Stockholm – Highlights January 2018

On a cold November evening we were trying to decide on the perfect place for a post-Christmas getaway. Watching Richard Ayoade’s Travel Man : 48 hours in Stockholm made our decision easy. We were not disappointed. Here are some highlights of our three night break.

1. Gamla Stan

It was just a short walk from our hotel to Stockholm’s old town, Gamla Stan. I loved the winding, cobbled streets and the Christmas lights made the shops and cafés even more attractive.

2. The Nobel Museum

Well worth a visit, this somewhat underrated museum was truly inspirational with interactive displays about all of the Nobel prize winners, personal items they had donated, uplifting quotations and thought-provoking film clips, such as Nelson Mandela leaving prison.

I particularly enjoyed the display about Alfred Nobel’s life and the prize winning literature books that you could pick up and read. After all the intellectual stimulation it was time to stop for Fika so we went to the museum café for delicious pastries. Don’t forget to look under your chair for the signature of a Nobel prize winner!

3. Ice Bar Stockholm

One of the strangest hours ever! After being helped into a warm cape (with gloves attached), we went through into the bar area for our Ice experience. I loved the glasses made of ice, the table made of ice and the chairs made of ice (with a plastic cushion thank goodness). The sculptures were good too. It honestly didn’t feel ridiculously cold but maybe the range of cocktails helped to keep us warm. It hasn’t put me off wanting to stay in an ice hotel one day – as long as the bathroom is warm!

4. Abba Museum

Having grown up in the 70s this was top of the list of things to do. It really was non-stop fun from start to finish. The music, the costumes, the life stories of the members of Abba would have made it great but it was made extra special by the interactive treats. We auditioned to be a fifth member of the group, took part in a dance competition and even sat in the helicopter from the “Arrival” album cover! Sensory overload! I loved the displays of Abba possessions and was delighted to note that I had the same eyeshadow set back in the day. Simply brilliant! The museum leaflet says, “walk in, dance out”. You really will!

5.  Vasa Museum

A short walk from the Abba Museum is the Vasa Museum. The Vasa was a sixteenth century ship which foundered just after setting off on her maiden voyage in 1628. She was salvaged from Stockholm’s Ström in 1961 and is the world’s only preserved seventeenth century ship.

The Vasa is truly spectacular and the museum contains reconstructions of life on board and facial reconstructions of some of the people who lost their lives when she sank. I highly recommend the film of the salvage operation.

Also highly recommended is the museum restaurant where we indulged in meatballs, mulled wine and cinnamon pastries. Really delicious!

6. Fika

I love this Swedish tradition of having a break and spending time with people, having coffee and something to eat, often a cinnamon bun. I plan to do this often.

Stockholm proved to be a fabulous destination. We left knowing there’s a lot more to see and do. Trips to IKEA will have more significance now and listening to Abba and making time for Fika will provide very happy memories of our trip.