If you go to Northern Europe in winter

Getting around For my train route between Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Stockholm, I bought a Eurail Global FlexiPass, which gives you 10 days of travel over a network of European national train systems within a two-month period. If you buy your pass in advance, you can make seat reservations before your trip and pay in dollars. Cost: $893. (Rail Europe; 1-800-622-8600; www.raileurope.com/rail-tickets-passes/)What to do Copenhagen Amber Museum: Close to the historic port of Nyhavn, the Copenhagen Amber Museum and shop is housed in a 1606 building -- one of the city's oldest. Open: Daily. Admission: $4. (www.houseofamber.com)

Vasa Museum, Stockholm: One of the largest battleships of her era, the Vasa sank in 1628 and was left on the sea bottom before being salvaged in 1961 and eventually displayed here in dramatic fashion. Open daily. Admission: $14 for adults. Free for ages 18 and under. (www.vasamuseet.se/en)

WHERE TO STAY

Amsterdam

Radisson Blu Hotel (Rusland 17; www.radissonblu.com/hotel-amsterdam): In the midst of a canal-crossed downtown neighborhood, the Radisson Blu Hotel uses a contemporary overlay to link an 18th-century merchant house and a 19th-century vicarage. Doubles from about $105.

Stockholm

Scandic Hotel Anglais (Humlegårdsgatan 23; www.scandichotels.com): A stylish large hotel with a bustling lobby bar and many rooms that overlook Humlegarden Park. Doubles from about $170.

WHERE TO EAT

Copenhagen

Restaurant Parnas (Lille Kongensgade 16; www.parnas.eu): Parnas' cozy ambience puts you in the mood for its menu full of old-fashioned Danish fish and meat specialties. Entrees from about $19.

Stockholm

Restaurant Drottninghof (Drottninggatan 67; www.mat-dryck.se): In a city full of overpriced dining, this casual restaurant and bar is a small-scale refuge. Excellent grilled fish specials. Entrees from about $15.