Stockholm, Sweden
Built on 14 small islands on the Baltic front, Stockholm is considered one of the most beautiful cities of Europe, and it is a lively city. After breakfast we boarded a bus that took us on a short tour of the “Peninsula,” where a good number of embassies are situated, as well as numerous lovely houses and a good series of museums. Then we ended the tour at the Vasa Museum.
The Vasa is a big warship, built in the 17th century here in Stockholm – a ship that was to be the king’s ship. With a heavy load of 64 cannons of different calibers, she was terribly top heavy and had too small a ballast (120 tons). After a very short sail, a gust of wind knocked her down, and she sank with sails and sailors. She was forgotten for 333 years, till she was found again, and with a great amount of money and work, she floated again.
Converted into a museum piece, she is considered the world’s best preserved 17th century sailing ship.
On our buses again, we went into the center of the city, called Gamla Stan, and visited the Stadthuset or city hall, an incredible building, where the Nobel Prize dinners are held.
In the afternoon we were free to visit and walk on our own. A series of walks into Gamla Stan were made, as well as a visit to the neighboring island of Djurgarden, and Skansen. Here a good number of old houses and wooden structures are well-preserved for our pleasure.
