Traveling to Sweden

Hi,


I'm new here and wanted to say hello. I'm an American male, and I'm travelling to Sweden for three weeks in about 2 weeks. I work in very difficult terrain, so enjoy my mandatory breaks. Anyone have any advice on Stockholm and Darlana? Will mostly shop, eat well, spa, and volunteer on a farm. Would love to meet anyone in the area for coffee and conversation. Any advice on a nice boutique accommodation would be nice too. Take care, looking forward to contributing to the forum.

 

I had visit Stockholm many times in the past but,not Darlana. Hope the members from Sweden can give you a hand in visiting such a lovely country. I don't mind learning new thing about Sweden.

 

Hi Thanks! I was starting to think no one was around. Either way, I'll have a good time. Like I said before, lots of shopping, museums and such. Really excited. Travel tips from locals is always better though! Take care! Back to the grind stone!

 

I am born and raised in Stockholm, never been to Dalarna. I have been away for a very long time but should be able to help quite a bit if you define what you are looking for.

We also have a member called Sweden who lives there and if she sees this, perhaps she could help also.

 

Well , I probably will hit all the Big walking attractions. But I want to hear any suggestions from those who know the area well on cool tins to do, that are not necessarily touristic, authentic Swedish eateries for example. Also suggestions on any good night clubs and bars to meet new people. I hear Swedes are tough cookies to meet, if you're not in thier social circles. Would like to meet some cool people as well for drinks and dinner perhaps though. Loooking for a cool boutique place to stay, I don't like the standard hotel rooms, not my style. Any Spa suggestions for massages/facials would be nice. Yeah, I'm a dude, but like my pampering too. any help is appreciated. Thanks for responding.

 

Welcome to the forum, Salmon. Hope you enjoy your travels abroad.

 

On my many visits to Stockholm there is something different. For starters get your money changed at the FOREX place. You can't miss it they are yellow and has a queue. Hold to your wait number until you see it flash on the FOREX screen.

 

LOL, I'm not new to travelling. Just new to Sweden. Thanks for the info though, it could be helpful for a new traveller. I've been living and working outside the US for 13 years. I'm familiar with the basics. When was the last time you were there?

 

LOL. There is lines everywhere in Sweden, we queue patiently everywhere and cutting in line there is sacrilegious, I think its worse than mudrer (J/K). These little number boxes like at DMV is used pretty much anywhere. Apparently us Swedes love them


Never brag in Sweden, if someone gives you a compliment, you wave it away and place the honor on others - saying "thank you" is not common in Sweden, its sort of viewed as arrogant, egalitarian society. Swedes like conformity although that is slowly going away.

Cant suggest bars or anything else as I have been gone too long. Operakallaren in Kungsan is still viewed as a hot spot though I think.

Swedes drink fairly liberally and even though Swedes are generally reserved, that goes away with a few drinks under their vest. At bars etc, if you approach smarty and not out of nowhere, youl be fine. Americans are usually very welcomed at such places and youll find people would love to talk to you.

Old Town is a must, and also taking ferries out in the Stockholm archipelago is a must. Fjaderholmarna is one place cool to visit.
Skansen/Gornalund - an out doors "museeum and an amusement park is fun places to visit - there are a lot of museums nearby (such as VASA, a fantastic museum). Ther are also lots of cafes nearby and Swedes love to stroll or just hang out in the parks nearby that area.. lost of pic-nics, frisbee etc going on. Swedes are outdoorsy and active - especially during the summer, spend most of the day outside.

I will think about more later.

 

Safe travels, mate. Enjoy your stay.

 

Thanks Soulthinker. I have most of those things on my list, except for the bar. I'm interested to see how things go. I hear/heard black people are not treated well (immigrants). Obviously as a Black American, based on color alone someone could confuse for an immigrant. Let's see how it goes. Would love to hear from Swedes on the matter. Maybe it will be different as I'll be viewed as tourist, not a immigrant based on language. The job market is particularly tough I hear for immigrants, many not wanting to assimilate or learn the language well. Very complex issue. Here's a great dissertation on it that I read to prepare me for the trip:

http://repository.library.brown.edu:8080/fedora/objects/bdr:116/methods/bdr-sdef:pdf/getPDF

Race issues and perception is fascinating to me.

The fitting in bit in Sweden is called LAGOM! I understand, based on my research. I'm as opposite as a Swede as one can get I guess.

 

The last time I had been to Sweden it was four years ago. The club I go to was Farching which is not far from Central Station. Every Saturday there is Soul Night where the DJ plays the hits from the 60's and 70's. In any club don't be surprised when a boucer use a excuse that you are wasted and you are not especially if you are Black. I don't know why but if it happens to me when I ever go back to Stockholm I will bych in any message board Swedish or otherwise. Geek is right on the queue not just at FOREX but,anywhere in Stockholm. I love museums and there are several I visit. Make sure to visit the ABBA Museum I was disapointed that it was still not open during my last stay there. Also the Nobel Museum in the Old Town where I listened to the Nobel speech of Martin Luther King Jr. Oh yes,check out the website www.whoa.nu It is all Swedish but,type some English so you may have a friend. Even thoush some Swedes do get totally wasted it is only a few who get falling down drunk. Only in Russia and some places where you see a lot of hard partiers.

 

What do you mean about the bouncers? Do they throw you out of the clubs. How crude! Do explain more my friend.

 

The thing of the boucers happen when you try to enter the club. I always have my passport handy and in spite of that they will try to have a excuse. Even at my fave place they tried to do that shyt but,somehow I get in because I was with a group of folks. On my past posts I said it take time for Swedish girls to thaw to a strange man. With the exception if you are famous. Sweden can be cold like a freezer and you will see headlines in the Swedish tabloids of big cold fronts that brings a lot of snow. Get some mosquito repellent if you go to the woods during the summer months. I had not gone during that season but,I read it is unconfortable sometimes. Get those tourist cards so you can go to the museums for free or get a card that locals use that do the same. Also,get those mass transit passes to go by tram or subway.