The beauty of Stockholm at the summer's end.. Travel to Sweden
Beautiful Stockholm! We had already spent about 10 years ago during a tour of the Scandinavian capital but we wanted to come back and picking an occasion offered by Lufthansa we returned in late summer. For them it since August 16 is over the summer while in Italy broke out the hot sun! In our country over 40 degrees and very pleasant temperatures above (minimum - 10 to 15 and especially not over 25). We then completed another dream: to sleep on boat on Lake Mälaren given our age we have discarded the solution - room offered by a sailing boat moored in front of Gamla Stan and we chose an old ferry which offered (in addition to standard solutions hostel) a pleasant, "the captain's quarters" (ie a double room) at precisely the lake! Waking up in the morning with the spectacle of the sun at dawn and go to bed with the lights of the city before was one of the joys of travel.
The transfer from Arlanda airport to the city was excellent with the bus which takes just leave the airport, for us seniors (among others) very economical Kr = 150 round trip (ie 15 euros, the exchange rate is about 10 crowns = € 1). The solution train (Arlanda Express) is a bit 'more expensive but much faster (20 minutes against almost one hour) but we decided to adjust the "timing" Swedish ... ... they never hurry!
Placed at the boat-hotel check in and unpacked we immediately went in search of the card to move in the city there are 2 types; Stockolm the card that costs (I think) almost € 60 per person for three days but allows access to public transport, metro (Tunnelbana), ferry and entry to 75 museums and other sights or a simple carta.trasporti that cost us (again as a senior) for only 120 Kr always 72 hours.
After a relaxing stroll through Gamla Stan to visit the box office with souvenirs (all filled with Italian ....) We entered a restaurant where we sampled shrimp sauce with a nice plate of salad, side dish and I had directions to find the cod ( torsk in Swedish) will try to eat another dinner.
The next morning we decide to spend the day Djurgarten where we spend the morning and the afternoon at the Skansen Park, a zoo, a representation of the old Swedish houses and shops as well as a playground for children. Among other things very organized, very light and very interesting in the news provided precisely the historical part. There are old shops where you repeat the activity (making bread or pastries, farm etc.. Etc) then a very cultural.
We note already so many youth and parents with children in Sweden do not seem to have to suffer declines demographic!
In the afternoon we visit the park then Pippi Longstocking but we have the misfortune to take the tournament which tells the story with a pair of Slavonic and then in their language .... Too bad!
As the hot day (25 degrees!) Saturday and being a lot of people are sprawled on the grass or on the lake.
Return with an old tram rails in the center and from there decide to go Sergel Torg (= Torg square) where the music festival has some current events: Let's also a peek at the hundreds of stalls selling books (there really the passion to read, perhaps thinking of the long winter) and we decide to dine in a room that we had already used the previous visit where they offer a dozen kitchens with many different dishes, then the advantage is that the same are shown in photo with detailed description also in English.
We opt for a "cowboy steak" with fries that proves very valid!
We then four steps in the center to Gamla Stan where a public concert offers Afro-Cuban music. ... There too many people especially young multiracial.
On Sunday we decided to go to one of the surrounding towns (Vaxholm) to reach by bus in about one hour, even this holiday town on a lake with a castle to visit and many tourists both local and foreign. Fruit are purchased in a COOP peered where the products of daily life (life is not that much more dear to us) and then we put ourselves in a garden on the lake waiting for the boat that will take us back to Stockholm.
Without this experience and also enjoy the numerous islands that crossroads where we see many houses with boat support, we arrive in Stockholm, right in the city center!
From here we decide to do even 4 steps at Gamla Stan where we buy small souvenirs including caviar and salmon.
The next day is devoted to stores and markets: whether to buy clothing and small household items for about Swedish design!
Our tour starts at H. M. then travels from Zadar and finish at lunch Saluhall market (a must!). Here I have the great disappointment of knowing that the cod is a winter dish that or return in a few months or me ... I eat at my house!
We are content with superfine salmon and a chocolate cake for dessert. One big uncomfortable two French girls fighting next to us apparently for problems ... .. amour!
Even in this environment are many Italians (but there was no crisis?) With whom we exchange experiences in town!
Complete the walk back in the pedestrian streets of the center to return late in the evening to our boat. There eat a frugal dinner (sandwiches and tuna salad) and then go out to enjoy the last sunset on Malaren ... .... Fantastic!
The next morning meters to the central station where we take the bus to Arlanda where we arrive very early so we have time to finish the Swedish krona by buying other trinkets for the house very special.
Final considerations; beautiful city, beautiful people, very civil; should send our administrators (of any color) to learn how to live well. We must then return to enjoy even the suburbs.