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| Kiruna, Sweden |
When you embark on one of the exciting Northern Lights
holidays, there is little doubt the highlight of your trip will be witnessing
the magnificent spectacle itself. However, when you're visiting this wonderful
part of the world it pays to remember there is much more to discover as well.
The itinerary of many Northern Lights holidays will include a stay in
Stockholm, and if you find yourself in this eclectic European city for a couple
of days, you'll be inundated with things to do, places to visit and experiences
to enjoy. Here are just a few suggestions.
Explore the History
Stockholm is medieval in its origins and Gamla Stan (the
Old Town) is at its heart. A settlement has existed here since 1252, and
exploring the area is a fascinating way to spend a morning. The winding streets
and curious alleyways give way to tiny squares overlooked by beautiful
churches, revealing glimpses of its ancient history. Today, you can enjoy your
historic tour on foot and indulge in a very modern waffle along the way!
Immerse in the Art
While Stockholm has evolved into a modern city, it
retains its strong cultural and artistic heritage. There are many excellent
museums here, but two of the most popular are the National Museum and the
Moderna Museet. In an interesting contrast, the first showcases drawings and
artworks form the Middle Ages, as well as pieces by Rembrandt and Degas amongst
others, while the Moderna Museet (as its name suggests) boasts a fantastic
collection of contemporary art, which includes works by Picasso, Dali, Pollock
and De Chirico.
Café Culture
The café culture in Sweden is as popular as anywhere in
Europe and it is definitely worth indulging. The locals drink copious amounts
of coffee, and a morning beverage accompanied by something sweet is so
engrained in the culture that the pastime has been given a name - fika - which
roughly translates to 'indulge in coffee and chat at leisure'.
Join the Nobility
The City Hall, or Stadshuset, is Stockholm's most famous
monument, hosting the Nobel Prize Banquet every year. You can take a tour of
the building, which includes a visit to the Golden Hall with its historic
scenes depicted in 18 million mosaic pieces, and you can also see the
incredible 10,000-piped organ.
Get On the Water
Catching a ferry around the Stockholm archipelago (the
largest in Sweden) is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon to wind up a
fantastic experience on one of the Northern lights holidays. Although only 150
of the islands are inhabited, the landscape is hugely diverse, and the ferry
ride certainly makes for an interesting trip.
These are just a few suggestions on how to spend your
time when staying a day or two in Stockholm at the beginning or end of Northern
lights holidays. In fact, this fabulous city offers much more than these
attractions, and they barely scratch the surface.
Author: Kevin A. Collins
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