Combovers Things To Do Before You're Bald

Stockholm

Pearl of the Baltic Sea

Although London is the place to be for royal fans and other tourists at the moment following the royal nuptials, only a year ago all eyes were on Stockholm. In June last year, Sweden´s Crown Princess Victoria married her long-time boyfriend, commoner Daniel Westling with the country´s breathtakingly beautiful capital as the backdrop. Although Victoria may not be the royal 'princess of the moment' anymore, Stockholm is definitely still a summer destination worth a visit.

The best way of arriving into Stockholm is by ferry, as that way you get to enjoy the vast archipelago around the city, breathe in the sea air and wave from the deck to locals enjoying their saunas and warm summer nights at their summer cottages. Of course you can also reach Stockholm by plane or train as well. The international airport of Arlanda is situated 37 km north of the city and the central railwaystation is right in the city center.

Stockholm has something to offer for just about everyone. It is famed for its historical sites such as the Vasa Museum, the Royal Palace and the charming old town. Skansen Zoo is a treat for the whole family and a favourite for kids, plus the amusement park of Gröna Lund and the fairy-tale world of Junibacken which is a must for all fans of Astrid Lindgren´s books and characters. Another great tip is visiting the island of Skeppsholmen and the numerous museums that reside on this old military island nowadays, the Museum of Modern Art is definitely worth a visit. Another interesting museum to visit in Stockholm is Fotografiska, a center for contemporary photography which opened in 2010.

If you´re more interested in shopping than sightseeing, there is a lot on offer as well. The area around Drottninggatan and Kungsgatan in the city center has all the big Swedish department stores like Åhléns and NK plus there is a H&M store on just about every street. Whereas Södermalm is the place to be for second-hand buys and vintage finds, head to Hornsgatan where you can find various second-hand stores and design shops.

After a lond day of sightseeing and shopping it´s good to let your hair down and enjoy the Stockholm nightlife. Probably the most famous area when it comes to partying is Stureplan, the home to some of the city´s most well-known and expensive restaurants and bars. Stureplan is where the royal offspring mingle with local celebrities. But if expensive cocktails and bottles of Dom Pérignon isn´t your thing (or out of your budget) you might want to head off to Södermalm. Take the tunnelbana (the Swedish underground) to Medborgarplatsen and find a more relaxed atmosphere and affordable drinks in the bars of Götgatan.