Stockholm

We got here yesterday after a reasonably painless flight from Dallas to London, and then on to Stockholm where we were greeted with lovely balmy weather and blue skies.  The hotel where we're staying is a quirky little boutique hotel in Gamla stan, Stockholm's old town which dates back to the thirteenth century.  Gamla stan is similar to many European old towns with its medieval cobbled streets, narrow winding streets and alleyways, and charming narrow buildings which always seem slightly askew.  It's my first trip to Sweden however, and I'm never ceased to be amazed at how each country has a "look" and a character about it that sets it apart.  I can't describe it but Gamla stan just looks different from the old towns in Paris, Amsterdam or Rome.  

Maybe it's the people...but more about that later.

The hotel is called Collector's Victory Hotel--great location, we've walked everywhere in this part of Stockholm--and with a nautical theme.  It's loaded with authentic figureheads from old ships, all sorts of old ship memorabilia and paintings and framed needlepoint all with a seafaring attitude. Last night we had a drink in the hotel bar which drips with atmosphere and is clearly a hangout for trendy locals dropping in after work.  There are several restaurants in the hotel, one of which is named Animal (in Swedish of course) and their schtick is that they choose one animal (beef, pork, lamb, whatever) and that's all they serve for a whole season.  At the moment the animal is veal.  We are going to try to eat there tonight but they are booked so we may not get in.  

Sweden from the air

The Hotel reception area with ship figurehead

Stockholmians enjoying one of the city beaches on one of the first warm days of summer

A lovely old cabinet in our room

Part of the hotel bar with ship figureheads

More of the hotel bar, called appropriately, Tweed

The wine bar filled with people the night before