After having a wonderful time in Copenhagen Denmark, I took the all day train to Stockholm, stopping along the way to see Malmo on the southern tip of Sweden. I stayed at the popular Downtown Camper by Scandic Hotel which was centrally located, plus the breakfast buffets were wonderful.

My first day I walked just several blocks over the bridge past the Swedish Parliament to Gamla Stan, the charming, photogenic Old Town historic island of winding, lantern-lit streets, antique shops and classy cafes clustered around the Royal Palace. I continued walking down Vasterlanggatan, the popular street coming upon the German Church. Here this nice pastor from Copenhagen took me under her wings inside, explaining in English all about the historical video presentation of the church.

Upon exiting the church, I meandered down curvy, back streets ending at a busy square, Jarntorget , where people enjoyed outdoor dining. I passed the Nobel Prize Museum, walking all the way to the waterfront at Kornhammstorg, with many filled restaurants overlooking Lake Malaren. Here the Slussen Locks connect the salt water of the Baltic Sea and the fresh water of the huge lake. Upon returning I ventured past multiple colorful apartment buildings on narrow streets with the sun providing picturesque photos.

The following day I enjoyed the wonderful procession of the Changing of the Guards at the Royal Palace.  The Military Parade with the marching band, full of colorful uniforms and impressive military music was a spectacular sight to see. As I traversed the square, I entered the Stockholm Cathedral, Storkyrkan, the city’s oldest from the 14th century. I found this beautiful church very intriguing with the front of the nave paved with centuries old tombstones, under the finely carved and gilded pulpit.  The carved wood Royal Boxes, dating from 1684 have held many Royal Weddings, including in 2010, when Crown Princess Victoria, heir to the throne was wedded with much pomp and splendor. The fine 17th century altar made of silver and ebony sits below the silver Christ standing like a conquering general. In the back of the church I lit a candle, praying for peace for Ukraine.

Thereafter I made my way to Stortorget, Stockholm’s oldest square, with neat colorful old buildings topped with gables. In 1400, this was the heart of the medieval city, where at the town well, was the natural center of trading. Here sits the Nobel Prize Museum where I entered, following the remarkable history with an audio guide and seeing the large pictures of all past Nobel Prize winners, those honored in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace-making.  I continued walking Gamla Stan coming across Prastgatan, where on the corner is embedded the Rune Stone. After exploring more, I enjoyed a delicious Swedish dinner across from the Nobel Prize Museum.

The next morning I took the bus to Skansen, Europe’s first and best open-air folk museum founded in 1891, with more than 150 old homes, churches, shops and schools. I entered many little homes where workers lived and cleaned for families with old glass washboards and Singer sewing machines. There, carpenters, potters, shoemakers, glass blowers, bakers and a hardware store formed an independent town.  Swedish dancers and fiddlers in their cultural clothes entertain with their folkloric music in the summer.

My next stop was the Vasa Museum, with the unbelievably preserved ship, the Vasa, that sank before it even got out of the harbor, after it was portrayed to be the best seaworthy warship in 1628. Unfortunately, it was top heavy with an extra cannon deck and sank 40 minutes into its’ maiden voyage. There it sat 330 feet at the bottom of Stockholm’s harbor, till 1961 when it arose with the help of marine archeologists.  What an accomplished feat! The Vasa is absolutely a sight to see, with its’ gigantic structure and awesome 500 colorfully carved wooden statues.

My last morning found me walking to the City Hall, then back to Gamla Stan to tour the luxurious Royal Apartments at the Royal Palace with glittering 18th century Baroque and Rococo décor. Then underground to the Royal Treasury showcasing spectacular crowns, scepters, jeweled robes and regalia of their kings and queens. I traversed to the waterfront where one catches tour boats, then across the bridge to the King Karl X11 Statue past the Royal Opera House, Kungstradgarden and the modern center.

Like the Danish, the Swedish people were very friendly and helpful making the trip to Copenhagen and Stockholm a wonderful adventure!