Stockholm

The capital city of Sweden is also the most enchanting. The attractive city offers waterways, parks, gardens, fairytale castles, churches and palaces. The maritime feel to the city also makes it a lively, energetic place to visit.

Transport: how to get there and around

By air, you can travel to Arlanda airport. Stockholm’s airport is located about 30 miles from the city centre. By land you have the option of long distance bus or train. The main bus station is Cityterminalen, which is nearby the train station Centralstationen. If coming from Helsinki or Turku, the ferry is also an option.

Climate

From May to July you can enjoy the Swedish summer which brings around nine hours of bright sun each day. The winter however dark and very chilly with frequent snow. The temperature in July and August averages 16 C and below freezing in the winter.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Stockholm.

Attractions & Events

*From May to August there are theatre performances at Drottingholms Court for the Summer Music Festival.

*For great food, drink and entertainment head to Kungstradgarden for the Taste of Stockholm event in early June.

* The Jazz Festival is held mid July, in early August you can experience the lesbian and gay Stockholm Pride event.

*Film lovers can watch 24 hours of films at the November International Film Festival.

Oslo

Oslo the capital of beautiful rugged Norway has plenty to keep the visitor interested. Fo one thing, the city boasts 50 museums and many art galleries. Highlights are the Viking Ship Museum, the Munch Museum and Holmenkollen. A new attraction is the Nobel Peace Centre.

Transport: how to get there and around

The International airport in Gardermoen serves Europe and North America well.

The train can link you as far as London, and the bus serves Russia, Germany and other Scandinavian countries. Ferries also run to Germany and the UK.

Oslo city is compact enough to walk around, although you could spoil yourself with a ferry trip on the fjord. There is also a choice of buses, subway system and taxis.

Weather

Oslo weather is fairly tame in comparison to other Scandinavian locations. Temperatures are around 16 C upwards during the long days of the summer. However being coastal there is frequent rain. Winter is snowy and there isn’t much daylight, so can be quite gloomy.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Oslo.

Attractions & Events

*An important day in the Norwegian calendar is 17 May. Constitution Day is a traditional day is widely celebrated with dressing in folk costume.

*Beach bonfires are lit on Midsummer’s Eve, another big celebration in Oslo.

Helsinki

The city with its waterways and parks feels the fresh air from the nearby sea. With influences of Russia and Sweden, the Finnish capital has a bustling market square enveloped by classic architecture and al fresco cafes make if a great place to hang out on long summer nights.

Transport: how to get there and around

Vantaa International Airport, 12 miles away from the city serves flights from Russia and other European countries. The ferry connects Sweden, Estonia and Germany. The train also has international connections.

Traveling around the city is made easy by a single ticket which serves all public transport including the tram, metro, ferry and bus. You can also conveniently rent a cycle from a coin machine and try one of the city’s cycle trails.

Weather

The winter months can get as cold as -5 C in Helsinki, where as the summer averages 25 C. If you are looking for some sunshine, the best months to visit are June to September.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Helsinki.

Attractions & Events

*If you like a tipple, the event where most drinkers overindulge is the May Day Festical, Vappu.

*Kaivopuisto Park holds weekly concerts each Sunday throughout the summer.

• The Arts Festival at the end of August to September is a popular time for celebrations in the city.

Stockholm, the capital of Sweden and part of the Stockholm Municipality, is located on Swedens East Coast where Lake Malaren meets the Baltic Sea. There are numerous high-tech companies headquartered here. In spite of a full four season climate that includes substantial rain, tourism has doubled since 1991. So, there must be something about its people and places to attract so many visitors.

Heres a look at Stockholms luxury hotels, best restaurants, and what to see and do while visiting. The progressive city is on the rise and definitely a worthy destination for world travelers to notch on their boards.

Luxury Hotels in Stockholm

The First Hotel Reisen has been a center of refined hospitality since the 1700s. Aside from offering the best view of Old Town Stockholm from its waterfront location, there is the sauna, the swimming pool, and the sensational restaurant all set beneath 17th century vaults.

The Victory Hotel is part of the Bengtsson familys hotel chain. It is named after the English naval hero Lord Nelsons flagship the HMS Victory. Adjacent to Victory Hotel is the renowned restaurant, Leijontornet (the Lion Tower), which is named after a 14th century fortification wall that is on display in the main dining room. The decor of each room has a little captain in it with a portrait of Lord Nelson. Good Lord! The Hilton Stockholm Slussen is located in the center of Stockholm.

It, too, offers incredible views of Old Town Stockholm. The hotel was noted for being the best business hotel in 2003. The gym and sauna are world class facilities. Additionally, the hotel is a civic leader for its commitment to environmental safety issues.

Best Restaurants in Stockholm

Den Gyldene Freden is an 18th century establishment of great historic and epicurean proportions. The esteemed Swedish Academy holds its meetings here for members to enjoy the restaurants well made local dishes. Lux Stockholm is annually commended in the highly valued Michelin Guide for its excellent seasonal offerings and service.

Renowned architect Peter Hallen designed crystal lamps to lighten up our tables and color changing walls. Wardshuset Ulla Winbladh is an open air restaurant that serves gourmet lunches and dinners of Swedish fare. Due to the eaterys enormous popularity, making reservations in advance is strongly advised. The owners have five additional restaurants in Stockholm.

To Do in Stockholm

Checking out the Kulturhuset Cultural Centre is a good way to get better acquainted with the citys cultural offerings. There are exhibitions, theatre, dance, music, and other types of performing arts. Additionally, there is a library with a reading lounge and several restaurants in the vicinity. Skansen Open Air Museum is an open air museum that presents 150 historical buildings of Sweden.

The museum was founded in 1891. There also is a zoo with wild and tame Nordic animals onsite. The Skansen hosts many annual festivities and events. Here is a place where kids of all ages remain young and foolish forever. The Tivoli Grona Lund is among the favorite amusement parks with its adrenaline pumping roller coasters. The entertainment center proudly proclaims that it has the highest free fall ride in all of Europe. It is a big on fun boutique amusement park with approximately 30 compelling attractions.

Notes on Stockholm

What has six stories and 100 separate departments under one roof? It is the Nordiska Kompaniet. Many call this the greatest shopping center in the world. Products by Hermes, Mulberry, Prada, and YSL are represented as well as an array of well known Swedish brands, such as J Lindeberg and Flippa K. The majestic food market is fit to be graced by royalty with a variety of pubs, bars, cafes, and restaurants. This is a favorite destination of the locals.