TTMA Sweden (Stockholm/surrounding area and Turku, Finland)

[Apple]

The travel bug hit hard today, and while looking at Kayak.com, I found a flight to Sweden for $360. So, I booked it. I'll be there for 8 nights, late April/early May.

I've been to a few places in Europe (a few two week trips and one five week trip), but I know almost nothing about Sweden. Also, I will be traveling solo for the first time (I've always had my son on past trips, but was just the two of us, so I'm comfortable with the thought of being alone and responsible for everything.)

My flights are in and out of Stockholm. I don't know if I want to stay in one place for the entire trip, only take short day train trips (returning to my room at night), or if I want to visit different cities (I have no issues with hoping a train every other day and seeing something new, I enjoy train travel, but travel is ok, but I won't be driving).

I wouldn't know what other cities to visit, but prefer the distance this time to be no more than about 6 hours/day, unless I do a night train/ferry (we night trains on our last trip and I really enjoyed that--a lot of distance covered while I could sleep through it, so it wasn't a big time suck). I've been to Denmark, so I'd be looking at Norway or Finland.

I love history. I love Viking/medieval/dark ages/old history/war history. I'm not into "modern" (I was not a fan of Tate Modern in London). I'd stay the night in a castle again if it wasn't too expensive.

I love to walk all over the place. I use my room only to sleep and shower (and sometimes eat if I bought some food at a local market). I'm usually off and running around 9 am, and stay out until 11/12/1 in the morning.

Not really a drinker or party girl, not looking to hook up, just want good sites and good food.

I'll go see a show (even if I don't understand the language), so if there is a good theater, I'm game.

I tend to "budget travel" rather than go all-out. But, I like to find one fun/special thing to do on a trip (like Gladiator school in Rome, Ceremony of the Keys in London, etc).

I also enjoy walking tours (have done ghost tours, a Jack the Ripper tour, etc).

So, hit me with what you've got!

[Apple]

While typing that up, I explored a ferry to Helsinki a little bit... I could do an overnight ferry (around 5 pm to 10/10:30 am each way). I'd have plenty of time to explore Stockholm during the day, take the ferry to Helsinki, and still have lots of time during the day to wander around there. Then take the ferry back the next day or day after (depending on if I'd want two days in Helsinki or three).

Bonus--if I share a room, it would be less than $40 each way. I've shared a sleeper cabin with my son and two other women when we were taking a night train in France, and that worked out just fine.

So, Helsinki recs would be very much appreciated as well.

[Apple]

Or Turku... Looked at the ferry, and they go here as well. Trip would be shorter, cheaper, and doing a little quick look at Turku, I may enjoy it more (a little smaller, which, coming from a small town, might be more relaxing for me).

So, Turku vs Helsinki? I'm pretty sure I'm going to do the overnight ferry to one of these two places.

[alabamagal]

I’ve been to Sweden (Stockholm) and Norway on work trips. No specific recommendations, but your trip sounds awesome!

[Tennesseer]

If you can make your way to Gothenburg, Sweden from Stockholm, you can take the ferry to Copenhagen for a day trip (assuming you have never been to Copenhagen or Denmark).  I did the reverse many years ago while in Denmark to tick Sweden off my places to go list.

[Apple]

Nov 23, 2018 11:36:26 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

If you can make your way to Gothenburg, Sweden from Stockholm, you can take the ferry to Copenhagen for a day trip (assuming you have never been to Copenhagen or Denmark).  I did the reverse many years ago while in Denmark to tick Sweden off my places to go list.

I've been to Denmark (though not Copenhagen), so looking more at Norway or Finland for a second country this trip.  But thank you!

[Apple]

Nov 23, 2018 7:25:20 GMT -5 alabamagal said:

I’ve been to Sweden (Stockholm) and Norway on work trips. No specific recommendations, but your trip sounds awesome!

Thanks   It's been one of my goals to travel more.  My work schedule is perfect for it.

[Apple]

I have a rough plan (with everything booked, but refundable/free cancellation, in case things change).

Stay in Stockholm 3 nights (3 full days to explore).
Take overnight ferry to Turku, stay one night, have 2 full days to explore, take night ferry back to Stockholm.
Have 2 more full days to explore Stockholm/surrounding areas.

I don't have to be at the ferry until 7 and 8 in the evening, so I'm counting those days as full days, even though I'll have to stay close to the area.

I have three days where taking a day trip out of Stockholm is doable. I will be there (in Stockholm) May 1, which is their Labour Day. Not sure how much will be closed during that time, so I'll have to check before I make plans for that day.

Y'all should be proud of me... this is already more planning than I put into my "five weeks in Europe" trip!  Mostly because there is a holiday and a long boat ride in there where changing things up last minute would most likely mean not going to a second country.

If I miss too much, I'll just have to go back!

[Apple]

Oh, and so far, major trip costs (flight, ferry, rooms) are under $800 for 7 usable days and 8 nights!  I'll have a shared room and bath on the ferry, but otherwise it's all private room and bath.

[busymom]

Wow!  That sounds like a great trip.  I'd go for it, too!     We'll expect a full report once you return, of course...  

[tcu2003]

We loved the Vasa Museum in Stockholm! Such a cool place!

We also liked the Nobel Museum, Nordic Museum, Stockholm Cathedral, and Royal Palace. We were able to see the changing of the guard at the palace, which was neat. The Modern Art Museum was okay - we bought one of the city pass things, so that was included and we had time to check it out, so we did.