At the risk of it sounding like propaganda (as I work for the Swedish Government in India), I’m going to write this review as fairly as I possibly can.
When I visited Stockholm for the very first time, I had heard many things about the Country - mostly about its companies and its inventions. I went with a very open mind till I reached the Indian International Airport :-)
I happened to find my neighbour’s baby very cute and started making idle conversation with him. (as most bored people do at airports) After the usual cooing to the baby, we started chatting about our respective travels. I almost fell off my seat when the guy tells me ’’Wow! You’re going to Sweden!!!! The land of promiscuity and free sex!!! You’re so lucky!’’ I was shocked because the people I work with are anything but promiscuous and are actually very normal. So now my ’’open mind’’ was whirring with thoughts which mostly comprised of ’’Oh my God! What the hell have I gotten myself into and where the hell am I going!!?’’
So, when I touched down at Arlanda airport, I was very shocked!! I saw no naked people and no one was having sex! LOL!
I am not going to give you all a ’’Go to Stockholm’’ review so this will not tell you where to go and what to do – just what I experienced.
I was staying in Östermalm (the hoity-toity area of Stockholm which is close to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs) and a cab ride (the best option when you travel like you’re moving house – like me) to my hotel (Hotel Riddergatan) was about 425 SEK (approx. INR 2125 or USD 45 (pretty steep but it’s a good 45 minute drive)
The best way to get to the city centre is actually by the Arlanda Express. Gets you there in 30 minutes and it’s about 300 SEK for a return ticket!
T
he hotel was absolutely great. The rooms were very very small (especially if you’re used to Indian hotels) but very functional and extremely clean. It’s a bed & breakfast so don’t expect any meals other than breakfast (which is the same everyday – and I know that coz I stayed there for 2 weeks!!) But the staff is sooo good! Very friendly and very helpful.
Other than ’’official visits’’ to museums and other such boring places (I’m not a history buff) I visited Skansen. Now this is a fantastic place. It’s an open air zoo-cum- museum. Very nice. Other than seeing some Nordic animals – they have some really interesting things like glass blowers and a bakery! (Awesome stuff sold there)
Amongst other very interesting things to do in Stockholm, my most favourite thing to do was walk around Gamla Stan. This is the old town. Cobbled streets with quaint little shops selling candy and souvenirs dotted with little cafés and so much history. (The acceptable un-boring kind of history) The buildings look like little doll houses and I was immediately transported back to a much more innocent age where everything was happy and fun.
I did visit IKEA though. It’s an all-time favourite with me and long before I joined my current place of work – my house was a glaring advertisement of IKEA. I am partial to lighter wood and IKEA is just up my alley. I only bought little knick knacks as shipping anything big would put a dent in my pocket the size of a small African nation… But it was fun as it was the largest IKEA in the world located at Kungens Kurva. They have a free bus from central Stockholm and everything. A must visit.
Since I went in May, spring was in the air! There were tulips growing wild and everything was happy! Although if you’re visiting – Sweden is never hot.Even a good summer would be about 25 – 30 degrees. So when you come from warmer climates – carry your warm clothes.
The bigger malls in Stockholm are Åhléns, Gallerian and NK (very expensive) but if you’re a more ’’browsie’’ kinda person … walk down Drottninggatan… It allows leisurely walking and browsing with a lot of local flavour.
I would be lying if I said that I didn’t visit some Orrefors and Kosta Boda outlets. I’m a woman remember. Shopping and spending money is a gift received from up above ;-)
I can write forever but I think I’ll end by saying – go to Sweden. If for nothing else then just to try the Swedish meatballs ;-)