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Pre-tour

We arrived in Stockholm two days before the tour began – a long way from our home in San Diego. We quickly fell in love with Stockholm, a city spread out over a group of islands, connected by bridges and an expansive underground Tunnelbana or T-Bana system. It was so easy to get around!

 

Stockholm is committed to limiting its environmental impact. Cars pay a toll to enter the city! We are from California; we drive everywhere! In no time, we learned to navigate using our Rick Steves' guidebook, our phone apps, and the helpful hints in our pre-tour travel package. How great it was to not have to drive!

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Our hotel was close to Central Station. From there, underground metro lines branch out to the various islands that make up central Stockholm. Colorful artistic themes decorate each unique station. Bridges and ferries make for scenic island-hopping on bright summer days.

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Drottningholm Palace

We decided to ease into our first day by taking a scenic ferry ride to visit Drottningholm Palace – the queen's 17th-century summer castle and current royal residence. We made our way to Central Station, bought tickets for the T-Bana, and traveled by scenic ferry across Lake Mälaren to visit the palace.The king and queen were in residence, and we saw Audi limos drive off as we toured the formal gardens – possibly the king at the wheel of one!

Inside the palace, we toured the public areas not inhabited by the current royal family. Our guide told stories of past and present royals and described the significance of the fine art and opulent decor throughout the rooms.

Stockholm Explorations

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Our comfortable hotel was well located on a quiet residential street, close to the metro, the harbor, museums, and shops. Pharmacies were located every few blocks, and a great footwear store, just down the street, had the knee braces and shoe inserts that served us well in the weeks ahead!

 

Following our ferry ride and tour of Drottningholm, we grabbed our Rick Steves Scandinavia travel guide, as we often did over the course of the tour. We choose these activities:

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  • An evening stroll through Kunsträdgården

  • Tour of the Swedish History Museum

  • Walk along the harborfront and across the bridge to Djurgården

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