We escaped construction on Friday to fly for three days to the beautiful northern city of Stockholm. I have been to Sweden several times during the famous midsommar of late June and early July when the sun hardly sets at all, to our friends' summer home in the southern Swedish coastal town of Torekov. These same friends now live the majority of the year in Stockholm, and since we had not been to the city (and since I wanted to experience Sweden in the winter) we took advantage of their kind invitation for a visit.
Stockholm had been written up last week in Corriere della Sera as the Christmas shopping city, replacing New York. While shopping was not really on my mind, I was anxious to experience the atmosphere in this famous design city.
Over the next few days I will be writing about my impressions of Stockholm and the outlying areas, which I am still processing. The city is simply amazing; simple and fancy at the same time, full of ambience, warmth and beauty. We did seem to do a lot in a short period time; we spent quality time catching up with our friends, spent time in the historic city center, visited a wonderful country market and got to meet my internet friend Karin Eriksson at her lovely shop Manos. We visited the beautiful costal town of Vaxholm and ate a traditional Swedish "Christmas table", complete with seven different types of herring salad.
We even ate elk burgers. And, we got to experience what it is like to experience sunset at 2.30 in the afternoon and complete darkness by 3.00. It is no wonder to me that Swedes have some of the most beautiful interiors in the world -- considering the amount of time they spend inside in the winter.
Today I have posted some photos of our visit to Gamla Stan - literally translated as "old city" - which is on a small island in the city. The shop windows are amazing and the atmosphere is quintessentially northern. The city was bustling, the many cafes full and the skies grey. We ate at about two in the afternoon and came out of the restaurant to pitch darkness. It was wonderful.
9 comments:
ooh, can't wait to see all the rest of your photos and thoughts. Sounds divine!!! You make a good point about their interiors.
So glad the two of you were able to get away and see friends in a gorgeous setting. A nice cup of refreshment.
lovely! Stockholm has been in the Top 5 of our want-to-visit list for quite a while. This just reinforces it! =) Glad you had a fun escape!
How great that you were both able to get away for a little break. I really want to visit there now, looks fabulous.
Oh I cannot imagine darkness by 3.. :-( as you say, their houses are beautiful inside, I would want that too!!
Enjoy your break :-)
Cara Diana,
Thanks for taking me "home" - at least for 68 hrs. I knew you would like Stockholm. I am biased, i know... but my love for Stockholm is even greater, now that I go to visit - every season. D'accordo. Stockholm on a winter day is sth special. Looking forward to your pics! Bacione, Ingrid in Umbria
hej Diana,
thank you for coming all the way out to me to visit! It was lovely to meet you and your husband and friend. I look forward to hearing and seeing more about your Stockholm stay.
Merry Christmas!
Karin
Can't wait to see more photos from your trip.
I look forward to "window shopping".
It's nice to see you out and about after a busy season and so much construction. I've never been to Sweden...This post makes me want to go!
My grandparents emigrated from Stockholm to the US in the early 1900's.
I will enjoy seeing the sights with you.
Thanks for giving a tour :) Looks really nice. Its been a while since I've myself been to Stockholm.
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