Skansen in Stockholm – the Worlds Oldest Open-air Museum

Author: Anders Jonsson

Skansen in central Stockholm is a kind of cultural and historic museum offering environments from different parts of Sweden. Every single building is authentic, as the founder, Artur Hazelius (1833-1901) travelled all over Sweden in order to buy houses and buildings that were typical for different regions. Every piece of wood was sent to Stockholm to be put together again, now as part of the huge open-air installations at Skansen. The oldest house dates back to the 13th century.

An interesting fact is that all the environments that were built up at Skansen remains practically the same today, more than 100 years later.

The name Skansen means “fortification” in Swedish. Now this wasn´t a fortification in a traditional meaning since it was built by the Swedish King Karl XIV Johan (1763-1844) as a playground for his son (Oscar I)…

Skansen recreates traditional Swedish surroundings

But Skansen is not only buildings and houses. The idea that Hazelius had was to recreate complete surroundings, thus you´ll find the corresponding gardens, crop fields, and town streets. In order to complete this authentic picture, these surroundings are alive with craftsmen, bakers and silversmiths in traditional dresses giving you the opportunity to study the way of life in old Sweden.

Zoo with Scandinavian animals like bear and elk

There is also an open-air zoo containing typical Scandinavian animals like bear, wolf and elk. Even though these animals are kept in captivity, their surroundings are in deed spacious recreations of their natural habitat. Skansen has aimed to be authentic since the very beginning.

Events

Skansen plays a central role in several events that takes place through the year. The Swedish Television broadcasts from Skansen every New Years Eve.

The National Day of Sweden (6th of June) also uses Skansen for several events, often inviting royal guests to the celebrations.

Skansen Winter market

The annual winter market at Skansen´s Bollnäs Square is a very popular event that attracts more than 20,000 visitors each weekend. The market has been held every year since 1903. Since December is a pretty cold month, you shoul buy Glögg, hot wine punch, a drink which practically all Swedes taste before Christmas.

About the Author:

Visit Stockholm Museum - Information on Museums in Stockholm, Sweden, a website dedicated to inform about Stockholm and tourist activities in the Swedish capital like museums and other activities.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/skansen-in-stockholm-the-worlds-oldest-openair-museum-729375.html

Transportation Between Arlanda Airport (arn) and Stockholm City

Author: Anders Jonsson

Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN / ESSA) is situated about 40 km north of Stockholm city, halfway to the town of Uppsala. The E4 motorway passes by just a few kilometers from the airport zone so if you have a car or someone who picks you up, the motorway will be the choice.

There are several other alternative ways of transportation that will take you safely from Arlanda to Stockholm city:

- Bus + Commuter train
- Airport coach
- Arlanda Express Train
- Taxi

Public transportation (bus + commuter train)
This is whithout a doubt the cheapest mean of transportation from Arlanda. As a matter of fact it's also pretty convenient. Bus 583 departs from Terminal 5 heading towards Märsta Station.

There you walk 50 meters to the commuter train (Pendeltåg). This train takes you to Stockholm Central in about 40 minutes, the main station in Stockholm and serves as a hub for railway, commuter trains (pendeltåg) and metro (tunnelbana).

This journey will take you about 1 hour. The Stockholm County has been revising the fare system several times lately. Check out the traffic planner of the SL web (Storstockholms Lokaltrafik), SL Journey Planner.

Airport coaches from Arlanda (Flygbussarna)
The Airport coaches have been serving the transportation needs between Arlanda and Stockholm for many years. They are indeed very comfortable, convenient and fairly cheap. Normally they will help you lift your suitcases on board.

A ride with the Airport coaches from Arlanda to Stockholm City Terminalen (don't worry, this is situated next to the Stockholm Central with all the connections with railway, metro and so on...) takes about 50 minutes. Visit their website for up-to-date information on departures, prices and conditions: Flygbussarna.

Arlanda Express - modern high speed train
The Arlanda Express train is the fastest transport alternative. In just 20 minutes this high speed train takes you from Arlanda Airport to the Stockholm Central. Check out for discounts and campaign prices. Sometimes they'll let you ride for half the price.

The train cars are very comfortable with several compartments for luggage in every car. In deed a comfortable way of travelling. For prices and timetable visit the web of Arlanda Express.

Taxi from Arlanda
A taxi ride between Arlanda and Stockholm will take everything between 30 minutes and 1 hour or more, as it depends on the traffic situation. But the Stockholm taxis are allowed to use specific bus lanes, a fact that normally keeps the taxi traffic flowing whitout problems.

The fares are maybe a little more complicated story. Nowadays almost all Stockholm taxi companies offer a fixed price for the Arlanda-Stockholm route. But be aware that this fixed price is variable between the different companies. According to regulations (although the taxi market in Stockholm is in deed very deregulated) you will also have the option to negotiate a price directly with the driver.

If you don't accept the fixed price nor negotiate a price with the driver then make sure that the driver turns on the taximeter. If not, the driver could charge you anything that suits him

Now this won´t be a problem as long as you stay with the major taxi companies, like Taxi Stockholm and Taxi 020.

About the Author:

Visit Stockholm Museum - Information on Museums in Stockholm, Sweden, a website dedicated to inform about Stockholm and tourist activities in the Swedish capital like museums and other activities.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/transportation-between-arlanda-airport-arn-and-stockholm-city-733504.html

Top 5 Unusual Stockholm Hotels

Author: rome sanzio

Every now and then, it is normal for everyone to crave something different and out of the way. One day, you might wake up and for no apparent reason feel like skipping work and spending the day at the movies instead. Or this need for variation may be exhibited in small, somewhat insignificant ways such as opting to order a cold latte with whipped cream instead of the usual hot decaf latte you start your mornings with or wearing white socks instead of the usual black.

Travel and vacations are considered by many as the ultimate form of deviating from the common daily routines we usually lead since it is on vacation and travel that we see new sights, meet new people, and experience new things. However, even vacationing and traveling can take on a humdrum vibe through repetition and consistency. Even you might feel bored with your vacations and travels if you visit a beach every summer, rent a cottage in the woods every winter or have dinner at a hotel every Valentine's day.

Of course, the answer to how you can make vacations and travels more interesting is by injecting some variation and seeking the unusual. One such city that can certainly give you a one-of-a-kind vacation and travel experience like none other is the capital city of Sweden called Stockholm. Take hotels for instance. Most of the rather resemble one another, a five star hotel in this street may be quite identical with the other on the next block. So here's a list of the top 5 most unusual hotels in Stockholm City that are guaranteed to give a pleasant and surprising twist to your usual vacations and travels.

Langholmen Hotel, Stockholm
This first unusual Stockholm hotel is not for the faint of heart. The main construction which is now called the langholmen Hotel, Stockholm was actually built for an entirely different purpose before it was converted into a hotel. Like a hotel, it once housed several “guests” too, although the reason why they are there are not really their decision and they cannot come and go as they please like in a normal hotel. Yes, the facilities which is now called the Langholmen Hotel in Stockholm was once a prison.

The Olde Crown Prison that once housed miscreants of all sorts now has a more inviting atmosphere to it since it was transformed into a hotel. Although the thick concrete walls and the heavy iron doors still remain, a lot of added comforts and conveniences, a touch of color and an overwhelming sense of history and curiosity has made this former prison a hotel you would not want to escape from.

Nordic Sea Hotel
The Nordic Sea Hotel is another Stockholm hotel that piques can easily pique the interest of tourists, travelers and vacationers. This Stockholm hotel is called the Nordic Sea Hotel because of the existence of a large, impressively noticeable aquarium in the hotel that houses hundreds of colorful fishes, plants and other marine animals.

And the presence of the Absolut IceBar definitely boosts up the popularity of the hotel too. You may need fur coats and mittens though because the entire bar, from floor to ceiling and even the glasses, are made from ice.

Af Chapman and Skeppsholmen

If you think a life at sea is both romantic and adventurous, then you might want to stay at the Af Chapman and Skeppsholmen hostel in Stockholm. The hostel is actually found in a boat, or rather the hostel is a boat. A British ship more than a century ago set is anchors along the shores of Sweden and several decades later, it was converted to the hostel we now know as the Af Chapman and Skeppsholmen. You are sure to get a good night's sleep in this Stockholm hotel since the waves of the Lake Malaren would rock you to sleep.

Nordic Light Hotel
If ice bars and humongous aquariums do not pique your curiosity, then maybe the enchanting northern lights would. Experience a dazzling vacation if you check-in at the Nordic Light Hotel also in Stockholm since the entire hotel is based upon the beauty and fascination that the northern lights are popular for. You can easily change the mood and color of your own hotel suite or room by changing the lights at the Nordic Light Hotel. If you're feeling light, a golden yellow lighting may be great and if you want to add a touch of romance, soft pink lights are perfect.

Vanadis Hotell & Bad
And finally, there is also the unusual and historic Vanadis Hotell & Bad which was made from a bathing facility. Bath houses are popular during the early 20th and late 19th century and one of these bath houses was converted into a hotel when the concept slowly lost popularity. The bath house theme is still present and can be seen at the amazing Vanadis Hotell pool area.

For more Stockholm hotel information, whether unusual or not, visit www.Stockholm.net now!

About the Author:

Rome Sanzio is a contributor to several travel sites including www.visitcabo.com, www.mexreservations.com and of course, www.Baja.com. Baja.com has been one of the leaders in providing online information about Baja California for many years. Visit www.baja.com for information on Baja hotels, restaurants, activities, cities, news and many more now!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/top-5-unusual-stockholm-hotels-391134.html