Visby, Gotland

[brandybold]

Looks like there is enough to see in Visby to keep busy. But I'm wondering about missing the following attractions outside the city:
1. Gannarve Skeppssattning in Frojel, Bronze Age Burial site
2. Lilla Karlso
3. Stora Karlso
Can't get much off the web, so if you've been there & can comment, I'd appreciate it. Thanks

[cujosmom]

It has been MANY years since our family was in Visby. You will love it. We did not book any tours but just spent the day walking around the little town. There is an old castle ruin and the little town is just darling with lots of cute shops. This was one of our favorite ports on our Baltic Cruise.

[suwu]

Here's a picture of the Gannarve skeppssättning: http://www.guteinfo.com/scripts/maps.asp?id=1669
Maybe now it's easier for you to decide whether you want to go there.

Stora and Lilla Karlsö are two islands that can be seen from the above burial site. If you like nature and bird watching, you might want to go there. Here is some more info on the larger island (Stora): http://www.storakarlso.se/english/english.htm
The smaller Lilla Karlsö is also a nature reserve.

If you are visiting Visby for the first time, you should stay in town to explore it by foot, it's well worth it.

Enjoy your stay!
Susanne

[brandybold]

thanks so much. you confirmed my tentaive conclusion!!!!

[drwong]

Visby is a good example of a medieval (14th century) walled city. Established as an outpost of the Hanseatic League, the wealthy city was besieged by the army of King Valdemar of Denmark. After the inhabitants witnessed the attempt of local farmers to expel the Danes (the Danes massacred about 2000 Gotlanders, including killing those who were too wounded to escape), the city threw open its gates, preserving the gates and walls for future generations. A good primer is www.bingeby.com (http://www.bingeby.com).

The locals hold a renowned medieval heritage festival following the first Sunday in August and the city itself is a UNESCO heritage site. In that vein, you should visit Suomenlinna Island in Helsinki harbor, another UNESCO heritage site you'll see on your cruise. The ferry to Suomenlinna is adjacent to the pier where Oceania docks. First built by the Swedes in the 18th century as a check on Russian naval ambitions in the Baltic, Finland was ceded to Russia after the Russo-Swedish war and the fortress was then used by the Russians as outpost defending the seaward approaches to Saint Petersburg. Talk about a reversal of fortune! See http://www.suomenlinna.fi/index.php?menuid=3&lang=eng for more information.