in one of our own restaurants.”

growing industry in Iceland, and it’s important to have a clear vision on how to develop sites and attractions in a sustainable way. We want to share what we have while also protecting it for generations to

For more information, please visit: http://katlageopark.is

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 67

Attraction of the Month, Norway

Exeprience the perfect blend of a vivid garden sanctuary and an inviting restaurant Sør-Hidle, situated 20 minutes northeast of Stavanger, was once a barren and wind-swept isle, but today, it is home to an array of exotic plants as well as a cosy restaurant serving food made from the freshest ingredients possible. Flor & Fjære is a garden oasis, where visitors can marvel at the colours of the rainbow reflected in the plants and flowers that surround them.

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Flor & Fjære

Guests to the island depart from Skagenkaien in Stavanger on board MS Rygerfjord. After a pleasant 20-minute boat ride, you will take a tour through the lush gardens, and finally sit down for a mouth-watering buffet meal. All in all, it is an inspiring wonderland, creating the perfect backdrop for relaxation, a special occasion or even a business meeting.

When Åsmund Bryn originally bought the deserted farmstead on Sør-Hidle in 1965, he was actually looking for a summer cottage for his family. Managing the familyowned nursery back in Stavanger, he had an excellent grasp of gardening knowledge, but he probably did not imagine how much he would be able to do with his new land. He had no prior plans to make it into a garden, but one of the first things he did on the wind-swept island was to

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plant 3,000 pine trees to act as a wind barrier. This would eventually become the main secret behind the success of the garden oasis.

New impressions every year The garden has been open to guests since 1995, and while a lot has changed over the years, Flor & Fjære still remains very much a family business. “The property has grown and developed a lot,” explains owner Siri Lærdal Bryn. “Our newest addition is a large area, around four acres, which won’t be officially finished until next season, but is already being planted and completed this spring and summer. It includes a rose garden with 1,000 rose bushes and 100 different rose types. We’ve also added new ponds and waterfalls, and new walkways overlooking this area.”

Last year saw the opening of the Cloister Garden, with its scented roses and herbs, inspired by the monastery gardens of the Middle Ages. “It’s looking very nice and fits in well; we will definitely continue with it,” says Siri. One of the excellent things about Flor & Fjære is that you can come back year after year and find new things to discover. This year will also introduce larger plants and flowers to the garden, offering more volume and an explosion of lovely colours.

The perfect day out for relaxation as well as business While the island offers a memorable venue for any celebration or social function, Flor & Fjære can also make your business meeting, seminar or conference extra special. If you are looking for an exceptional atmosphere for your meeting as

Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Norway

well as an exciting day out in an inspiring sanctuary, then this is the perfect place for you. With improved meeting facilities and updated audio-visual equipment, Flor & Fjære are able to host professional and tailor-made conferences for up to 100 people as well as evening events for up to 300 dinner guests in their largest dining room. There is no doubt that a business meeting on the island would be an occasion to remember.

Fresh tastes and aromas Flor & Fjære can be seen as either a restaurant in a lovely setting or a garden experience that also includes food on the side. It is a great combination of an exotic garden and a restaurant with extremely tasty and fresh fare.

This year, the staff and the chef, André Mulder, have been inspired by French cooking and wines. “Last September, we visited Bordeaux to buy our wines, and everyone felt inspired by their surroundings,” says Siri. The food will also be enhanced by the herbs from the Cloister Garden, making the gourmet buffet meal fresher and more natural than ever.

Pleasure, recreation and inspiration This year, Flor & Fjære opens to the public on 5 May, and around 50,000 newlyplanted flowers will be awaiting visitors, bursting with colours and beautiful smells.

Even if you have visited the island before, it is worth seeing how much things have changed and expanded over the years (or even just the since the previous year).

The 2012 season lasts from 5 May-20 September.

The garden is open Monday to Saturday, closed on Sundays.

All visits must be pre-booked by phone, e-mail or web booking.

Contact details: booking@florogfjare.no Tel. +47 51 11 00 00

For more information, please visit: http://florogfjare.no

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 69

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Denmark

Orangeriet has been awarded Michelin’s Bib Gourmand for its delicious but reasonably priced dishes.

Restaurant of the Month, Denmark

Affordable indulgence in the King’s Garden

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Thomas Ibsen

With summer and spring approaching, Scan Magazine found one of Copenhagen’s best spots to enjoy an open sandwich, a glass of cold wine and, with a bit of luck, the Danish summer sun.

fancy. For us it is important that guests can afford to visit on a regular basis and have a nice evening, but of course one that includes good food, good wine and good service,” says Kure.

Uniquely situated in the King’s Garden, visitors at Orangeriet can soak up the wonderful view and atmosphere of the popular park while satisfying their hunger.

The airy white pavilion, which was built in 1806 and initially functioned as a teahouse, is today run by the well-known, prize-winning gourmet chef Jasper Kure and his wife Marie. “We just wanted to open a good restaurant but not anything

A Bib Gourmand favourite Last year, Orangeriet was honoured with a Bib Gourmand, a prize awarded by Michelin to restaurants which serve excellent food at reasonable prices. And not only professional food critics love the place: review sites are filled with praise from happy guests. “A warm place, bathed in sunshine from a clear blue sky - and that is in the middle of winter,” writes one,

while another states: “The quality of the food at Orangeriet was outstanding, and the prices well below what it is worth.”

The place is, explains Kure, popular with business people, tourists and locals, “some come here two or three times a week”.

We do what we want to do On Orangeriet’s three different menus, guests will find characteristic Danish dishes, such as rye bread with fried herring, smoked cod roe and layer cake, but also slightly more adventurous items. “Our food is not too complicated, but exciting and a little bit modern, but not in a fancy way. We don’t only use Nordic ingredients; we do what we want to and make the food we like. It is to some extent Danish, but not all the way,” explains Kure.

For more information, please visit: www.restaurant-orangeriet.dk

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Left to right: Bernt Sætre (Sous-Chef), Emil Heimdal (General Manager) and Stian Gjerstad Iversen (Head Chef)

Restaurant of the Month, Norway

Discover a stimulating dining experience in intimate settings For something special, a bit more private and thoroughly satisfying, Stavanger presents you with Café de France, a unique little restaurant with high culinary standards and a door that is always locked.

By Nia Kajastie | Photos: Café de France

Café de France, however, does not close its doors to shut people out, but rather to keep the calm and comfortable atmosphere inside intact. Tucked away in a residential area only moments away from the town centre, you can ring the restaurant’s doorbell and step inside an intimate venue, where you will be greeted by professional staff and offered a menu boasting food made of high-quality local and international ingredients and a selection of fine wines.

Café de France became an established restaurant in 1988 and has had several

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owners since then. It was reopened in mid-January 2010 by current general manager Emil Heimdal, and now runs smoothly under his management with the help of a staff of four people: two working in the kitchen and two waiters. But even with a distinctly small team the service is seamless, as the highly professional workforce knows how to handle the needs of their dining guests in a stress-free manner.

The restaurant is suitable for parties of 2 and up to 35, and there is a Chambre Separé that can seat up to 7 diners. Half the

restaurant can also be closed to accommodate parties of up to 16, and for parties of 20 or more, the entire restaurant can be booked. The environment certainly feels unique, as it is fine dining, but in a small, cosy and private setting.

“When business customers ask for a private table, we can tell them that all our tables are private, as it’s never too crowded or too loud,” says Heimdal. “It is also a very traditional setting with white tablecloths and napkins as well as silverware and crystal glasses.”

The best ingredients and exclusive dining Café de France serves a six-course menu every day, which changes regularly, and will always be composed of three starters, one meat entré, cheese and dessert. The ingredients are chosen for their high quality, whether it is local fish, meat or seasonal vegetables, or exclusive top international ingredients, such as foie gras.

The menu can be enjoyed in its entirety, or you can pick and choose a smaller set of courses.

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Norway

The wine menu is an experience in itself as each course from the food menu can be matched perfectly with a glass of excellent wine. The waiters have extensive knowledge when it comes to choosing the right wines, so you do not have to be a connoisseur yourself.

Café de France is now also offering an exclusive menu for customers with special wishes. By pre-ordering for a minimum of 10 people, the restaurant offers a menu made from the most exclusive ingredients. The restaurant will be reserved solely for your party, and everything is of course accompanied by the best wines available.

Food without a label The style of the cooking, however, is not the easiest thing to describe, and Heimdal definitely does not want to put a specific label on it. “I kind of hate the word concept, as we don’t want to put ourselves in a locked-down position,” he says. “We do central European cooking with French, Italian and Spanish influences. But it is a new generation of cooking, and we’re always moving and always adapting. There are no specific words to describe our style, because if you want to be part of the game, you need to be able to evolve.”

“But our style is also based on traditional cooking, like the slow-cooking of meat, for example. We have respect for old traditions, but we do not subscribe to any specific style. We’re not really modern either, but there are some elements of it.

We’re always evolving,” he adds.

But even without a label, the food is definitely superb and, most importantly, inspired. According to Heimdal, there is always a good energy and feeling among the customers, as they are extremely satisfied with the quality of their food and wine. And in the relaxed and intimate atmosphere of Café de France, the happy guests seem like just a natural extension of their surroundings.

For more information, please visit: www.cafedefrance.no

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 73

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Faroe Islands

The uninhabited village Múli can be seen en route to Viðareiði.

Restaurant of the Month, Faroe Islands

Traditional Faroese cuisine served in the chef’s own home In the northern-most settlement in the Faroe Islands, on the island of Viðoy, you will find the greatest little restaurant called Matstovan hjá Elisabeth (Elisabeth's Restaurant). It is located in the small, but perfectly picturesque village of Viðareiði, with its 350 inhabitants.

By Yane Christensen | Photos: Elisabeth’s Restaurant

The views from Elisabeth's Restaurant are breathtaking and include the sea, islands and mountains. The restaurant is in Elisabeth's own home, and the atmosphere is warm and friendly. Elisabeth Nybo herself is in charge of the cooking and can cater for up to 40 guests. She serves traditional Faroese food and her most popular dish is breast of locally caught puffin served with potatoes, vegetables and gravy. Another speciality is thinly-sliced dried whale, which is served with potatoes and dried salty whale blubber. There is always a fish of the day, which depends on the day's

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catch, but might be, for example, sole, cod, haddock or halibut. For dessert, Elisabeth suggests a rhubarb trifle. Rhubarb is one of the few plants which thrive in the harsh climate of the Faroe Islands, so well in fact that it can be found growing wild.

Our regular readers will note that we have reported on this little gem before, and that we have sampled Elisabeth's excellent cooking in the past. Yet the main reason people visit this area is the incredible nature and scenery: the rugged green mountains with their picturesque valleys,

fjords and waterfalls, the vertical sea cliffs, and, of course, the deep blue ocean.

The Faroe Islands are hugely popular among hikers, and Elisabeth's Restaurant is the perfect place for hungry hikers to relax and sample some traditional Faroese fare, as Viðareiði is a popular gateway to a vast area of hiking. Should you wish to stay overnight, Elisabeth is happy to advise you.

The surrounding area Viðareiði is around one and a half hours' drive from the airport, and it is linked to

Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Faroe Islands

the larger islands by a dam and tunnel system. There are flights and ferry connections from most Scandinavian countries as well as the UK. There are two very contrasting sides to Viðareiði. On one side the Atlantic is placid, while on the other, it is wild. From the village, you can take a hike to the northern-most point of the Faroes, Enniberg, which is Europe’s highest promontory at 751 metres. To the north, the imposing Mount Villingdalsfjall rises to over 844 metres from the water.

The island of Viðoy is one of the six “Northern Isles”, which make up the north-eastern corner of the Faroe Islands. The town of Klaksvík (on nearby Kalsoy) is the main fishing port of the area and is considered the capital of the Northern Islands, and it is well worth a visit. It is also a departure point for several tours and excursions (see website for details).

Klaksvík hosts the Faroe Island's biggest music event on 2-4 August, attracting big international names as well as local musicians. During the third weekend of August, Klaksvík celebrates “Sømandsdag”, a fun event for the whole family, where the focus is on the Faroe Islands’ main industry, with competitions, lectures and exhibitions relating to the fishing industry.

Feel part of an old legend Three of the six Northern Islands, Fugloy, Svinoy and Kalsoy, have no road connection to the other islands and are dependent on the old post route. Following this old route is a popular tourist attraction, both on account of the wonderful scenery and the attraction of the now historic post boat. It sets off at Hvannasund, and the trip is described as one of the most magnificent in the Faroes. On these islands, you can still meet people

who live in complete harmony with nature.

During the month of June, the sun sets briefly at night, creating several hours of twilight, but never complete darkness. The climate is generally temperate, but the air is always very fresh. “We sometimes have all four seasons in a day; the weather can be extreme in that way. At the moment, the outlook is almost brown. We're definitely not in the business of selling sunshine holidays,” says Elisabeth Nybo. That said, if you visit in the summer, you will be amazed how green and lush the islands are. That combined with the regular occurrence of summer hill fog makes you feel as if you are part of a famous old legend.

For more information, please visit: www.visitnordoy.fo

Inside Elisabeth's Restaurant

Viðareiði village church

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 75

Scan Magazine | Columns | Humour

IS IT JUST ME...

By Mette Lisby

Who feels mislead to the point of downright betrayal by the concept of “home banking”?

Because the bank deliberately deceives you into thinking that this is somehow not only smart but also timesaving for you. You don’t have to go to the bank. You control your own accounts from home.

Thus excited, I registered for “online banking”. Little did I know that in reality this means that I, the customer, do tasks that the bank is supposed to do. You see, home banking is not me writing my bank: “Hello lovely bank-person, could you please transfer this amount to that account.” Oh no! Home-banking is me personally transferring the amount – the job that the teller used to do. For free!

Now that I have to do it myself, I even have to pay for it.

Yes! They charge you a fee for every transaction. So is it faster? No! “Express transfers” are extra. Isn’t that my bank’s

New old house If you’re moving to a new house in Britain, chances are you’re in fact moving into a very old one. Unlike us Swedes – who like everything made out of wood and consequently have lost large parts of our heritage to fire and rot – the British always knew how to stack bricks. My partner and I have just bought one such brick-stack, our first non-rental, and are suddenly thrown into the deep end of what it is to own and maintain an English house.

During our moving in dinner, sitting amidst a pile of moving boxes, we heard the noise that every new house owner dreads: dripping – from inside a cupboard.

As we opened the cupboard, there it was: one prime example of ancient British plumbing, a rat’s nest of green, corroding pipes, beneath which a puddle was ominously growing. Where were the pipes coming from? Where were they going? We decided the best thing to do was to turn everything off and go to bed, thoroughly depressed. The following day we called a

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way of saying: “Well, if we absolutely HAVE to do our best, it will cost you more”?

Great! Other professions might strive to take pride in giving customers the best service possible – but not banking. If you want “the bank’s best”, you’ll have to pay more. Apparently the normal charges only cover the bank being sort of “half-arsed”. What a great message to send to the hardworking customers.

And the transfer fees are just a small part of what the bank charges. My bank regularly claims a “maintenance fee”. For what? Frankly, it seems I’m the one doing the maintenance. Actually, the only thing my bank really does is making sure they get their maintenance fees. I do everything else via “home banking”.

Why would I do bank chores at home?

Not even bank personnel do that. And they are on the bank’s payroll AND at the bank! Paid by me… while I do their job.

You know how people always talk about someone “laughing all the way to the bank”? With “home banking” it’s the bankers who laugh at their customers both on the way to the bank AND all the way home.

Mette Lisby is Denmark’s leading female comedian. She invites you to laugh along with her monthly humour columns. Since her stand-up debut in 1992, Mette has hosted the Danish versions of “Have I Got News For You” and “Room 101”.

By Maria Smedstad

10 years or so ago,” the man said, shaking his head in a kind of “they-don’t-buildthem-like-they-used-to” way. Clearly modern technology was at fault here. That evening our toilet wouldn’t flush. But by this point I felt I’d learnt a valuable lesson.

If an appliance that is less than five years old plays up in your British house – leave it for another five before you worry. plumber out, who didn’t seem in the least bit fazed by our seeping pipes. “Look at this!” he said, pointing to a section where two pipes were loosely stuck together, one inside the other. “There’s your problem right there.” “How long do you think it’s been like that?” I asked, appalled.

“Probably since it was installed… about

Maria Smedstad moved to the UK from Sweden in 1994. She received a degree in Illustration in 2001, before settling in the capital as a freelance cartoonist, creating the autobiographical cartoon Em. She writes a column on the trials and tribulations of life as a Swede in the UK.

“I made the most out of my inherited wealth by securing my daily living expenses as well as making my dream come true” Stefan, 44, Sales Director, International Private Banking client

Needs beyond the ordinary?

International Private Banking is a service for clients with high income or wealth, who have chosen to live outside the Nordic countries. You and your family are assigned an Executive Wealth Manager – a financial specialist – who can guide you on your overall private finances.

We can tailor solutions to bridge your worlds, wherever you are. We call this solutions beyond the ordinary.

To become an International Private Banking client, visit our web site www.danskebank.lu or call us in Luxembourg at telephone +352 46 12 751.

Your Executive Wealth Manager is available for meetings outside normal opening hours and can draw upon experts within the Group or our network of external specialists on areas such as domiciliation, insurances and audit.

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Scan Events specialises in the design, planning and management of corporate entertainments, exhibitions, conferences and meetings.

Our services include: • • • • • • • • • • •

Creativity and content Locating venue and vendors Budget planning and development Negotiating rates Invitations Entertainment VIP assistance Arranging speakers Design and production of printed material AV and technical support On-line delegate registration

Our approach to successful conference planning is simple: we always put our clients in the front seat.

CONTACT US TODAY! Phone +44 (0)870 933 0423 Email info@scanevents.co.uk or visit www.scanevents.co.uk

Scan Business | Key Note | Private Banking

Scan Business Business Columns 79 | Wind, Waste and Warm Water 80 | Conferences of the Month 82 | News 86 | Business Calendar 87

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Private Banking in a changed world Private Banking clients are demanding more from their bank. They want value for money and real competence. The financial crisis has also increased clients’ awareness of risk, revealing a preference for banks that they can trust with their investments.

By Jhon Mortensen, CEO, Nordea Bank S.A. in Luxembourg

Over the last few years, a period in which many banks have scaled back their operations due to the financial crisis, Nordea has actually expanded its Private Banking activities by attracting new, competent employees and investing in new systems to the benefit of our clients. We have added staff in support areas, to increase our ability and resources to advise our clients.

The days when Private Banking clients simply required investment advice are long gone. Now, an increasingly complex legal and regulatory environment has obliged providers of financial products and services to take a comprehensive advisory approach that also includes taxation, inheritance- and succession-planning, insurance and real estate.

One example of this development of new services is the tailor-made tax-reporting tool for UK tax reporting that Nordea can provide its clients with. We have also increased resources in risk management and in providing the background invest-

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ment analysis that supports our account managers when they talk to clients.

hope to open a Nordea Private Banking branch in Singapore during 2012.

Solidity

www.nordeaprivatebanking.com

The financial crisis seems to be continuing. It has already had profound consequences for banks in general and is also influencing the area of Private Banking.

The current situation has increased the importance of risk and risk management.

As a consequence of the financial turmoil, trust in banks in general has decreased.

Nordea has fortunately managed the financial crisis quite well, and is one of the few banks to have maintained its credit rating, recently confirmed by an AA- rating at Standard & Poor's.

Our financial solidity is clearly an added attraction for wealthy clients looking for a safe and reliable private banking partner.

In addition, our Nordic values in terms of trustworthiness, openness and reliability are an added advantage, not least as we operate internationally. To further increase our presence, we are presently preparing to expand in Asia, where we

Jhon Mortensen, CEO, Nordea Bank S.A. in Luxembourg

Scan Business | Columns & News | Corren Troen

Do You Own Assets in the UK? Making a will is always a good idea and is pretty essential if you are resident in the UK and own assets here. However, it is also important to have an up-to-date English will, even if you return to your home country, but continue to own UK assets.

A recent case brought this very much to light at Corren Troen. Our client was a Dane who had lived in the UK for several years. She moved back to Denmark when her English husband died and eventually passed away in Denmark. She had retained a bank account and a few other assets in the UK, and because the value of those assets exceeded £5,000, an English grant of probate was required before they could be released to the Danish Executors of her estate.

The deceased had made a Danish will, which was duly translated into English

and submitted to the Probate Registry in Oxford. As is often the case, the Probate Registry did not accept that the Danish will had correctly appointed Executors of the estate. This is where the fun began! A convoluted procedure followed, involving the drafting of affidavits relating to foreign law and the domicile of the deceased, together with the appointment of attorneys.

This process was both time consuming and costly for the deceased’s estate and ultimately for the heirs. This entire process could have so easily been avoided, simply by making sure an English will was in place to deal with the UK assets.

So, if you are currently living in the UK and plan to stay, or to return home in the foreseeable future, it is worth bearing in mind that having one simple document in place could one day save a lot of hassle and expense for those you leave behind.

Liz Jones regularly advises Nordic clients living in the UK on private client issues. For more information on making a will or other private client matters, contact Corren Troen on +44 207 592 8900.

“Mr. Private Banking” turns 60 Growth and stability - these are keywords for the most experienced Nordic bank CEO in Luxembourg and Switzerland, Nordea’s Jhon Mortensen.

They are key words for his focus on clients, the development of Nordea Luxembourg S.A. and indeed for his own career: on 5 February 2012, Jhon Mortensen turned 60.

Nordea is the largest Nordic bank in Luxembourg and Switzerland, and, for almost Jhon Mortensen, CEO, Luxemburg and Switzerland, Nordea 20 years, Jhon Mortensen has Under Mortensen’s management, headed up its Luxembourg-based subNordea’s combined headcount in the two sidiary and its wholly owned Swiss jurisdictions has grown from 50 to 400 branch. “We would like the clients we employees, and client assets under manhave now to still be our clients in 20 years’ agement have increased more than twentime – and we would like to welcome their tyfold. In addition to being CEO of children as clients of Nordea, too,” says Nordea's Luxembourg-based operations, Jhon Mortensen.

Jhon Mortensen is part of the management team of Nordea's Wealth Management division and a board member of the Luxembourg Bankers' Association.

Having been an expatriate himself for the last 28 years, Jhon Mortensen understands his clients’ situation well. After graduating with an MSc (Econ) from the University of Århus, he was employed by SDS (now Nordea) as an economist, while also lecturing at the Århus School of Business. In 1984, Jhon Mortensen was assigned to the bank’s London branch and later worked for the bank in Singapore, before joining its Luxembourg subsidiary in 1990.

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 79

Scan Business | Feature | Ramboll Energy

Wind, waste and warm water – Turning the UK CO2 neutral Having been a major player within construction and infrastructure in the UK for decades, Danish consultancy firm Ramboll is now making way in the country’s effort to renew its energy sector. Scan Magazine had an exciting talk about the challenges and means of achieving the UK’s and EU’s CO2 reduction goals with managing director of Ramboll Energy Thomas Rand.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Ramboll Energy

Currently, 3GW of global wind energy is installed offshore, equalling 3% of the installed wind energy capacity worldwide. This number is expected to increase 25 times by 2020. Ramboll has been involved in the largest offshore wind farms in the world, including Greater Gabbard, Walney I and II, Gwynt Y Môr, London Array, Lynn & Inner Dowsing and Burbo Bank seen here - in the UK.

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Scan Business | Feature | Ramboll Energy

Responsible for the design of more than half of the world’s offshore wind turbine foundations and a globally leading consultant in waste-to-energy, Ramboll has been involved in the UK’s effort to phase out its reliance on fossil fuels for years. “I am sure that there is the required willingness and political determination to transform the UK’s energy system to CO2 neutral sources. But of course it will be costly, and it has to be done in the most efficient way. You have to ensure optimal solutions every time, taking a holistic approach. That is why we believe we will be a major player within energy in the UK within a few years,” explains Rand. Drawing on the company's global experience, Ramboll has 40 energy experts in the UK spearheading its holistic approach to energy efficiency and sustainability in the country.

Sweeping the shores of the UK for energy With the UK’s favourable conditions for offshore wind farms (the North Sea especially has strong and steady winds) and the general turn towards wind energy, it is perhaps not surprising that one of Ramboll’s most well-known UK energy projects is Greater Gabbard, the world’s largest offshore wind farm. Once complete, the wind farm will offset 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, the equivalent of taking 350,000 cars off the road. But that is, says Rand, just the first step towards energy sustainability; many more steps are necessary especially to tackle issues regarding the use and storage of the surplus energy created when consumption does not match production.

“We try to combine the different aspects of not just generation but also transmission and storage, and that is one of the areas where district heating becomes interesting,” Rand points out.

Exploiting energy to the max While district heating has so far been rather undeveloped in the UK, the technology supplies more than 60% of Danish homes with heat. “Of course there is a difference in national energy strategies, but what we have done in Denmark and other Nordic countries is that we exploit the possibilities of combined heat and power (CHP) generation,” explains Rand.

Today, waste management is not only about getting rid of our waste; it is about recovering valuable low-carbon energy from residual waste that cannot be recycled. Several wasteto-energy facilities are under construction in the UK with Ramboll as consultants, including this one in Hertfordshire.

In addition to generating electricity, CHP also captures the heat that is produced in this process, instead of just wasting the heat as in conventional electricity generation. "At Ramboll, our vast experience of energy production facilities based on a variety of fuels combined with our experience of district heating transmission systems and low-temperature district heating systems help us maximise the environmental, social and economic benefits for both investors and consumers," stresses Rand.

procurement, construction and commissioning of the facility.

Wind, water and waste, added up with the other technologies within Ramboll’s expertise – such as biogas, solar energy and hydropower – surely those seem neverending sources of energy. But will it ever be enough to eradicate the need for fossil fuel and create a CO2 neutral society?

Rand is positive: “With a holistic approach and the political will.”

From waste to energy Traditionally a country of many landfills, the UK is now in the process of meeting the EU’s 2020 targets on recycling and utilising residual waste to create energy.

All EU countries are required to comply with this target and with 60 specialists and project managers providing expert advice, Ramboll is at the forefront of the realisation of the goal. Presently, the company is involved in 35 waste-to-energy projects in different project phases all over the world; approximately ten of them are located in the UK. One is in Lincolnshire where 150,000 tonnes of waste will be converted into enough low-carbon electricity to power 15,000 homes. Ramboll is the technical advisor during the planning,

Thomas Rand Managing director of Ramboll Energy

For more information, please visit: www.ramboll.com/energy

Ramboll was founded in 1945. Today, the company employs more than 10,000 experts within buildings, transport, environment, energy, oil & gas, telecoms and management consulting, from more than 200 offices in 23 different countries.

• Designed and constructed more than 90 major power plants

Ramboll has:

• Helped develop one of the world's largest integrated district heating systems supplying heat to more than 1 million people in Copenhagen

• Designed 50% of the world’s offshore wind turbine foundations • Procured over 60 new waste-to-energy facilities

• Been instrumental in the ongoing conversion from fossil fuels to biomass • Been involved in 200,000 m2 solar heating plants

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 81

Scan Business | Conference of the Month | Sweden

Conference of the Month, Sweden

1909 Sigtuna Stads Hotell: A jewel in the crown A charming five-star city hotel lies along the bay in the centre of Sweden's oldest town, Sigtuna. Known as the 1909 Sigtuna Stads Hotell, this wonderful venue successfully combines modern design with historic charm. The convenient location allows easy and fast access to Stockholm, Uppsala and Arlanda Airport, making it a natural meeting place.

By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photos: Sigtuna Stads Hotel

The hotel has been described as a jewel in the crown of the historic town of Sigtuna.

Located on the main street, lined with small shops, cafes and traditional buildings, it is a mere 20 meters from the shores of the stunning Lake Mﾃ､laren. This intimate five-star hotel was built in the early 20th century, as the name suggests, and the elegant furnishings and fittings

82 | Issue 38 | March 2012

are a combination of Scandinavian classics and fresh design. Between 1999 and 2001, the hotel underwent a comprehensive renovation and has regained its elegance, and the result is an extremely stylish hotel with 26 guestrooms. The 1909 Sigtuna Stads Hotell is actually Sweden's smallest fivestar hotel and one of six in the country with such a prestigious ranking.

The dﾃｩcor encapsulates a modern style from the 1930s through to the 1950s, employing natural materials such as oak and sandstone sourced from the island of ﾃ僕and. The interior is as it was during its heyday when the king used to visit and stay. With the services of interior designer Jonas Lindvall, they recreated this period interior, using original drawings of classic

Scan Magazine | Xxx | Xxxx Scan Business | Conference of the Month | Sweden

Scandinavian design from the likes of Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, Louis Poulsen and many others.

“The different room categories include a junior suite, deluxe rooms, and double and single rooms, all with a lake or city view. As soon as you step into the hotel, a fully tailored and personalised service awaits you; it is what’s distinctive about us. The hotel is fully staffed 24 hours,” says director Josefine Asplund.

“The hotel has five meeting rooms; the smallest is named after King Gustav V, who was a regular guest. This room can accommodate two to eight people. The hotel's main conference room is known as the ‘Little Square’ and accommodates up to 60 people. The ‘wine cellar’ is a medium-sized conference room for up to 14 people, but it’s nothing like a wine cellar. It’s light with double doors opening onto a terrace and garden. The pavilion is another great conference room overlooking the lake and facilitating up to 18 people with a U-shaped seating plan. The French dining room is another conference room and ideal for classic board meetings for up to 20 people,” says Asplund.

The hotel has spaces for small board meetings but also major international conferences, and can make rooms available for confidential meetings, events with entertainment and product launches, for example.

It also operates a fine dining restaurant and was awarded with the Rising Star 2008 by the White Guide and is currently considered to be one of Sweden's top 20 restaurants. Using locally sourced ingredients and producing genuine Swedish cuisine is all part of the secret.

There is also an extensive wine cellar, with several hundred varieties of carefully selected wines. Two Michelin-starred chefs share a wealth of experience to ensure you have everything you need for a successful meeting, a delicious meal and a restful night's sleep.

During your stay, you should not miss the opportunity to explore the medieval town

of Sigtuna, with its narrow streets, alleyways and shops and cafes. A city tour is a popular activity for conference groups.

“Why not walk or jog along the shore of Lake Mälaren? In Sigtuna, there are plenty of activities, such as boat trips in the

spring or summer, and skating in winter,” says Asplund.

For more information, please visit: www.sigtunastadshotell.se

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 83

Scan Business | Conference of the Month | Denmark

Conference of the Month, Denmark

A conference fit for a king While the beautiful Bernstorff Palace is located just 15 minutes north of Copenhagen, its immaculate white walls and green surroundings are a world away from the city’s noise and stress. Bernstorff is, literally, fit for a king and was in fact previously owned and periodically inhabited by one, namely King Christian VIII. Today, however, you do not have to have blue blood to be welcomed inside; in 2009, the place was taken over by two entrepreneurial ladies who spent the next half year turning the historic castle into a conference centre fit for a king but open to everyone.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Bernstorff Palace

Kirsten Nielsen and Gitte Jensen are both well at home in the conference business, so when they saw an advert seeking new tenants for the nearby castle, the idea of transforming it into a conference and meeting centre came like a stroke of lightning. And it was not long before they were well on their way to turning it into reality.

A lot of sweat, tears and, not least, money were shed and spent on transforming the interiors of the castle, which had, for most of the last century, been used by the Dan-

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ish Emergency Management agency, into a modern conference facility.

Maintaining the royal touch Though completely renovated, the inside of Bernstorff Palace still bears traces of its royal past. When entering the main building, guests are met by a string of beautiful high-ceilinged rooms, old portraits and classic furniture - some from the castle’s original interiors. The crown jewel is probably the palace’s character-

istic oval room, which, adorned by a beautiful original table, makes a perfect setting for small, exclusive meetings.“We could have made space for 30 people in this room, but we have chosen to maintain it the way it was and have kept the table that was originally here when we took over. It is a unique room with an amazing atmosphere,” explains marketing manager Karin Ruus, who has worked with Kirsten and Gitte from the very beginning.

The two owners have, however, also

Scan Business | Conference of the Month | Denmark

added their own touch to the place: a silver desk, fresh flowers, and small pieces of royal bric-a-brac all add to the castle’s unique atmosphere.

Big or small, grand or casual Bernstorff castle was built in 1765 by King Fredrik V’s foreign minister, Johan Hartvig Ernst Bernstorff, who intended to use it as his summer residence. It remained in the family until 1812, after which it changed hands several times before ending up in the hands of King Christian VIII in 1842. As accommodation for his life guard, the king built Kavalergården, three stunning timber-framed buildings in yellow brick. Today, the buildings house the conference centre’s 21 hotel rooms as well as modern meeting rooms and facilities for larger conventions. “We get a lot of management meetings and strategic meetings, which we most often host in the castle’s main building, while Kavalergården is perfect for larger conventions and seminars. It is completely renovated in a modern style with new conference equipment and room for up to 150 people,” says Karin. “The castle itself has a bit of a loftier atmosphere - it is a

bit more extravagant, but it does not cost more for that reason.”

Enjoying the surroundings From the castle’s white wooden-framed floor to ceiling windows, conference participants can enjoy a stunning view of the surrounding royal garden. The garden is open to the public and is perfect for a quiet stroll between meetings, but it can also be utilised for all sorts of teamwork or fitness activities. “We work with an event company that can organise all kinds of different activities, including obstacle courses, games, and historic or businessrelated treasure hunts,” explains Karin.

“But a great way to enjoy the garden can also be to have afternoon tea served in

Queen Louise’s teahouse in the garden. It is a beautiful thatched house adorned with a rose garden, and the walk there will take you right through the park and give you a bit of fresh air and exercise.”

The team can also arrange for guided tours in the castle, which holds many historic treasures, such as original belongings of the castle’s previous owners, “graffiti” from the 17th century, and pencil marks marking the growth of the princes and princesses who used to call it home.

For more information, please visit: www.bernstorffslot.dk

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 85

SCAN Business | News | Dröm UK supports Oasis Childcare

Dröm UK supports Surrey charity Oasis Childcare

By Signe Hansen | Photo: Dröm UK

In an admirable effort to help out disadvantaged families and children, Swedish-born Kicki Carlsson-Boyd and her Surrey-based design firm Dröm UK have, through continued support, donated £10,000 to a children’s charity.

The generous contributions have helped the Surrey-based charity Oasis Childcare in its work with disadvantaged families and children in their local area. “By donating £10,000 to Oasis, many disadvantaged children and families in Surrey will be helped,” says managing director, Kicki Carlsson-Boyd. “Dröm UK is a strong believer in supporting the local community and will continue to work with the Oasis Childcare charity on an on-going basis.”

To make a contribution to Oasis Childcare, please visit: oasischildcare.co.uk

For more information, please visit: www.dromuk.com

Oasis Childcare charity aims to better the welfare of children living in critically dysfunctional families by creating a safe and stable environment for victims of abuse or substance addiction.

Among their offers are a drop-in centre, family emergency crisis intervention and direct counselling to the people who need it.

Dröm UK was founded by Swedish Kicki Carlsson-Boyd and her husband Barry Smith in 2001 and has progressed from selling and installing spas for residential properties to being a leading specialist in the design, supply and installation of top-quality saunas, steam baths and steam showers, mainly for exclusive residential properties, and boutique and spa hotels.

The Danish Mortgage Bond Market unravelled

By Nia Kajastie | Photo: Carsten Andersen

On 27 March 2012, the Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce presents the event “Nykredit - The Danish Mortgage Bond Market - misunderstood?” at the Royal Danish Embassy.

Join guest speaker Peter Engberg Jensen, the CEO of one of Denmark’s leading financial service providers, Nykredit, for an enlightening evening delving further into the Danish Mortgage Bond Market.

Nykredit, which was founded in 1851, lists commercial and mortgage banking as its main activities, alongside insurance, pension and estate agency business. The Nykredit Group is the largest lender and the largest mortgage provider in Denmark as well as one of the largest private bond issuers in Europe.

On 27 March, Peter Engberg Jensen will shed light on how the Danish Mortgage Bond Market actually works and why observers outside of Denmark often have

86 | Issue 38 | March 2012

difficulties in understanding the Danish model.

At the same event, preceding Peter Engberg Jensen in the programme, the Dan-

ish Paralympic Organisation, including John Petersson, President of the European Paralympic Committee, and Peter Rosenmeier, Project Development Manager, will hold a short presentation and give a brief towards the London 2012 Paralympic Games. They will speak about their expectations for the London Games and provide insight into Danish Paralympic history, but beyond that they have a specific message to raise token financial support of £2012 per “bond” that they will issue to each corporation and individual who would like to support their efforts.

Date: 27 March 2012 Venue: The Royal Danish Embassy, 55 Sloane Street, London, SW1X 9SR

Peter Engberg Jensen, CEO, Nykredit For more information, please visit: www.ducc.co.uk

Price: Members and their guests: £12 incl. VAT; Non-members: £24 incl. VAT The event programme runs from 5.30pm until 8.30pm.

Scan Business | News | Business Events

Scandinavian Business Calendar Highlights of Scandinavian business events Joint-Nordic Career Forum The Norwegian, Swedish (JCC), Danish and Finnish Chambers of Commerce are organising the fourth annual Nordic Career Forum. This year the topic will be “Personal Branding”.

Venue: Radisson BLU Portman Hotel Date: 15 March

The Future of Marketing – can you stay ahead?

Join the SCC for this Next Generation seminar looking into the future of marketing.

Date: 21 March

Finlandia Vodka Tasting Finlandia Vodka is an award-winning spirit with a global reputation for its unique Nordic heritage and its crystalline natural spring water, a legacy of the last Ice Age. Let’s have a blind tasting to compare Finlandia and its competitors!

Venue: Goodwille, St James House, 13 Kensington Square, W8 5HD. Further information: Member-only, as places are extremely limited!

Date: 22 March

popular, and there are seldom less than 100 participants.

Venue: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Churchill Bar Date: 29 March

Entrepreneurship Forum: Getting ahead with your venture Join the Swedish JCC and three experienced entrepreneurs to discuss the importance of and how to create a unique identity for your brand, how to protect and develop intellectual property based businesses and how to raise capital for your company in today's economic climate.

Date: 29 March

Aberdeen Wednesday drinks with KPMG The NBCC chapter in Aberdeen is continuously growing and the Wednesday drinks are particularly popular. For the drinks on 18 April, the Chamber joins forces with KPMG who will give participants an update on tax news.

Date: 18 April (date TBC)

Lunch o’clock: Live at Home House Join the SCC for a casual networking luncheon at the exclusive private members' club, Home House.

Date: 27 March

Britain, GREAT for Business H.E Paul Johnston, British Ambassador to Sweden, cordially invites you to attend a unique networking event in Gothenburg, promoting trade between the UK and Sweden.This is an opportunity to meet with key stakeholders and officials from the Gothenburg region, as well as the UK. Date: 18 April

Nordic Networking Drinks The Norwegian, Danish and Finnish Chambers organise the monthly Nordic Thursday drinks together. This time the drinks will be taking place at Hyatt Regency Hotel on Portman Square.

The drinks are becoming increasingly

The Future of Digital Media – Joint Nordic Event The event is cooperation between the Norwegian, Danish and Finnish Chambers of Commerce in London. Speakers: Anssi Vanjoki “Living in the media - my digital future” & Petri Kokko: “Think Digital - a

perspective on the disruptive process of digitalization” Venue: EBRD, One Exchange Square, EC2A 2JN Date: 19 April

Tax Seminar More information to follow nearer the time. Please keep an eye on the SCC website.

Date: 25 April

Nordic Thursday Drinks Join the Norwegian, Danish and Finnish Chambers of Commerce for an evening of networking at this cozy venue. Take the opportunity to stock up on your essential Nordic foods at the same time.

Venue: Scandinavian Kitchen, 61 Great Titchfield Street, London W1W 7PP Date: 26 April

AGM and Annual Dinner The Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce cordially invites members and their guests to the AGM and Annual Dinner 2012, which this year will be held at Draper's Hall in London. Confirmed guest speaker this evening is Lars Løkke Rasmussen, former Prime Minister of Denmark and current leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Denmark.

Venue: Draper's Hall, Throgmorton Avenue, London, EC2N 2DQ Date: 3 May

Please note that the above events will be open predominantly to the members of the Chambers of Commerce.

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 87

Scan Magazine | Music & Culture | Naja Rosa

American road dust adds extra dimension to new album by Naja Rosa Recorded on an intense musical road trip through southern USA, Danish Naja Rosa Koppel’s new album The Place I Call Home

Photo: Anders Holm

oozes of deserted roads, warm artistic encounters and quirky venues.

By Signe Hansen | Photos: Anders Holm

The album is the singer’s second, but having spent her childhood touring and travelling with her parents’ band The Savage Rose, her relationship with music and the road is not new.

“I have been travelling so much for so many years of my life.

So this time I said: well what is my home? It’s the road; it’s the place I call home; it’s where the music is; it‘s where the love is... So let me get out and make an album on the road,” explains the 31-year-old singer.

Soul from the south When Naja Rosa and her boyfriend, drummer Anders Holm, set off to Texas, their plan was simply to “meet some new people and add some stories from the road to the album”.

One of the people they met was the 63-year-old blues musician Coco Robicheaux. “When we came to New Orleans, we just sort of asked people in the street if they knew him; we went through a lot of different areas and neighbourhoods, and in the end we found him in the French quarter. He was this old man sitting in a bar with this big hat with a feather in it and snakeskin pants and big sunglasses,” laughs Naja Rosa. Robicheaux can be heard on the quirky and soulful song Shadow of Me, the last recording with the artist who passed away just two months later.

Sharing stories Like Naja Rosa’s first album, Naja Rosa, The Place I Call Home, is inspired by a mix of blues, rock, soul and gospel, but the road dust seems to have added an extra dimension - one that critics and listeners have taken to. “It is such a big joy when people get what you are doing. It can be anybody a music critic or just somebody on the street,” says the singer. “When you’ve reached somebody, you know that you’ve accomplished something very great.”

You can buy The Place I Call Home on iTunes.

Naja Rosa, the daughter of The Savage Rose founders Thomas and Annisette Koppel, has just released her second album The Place I call Home to great critical acclaim.

88 | Issue 38 | March 2012

Scan Magazine | Music & Culture | Scandinavian Music

Scandinavian Music turn with a BANG. And exactly the highquality song she needed to return with after a year during which Veronica Maggio has set a new kind of bar as to what Swedish listeners are turning to, and what Swedish radio is playing. Dry My Soul is Amanda returning with all guns blazing – to the sound of a good pop song, of course!

Big news and the big tune of the month come courtesy of Amanda Jenssen, whom Sweden is very happy to have back. Her new song, Dry My Soul, is a fast-paced, up-tempo, retro-pop number. It’s all rousing drums, handclaps, and a shouty vocal from Amanda. It certainly heralds her re-

Swedish pop boy Darin is back. He has returned with Nobody Knows, a veritable rave anthem compared to the sound of his previous album of ballads. A turbo tempo chorus gives way to a turbo tempo postchorus in which Darin himself has no choice but to switch to a falsetto vocal to keep up with things. It's all very massive.

By Karl Batterbee

his nephew Nicolaj, stay with their electronica sound. Although this time, there’s an obvious reggae element thrown in and lording it over proceedings. It doesn’t sound like a reggae song though. It just sounds like Hej Matematik playing around with that style. And quite well, at that.

Kate Havnevik, a Norwegian lady with a penchant for electro, releases her second album You this month. With it comes the lead single Mouth 2 Mouth, produced

by Guy Sigsworth who has also worked with Björk and Robyn. It's a soft and beautiful track. Stunningly produced, with a captivating topline and an intriguing vocal delivered by Kate.

Danish electro outfit Hej Matematik have put out a brand new single – Livet i Plastik. It sees the duo, made up of Søren and

www.scandipop.co.uk scandipop@googlemail.com

Scandinavian Culture Calendar – Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here!

Tuija Lindström in Berlin (Until 17 March) Photographer and artist Tuija Lindström’s work is featured at the gallery Swedish Photography in Berlin. The photographs shown are from her 90s series The Girls at Bull's Pond. Wed-Sat Noon-6pm.

Karl-Marx-Allee 62, 10243, Berlin. www.swedishphotography.org The Passion of Carl Dreyer (Until 23 March) The British Film Institute is dedicating the whole month of March to Danish director Carl Dreyer and his films. Dreyer might not be as well-known as his contemporaries, but many would say that he is up there among the very best, together with the likes of Bergman, Renoir and Rossellini.

BFI Southbank, London, SE1. www.bfi.org.uk

Salonen conducts Beethoven (15 March) The Philharmonia Orchestra will perform Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony and Unsuk Chin’s award-winning Violin Concerto under the lead of Finnish conductor EsaPekka Salonen. The Royal Festival Hall, London, SE1. www.southbankcentre.co.uk Kim Larsen & Kjukken (17 March) Danish rock musician Kim Larsen and his band are playing in London this month.

This will be followed by a summer tour in Scandinavia. O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, W12. www.kimlarsen.dk

By Sara Schedin

St Katharine’s Gospel Choir at the Danish Church (20 March) Enjoy an evening of music with St Katherine’s Gospel Choir under the lead of conductor Colin Vassel. 7.30-9pm. The Danish Church, 4 St Katharine's Precinct, London, NW1. www.danskekirke.org Laleh on tour (March/April) Iranian-born Swedish singer-songwriter Laleh is touring Sweden and Norway with her new album Sjung this spring. www.laleh.se

Meta4 at Wigmore Hall (19 March) Renowned Finnish string quartet Meta4 will perform Schumann’s songful String Quartet in A and Fauré’s majestic final composition at this lunch concert at Wigmore Hall, London, W1U. www.wigmore-hall.org.uk

Issue 38 | March 2012 | 89

Portraits from the Northern Women in Chanel exhibition by Peter Farago and Ingela Klemetz Farago

Scan Magazine | Music & Culture | Culture Calendar

Northern Women in Chanel (Until 8 April) Photographer duo Peter Farago and Ingela Klemetz Farago have, as part of an exclusive collaboration with Chanel in 2010 and 2011, created full fashion stories, featuring 45 of the most soughtafter supermodels from the Nordic and Baltic countries.

Tue-Sun 11am-5pm. Wed until 9pm.

Bredgade 68, 1260 Copenhagen. www.designmuseum.dk

Hearts at Cargo, London, EC2A. www.ibreakhorses.se

tive fairs, where you will be able to buy traditional food, sweets and design.

When Saints Go Machine (2 April) Danish WSGM will be headlining with their electro-pop tunes at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen, London, N1. whensaintsgomachine.blogspot.com

The Finnish Easter Fair at 33 Albion Street, London SE16 30 March Noon-8pm 31 March 10am-6pm 1 April 11am-5pm

Danish and Finnish Easter fairs Easter is approaching fast and to celebrate this, the Danish and Finnish churches in London are organizing fes-

The Danish Easter Fair at 4 St Katharine's Precinct London NW1 4HH 17 March 11am–4pm 18 March 12noon–4pm

Munch at Shirn Kunsthalle (Until 13 May) The exhibition at Shirn offers a novel view of Norwegian Symbolist artist Edvard Munch’s art. This is the first time that Munch’s interest in modern techniques, such as photography and film, is the focus of attention. Besides the approximately sixty paintings and twenty works on paper, two chapters of the presentation are reserved for Munch’s own production as a photographer and filmmaker. Tue, Fri-Sun 10am-7pm. Wed & Thu 10am-10pm. Römerberg, 60311, Frankfurt. www.schirn.de I Break Horses (1 April) Swedish indie band I Break Horses will play songs from their 2011 debut album

90 | Issue 38 | March 2012

Thank You for the Music at Kiasma (Until 17 June) The Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma has invited artists from across the globe to show artworks inspired by music. Thank You for the Music – How Music Moves Us is an exhibition on how the experiences of listening to music, watching music videos or going to a concert can appear in the life and work of an artist, a music lover, a fan. Tue & Sun 10am-5pm. Wed-Thu 10am-8.30pm. Fri 10am-10pm. Sat 10am-6pm. Mannerheiminaukio 2, FIN-00100, Helsinki. www.kiasma.fi Schirn Presse Munch Sternennacht

Scan Magazine | Music & Culture | News

Kim Larsen & Kjukken to revisit London

By Signe Hansen

Denmark’s most popular, outspoken and enduring singer, Kim Larsen, will be paying London and Shepherd's Bush Empire a visit with his band Kim Larsen & Kjukken on 17 March, 2012.

The concert, which is arranged by the Danish Church in London and the Danish YWCA, is the third time Larsen plays at the popular venue. During his last visit, in 2008, the 66-year-old rock and pop musician cemented his iconic status among Danes by rousing a sold-out Shepherd's Bush Empire audience, bankers and gap year students alike, to roar along to his many leftist and anti-capitalist songs.

Larsen started out his impressive career in 1969, when he created what was to become the 70s’ most popular Danish rock band, Gasolin. When the band dissolved in 1978, Larsen embarked on a successful solo career and in 1995 formed Kim Larsen & Kjukken.

play at the Danish queen’s 70th birthday in 2010.

With his humorous lyrics, backstreet charm and brash outspokenness, Larsen has become a bit of an emblem of Danishness. In 2006, he was awarded the Danish Cross of the Order of Chivalry; however, unlike his English counterpart Paul McCartney, he chose to stay true to his values and character and politely turned down the honour. He did, however,

The concert will take place at O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, W14, Saturday, 17 March 2012, 7pm. To buy tickets visit: www.ticketweb.co.uk, for more information visit: www.kfuk.co.uk

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