George Cukor once recounted a conversation with Swedish actress and icon Ingrid Bergman. She was said to say “I feel sometimes people are disappointed when they meet me because they are expecting Ilsa from Casablanca, and instead they get Ingrid from Stockholm”. In a backhanded way Ingrid was also commenting on the lovely, simple life the Swedes live in Stockholm.
Stockholm is just what it is and that is something special. It’s not flashy or glamorous or loud. But it is a great place in the world.
Streets are super clean, public transport is quick and reliable and extensive, restaurants are solid, people are unfailingly nice. Just what you want in a visit!
We spent our last day in Stockholm on cleanup, finishing up the things we still had time to see.
We started with the Royal Palace. Oddly many of the rooms were even too dark for the latest iPhone camera. Drapes drawn, blinds shut, lights turned way down kind of dark. So only a few pictures from here.
Starting with the entry stairs.
Then another standout was the banquet hall.
Even these were pretty dark. Definitely worth the stop but you won’t stay too long.
Next up we took a boat ride out to one of the minor islands near central Stockholm.
Called Fjäderholmarnas, the island is a short 30 minute ride away from one of the main piers and is home to a commune of artisans who make jewelry and blow glass or similar.
It also gave us a chance to experience a bit of the wilderness outside of central Stockholm and that’s when you start to realize how good the Swedes have it.
We spent a good amount of time sitting in the Scandinavian sun and just watching the boats sail by.
After a lovely afternoon we headed back into Stockholm, early morning flight from Arlanda. There was a terrible derailment on the Arlanda Express and so trains are not running. The Express normally gets you to the airport in 18 minutes, by taxi all bets are off.
Anyone who has been bere can tell you that the distance to Arlanda is among the most brutal in the world. Not Tokyo Narita brutal, but it is really far.
We had a lovely time here and can see coming back.
5 comments
That anonymous comment is actually from me!
That photo of the hotel bed looking out the window is amazing!! Also, I have a brother-in-law who unfortunately leaves his guest bedroom slightly uncomfortable (the mattress feels like it’s 30 years old) so people don’t stay too long. Maybe that’s what happening in the castle!
Thank you! It was a lovely view out that window too. You might be right about that – or maybe they’re trying to reel in the electric bill!
I love the multi-colored buildings along the water. Remember seeing many of them in Scandinavia- so beautiful. Looks like the weather gods are smiling on you!
Lovely!
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