Stockholm was our port of disembarkation, so we chose to spend three days here to 'relax' after our cruise. This is much more of a big city compared to Copenhagen. It feels like a place where business is happening with tourist spots mixed in.
We hit the ground running with a visit to the current royal palace in Drottningholm. Shabby chic came to mind, especially in comparison to those in Russia. In many rooms the floors were unfinished wood. Perhaps I just don't get the Swedish design aesthetic. Still a quite interesting place not to mention the scenic boat ride with a fantastic fish 'casserole' to boot.
Next stop, City Hall where the Nobel Prizes are awarded annually. This may be the finest example of gold tile mosaic I've had the chance to see. Little depictions from the around the world (the Statute of Liberty and a Native American represent the US) are mixed in with historic tales. A relatively new building, the architect went to great lengths to make it feel old even darkening some bricks to look like centuries old water stains.
Day two found us touring a museum dedicated to a ship that the Swedish shipbuilding industry would just as soon forget - The Vasso. Its maiden voyage lasted only twenty minutes before a strong wind blew it completely over and it promptly sunk and remained at the bottom of the bay until recovered in the 6o's. An entire building is built around this heavily carved sailing ship. It looks as though every detail was thought out - except if it was sea worthy. Live and learn.
Our second stop was at the quintessential Skansen open air museum. Founded in the late 1800's, buildings representing regions of the country (school houses, farms, barns) are placed in the park in more or less in their geographic locations in the country. Mixed in are native animals such as goats, pigs, seals, bears and moose. It was a very pleasant way to enjoy a sunny day with the Swedes, taking in a little of their culture and enjoying some incredible views of the city.
Day three brought us to the old town of Gamla Stan. The main attraction is the Royal Palace and its related museums. There's the Royal Apartments, Armory, Stables, Coin Bank and Treasury. At 12:15 all gather at the entrance for a military procession complete with a band on horseback. There was much marching, prancing (horses and soldiers) and march playing. An award was presented to who we guessed was the Equestrian that medaled in London. All very royal and patriotic.
It's hard to make the accomplishments of Nobel Prize winners accessible to those of us who barely made it out of Freshman Physics, but they managed it quite well at the Nobel Museum. A photographer was tasked with taking portraits of recipients with a large, white paper that they were asked to draw on with colored pencils. Most tried to explain their accomplishments with simple drawings that included formulas or figures. The photographer briefly described the session with each of them, usually quite humorous. What a marvelous way to make them more human while still recognizing their accomplishments.
After a brief shopping excursion and a sidewalk cafe dinner, we took a cab 20 miles north of the city to spend the night at the hotel in the airport. We all loved Stockholm and are looking forward to returning to explore more of this Swedish domain.
We hit the ground running with a visit to the current royal palace in Drottningholm. Shabby chic came to mind, especially in comparison to those in Russia. In many rooms the floors were unfinished wood. Perhaps I just don't get the Swedish design aesthetic. Still a quite interesting place not to mention the scenic boat ride with a fantastic fish 'casserole' to boot.
Next stop, City Hall where the Nobel Prizes are awarded annually. This may be the finest example of gold tile mosaic I've had the chance to see. Little depictions from the around the world (the Statute of Liberty and a Native American represent the US) are mixed in with historic tales. A relatively new building, the architect went to great lengths to make it feel old even darkening some bricks to look like centuries old water stains.
Day two found us touring a museum dedicated to a ship that the Swedish shipbuilding industry would just as soon forget - The Vasso. Its maiden voyage lasted only twenty minutes before a strong wind blew it completely over and it promptly sunk and remained at the bottom of the bay until recovered in the 6o's. An entire building is built around this heavily carved sailing ship. It looks as though every detail was thought out - except if it was sea worthy. Live and learn.
Our second stop was at the quintessential Skansen open air museum. Founded in the late 1800's, buildings representing regions of the country (school houses, farms, barns) are placed in the park in more or less in their geographic locations in the country. Mixed in are native animals such as goats, pigs, seals, bears and moose. It was a very pleasant way to enjoy a sunny day with the Swedes, taking in a little of their culture and enjoying some incredible views of the city.
Day three brought us to the old town of Gamla Stan. The main attraction is the Royal Palace and its related museums. There's the Royal Apartments, Armory, Stables, Coin Bank and Treasury. At 12:15 all gather at the entrance for a military procession complete with a band on horseback. There was much marching, prancing (horses and soldiers) and march playing. An award was presented to who we guessed was the Equestrian that medaled in London. All very royal and patriotic.
It's hard to make the accomplishments of Nobel Prize winners accessible to those of us who barely made it out of Freshman Physics, but they managed it quite well at the Nobel Museum. A photographer was tasked with taking portraits of recipients with a large, white paper that they were asked to draw on with colored pencils. Most tried to explain their accomplishments with simple drawings that included formulas or figures. The photographer briefly described the session with each of them, usually quite humorous. What a marvelous way to make them more human while still recognizing their accomplishments.
After a brief shopping excursion and a sidewalk cafe dinner, we took a cab 20 miles north of the city to spend the night at the hotel in the airport. We all loved Stockholm and are looking forward to returning to explore more of this Swedish domain.
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