Take a chance on Scandinavia

FRESH air, fabulous scenery and excellent facilities - this week we urge house-hunters to forget the beaches and head for the Scandinavian destinations of Norway and Sweden instead.

For some reason, overseas house-hunters tend to look south when it comes to finding a new home abroad. The majority of them follow well-worn paths to southern Spain, rural France or the new hotspots of Bulgaria and Cyprus.

They do have their undoubted attractions but there are other options for people who want to stray from the beaten track.

The Scandinavian countries rack up several plus points for potential buyers - the towns and cities are lively and friendly, with a high level of safety and security with good health care and attractive housing stock.

There's a very traditional feel to many areas which add to their appeal and, outside of the towns, there are wide open space and breathtaking scenery.

Are there any drawbacks? Well, the sun staying low on the horizon for a few months at the back end of the year might try your patience - although for Norwegians in particular this is just a good excuse to strap on the skis and head for the hills. Scandinavian countries have a fairly well-deserved reputation for having a high cost of living, although properties can prove good value.

Sarah Dean, who works for agency promoting Norway as a destination, says: "There's a great variation house prices across the country and even within towns and cities which is good news for buyers. The most favoured locations tend to be on the hills close to the major towns - combining the best of both worlds.

"And many people in Norway have the added bonus of owning a second home their doorstep. It's a common practice for people to buy a log cabin by a lake in the hills which they retreat to at holiday time.

"Typically, people take up to four weeks break around this time of the year to make the most of the sunshine and they also head for the hills for Christmas and New Year."

Here's a look at what the two countries of Norway and Sweden have to offer.

Norway, the 'land of the midnight sun' is beautiful, full of mountains, fjords and glaciers, especially in the north. In the south, forests, woodlands and farmland add to the mix. There are even beaches. The cities and towns, which are rich in history, have a nice ambience and good facilities.

Norway extends well into the Arctic Circle and here the population is small. Visitors get the chance to see seals, walruses and polar bears sunning themselves on ice floes.

Norway is at its best from May to September. Late spring is lovely - trees and flowers are in bloom, daylight hours are long and the weather is mild.

Summers are marked by the spectacle of the midnight sun, especially north of the Artic Circle where the sun stays above the horizon for several weeks.

However, nowhere in the country - even the far south - experiences true darkness in summer. Norway has cold, dark winters, although it is still a magnet for skiers and people wanting to see the Northern Lights.

Oslo is the capital city and offers elegant examples of historical architecture plus lots of green space.

Further north is home to the country's highest mountains, largest glaciers and spectacular fjords. The main destination in this area is the historic city of Bergen. There are all several resorts, excellent national parks, with roads snaking through some of the country's most breathtaking scenery.

Fishing villages typically have clusters of houses around a harbour. They can be very picturesque, often white-painted and are popular with artists.

Much further north, Tromso - the `Gateway to the Arctic' - is a bustling town with street music, live music and cultural events and more pubs per capita than any other place in the country. It's also a centre for skiing in winter.

Getting there and away: Scheduled flights from Manchester to and from Oslo are operated by BMI (International), BA and SAS Scandinavian Airlines.

Trains run daily from Oslo to Copenhagen in Denmark and to Helsingborg and Stockholm in Sweden. There are also ferries to/from the UK.

SWEDEN has a reputation for being expensive although it is now becoming more affordable.

Like its neighbour, Sweden has a huge amount of natural beauty from forests to lakes. The capital, Stockholm, is one of the most beautiful national capitals in the world. The Old Town is particularly spectacular and walking round the city's waterways and parks is a wonderful way of spending your time.

Residents enjoy strolling along the streets and lanes in the medieval section of Gamla Stan, or exploring its many museums. The city is compact and easily covered on foot or boat as you venture on to the many tiny islands and archipelagos.

Gothenburg is another attractive city.

Away from the cities, Sweden has vast stretches of scenic coastline with an emphasis is on outdoor activities. Again, the further north you go, the lighter the nights get.

If you want sunshine, visit in summer. Summer in Sweden is hot and sunny, although August can be wet. Travel in winter should be well planned as there could be travel restrictions although the big cities are in full swing all year-round.

Getting there and away: The main international airport is Arlanda, around 20 minutes north of Stockholm. From Manchester, carriers BMI (International) and SAS Scandinavian Airlines fly scheduled services to Stockholm while BMI (International) and City Airlines fly to Gothenburg.

Buses and trains link up with ferries to provide services to and from the UK. Swedish ports of entry include Gothenburg, Helsingborg, Malmö and Stockholm.

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