Stockholm

It's been quite a while since we last posted as we have been away for an amazing 25-day tour of Sweden. It would be no exaggeration to say that we had 23 days of glorious sunshine in that time, with the temperature up in the 20s on most days. That is perhaps not what you would expect when you around the Baltic!

Bridges across the Stockholm islands

The highlight of the trip for many of us were the days we spent in the capital, Stockholm. It is quite an unusual city in that it is spread across 14 islands connected by bridges and a flotilla of ferries and hop-on hop-off taxis. 

Despite being a popular destination, it is actually very easy to get away from the crowds, which mainly flock around the Gamla Stan (old town) and the modern shopping streets.

This is our third year in a row in Stockholm and our favourite activities are usually cycling around the network of cycle paths on the islands, or ascending the Kaknas Tower for a panoramic view.

The Opera House in Stockholm

This year, we finally got to visit the Vasa Museum housing the simply stunning Vasa ship that sank just a few minutes into its maiden voyage in Stockholm harbour in 1628. Salvaged in 1961 it has been painstakingly reconstructed and claims to be over 90% original. The musuem has literally been built around the ship and contains fascinating accounts of the life and times of the ship and the people that built it.