Stockholm, Sweden

Mario and I spend Thanksgiving weekend exploring the city of Stockholm. Sweden is country 41 for me!

We left on Thanksgiving taking an morning flight out of Stuttgart and arriving late afternoon to Arlanda Airport. We decided to take the Arlanda Express train into the city center. It is a quick 18 minute ride into the central station. This was great because our hotel was a few blocks from the central train station. You can get the tickets online ahead of time, at the kiosk or machine. We ordered our tickets ahead which saved us a few dollars. It was still pretty pricey for 2 round trip tickets cost us almost $80. Once you leave the baggage areas you follow the yellow signs which leads you right to the train. It was a very easy process. 

Sweden's currency is the Swedish Krona. So 100 krona is almost $10 USD. Things were very expensive here and most places are cashless place. So credit cards are a must while traveling here.

After arriving at the central station we walked the few blocks to our hotel and checked in. Then checked out the Coop, a grocery store, located in the basement of the central station. Then we took in the areas enjoying the view night provided. 

The next day we explored the ABBA and Vasa Museums, both are located a few blocks from each other. From our hotel it was about 40-45 minute walk so we decided to take the tram. We got our tickets from the ticket counter inside the train station but later learned we could have gotten tickets on the tram. We took gray tram for 6 stops which dropped us off right in front of ABBA museum. We arrived a few minutes after it opened. I ordered our tickets ahead of time, so we could just head inside. This was nice because we were able to go around a big tour group and we ended up having the museum to ourselves.  It was a very nicely done museum full with lots of information. ​

From there we walked the view minutes to the Vasa museum which is home to the Vasa ship. It was amazing to see this large ship up close. In August 1628, Vasa on her maiden voyage sank in the Stockholm harbour.

After having a quick lunch at a yummy taco shop called La Neta and dessert muffins from the Muffin Lady. Then we walked around the Gamla Stan, the old Town and took in the views. It was crowded since there is a small Christmas market infront of the Nobel Peace Prize Museum.

The next day we walked towards Gamla Stan, old town. We stopped at the Stockholm Cathedral and toured the inside. Then saw the Nobel Peace Prize Museum from the outside.  We walked around looking in some shops. It was super snowy, windy and cold. We did caught the ending of the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace.

Our last day, we took another walk through Old Town, taking in the views with less people. Around lunch time we headed to the airport. After a delay we made it home late evening. Another great trip in the books!