Välkommen till Sverige-Welcome to Sweden

I had never been to the Scandinavian region before, but as a keen traveller, when the opportunity to explore Stockholm, Sweden arose, I just couldn't refuse.

For the next two weeks from the 1st to the 14th of December, my wife Leila was invited by an Institute in Stockholm, Sweden for a research program.

We decided to go as a family, and when she is busy at the Institute, I will be looking after our daughter Ondeya at the hotel while working remotely from my laptop.

In our free time we will be exploring Stockholm.

With those plans in our bags and baby in row, we headed to Riga International Airport on the 1st of December. At the check In desk we presented our Covid 19 Certification and checked in our luggage.

Our flight with Ryan Air was comfortable and the flight from Riga to Stoockholm took about an hour. It was my 9 months old daughter Ondeya's first flight and she enjoyed every minute of it.

Sweden

Sweden is a Scandinavian nation with thousands of coastal islands and inland lakes, along with vast boreal forests and glaciated mountains. Its principal cities, eastern capital Stockholm and southwestern Gothenburg and Malmö, are all coastal. Stockholm is built on 14 islands. It has more than 50 bridges, as well as the medieval old town, Gamla Stan, royal palaces and museums.

Capital: Stockholm

Dialing code: +46

Area: 450,295 km²

Population: 10.35 million (2020)

Upon Arrival in Stockholm, we boarded the Arlanda Express train link into central Stockholm. We were the only passengers and enjoyed the quiet and their free wifi.

From the Central station we caught a bus to our accommodation, the Biz APT Hotel apartments situated in the suburb of Östermalm.

My first impressions of Sweden are positive as it is a multi cultural nation and the people seem friendly.I can also understand some phrases as I speak German and Dutch.

I was only appalled that almost no one is wearing face masks in public here and no one seems to care.

Friday, the 3rd December we visited City Hall.

Stockholm City Hall

The City Hall is famous for its grand ceremonial halls and unique pieces of art, and is the venue of the Nobel Prize banquet held on 10 December every year. It will be quite an honour to be here while that's happening.

It also houses offices for 300 people including the City Council.

Guided tours The City Hall can only be visited on guided tours. Information regarding the visit and our guided tours can be found on the link below.

Visit Stockholm City Hall

In the evening we decided to eat out at a small Lebanese restaurant Hamnen kök & bar

situated near out Apartment hotel.

Their interior might be simple but they food delicious and the friendly waitress made sure we enjoyed our time there. I recommend them for a budget good meal.

Restaurant Hamnen kök & bar

Sandhamnsgatan 37, Stockholm

08-6604023