We went last week, during Aidan's Easter break. Stockholm is a beautiful city with colorful buildings that is actually about 14 islands connected by bridges. We didn't go at the most interesting time of the year (in December there is only 3 hours of daylight and in July there is only 3 hours of dark), but we still enjoyed it. What surprised me the most is that English is even more prevalent there than here in Zurich! Many of the signs and menus were first in English and secondly in Swedish. Language was not an issue at all. In fact, that part was a bit of a bummer. I like hearing different languages and trying to figure them out. But, on the other hand, it makes traveling a lot easier!
We hit all the tourist spots. Our favorite two were Junibacken and the Vasa Museet. Junibacken is a "museum" of sorts honoring Swedish childrens' authors. At school, Aidan had learned about Pippi Longstocking in his German class and went on a field trip to see a Pippi movie. Pippi was written by a Swedish author and a large part of Junibacken was devoted to her. Even Lainey knew about Pippi from Aidan, and because I bought a Pippi book to get them more excited about going there. They had an absolute blast at Junibacken! It was like one big play area-a museum filled with kid-sized houses, slides, and such. There was also a ride in it, similar to Peter Pan at Disney. The ride though was horribly scary for kids though! I'm not sure what book the story the ride is based on, but it was disturbing! No American PCness about what's appropriate for children. Other than the ride about 2 brothers jumping out of a burning building, dying, then meeting a fire breathing dragon, Junibacken was great fun!
The Vasa Museet (museum) was quite possibly the coolest thing I've ever seen. The Vasa was a Viking-type ship built in the early 1600's that sunk 20 minutes into it's maiden voyage. It sank in the Baltic Sea, completely in one piece. Over 300 years later, a Swedish diver discovered it still completely intact and somehow they were able to bring the entire ship up and turn it into a museum. It was amazing to see the huge ship, almost 400 years old, in person. The kids liked walking around in the recreated decks and seeing all the artifacts. Unfortunately, my pictures didn't turn out great because the lights were so low in the museum to protect the wood.
We also visited Skansen, which was a lot like a Swedish Greenfield Village, and the Royal Palace. We wandered around the Gamla Stan (old town) and took a short boat ride. My personal highlight was going to the Absolut Ice Bar! Entire bar, seats, tables, and glasses were made of ice! It was pretty cool (pun intended)!
I'd love to go back to Sweden in the summer. I didn't get to see the long, long days or go on a boat trip around the archepelago. Plus, the Swedish people are really nice. Hopefully, we'll be able to take Jason back one day.
At the Vasa Museet
Lainey at Skansen, overlooking the city of Stockholm
Pony riding at Skansen
Outside Junibacken, with a few favorite Swedish characters
At the Absolut Ice Bar
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