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Showing posts with label tip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tip. Show all posts
Saturday, November 30, 2013

Photography Exhibition with a Rival Twist

Photo by Daniel Lindberg
Photo by Daniel Lindberg
Photo by Daniel Lindberg
Not only is Daniel Lindberg one of the Rival Hotel's fantastic bartenders, he is also an accomplished photographer! He has had several successful showings in Stockholm, even here at the hotel, and is now rounding off 2013 with a small exhibition of some of his favorite pieces from previous exhibitions. The exhibition is called "This and That" (Ett och Annat) and contains photographs that all have a special meaning for Daniel, including some great images of Stockholm. The showing runs until December 10th and can be seen at Café Mariaberget on Blecktornsgränd 4, just a stone's throw from the hotel. The café is on the way to Monteliusvägen, that I've reported on earlier, with its great views of the city. Great combination... have an espresso at the café and admire his photographs before heading up to see the view. Then, in the evening, you can talk to Daniel as he mixes your cocktails in the Rival's Bar. You never know... you may be able to haggle a good deal on a photograph to take home with you! Café Mariaberget is open from 11am to 6pm on Tuesday through Friday, and 11am to 5pm on Saturday & Sunday.
Check out his website to learn more about Daniel and his work...
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AN art, cafe, tip
Saturday, November 2, 2013

Places With a View Over Stockholm

Looking out at City Hall
You don't have to go far from the Rival Hotel to find a good vantage point to see the city. The hotel's neighborhood is on a slight rise that dominates the island of Södermalm so there are several viewpoints close by. Directly across the street (Hornsgatan) from the hotel you'll see gentle stairs leading up to a small, quaint neighborhood of cobblestone streets. At the end of the the lane you have Monteliusvägen which is a 500 meter long walking path that gives you great views of the Old Town, City Hall and Lake Mälaren. All pictures here are from Monteliusvägen.
Looking back towards the hotel
A little further away, about a 10 minute walk, you have popular Mosebacke Square which connects to Katarinahissen and there you have a view over both Lake Mälaren and the waterfront. Here you will also find the very popular restaurant Gondolen. The popularity is mainly due to the views... be aware that you should book a table here at least 2 weeks in advance. They also have a very nice bar where you can have a drink and admire the views without having to book a table.
Monteliusvägen
If views are your thing, then here are several other spots in Stockholm with great views: restaurant Och Himlen Därtill on top of the Skrapan "skyscraper", historical street Fjällgatan, the TV tower Kaknästornet with restaurant and bar and the newly built SkyView. This last one is a glass gondola that takes you to the top of the Globen Arena, which is located in the southern part of Stockholm. Someday soon I'll try the SkyView and come back with a report...
AN park, restaurants, sightseeing, tip, view
Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Tip #17- Religious Worship, Part 2

Last week I talked about Catholic services in Stockholm, this week it will be about Jewish services.
The largest synagogue is the Great Synagogue of Stockholm (Masorti), which is also recognized as a National Historic Building. It is located on a side street (Wahrendorffsgatan 3b) right off of Kungsträdsgården park. Here you will also find the Jewish Library as well as the Holocaust Memorial which lists 8,500 victims who were realtives of Jews residing in Sweden. More information can be found on their tourist info page. If you are planning on visiting a Shabbat service, you should send in your name to info@jfst.se no later than Friday at 11am.
There are two Orthodox Synagogues in Stockholm... one which is right around the corner from the Rival Hotel. The Adjat Israel, known as Söder Shul, is located on St Paulsgatan a 5 minute walk from us. Adat Jeschurun is located in the Jewish School building in the downtown area. The interior furniture in this synagogue was rescued from the Hamburg Synagogue that survived Kristalnacht.
While we are on the subject, I can recommend the Jewish Museum (Judiska Museet)in here in Stockholm. Located in the Vasastan neighborhood, this museums focuses on the history of the Swedish Jews and their adaption to Swedish society. Open every day but Saturday, entrance costs 60 SEK, 40 for seniors and 20 for students. Free entrance with the Stockholm Card.
AN museum, religion, stockholm card, tip
Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Weather- First Signs of Winter!

The season's first snowfall came this morning covering the city with the white stuff. Sadly, it will have probably melted away by this afternoon. But this is what you can expect from Stockholm weather the next couple of months. Snowfall and then melt... sometimes freezing rain. It is usually not until January that we can expect snow that sticks to the ground for longer periods of time, though winter can be unpredictable: last year we had lots of snow from the middle of December and onwards.
The lesson in this? Be prepared if you are coming to Stockholm this autumn or winter. Check various online weather sites for updated information. Two websites that I recommend are yr.no and smhi.se. I usually try and look at a few weather sites before heading somewhere for vacation as weather isn't an exact science. Be also aware that snow in Stockholm, more often than not, means delays in commuter traffic as well as traffic jams on the highways. If you are travelling by car... drive carefully!
The pictures are taken in Maria Square, in front of the Rival Hotel, this morning...
AN tip, weather
Monday, October 21, 2013

Christmas & New Years in Stockholm

I know. You are thinking "Isn't it a little early to be talking about the holidays?". Not really. The Rival Hotel is starting to receive a lot of room reservations for the holiday season... so it is a good time to come out and explain a little about Swedish holiday traditions and what to expect, so people can plan their trips a little in advance.
Many restaurants close during the holidays. Some close for a few days here and there while others will be closed for up to 3 weeks. Christmas Eve (the big Swedish family time- it is when Santa visits!) is especially tough, followed by Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. The restaurants that are open tend to fill up early, so last minute reservations are sometimes hard to fix. This means that it is prudent to make at least a couple of restaurant reservations before coming to Stockholm. I am in the process of compiling a list of restaurant opening hours during the season. It probably won't be absolutely complete until the end of November, but I already have a fair idea of when many restaurants will be closed. So, if you are staying at the hotel during the holiday season, contact me at concierge@rival.se before arriving and I will give you recommendations for restaurants that are open and then, of course, help you with table reservations. If you are coming in early to middle December, be aware that many restaurants will be only serving a traditional Christmas smörgåsbord, called julbord (also good to prebook). The Rival's Bistro will be open every day of the week, so you don't ever have to worry about going hungry! We will not be serving julbord.
New Year's Eve is another matter. Many restaurants will be open this evening, but here it is good to be aware that all restaurants serve a traditional New Years supper and nothing else. The traditional supper (nyårssupé) is a 3 to 7 course set meal where the diner has a choice between meat & fish for the main course (costs can run anywhere from 400 SEK and up). Vegetarian and allergy options are usually provided. The tradition is that people arrive around 7-8pm and eat a long, leisurely dinner ending in time to view the fireworks. Click here to see The Rival Bistro's New Years Menu as well as other information. Whether eating at the hotel or going out, prebooking a table is an absolute must as restaurants are usually fully booked a few weeks in advance. Once again, contact me at concierge@rival.se for help. Kids of all ages will be setting off fireworks around midnight. The square in front of the hotel is one popular place. Otherwise the official fireworks will take place over the harbour and can easily be seen from anywhere along the waterfront.
AN christmas, new year, tip
Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Tip #17- Religious Worship, Part 1

Sweden is officially a Lutheran/Protestant country and there are plenty of churches in the city offering Lutheran services, but I often get asked by guests about religious services for other denominations and religions. So I thought I would write, in two parts, about how to find Catholic & Jewish services in Stockholm.
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The Catholic Church has several churches within the city limits, and the main diocese church (Domkyrkan) is actually just a 10-15 minute walk from the Rival Hotel. Located near the Medborgarplatsen square... this church offers  several masses daily, with the masses on Sunday given in several languages (Swedish, Polish, Croatian, Italian & Latin). Please contact me or the hotel reception to get actual times for the different masses and when the confessional is open. Another nearby church is St. Eugenia which is located next to the park Kungsträdgården (closest subway Kungsträdgården- blue line) in the downtown area. They also offer several masses daily, with a Sunday 6pm mass in English. Once again, contact us for other mass/confessional times.
Both of the churches websites, linked above, are in Swedish. However the Catholic Church of Sweden has a website with a limited page in English linked here. There you can find mass times of all of the Catholic churches in Sweden as well as some other information.
Next week: Judaism.
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Click here for some other useful tips...
AN religion, tip
Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Tips for Booking a Restaurant in Stockholm!

Photo by Yanan Li, visitstockholm.com
Here comes a couple of great tips for visitors who want to maximize their dining experience in Stockholm! In my job, as Concierge at the Rival Hotel, I book hundreds of tables at different restaurants in Stockholm throughout the year... everything from neighbourhood eateries to Michelin star gourmet restaurants. Some guests contact me a few weeks in advance for restaurant recommendations and help in securing reservations. Others come to me last minute, which can be problematic... especially on a Friday or Saturday evening! If you aren't picky about cuisine, price or location of the restaurant then it shouldn't be a problem. It is, however, depressing (and slightly perplexing) when guests come to me at 6pm on a Friday evening and ask for a table at Stockholm's "trendiest restaurant" or "best seafood restaurant" later on the same evening. This borders on the impossible, especially if they wish for a table during peak dining hours (between 7 and 9pm). My top tip if you are coming on a weekend and want a specific restaurant (or type of restaurant) is to book your table in advance! If you are going to stay at the Rival Hotel then I will be more than happy to help you with this. Otherwise you can contact your hotel for help or... book yourself! Almost all restaurants have an online booking system which you will find on their websites. Click here for some personal restaurant recommendations.
Fine dining at Jonas!
A few extra special tips: Swedes get paid on the 25th of every month. The first weekend after payday is called lönehelg ("pay weekend") and it is very traditional for Swedes, flush with money, to go out to eat & drink on this weekend. In other words it is very important to book a table in advance when visiting Stockholm on just this specific weekend! If you are interested in more high-end gourmet restaurants, like Stockholm's Michelin star restaurants, then there are specific pre-booking requirements. Most of them open up their online booking at midnight (Swedish time) either a month or two weeks in advance depending on the restaurant in question. Tables often go quickly! While I can help Rival guests with these reservations, these restaurants generally want to have personal contact with the guests whether it is to check for allergies or to have a credit card number as a guarantee for the reservation. In other words, I can make a preliminary booking for you after which the restaurant would contact you to guarantee the reservation.
AN restaurants, tip, tourist information
Monday, September 16, 2013

Tip #16 - Fresh Produce on the Menu



Autumn is my favorite season in Sweden for many reasons. I love the crispness in the air and the changing colors of the leaves, but the main reason is the abundance of fresh produce that show up in the supermarkets and restaurant menus. As a visitor, this is the perfect opportunity for you you to sample tastes that are truly Swedish... and when they are most fresh! When perusing menus in restaurants this season, keep your eyes open for the following:

  • Berries- A lot of berries come into season in the forests of Sweden in late summer and early autumn. Besides the familiar raspberries and blueberries (hallon and blåbär in Swedish), give lingon, currants (vinbär) and cloud berries (hjortron) a try! Swedes eat lingon berries, similar to cranberries, with almost anything. Cloud berries have a distinct tart taste and are often added to desserts as a counterpoint to the sweetness.

  • Mushrooms- Two particular favorites from the Swedish forests are chanterelles (kantareller in Swedish) and porcini/cep (Karl Johan svamp). They show up on menus in many forms... sauces, fillings and even cooked in cream on toast. Yummy!

  • Bleak Roe- this Swedish orange-colored caviar (löjrom) can be found on menus year-round, but is at its freshest in the autumn. Though often used in sauces and as a topping/garnish, it is best eaten the traditional way... with toast, creme fraiche, chives and diced red onions.

  • Moose/Elk- it is the hunting season for the king of the forest(älg), while not a personal favorite of mine, it is still worth a taste! You will find them on the menu mainly in the form of stews, but some creative restaurants use the meat to make moose burgers.

The pictures were taken at the outdoor/indoor market at Hötorget, an experience in itself!

Click here for other practical tips!

AN restaurants, tip
Saturday, September 7, 2013

Tip #15 - Seeing a Movie in Stockholm

Want to take a break from sightseeing and take in a movie? Maybe you want to have a dinner & movie date with your loved one in a foreign city? It is quite easy for visitors from abroad to do just this in Stockholm. Sweden does not dub movies... which means that movies are all shown in their original languages, with Swedish subtitles. The only movies that are dubbed are children's movies, though even these are also shown in certain theaters/times in the original language with subtitles. So a family movie night is possible!
The only stumbling block is finding out which movies are playing when, as the schedules appear in Swedish newspapers and in websites with no English version. But this is easily overcome... either talk to me or the reception staff and we'll help you translate- or drop by the movie theater to see the schedule and buy tickets. There are two major multiplexes in downtown Stockholm. One at Hötorget (Filmstaden Sergel) and the other is just a 10 minute walk from the Rival Hotel at Medborgarplatsen (Filmstaden Söder). There are also individual movie theaters spread throughout the city.
AN movies, tip
Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Tip #14- Arlanda Airport VIP Service


Do you wish you could avoid the long lines at airports? Checking in, baggage drop, security, etc; Have you always desired to be able to travel like royalty or a celebrity? Arlanda Airport has now made this possible with their VIP Service. This past May, I was given a tour of the facilities by Roger of the VIP Service and was duly impressed (thanks!). The staff is very personable as well as being experienced and discrete.
The service is for both arriving and departing travellers. When departing, guests arrive at the special VIP entrance where you can drive, or be driven, right up to the door. There you will be met by the staff who will help you with checking in, baggage handling and travel documents as well as take you through the separate security check-point. Afterwards you can relax in their nice VIP Lounges while the staff takes care of all of the practical details. If there is time, a VIP co-ordinator will take care of your duty-free shopping for you. Light refreshments are provided and you can also order additional food and drink. The staff keeps track of when your flight leaves and when it is time you will be driven directly to the airplane in one of their private cars.
When arriving, guests are met as they disembark the plane and within minutes you are sitting in the VIP Lounges while the staff take care of passport and custom details. Relax and enjoy the light refreshments while you wait for your baggage to be delivered to the Lounges. When it is time to leave the VIP co-ordinator will make sure your pre-arranged vehicle is driven up to the door or arrange for a taxi. The Lounges are also available to book for meetings or weddings, and often are. The costs aren't as extravagant as one might expect for this luxury and the thought of avoiding the long lines and hassles is alluring. To book this service, you can either contact them directly or contact me at the hotel (concierge@rival.se) and I will make the necessary arrangements.
AN airport, Arlanda, tip
Monday, July 29, 2013

Tip #13 - Electrical Outlets, Voltage & Adapters

International Adapter
For not that long ago people rarely travelled with electrical gadgets. Maybe the odd hair dryer or electrical razor. These days everyone has something with them that they need to plug in or charge... cell phones, I-Phones, I-Pads, MP3 Players, laptops, cameras, etc; The fact that countries have different outlets and voltage has become more of a problem than it was for 10 years ago. Hotels, such as the Rival Hotel (where I work), often offer electrical adapters for guests to borrow... but, because of the high demand, they do tend to run out of them. I highly recommend purchasing an international adapter, especially if you are travelling to several countries on your trip. They are relatively inexpensive, neither bulky nor heavy and easily purchased at any aiport or hardware store. This way you don't run the risk of being without one on your trip!
Outlet in Sweden (and most of EU)
The voltage in Sweden is 230v and the plugs/outlets are the standard round two-prong Euro-plug used in most Western European countries (not UK or Ireland). Click here for maps showing voltage and outlet-types in different countries.
AN electricity, tip
Sunday, July 21, 2013

Tip #12 - Internet Research Tools


I am a firm believer of doing some research before travelling to a new place. I always think it's good to know a little bit about the history, geography, language, traditions and cuisine of a place before coming there... makes the visit much more enjoyable. It also helps to know what there is to see/do beforehand, so I don't have waste time figuring it out during my visit. Thanks to the internet, doing the research is free and easy. Here are some great websites, besides my world fabulous blog, to help you do some research before arriving in Stockholm... I use many of these websites in my day-to-day work.

I always check the weather of the place I'm heading to a few days before departing (helps with the packing!). Weather forecasting is not an exact science... so it is good to check several forecasts. Somewhere inbetween you'll get the correct forecast!

There are free maps to get at the tourist information center and the hotel, but sometimes it is good to take a peek at a map before arriving to get your bearings.

A few sites in Swedish (for those that speak the language):

  • Dagens Nyheter One of Sweden's leading newspapers. Their supplement (På Stan) on happenings in the city.
  • Allt om Stockholm The newspaper Aftonbladet's version...

Happy surfing!



AN internet, tip, tourist information
Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Tip #11 - Walking/Jogging Paths


The Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation has created special paths throughout the country (110 so far) designed to make walking or jogging safe and easy. There are four in central Stockholm and the paths are well marked with kilometer markers and maps. My favorite is the one that goes around Djurgårds Canal... it is 7 kilometers long, though there is a bridge along the way if you would just like to do a five kilometer walk/run. The walk takes you along both sides of the canal through leafy forests, wetlands, parks and embassy village. Along the way you will find a few cafés, restaurants and ice cream kiosks if you want to take a break. I did the whole walk a few days ago with friends and it just took a couple of hours (with a stop or two).
The other three paths are Södermalm (11 km- and perfect if you are staying at the Rival Hotel), Kungsholmen (9 km) and Brunnsviken/Haga Park (12 km). All three of these paths are through green areas (mainly), along the water and with plenty of interesting things to see... and, of course, there is nothing saying you have to do the whole course!
AN activity, Djurgården, excercise, tip, walk
Monday, June 24, 2013

Tip #10 - Liquor Stores


If you have thoughts of stopping at the grocery store to pick up a bottle of wine... you will be sorely diappointed. There are strong laws in Sweden regarding the sale of alcohol. In Sweden all wine, strong beer, alcohol and liquors can only be purchased at state-run liquor stores called Systembolaget. The only thing that can be sold in regular grocery stores is a weaker beer (3.5% or less alcohol by volume).

The good news is that there are many stores spread out thoughout the city, 23 in downtown Stockholm alone. The stores are large and have a huge variety to choose from. The staff is very knowledgable and happy to help you pick the perfect bottle of wine to go with dinner. The bad news is really their opening hours. They generally close at 7pm on weekdays and 3pm on Saturdays and are closed on Sundays and holidays. So it takes a bit of planning, no popping out last minute before a party for a bottle of wine. You have to be 20 years old to purchase alcohol at Systembolaget (18 years old at restaurants and bars). Check their website for more information.
AN alcohol, shopping, systembolaget, tip
Saturday, June 22, 2013

Tip #9 - Midsummer in Stockholm



(Edit: Please note that this blog entry is from 2013, for 2013 blog entry click here!).
Poor tourists! Every year they wander around Stockholm Midsummer weekend (June 25th to 27th) wondering why the city has been turned into a ghost town. They don't understand that Midsummer rivals Christmas when it comes to a holiday that is celebrated with family and friends. Many stores and restaurants close as Stockholmers head to their countryside homes to celebrate in true pagan style. But, not to fear... there are still plenty of things to do this weekend!
The best bet is to head to Skansen park. There you can witness the traditional Swedish Midsummer celebration... singing, dancing around the maypole, games and much more. Open between 10am and 10pm, there will be celebrations going on all day and evening long. For more information about prices and how to get there, check my earlier blog entry about the park.


There will also be festivities occuring at Vasa park, in the Vasastan neighborhood, starting at 12pm. Fun for the whole family! Otherwise, get into a boat and head to the nearby island of Fjäderholmarna or the town of Vaxholm. Public festivities will be happening at both places. But... be aware of when the last boat goes back to Stockholm so you don't get stuck there!

Here are some special opening hours of some museums this weekend (Skansen is open all weekend):
The NK department store will be open on Friday until 2pm and then closed the rest of the weekend. All sightseeing tours will carry on as normal! For other opening hours, contact the hotel reception.
AN festival, midsummer, Museums, Skansen, tip
Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Tip #8 - Public Transportation


Stockholm has an excellent public transportation system. One company, called SL (Storstockholms Lokaltrafik), runs all buses, subways, trams and commuter trains. Some boats can be travelled on using certain SL tickets... more about that later. This means that travelling through Stockholm is quite easy.
  • The subway is very easy to understand, especially compared to the systems in larger cities like Paris, London & New York. There are three lines (blue, red and green) that cross the city like a starfish, all meeting under the Central Train Station.
  • Buses travel all over the city and can take you quite far out into the countryside... there are 4 cross-town buses (1, 2, 3 & 4) which are easy to spot as they are blue instead of red.
  • There is also a commuter train network (called "pendeltåg") if you are planning to travel to the outskirts of Stockholm or to get to the International Fair at Älvsjö. There are several trams and street car lines included in SL tickets. The ones that are important (from a tourist standpoint) is the line running out to Saltsjöbaden, a popular seaside resort, and the one connecting the Ropsten subway station to the island of Lidingö... where you can find the seaside town of Gåshaga as well as the sculpture garden at Millesgården. Finally you have an old fashioned street car travelling between the island of Djurgården and the NK department store.
  • SL tickets/cards work on the two ferries going out to the island of Djurgården as well... though not one-time tickets.
Ticket prices- one time tickets cost 40 SEK if you buy them at the turnstyle, 30 SEK if you buy them at an SL center or in a kiosk, like Pressbyrån. More economical choices are the 24 hour pass (100 SEK), 72 hour pass (200 SEK) and 7 day pass (260 SEK). Prices are reduced for youth (20yrs and under) and seniors (65yrs and over). These passes can be purchased at an SL Center or a Pressbyrån kiosk. Click here for the entire price list. The most convinient SL Centers are located in the Central train station and the Slussen subway station. Be aware that bus tickets can not be purchased on the bus!
The Stockholm Card works on all public transportation run by SL. They can be purchased at a tourist information center or a SL Center. Some hotels do sell them as well.
AN boat, bus, SL, stockholm card, subway, tip, train
Friday, June 7, 2013

Tip #7 - Money, money, money... SEK, Euros and Credit Cards.


(EDIT: this is an older blog article... click here for updated information) Sweden is one of three EU countries (along with Denmark and the UK) that opted to keep their currency and not use the Euro. Boy, are we happy today that we made that decision! The currency in Sweden is called the Swedish crown, or the krona (SEK). Over the past year, one dollar would buy you about 6-8 crowns and one euro would buy you about 9-11 crowns.
Some people, travelling through Europe, find it a bit bothersome that Sweden does not use the euro. One good thing to know is that you really do not need to exchange a lot of money. Credit and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere in Stockholm... taxis, boats, kiosks, stores, movie theaters, restaurants, bars, etc; It is very rare that a business does not accept credit/debit cards. One can also use bank machines(ATMs), called Bankomats, to withdraw money and then you will get the bank exchange rate.
If you are looking for a place to exchange money or buy SEK, then I recommend Forex. They are found throughout the city at 17 locations, including Arlanda, the train station, NK department store and the Old Town. They have good exchange rates there and do money transfers as well.
AN Arlanda, exchange, tip
Thursday, June 6, 2013

Tip #6 - Sightseeing Tours


There are a myriad of sightseeing tours of Stockholm available... by boat, by bus or on foot. The majority of the tours are provided by the company Strömma. If I was to recommend one tour to take then I would say that you shouldn't miss "Under the Bridges". It is an 1 hour and 50 minutes long boat tour that takes you around most of Stockholm, both the new and old neighborhoods. It really gives you a good overview of the city and Stockholm should really be seen from the water to be appreciated! The cost is 190 SEK (half off for children 6-11yrs) and is guided (8 languages to choose from) through earphones. Coffee and snacks are available on board. During the summer the tour leaves at the top of the hour (11am to 6pm) from in front of the Grand Hotel.

If you are looking for the most extensive sightseeing tour available, then "The Grand Tour" is your best bet. A bus & boat combination tour that lasts 3 hours 30 minutes and costs 420 SEK (half off for children 6-11yrs). Departs 10.30 and 12.30 daily from Gustaf Adolf's Square (after July 1st they add a tour at 2.30pm as well).
With the Stockholm Card you get discounts on some tours (not the above mentioned tours) like the Royal Canal Tour, Panorama bus tour and the Open Top bus tour.

AN boat, sightseeing, stockholm card, strömma, tip
Friday, May 31, 2013

Tip #5 - Café culture



I often, at work, get asked to recommend a good place for lunch. While there are restaurants open for lunch... one can't escape the immensely popular café culture that you find in Sweden. Swedes, along with their fellow Scandinavians, are the top coffee consumers in the world. There are cafés on every corner throughout Stockholm and they are excellent places to eat lunch. Besides coffee, espresso drinks, tea and pastries they usually have good lunches... everything from salads, grilled sandwiches to regular lunch dishes. They are also excellent places to people-watch and get a feel of the city's pulse!


Stockholmers love to socialize in cafés and even have a word for it: fika (fee-ka). Both a verb and a noun, it means basically to take a break and meet casually with friends over coffee/tea and light food. Truly a Swedish social institution! So, my recommendation for lunch in Stockholm is to stop in at one of the many cafés, order a caffe latte and a grilled sandwich and watch Stockholmers doing what they like to do best.
AN cafe, lunch, restaurants, tip
Sunday, May 26, 2013

Tip #4 - General Tourist Information


Swedes are famous for being organized to a fault... and this goes for providing tourist information as well. The Stockholm Visitors Board does a superb job of helping tourists plan their visit as well as helping them once they've arrived. Their website is full to the brim with information of where to visit, eat and shop as well as things to see and do. It is constantly being updated and is therefore a good place to see what events are going on in the city. You can also pre-order your Stockholm Card here. One can even book a private authorized guide via their website. As a concierge, I find this website indispensable.

Already in the city and need help? The Visitors Board has a great Tourist Information Centre located in Sverigehuset (The Sweden House) across the street from the NK Department Store in Kungsträdgården. Be advised though that they will be moving to a new location adjacent to the central train station in September 2013. Here you will find maps, tips, brochures for all attractions in and around the city as well as a pleasant staff that can help you book tickets, guides, places to stay and generally guide you through the city and archipelago. You can also buy the Stockholm Card here! It is open daily all summer long...

Besides the main tourist information centre in the city, they also have one located in Arlanda Airport at terminal 5 arrival hall and smaller information counters at terminals 2 and 4.
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General tip: Be informed and prepared before travelling to Stockholm (or any city for that matter). Your hotel concierge and the tourist centre staff will be able to give you better information and recommendations if you have a general idea of what the city has to offer or what you are interested in seeing/doing. Doing a little online research and viewing a map goes a long way...!
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AN Arlanda, tip, tourist information
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