Vacations in Stockholm

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Introduction to Stockholm

The origins of the Swedish people were unrecorded, but for a very long time, the Swedish settled along the western shores of the Baltic and its islands, and the broad area around Stockholm has been the heart of Swedish life.

Sights of Attraction in Stockholm

Modern Stockholm is built across 14 distinct islands linked by boats and bridges, and hence the name Venice of the North. With many parks and picturesque panoramas, Stockholm is a truly beautiful city. The Swedes are renowned for their strong neutral philanthropy and humanitarian activities, they have not been at war since Napoleon’s time. Unlike other European cities, Stockholm did not suffer any destructions.

The Gamla Stan, or Old Town, is the historic heart of Stockholm which was a fortified town on a single island recorded back in 1250. Buildings dating from as early as the 15th to 19th century along the winding cobblestoned streets are now occupied by splendid and atmospheric shops, restaurants and art galleries.

Sigtuna, together with Birka, were the earliest commercial towns in Sweden. It presents an uncommon glimpse of the old Viking world, the idyllic wooden houses that have Viking roots almost a thousand years old, St. Mary’s Church and the runic stones and its Museum.

Royal Palace

The old palace on the waterfront, which has over 600 rooms in Baroque style, was built during the 18th century. It is a former residence of the royal family and is used for state occasions. Still retained is the infamous formal changing of the palace guard, often with picturesque historical uniforms.

Royal Armory

The award-winning museum is situated in the vaults beneath the Royal Palace. On display are the crown jewels, the royal carriages, and Gustav III’s collection of antiques, costumes from coronations and royal weddings, weapons and armor along with elk-hide jerkins from the battle of Lutzen in 1632.

Drottningholm Palace

Located west of Stockholm is the beautiful Drottningholm Palace. Built in the 17th century to resemble Versailles in a Swedish waterside manner, it is now the principal residence of the royal family. The Court Theater was added in the 18th century and is still perfectly functional and in use.

City Hall

The City Hall is the seat of Stockholm’s civic government, as well as the place where the Nobel Prize banquet is held each year. The interior is honeycombed with elegant halls, including the Golden Hall with its stunning mosaics, and the Blue Hall where Nobel banquets are held. Founded by Alfred Nobel with the fortune from inventing dynamite, the Foundation now promote science, literature and peace.

Vasa Museum

This unique museum is a must-go attraction to complete a vacation to Stockholm. Its centerpiece is the 17th-century warship Vasa, the oldest fully preserved ship in the world. Designed and built by Gustavus II to be the flagship of the Swedish navy, the Vasa sank on its maiden voyage in 1628. The harbor mud and the brackish water surprisingly preserved the Vasa well, until 1956 when it was founded again and raised to be preserved using the most modern technology. Also featuring in the museum is a rare time capsule of many items from another age, promising an unforgettable experience for the visit.

Icebar Stockholm

Located right in the heart of Stockholm, the Icebar is the world’s first permanent bar of ice, with temperature kept at -5°C throughout the year. All of the interior including the glasses are made of crystal clear ice from the Torne River in northern Sweden, an unforgettable ice experience impossible to expect.

Shopping in Stockholm

The main shopping areas in Stockholm are Drottninggatan, Hamngatan, Biblioteksgatan and the Old Town. Well known for its high quality, skillfully crafted goods, prices are generally high but there are also good buys such as the beautifully designed crystal.

 

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