Stockholm Trip Report
Mike Azzopardi
I just wanted to write a trip report on Stockholm as I got some great advice
and before I went and wanted to give something back to the group. Photos are
here: http://bluemenagerie.spaces.msn.com/photos/
Getting there:
Got there late Friday night, and didn't realise that the airport Skavsta was
so far from the centre. This took an extra 1h20 mins to get there. Quite a
pricey coach too but I was warned Sweden was expensive (not as much as I
thought, but then I do live in London so am used to it). At least the flight
with Ryan Air was only £50 return.
First thing I remember was everyone coming out of the pubs and urinating in
the streets :-), which I seem to remember reading in a Bill Bryson book.
Welcome to Stockholm!
We were staying in a hostel in the old town Gamla Stan. It was new with
hardly anyone in it over the weekend which surprised me as hostels have
always been crammed for me (but then we did go on the opening weekend of the
world cup). Abbess was the name. I'd recommend it if on a budget. I think it
was around £15 a night.
Day 1:
So to Saturday and the walk around the old and new town. The old town is
quaint, has a lovely shopping street with old shops that runs straight
through it, but this is no Prague or Krakow. The palace and main church are
nice and the little streets were enjoyable to walk down, with a lovely
little main square. The street "Funckens Grand" did make me chuckle.
As for the new town and the city as a whole I was very impressed with how
much greenery there was (most for a European city per square foot I
believe), and of course seeing the City on Water. Although not as beautiful
as Venice, there were many surreal views from bridges and I imagine it
would be a great city to live in surrounded by all this water. I found it
relatively clean (despite our experience the night before), and found the
Swedes absolutely wonderful people. They really were. Their English
impeccable, and their manner and friendliness some of the best I have
witnessed. Always helpful, and a pleasure to talk to. And I'm not just
saying this because everywhere you looked were young, hot, blonde women -
There were men too!
For lunch seeing as we were on a budget it was a quick trip to the many
7-11s they have. Great idea - Lots of choice to eat, great baguettes, and
cheap too. We also experienced the nicest guy behind the counter in the
history of supermarkets who would probably have come back to England with us
if we offered.
Some of the recommended meeting places like Sergels Torg and Kungstradgarden
were busy but with a relaxed atmosphere with people sunbathing, strolling
and going about their business on a Saturday afternoon. The main shopping
street was impressive. Didn't get any hassle from anyone and there were
plenty of things going on with bands playing, some motor show etc. At the
motor show they were even giving out cans of free diet coke - Free in
Stockholm - And I thought my pockets were going to burn! The cultural
atmosphere reminded me of central Munich/Vienna for some reason.
The view from the top of City Hall was fantastic. I'm not sure if its the
best view of Stockholm, but it certainly was very picturesque looking over
the old town and showing plenty of rivers in their glory
One thing I can definitely not recommend is the tourist bus they offer. It
looked a similar thing to the tourist bus in Barcelona (which was great) but
be warned, it may be hop on and hop off but it finishes at 4:30pm. Also it
is a very short ride around the whole city (around 45 mins), so you can walk
most of it without having to pay the £11-12 it cost (student price).
Being a football fan we went and watched Sweden draw 0-0 with Trinidad and
Tobago which was a nice experience to see all the Swedes out dressed up. It
made a change from the Pubs in England wondering if a fight was going to
break out ;-). The Swedes were naturally disappointed but there's still time
for them to show us what they've got. Come on England!
Day 2:
Sunday was spent in Djurgaden where the 2 things we wanted to see were the
Viking Ship museum of Vasamuseet and Skansen, the world first open air
museum. They gave me contrasting experiences.
Vasameseet is extraordinary. Now I'm not a boat lover but I would say its
worth going to Stockholm just to see this beast. Beautifully restored this
will leave you gasping from the moment you walk in. Whoever's idea it was to
salvage this 300 year old ship deserves a pat on the back. Its marvellous -
The museum in general is wonderfully presented and we spent a long time in
there viewing all the exhibits. Shame you couldn't go on the boat, but there's
enough views from 4-5 different stories to make you feel at home with it. It
is dimly lit, but a good camera should take care of that. Canteen - good but
expensive, where was a 7-11 when we needed one.
Skansen however was a bit of a disappointment for me. I had read about it
and looked forward to being taken back in time seeing the old Swedish
buildings and culture. It was entertaining for about an hour (we had planned
half a day). After you have wondered into half a dozen old style shops its
pretty mundane. Maybe its more for kids with the fair and the zoo but even
then they are nothing special. The zoo is tame compared to most zoos I have
been too (I'd compare it in size to Chicago -
and that was free AND had tigers!), but there was just not enough of Skansen
to get excited about. For entertainment I'd compare it to Legoland back
home - Fun for a little while from the main selling attraction, but little
else afterwards. Maybe I'll go back with kids one day and see if they enjoy
it more.
In the evening we had a wonderful meal in the main street. Everywhere we ate
out was great. And prices were similar to London so no complaints there. We
are used to paying a packet as we say. A quick trip to The Ice Bar for
novelty value was fun. An hour of being in -5 degrees in Eskimo jackets
buying drinks for £6 and drinking out of ice glasses was truly memorable.
Then I found out there are plenty of these around the world so this was not
a unique Swedish experience.
Day 3:
We had stayed an extra 3rd day and spent most of it on a cruise around the
arpeggio islands. We couldn't find a tour company that would do it on a
Monday so we got the local service (which had similar routes and seemed a
much better/cleaner boat) on a 5 hour round trip (there was an 8 hour one
too). We relaxed, drank free Sprite and took in the beautiful sunny day.
True, after about 2 hours it was kinda samey, but it was a nice way to relax
in scenic surroundings (but not anything compared to the Danube around
Krems/Melk).
So I think 3 days was about the right time to go. Sure we missed out lots of
museums and probably other stuff we didn't have time to research, but had a
good taste for Stockholm and the lovely people there. Great place to go for
a weekend. I'd definitely go back, as soon as I have kids.
Thanks for taking the time to read my report. I hope it was entertaining for
those that have visited and brings back some memories. For those planning on
going, I hope it helps with anything.
Best Regards
Mike
http://www.SoundAid.org
- Because Music Saves Lives
Runge
Gives us good ideas for a short break
"Mike Azzopardi" <mikea...@hotmail.com> a écrit dans le message de news:
73hlg.60749$rC1....@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net...
Padraig Breathnach
>I just wanted to write a trip report on Stockholm as I got some great advice
>and before I went and wanted to give something back to the group. Photos are
>here: http://bluemenagerie.spaces.msn.com/photos/
>
Thanks for the report. Some comments below.
>So to Saturday and the walk around the old and new town. The old town is
>quaint, has a lovely shopping street with old shops that runs straight
>through it, but this is no Prague or Krakow.
>
True. But if it was, there would be little point in going there.
Stockholm is Stockholm.
> I found ... found the
>Swedes absolutely wonderful people. They really were. Their English
>impeccable, and their manner and friendliness some of the best I have
>witnessed. Always helpful, and a pleasure to talk to.
>
Their command of English is remarkable. I think it is also an
important factor that they are not as much into tourism as people in
many other destinations, so they may see you as people rather than as
a source of income.
>Vasameseet is extraordinary. Now I'm not a boat lover but I would say its
>worth going to Stockholm just to see this beast. Beautifully restored this
>will leave you gasping from the moment you walk in.
>
Agreed -- a great visit.
>Skansen however was a bit of a disappointment for me. I had read about it
>and looked forward to being taken back in time seeing the old Swedish
>buildings and culture. It was entertaining for about an hour (we had planned
>half a day). After you have wondered into half a dozen old style shops its
>pretty mundane. Maybe its more for kids with the fair and the zoo but even
>then they are nothing special. The zoo is tame compared to most zoos I have
>been too (I'd compare it in size to Chicago -
>
I felt differently about Skansen, and would happily give it a whole
day. The zoo is specialised, presenting only Swedish wildlife, so the
size reflects that.
>We had stayed an extra 3rd day and spent most of it on a cruise around the
>arpeggio islands.
>
We didn't do that, but hope to have a future opportunity.
>I'd definitely go back, as soon as I have kids.
>
Don't make that a condition! Get into a child's frame of mind and just
enjoy it.
>Thanks for taking the time to read my report. I hope it was entertaining for
>those that have visited and brings back some memories.
>
It does indeed, thank you.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
My travel writing: http://www.iol.ie/~draoi/