Northern Europe

The Tallinn Zoo is located in the naturally beautiful Veskimetsa park forest that is rich in species. Boasting the most exciting collection of wildlife in Northern Europe, it is home to more than 11,000 specimens belonging to almost 600 species or subspecies from Australia to Alaska. The Zoo has giant elephants and rhinoceros, dangerous predators, simians, polar bears, and many other exotic species. Tallinn Zoo also has the best collection of wild goats and sheep in the world, as well as a remarkable number of eagles and vultures, and an excellent selection of owl and stork species. https://www.visitestonia.com/en/tallinn-zoo-1

Skansen is the world’s oldest open-air museum, showcasing the whole of Sweden with houses and farmsteads from every part of the country. At Skansen, you can discover Sweden’s history and find out how Swedes once lived according to the changing seasons, through the customs and traditions, work, celebrations and everyday life of times gone by. Skansen is a unique place where history meets the present day, where Swedish traditions and craftsmanship live on, and where people of all ages come together. This is the world’s only open-air museum with wild animals. Here you can see Nordic wildlife, rare breeds, pets and exotic creatures. The Children’s Zoo features domestic animals such as cats, rabbits and guinea pigs, as well as small wild animals. The Skansen Aquarium and Our Africa feature exotic animals including monkeys, birds, reptiles and insects. The park area surrounding the museum has a variety of planting and gardens. Rye and flax are grown in the field at Seglora, while the Skåne Farmstead and Skogaholm Manor have historic kitchen gardens and every building has plants typical of the farmsteads and the nature of their time. Find out how we used to live, and enjoy the recreational spaces that make Skansen a popular attraction all year round. http://www.skansen.se/en/this-is-skansen

Helsinki Zoo is home to 150 animal species and almost 1000 plant species that show the diversity of nature. Helsinki Zoo is one of the few zoos located on an island, in the Baltic Sea. It is the perfect place to visit due to its natural environment, animals and history. The zoo was established already in 1889 and this makes it one of the oldest zoos in the world. Helsinki Zoo also participates in the work to protect the habitats in the original homes of the various species. Helsinki Zoo´s mission is to work towards preserving biodiversity. Meet the large Amur tigers, tiny pygmy marmosets, agile snow leopards, impressive wisents and dazzling, free roaming peafowls alongside indigenous Finnish species such as the elk, bear, wolverine and forest reindeer. All this while enjoying the silence and peace of the Finnish nature surrounding you. https://www.korkeasaari.fi/helsinki-zoo/

Experience a touch of the Lappish exotic with reindeer in Nuuksio reindeer park which is the southernmost place in Finland where you can see and feed reindeer. You can also enjoy brewed coffee with Lappish cheese bread, grilling sausages or stick bun on an open fire or delicious glow fried salmon or game dishes in an atmospheric wilderness style of tepee restaurant "White Reindeer”. The tepee has a capacity of about 40 persons + outdoor terrace from where you can admire the reindeer at close range. "White Reindeer” Kota restaurant is fully licenced and it is open for groups on a reservation basis. Nuuksio reindeer park also offers nature program services to an additional request such as Guided nature trail from the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia or from Haukkalampi to reindeer park, either on foot, Nordic walking style with poles, skis, snowshoes or kick sledges; transportation by two 8 person minibuses is also possible. https://www.visitespoo.fi/en/service/nuuksio-reindeer-park-and-white-reindeer-kotarestaurant/

Randers Regnskov (Rainforest) is located in the centre of Randers, between Randers City and the river Gudenåen. It is one of Denmark's biggest tourist attractions, featuring three different rain forest continents under separate domes; South America, Asia and Africa. In the domes, you will find a fantastic environment in which you can wander around in a tropical climate between giant liana vines, buttress trees, a roaring waterfall and over 250 animal species. Stand face-to-face with free-roaming monkeys, birds and bats. Meet roaring jaguars, sloths, crocodiles and friendly manatees. In Randers Regnskov the animals are on their own turf – and you get to be extremely close! Randers Regnskov is a true nature and animal sensation. https://www.visitranders.com/randers/plan-your-trip/randers-regnskov-gdk604991

Visit Ree Park Safari and make an unforgettable visit in the exciting world of animals. Djursland’s big safari park offers wild experiences and activities among animals from the exotic parts of the world. Djursland’s large safari park makes lots of wild impressions. On your journey through the park’s four continents, you will experience a world full of fascinating animals. The scenic surroundings provide the animals with ample space to roam about and behave naturally. Every day there are a lot of fun and exciting activities for the entire family. Go on a fascinating train ride across the North American prairie. The steam train, the Black Beauty, running on real steam, or the diesel train, Armstrong, lead the way, as you step onboard for a ride back in time, and you get really close to the bison, moose, black bears, and arctic wolves. https://www.visitdjursland.org/djursland/explore/ree-park-safari-gdk605871

Enjoy a very good day at GIVSKUD ZOO. Here you can ride a safari in your own car or take one of GIVSKUD ZOO's safari buses. Get very close to the animals and drive beyond the African savannas where the rhinos are located and where giraffes and zebras cross the road right in front of you. Continue into the lions' territory and feel the thrill as the big cats roll around right outside your car. Take a nice stroll between the safaris and meet the zoo animals. spiders, gorillas, giant otters and goggles, which can be experienced in Europe's largest goggles. GIVSKUD ZOO also has Denmark's largest dinosaur exhibition. Here are 50 different natural-sized dinosaurs - ranging from the very largest herbivore at about 40 meters to the death-defying carnivore Tyrannosaurus Rex. In addition to many exciting animal experiences, GIVSKUD ZOO also offers play, fun and presence for young and old. Enjoy the park's small oases and let the children romp on the large playgrounds - among other things, they can try out the nine-meter-high play tower "Skywalk" - then the parents can relax themselves. https://www.visitbillund.dk/billund/service-information/givskud-zoo-gdk608163

A visit to the Museumsgården Karensminde is like entering another age. The farm is a visitation farm where the work is done, as was done during the farm's heyday in the 1700s and 1800s. The whole family can give a hand when, for example, the grain is harvested, potatoes are picked up or milked. Meanwhile, cooking on the old wood-burning stove is busy. At Karensminde there is ample opportunity to get close to the animals. For example, you can give a hand when cutting the sheep and picking up the eggs from the chickens. You can go for a walk in the barn and look at the pig, which often has piglets. On the green meadows, you find Mad's goat and the geese. The rabbits and guinea pigs enjoy themselves in their cages, and the cats lick the sun on the steps. You can also explore the many rooms of the farmhouse, where a story from the old days hides in every corner. The volunteers like to talk about their work and provide anecdotes about the history of the farm. They can tell you both about how to do the work in the old days, and about all the different people who have lived on the farm. You can bring your packed lunch and eat in a cosy setting or buy a cup of coffee with cake. https://www.visitbillund.dk/billund/service-information/museumsgaarden-karensminde-gdk677139

On the savannah, giraffes munch alongside zebras, kudus and the rare oryx antelopes. The polar bear enjoys a cooling dip in the water, the red panda has just been served fresh bamboo and suddenly you can hear a mighty roar from the male lion Akash letting the entire zoo know that this is his territory. Aalborg Zoo is open 363 days a year - and no two days are alike. With far more than 100 different exotic animal species, educational experiences can be found all year round. You can see how the animals adapt to the different seasons and watch the baby animals grow. And you can try and find the curious and lesser known animals. In the South American house, the sloths climb freely about in the lianas above your head. This is also the place to be if you want to get close to an armadillo and perhaps see a capybara for the first time. http://www.visitaalborg.com/ln-int/aalborg-zoo-gdk596076

This is a place where you learn to understand everyday phenomena such as optics, the human body and electricity. To test yourself, and to see that what seems complex might still be quite simple. Exhibits and experiments are in a barn. The animal department contains only a few scary animals - animals without fur, but which is just as much fun! Most hugging is Kalle, the king python who has soon hugged all the children in Linköping. Besides Kalle, you can see snakes, lizards, frogs, scorpions and spiders. The Animal Department is open to the public when there is no teaching in the room. https://visitlinkoping.se/en/g%C3%B6ra/attraktioner/museer/fenomenmagasinet

Let the adventure begin! Enjoy one of Scandinavia’s most exciting experiences! Nestled in the beautiful countryside outside Norrköping, covering 1.5 square kilometres (370 acres), Kolmården Wildlife Park is among the most popular tourist attractions in the Nordic countries. Home to 750 animals from all over the world, Kolmården offers activities for the entire family. In the Dolphin Show “Life”, an international hit, dolphins leap from the water into the hearts of the audience. Board the Safari gondola, the only one of its kind in the world, to quietly glide close above lions and giraffes. Come face to face with big cats in Tiger World, and watch enthralled as raptors swoop overhead in the Birds of Prey Show “Wings”.Here too you can meet Bamse – the world’s strongest bear – and his friends in a magical world of their own. There are plenty of accommodation options to suit your plans. Vildmarkshotellet is an African-themed hotel adjacent to the park, with fabulous sea views. If you really want to experience the animals close up, the Safari Camp tent village is the place to stay. http://upplev.norrkoping.se/en/item/kolmardens-djurpark

Lohionginta Korpikeidas is a fishing place with a guaranteed catch! You can take your freshly caught fish with you or have it smoked. A domestic animal park is an excellent destination for family trips. Sheep, rabbits, chickens and roosters, guinea pigs, chipmunks, turkeys, pigeons, emus, a miniature pig and pony riding. Open also during winter time for fishing. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/korpikeidas/