Monday in Stockholm, and our final full day of visiting in Sweden! Couple of adventures on the horizon today, as well as the expectation of more rain around suppertime. Thus, some itinerary juggling to utilize outdoor attractions during better weather and to make sure on transportation / attraction details. Then off to start Day Eight of our Scandinavia tour! This day felt like it was going to be eclectic from the first to last attraction.
For something very different, and a first for us, we are doing a Fika Tour this morning. Fika (pronounced fee-ka) is a tradition that involves taking a break, often with coffee or tea, and a sweet treat like a pastry or open-faced sandwich. It’s more than just a coffee break; it’s a social occasion and a way to relax and connect with others, whether colleagues, friends, or family. The twist on this morning is the tour and information was being provided via AI generated info (App – Autoura)! Here’s how it went!
After a commute to the Vasatan neighborhood of Stockholm, we moseyed to our recommended starting space. For efficiency, I’ll list the itinerary here;
Cafe Pascal – Chat suggested Coffees ☕️ of our liking and Cardamom / Cinnamon Buns. Service was excellent… coffee spot on! We loved the Cardamom buns.
Observatorielunden – Park that overlooks a portion of Stockholm. Super views! Home to Stockholm Observatory built in 1753, the spot still gives you that magical “top of Stockholm” feeling. It was a tip from App in order to create a walk/space between Fika spots.
Vasaparken – The heartbeat of the area, a full service park with fields / playgrounds hosting everything from football matches, to outdoor art shows, to autonomous lawn mowers! Built on reclaimed swamp land… sound familiar Canso folks? Info supplied by Autoura.
Fabrique Stenugnsbageri – Classic Stockholm bakery where we enjoyed iced drinks and Chokladboll / Rawboll. Putting the Timbits to shame for sure!!! Loved the setting… service amazing! Dessert choices offered in App – Largest, cleanest bathrooms in Stockholm 😂.
Casja Warg – Boutique grocer that was absolute eye candy… butcher, baker, candlestick maker kind of shopping. We made the huge purchase of some gourmet licorice 😋! App led us from one Metro stop to this business, conveniently adjacent to Metro back to city centre.
It was here, just two minutes from the metro stop, that we ended our tour. I thought the AI guided piece of this had amazing possibilities… so quick, eerily accurate, and readily open to deep dives in information. Ms Lumsden was a little more skeptical and cautious of AI… less apt to share information and having a little more science oriented approach, but entertained by the experiment.
I guess nothing screams more loudly of Sweden 🇸🇪 to us than that blue and yellow chain, IKEA! Well, the mother ship lands in downtown Stockholm!!! An 8,000 square meter IKEA City – Stockholm store spanning three floors in the shopping center Gallerian, and described by Janie as similar to home! Ms Lumsden and I have lots of IKEA product at home, and she went walkabout to put eyes on the Swedish at home version of the international chain. Her best description was that “IKEA provides an incredibly “easy” customer experience”.
It was here that my phone screamed “Low Power”, so Janie rejigged hers and off to the races again, in search the Swedish Army Museum (Armémuseum). We easily gained access, and the floors weren’t busy so lots of time to look and learn. This collection, although appearing a little outdated with dioramas and glassed models in showcases, was set up well with solid information and excellent artefacts.
We look for balance in this type of museum… what do the creators say about things gone right or, conversely, things that are questionable? Is there something for kids, adults, residents, visitors… are all faces represented? Notable nods to the Raoul Wallenberg exhibit for his work during WWII to save Jewish lives by providing a channel for emigration (estimated to have saved the lives of over 20,000 Hungarian Jews). However, would’ve loved to have had a more earnest examination of Sweden’s stance of neutrality while at the same time exporting 3% of the global arms / munitions to foreign countries. Lots of food for thought… overall a worthwhile visit for us war nerds!
Being only a 5 minutes walk from the much heralded Östermalm’s Food Hall led us down the street, in what were darkening skies, to this amazingly inviting location. Almost everything one could imagine, in a very upscale and gorgeously presented food space. Not the robust, working style markets we saw in Athens but a polished, organized presentation of products, eateries and bar / cafe spaces.
Janie eyed a few items, including marinated salmon, seafood pâté and sweet cucumber pickles that fashioned an amazing PM snack for two (now officially wet) travellers for an afternoon lunch. Stopping by at these markets, to both look and eat, has been a part of most trips for us for some time. This, in short, was one of the most aesthetically pleasing (sight / sound / smell) that we’ve had the pleasure to enter!
When it rains, like it has in Stockholm, we plan a little differently. In fact, it’s good to have a list of outdoor / indoor activities that can be easily juggled should there be tough weather. We had planned for this case while at Stockholm, and were able to switch several items to “better weather” while dropping other under cover. As such, our last real itinerary item turned out to be an indoor (sort of) tour, the “Art of Stockholm Metro”, created by blogger Happiest Outdoors.
In my online efforts, I had seen several potential “self-guided” tours of Metro Art in Stockholm’s extensive subway network. I selected one, rendered it to a file usable for iPhone, and off we went on a wet Monday night! We weren’t disappointed, and came to really appreciate the care the creator put into making it work!
Lots of highlights and we spent over two hours touring, but here are our takeaways! We love public art… especially when it’s also purposeful. To take otherwise bland or industrial spaces and create themed art projects quite nicely reflects Swedish ingenuity on full display. Taking everyday infrastructure and maximizing the opportunity to display the larger story of Stockholm and its historical and natural resources… brilliant!
The art offered us a glimpse at a range of Swedish cultural influences – family, hard work, industrial advancements, and acknowledgements of both successes in science and history. In the end, we were so glad to have done the tour. Like kids on a scavenger hunt we sought out the many stations, read instructions twice, and made darn good fun from a single metro ride!
Then homeward, via our favorite Irish Pub in Stockholm… we have quite a collection abroad 😂! Before bed it was set-up for a Tuesday travel day. Hitting the train station early so alarms set and homework (ie. AirBnB check-in’s, bags packed, apartment sorted). “So long Stockholm” (sounds like a song) and “Hello Oslo” (that rhymes 😂).
Concert at St.Ninians tonight …. a fundraising event for restoration of the painted ceilings.
I am also hoping it won’t rain. Sounds like the wet weather in Stockholm didn’t slow the Lumsdens down!!
Hope that the fundraiser is fun 🤩. We’re bracing for a travel day tomorrow… Norway 🇳🇴 here we come! We got rain tonight but it worked out well… we spent the whole time underground 😂. One more city and then our attention turns to home, Stanfest and even some Blue Jays action (they are playing very well Eileen 🤞). Thanks for the note as always.
Looks like an amazing time! Loved the photo of Janie in the canal! The food looks incredible – enjoy your time in Norway! 🇳🇴
Janie and I will take any opportunity to be on (or in) the water when we get the chance. We’re looking forward to the train trip to Oslo tomorrow (chance for some sleep) and exploring our third new country this trip! We’re loving Scandinavia… Hope all is good where you are (I’m guessing the island)! 😌
Wow. On to Norway already!! I have so many questions but I won’t burden you with too many. Wondering what the overall ‘vibe’ is in these cities? Similar to other places you’ve visited or do you definitely ‘feel’ you’re in another different part of the world? How is the response to tourists? I see you’re in some Airbnb’s and I know those often cause issues with local residents. I hate seeing the response in places like Venice and Barcelona but I totally understand how tough it must be to no longer to be able to rent in your home area. On the other hand, the tourism industry is key in so many spots.
Wow… awesome questions. Answer does vary between cities, but I’ll throw some “top down” initial takings from Scandinavia ‘25;
Wondering what the overall ‘vibe’ is in these cities?
It’s relaxed, but folks do “get shit done”. It’s clean, it’s quiet, it’s efficient, forward thinking (engineering / environment / sustainability). It’s really sneaky how this smaller northern group of countries has infiltrated world market with some really amazing and innovative brands.
Similar to other places you’ve visited or do you definitely ‘feel’ you’re in another different part of the world?
Definitely different! There is an understated wealth (different from Italy / France / Britain) that feels smart… as if earned and shared in the expense of overall good. Like Canada, the resource base is vast (forest / mining / technology / water) and is at the heart of this economy.
How is the response to tourists?
They really don’t outwardly seem to be bothered by it, and we’ve experienced unsolicited help while street-side. Language is a non-issue… crossing over seamlessly. They are astute, and seem to know (by appearance) we are North American and start speaking in English.
AirBnB situation!
They really seem to understand that it is an important piece to an overall healthy economy. That being said… they love rules! I’m almost positive that the accommodation industry is heavily regulated (taxes as well) so that these dollars pay for infrastructure, marketing and most likely hospital beds. In short, my Dad would call this “A necessary evil”!
And I am loving the extra ‘food focus’ on this trip. You seem to be adding a bit more on each excursion. I love hearing about some of the local treats and specialties. So neat. And I’ve experienced the ‘low power’ thing a couple of times. A bit of a hassle when we rely on the phone for more and more things as we travel. Just wondering… do you travel with an extra travel bank? It’s one more thing to pack but it might be useful to have. We have one but have never travelled to Europe with it. Maybe this time.
Food… nobody more than you that has lead us in that direction. We used to grab a baguette, cheese and bottle of wine everyday and couldn’t afford much more when we started roaming! Even eating from the magic “cooler” in the car was a treat for us. I plan for a couple of food experiences while travelling more seriously now… it takes a good day to an amazing one!
No to the battery pack as of yet! We have one that’s used daily at camp, but nothing on the road. I have heard online of airline issues with them (altitude problem) but that could be an urban myth. Most times it’s just my own stupid fault when I have a dead battery, so I take it on the chin like any good fighter 😂!