Travel Tips, Trip Planning & Discount Travel
Stockholm
Stockholm was founded in the 13th century and is strikingly pretty -- arguably one of the most beautiful capital cities in the world. Take one look and you'll understand why it's sometimes called "Venice of the North."
The city is made up of 14 islands connected by some 50 bridges on Lake Malaren, which flows into the Baltic Sea and passes an archipelago with some 24,000 islands and islets (and a lot of summer homes and cottages).
The city's a very lively, cosmopolitan place with both modern Scandinavian architecture (including lots of brass and steel) and a captivating Old Town (Gamla Stan). There's also lots of green space; an impressive one-third of the city's total land area is parks. Nature is close at hand -- you can even fish from some downtown waterways.
Sweden is one of the richest countries in the world and its culture is rich as well with fine museums and historical attractions, not to mention an excellent restaurant scene. Such greats as Greta Garbo, Ingrid Bergman and Ingmar Bergman got their start at the Royal Theater. And at City Hall, Nobel Prizes are awarded each December (all except the Peace Prize, which is given out in Oslo); the prizes are named for inventor Alfred Nobel, who was born here.
The government is ruled by a constitutional monarchy (there is a popular Royal Family), it is highly socialized and the taxes here are among the highest anywhere (if you meet up with locals they are likely to complain).
This is the largest of the Baltic port cities with a population of more than 1.65 million.
--written by Fran Golden