A slightly loose collection vaguely themed on other areas of Stockholm and transport. First a little tour beginning at Kungsträdgården.
Fountain in the central square of Kungsträdgården [59 19 55 N, 18 4 16 E].
Ferry dock. With thousands of islands making up the Stockholm archipelago, the ferries operate much like buses.
Bridge over to the small island of Skeppsholmen [59 19 39 N, 18 4 43 E].
The car isn’t actually on the boat – it’s just the perspective!
Skeppsholmen is home to a small, but perfectly formed, museum of boats.
A ferry shuttles between the islands of Skeppsholmen and Djurgården saving a long journey round.
The tiny islet of Kastellholmen viewed from the Djurgården ferry.
Design is naturally a serious business for Stockholmers!
Stockholm’s central station [59 19 48 N, 18 3 26 E].
Commuter train to Bålsta, where the meeting was being held. Needless to say, the transport was all very clean and efficient and generally well signposted – although the platforms for the commuter trains only seemed to be announced when the train was in the station!
Accommodation
On the weekend before the meeting I stayed in the Adlon Hotel [59 20 0 N, 18 3 26 E] in Norrmalm. Oddly prices seemed cheaper over the weekend than during the week, and this was an excellent hotel at a very reasonable price for central Stockholm.
Note the triple glazing (so road noise from Vasagaten was minimal) and the thermometer telling you the temperature outside – very handy!
On the return leg, I stayed at the Victory Hotel [59 19 27 N, 18 4 4 E]. Like all hotels in Gamla Stan, the room was small and not cheap, but it was a nice treat. (The “Victory” comes from admiral Nelson’s flagship. The same owners also run the Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton hotels in Gamla Stan – spot the theme?)
Food recommendations
The Café London Steakhouse (Bryggargatan 2) didn’t sound too appealing or look that special from the outside, but the steak was excellent and good value. I just forgot the rule to skip dessert in restaurants outside the UK (where the puddings may be the best bit!).
Patrick’s Bar (Götgatan 29) was a good choice for some pub food and a wiess beer during a wander round the slightly shabby-verging-on-trendy area of Södermalm [59 19 0 N, 18 4 20 E] .
The adjacent cafés of Chokladkoppen and Cafekoppen on Stortorget are great places to watch the crowds go by, and the food is good and great value.