Sweden Travel - Stockholm and Karlskrona
Known as the land of Vikings, Sweden is actually an odd mix of
cosmopolitan cities and vast stretches of wide-open spaces. For
budget travelers, Sweden is a bit expensive.
Stockholm
An incredibly beautiful city in the summer, Stockholm is the
Venice of Northern Europe. Like Venice, Stockholm is built on
the water with canals and waterways criss crossing the city.
Instead of marshland, Stockholm is actually a collection of
dozens if not hundreds of little islands.
Despite the beauty, Stockholm can seem a bet sterile for a big
city. Large parts of the city seem to be devoted completely to
either providing working spaces or residences. With a little
digging, however, you'll find the city has much to offer.
To get a taste of the real Stockholm, throw away your travel
guide and head to the Sodermalm area. Sodermalm predates the
modern areas of the city and provides a glimpse into the past.
In the neighborhood, you'll find authentic old pubs, hole in the
wall shops selling all manner of strange things and artist
enclaves. During the summer, Sodermalm has plenty of outdoor
cafes and a friendly feel.
Karlskrona
If naval history is your thing, Karlskrona gives even St.
Petersburg a run for the money. The entire city has been
designated a historical site and is rife with the naval history
of Sweden. Attractions include naval museums, submarines and a
variety of ships from differing eras.
While naval history dominates Karlskrona, the city has much more
to offer in atmosphere. The older sections of the city have a
heavy baroque style whether for architecture, streets or epic
park areas. There isn't anything particular to point out, but it
is a good city to relax in during the summer. If you need a
couple of days off from racing around Europe, Karlskrona is a
good place to recharge.
Like all of the Nordic countries, Sweden is visually stunning
during the summer. While the long days give you plenty of
opportunity to roam, high prices can put a crimp in the ol'
travel budget.