Now that the times of uncertainty are slowly getting better, it's time to relax this summer! Maybe the corona virus kept you for booking a holiday for this summer, so we came up with five holiday tips for your summer!

Anyone who has read up on the history of the Vikings will surely be familiar with the 'Battle of Stiklestad'. This famous battle took place in 1030 in the Norwegian province of Trøndelag, located in the north of Norway. During the battle, the famous Viking-king Olav II was murdered. Every year, on 29 July, this special event is commemorated during the Norwegian National Holiday. On this date, in memory of the battle, one of Scandinavia's largest open-air plays takes place in the country's largest amphitheatre. Every year, the spectacle attracts around 20,000 visitors to the city. In addition to the famous play, the St. Olavs Festival also organises various side activities such as medieval markets, music concerts and other child-friendly attractions such as archery, Viking clothing making, etc.

If you plan to visit the festival on the 28th and 29th of July it is advisable to buy/book your tickets in advance. The city of Stiklestad was in the past the capital of Norway and besides the festival has enough to offer for a great holiday this summer!

Of course, the Norwegian Fjords already are a holiday destination in themselves, but if you are looking for more special places of interest, you can visit the Norwegian town of Bøstad. In the 80's some shards of ceramics were found there, after which archaeologists started excavating a gigantic Viking house. Afterwards, it turned out that the house belonged to the richest and most powerful Viking chiefs in Norway. A reconstruction of the Viking house in the village of Bøstad is set up as a Lofotr Viking Museum. Here you can follow a guided tour where the Viking era comes back to life. The museum also offers opportunities to for archery, play unique and typical Viking board-games, knot baskets etc.

Modern technology has helped us to learn as much as possible from the Viking past/history. Yet, there are still a number of riddles and mysterious places that are unclear. One of these riddles can be found in the town of Kåseberga, located in the south of Sweden. In this town lies an enigmatic sight consisting of 59 gigantic stones of +/- 1800 kilos. The stones are carefully placed and together they form a huge ship. It is thought that the ‘Ales Stenar’ functioned as an astronomical clock, or that the stones were placed as a grave monument for old Viking kings. Something can be said about both theories, but the gigantic monument is one of the largest Viking monuments in Sweden. Besides the unique sight you can enjoy freshly smoked herring and the beautiful surroundings in Kåseberga! Kåseberga is also the destination for paragliders and / or tourists who want to go paragliding under supervision!

A little closer than the first three options is the Danish town of Ribe. At the VikingeCenter you will be fully taken in the activities of the Vikings during your stay. Ribe is the oldest town in Scandinavia where the smell of honey and roast lamb meets you when putting your first steps on the ground. In the town there are several markets where typical products from the Viking era are being sold. Learn how to bake bread, swordfight and walk through the beautiful village as if you were a Viking!

Are you planning to go with the family? Then children will not have to be bored at the holiday park Ribe Byferie, within walking distance of the centre of the old town. Nearby excursions at travel distance are several beautiful, hysterical buildings and/or even a visit to Lego-land!

The Danish city of Roskilde has a special place in the heart of Strong Viking. On the famous Roskilde Festival site we organised the Strong Viking Roskilde Edition twice in 2015 and 2016. Roskilde is located about 35 km west of the Danish capital Copenhagen on the island of Zealand. From the mid 10th century until about 1400 Roskilde was the capital of Denmark. That is why it got its own cathedral, the Domkirke, which is now one of the most important sights. All deceased Danish kings are still buried in this church. The city is especially known for the Viking Museum, where life-sized Viking ships have been rebuilt, which were sunk in Roskilde harbour 1000 years ago.

Do you have some other Viking-themed holiday tips that you want to share with out fans? Let us know by sending us an e-mail and/or reply on our blog in the Facebook comments! Enjoy the summer Vikings!