We can see why people have been raving about Scandinavia forever. We get the fuss. Four really polite, friendly, prosperous, clean, safe, societies that are the envy of many outside of the conservative bubble. Here are some things that we particularly enjoyed.
Let’s start with Long Drink. This is a Finnish concoction that dates to the 1952 Olympics held in Helsinki. It is a gin drink mixed with bubbly citrus. Only 5% ABV, it’s like drinking a beer but not and has become a National drink in the 70 years since the Olympics.
How have we not known about Long Drink for this long? Thanks to our kindly Finnair flight attendant who talked us into it and then watched with great satisfaction as we tried it. It’s going into the rotation!
Here’s another Finnish tradition unknown to us. On our last full day in Helsinki we kept seeing girls and boys wearing naval hats as they walked around the city. Like it was a fashion statement.
After seeing dozens of them we finally asked our server at dinner what was up with the hats. “Oh”, she said, “those are high school graduates. They wear the hat as a sign of graduation”. Oooooooh, that makes sense. Super cute and fun to see in person.
When was the last time you saw a wig maker? Here’s one in old town Stockholm. Such a stylish shop too!
Have you ever seen strawberries so beautiful and red? They can be had all over Scandinavia. These were in Helsinki.
The late sunsets change you, even in the short time we were there. There is something about the really long afternoon that causes you to relax and not feel like you have to rush and do stuff before sundown.
Same with dining out. Walking out of a restaurant at 9:30 with the sun just thinking about starting to set opens up the evening in ways you didn’t think about. Take these folks, for example.
All sitting around in the parking lot outside a very popular restaurant in Copenhagen. Full bar service, snacks on demand, canvas foldy chair, warmth and sunlight, chattering with friends and lovers. Tell me you wouldn’t join that crowd given the chance.
Three of our favorite pictures from the trip are probably the simplest. First this one.
Just a small flower shop on a small street in old town Stockholm. Loved the open window with the flowers on the sill. So inviting!
Then a street scene.
Absolutely nothing remarkable about this except it is 9:30 at night and the sun is still up, and we are at a busy intersection in central Stockholm and there are very few cars. It just captured the moment.
Lastly another window, this from the inside.
Looking out from our waterside hotel room in Stockholm at the sun setting at 10:30 at night. So relaxing!
The Finns have a candy problem. So much candy for sale everywhere. People were shopping the candy aisles like they were picking out a wine. This was the candy selection in a quick mart in Helsinki. It really was shocking.
We, on the other hand, had a chip problem. I’m just not sure that we’ve ever found potato chips this delicious off the shelf except for maybe Tyrell’s. It took real resistance not to stick your head right into the bag like a horse.
Jeffrey enjoying the trip on a ferry from Talinn to Helsinki.
On a boat in Stockholm.
And then on a train from Copenhagen to Stockholm.
And then cutting up in a castle in Denmark.
Not at all weird scene in Stockholm.
We love to visit grocery stores in foreign countries, you just never know what you’ll find. In Stockholm we found these taco tubs.
On the one hand you want to diss these but on the other you have to admire the problem solving technique that got them here.
The Finns also make a day of it by taking the ferry to Talinn and shopping for duty free liquor on board. These guys have their supply and they will wheel it right past customs when they get to Helsinki.
Oh the bread we saw.
The ABBA Museum was a highlight – such a guilty pleasure.
We spent about 2 hours (mostly in the gift shop!) wandering around with other rabid ABBA fans. Highly recommended if you’re in Stockholm.
How bad do you want these little booties?
The Scandinavians have made it their life’s work to make winter better and it shows in their home goods and clothing. These boots are just an example. You know they all own super nice winter coats.
That’s it from our 2023 summer trip to Scandinavia. Thanks for coming along!
Stay tuned for our grand trip this fall. Someplace new and old at the same time. Hmm.
Love Alex + Jeff
