Stockholm

[chirpychirpy]

is it worth a visit and, if so, what are best things to see and do?

[Buenchico]

Almost every European capital is worth a visit. (Even Brussels, which is commonly regarded as Europe's most boring capital, is worthy of a few hours!).

To see what Stockholm has to offer, take a look at the city's official website:
http://beta.stockholmtown.com/en/

Chris

[jno]

depends what sort of things you like. There's a well kept old town; you can visit churches and palaces; you can cruise around the islands. It's quite an expensive place, though.

Bear the hours of daylight in mind: long in summer, short in winter.

[DSJ]

Please visit the 'Vasa' Museum. The 'Vasa' is Sweden's version of our 'Mary Rose' and is an absolute must.

[VHG]

>The 'Vasa' is Sweden's version of our 'Mary Rose'

I agree with DSJ, the Vasa museum is amazing.

In fact it is FAR better than the Mary Rose, it is a complete ship and is in stunning condition.

It sank on its maiden voyage (in 1628) in waters in the centre of Stockholm and more than 30 people died. It had been badly designed (probably on instruction from the king) and was not seaworthy.

It lay at the bottom of the water till it was brought up in the 1950s and a museum built round it.

Because of where it lay it did not rot so is a complete "tudor" ship.

Loads of other stuff that belonged to the boat has been brought to the surface and is in the museum. These include personal belongings etc.

Picture of the boat here;

http://www.hnsa.org/ships/img/vasa1.jpg

Story of the ship here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasa_(ship)

[VHG]

The island of Djurgarden is near central Stockholm and is a lovely place with lots to see and do

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djurg%C3%A5rden

Skansen is on the island (zoo and open air museum)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skansen

[chirpychirpy]

is there anything ABBA-related?

[jno]

not yet, it seems

http://goscandinavia....ba-museum-delayed.htm

[scotman]

You could try attracting the attention of Swedeheart. She lives there and may give you some more info, if she is in a good mood.

[AlBags]

I've been to Stockholm.
It is a great place with great people.
It was some years ago, tho. But you will have fun.
SH will tell you that, I am sure.

[swedeheart]

Hi chirpychirpy, jno pointed me to your question. These are fantastic replies you've already received. Personally I don't get staring at a sunken ship but I know by now that the Vasa remains for many tourists to Stockholm one of their most vivid memories.

Scotman you make me sound fickle. I am constant as the Northern Star: I am *always* in a bad mood;-)

I'll put some additional links together for you chirpychirpy but it won't be till the middle of the night or tomorrow night. In the meanwhile, book your journey. Now is the right time cos as jno says the days are long now.

[jno]

swedeheart, those of us who spend hours scraping barnacles off our bottoms always like to see how it's done professionally.

[scotman]

You can't kid me SH. I know you are a lovely, generous and helpful person:)))))

[swedeheart]

*ewws at jno, purrs at Scotman and says hello again to AlBags* Now then chirpychirpy. First of all, do come NOW or in June next year. And do consider the suggestions you've had so far, they are great. Second: Some of the links posted below may revert back to the Swedish version; if so, just look for the British flag on the page for the same story in English.

About Gamla stan (Old Town), most of the shops there are just tinsel-for-the-tourists but the narrow streets and the general atmosphere is a must. This is THE narrowest alley, Mårten Trotzigs Gränd http://www.flickr.com...os/enjork/3456349171/

Djurgården too is a must for a long walk along the water. Be sure not to miss a word in VHG's excellent article. While you're on Djurgården, this place is a haven http://www.rosendalst...ion.php?id=0000000051 Also, you must sit down to eat in the garden restaurant of Liljevalch's Art Gallery http://en.wikipedia.o..._konsthall_2007_2.jpg

This park, Humlegården, smack dab in the centre of the city, is a perfect place for an al fresco lunch when you've shopped till you've dropped http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humleg%C3%A5rden

cont.

[swedeheart]

cont.

I'm not sure if you know but Stockholm is often referred to as Venice of the North. She is built on 14 islands and if that's not enough there are thousands of islands in the archipelago just outside the city. Having lunch at the upstairs verandah of Seglarhotellet (Sailor's Hotel) in Sandhamn on a sunny day is something you'll always remember, it reeks of class but is still very friendly:) You'll get there by ferry from Stockholm http://www.sandhamn.c...d16-a583-6624845c54cb Or if you're interested in the Vikings, go by ferry on lake Mälaren to Birka instead http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birka Or just go for a live music cruise on the Blidösund http://www.blidosundsbolaget.se/en/index.php

cont.

[swedeheart]

cont.

As jno said, there is no ABBA museum yet. The building that was planned to house the museum became a museum of photography instead. They opened this spring and I was there yesterday evening happy as a child, it's a fantastic place if you're at all interested in photography http://fotografiska.eu/ ...and even if you're not, the cafe is completely mindblowing with its big windows facing the water. Sitting at a table there is like sitting on the water. Have a look at this photo and you'll see what I mean (what looks like a photo frame is actually the window frame) http://www.flickr.com...78293/in/photostream/ And afterwards, take the nearby stairs up to the verandah at this place. You don't have to be a veggie to fall in love with Herman's http://gastrogate.com...aurang/hermans/page/8

cont.

[swedeheart]

cont.

If you're a huge ABBA buff you may be interested to know that Benny Andersson owns a hotel, Rival Hotel. I've never stayed there obviously but the bistro and coctail bar are very nice http://www.rival.se/en/default.aspx - and I believe the rooms are fabulous too:)) Or if you're young and don't care a lot about comfort, the af Chapman is just the best youth hostel. I stayed there once a long time ago and I can still recall the swans outside the window as I was having a shower http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Af_Chapman

For a spectacular view, have dinner or a drink at Gondolen http://www.eriks.se/start.asp?lang=2 This web cam (one camera, three angles) is located on their building http://www.webbkamero...amera_eriks_640_1.php

cont.

[swedeheart]

cont.

If you have kids, Tom Tits Experiment (go ahead, have a laugh:) seems very popular. Never been there myself and it is a commuter train trip away but still doable within the course of a day http://www.tomtit.se/ (Also, of course, if you have kids, don't miss the Stockholm amusement park Gröna Lund at Djurgården.)

The Local is an online paper for Sweden's news in English, you may find it useful while here so you can chat with the natives;-) http://www.thelocal.se/

I should stop, shouldn't I... I just love Stockholm so much and I could go on forever. But I'll leave it at this for now. The nightlife doesn't really fall under my expertise anymore but here's a link - but these things change very quickly so for that aspect I would rather ask somebody on the street http://www.10best.com...tlife/best-nightlife/ This song intertwines a love story between two individuals with a love for the city itself and I think it gives you a good general feel for a late summer night in this city. If you come in June, the sun hardly sets https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te4Vv4qio7A

Välkommen (bienvenue, welcome...) (PS almost everybody speaks English here.)

[swedeheart]

Oh and if you've been wondering where in the world to find the best British pub... http://www.thelocal.se/26306/20100427/

[scotman]

There you go SH, helpful as ever.
If I win the lottery Stockholm is definitely on the list.