Thursday June 14th, 2007
We leave on Thursday evening from Milan with Ryan and we arrive at Skavsta, then immediately at the hotel (First Amaranten – it is a little expensive but it is worth it).
Friday June 15th, 2007
The first day we go immediately (just after the St. card) to Drottingholm (we had already been in Stockholm in November).
The castle is amazing to see (there is the sun), with the lake, while on the back there are gardens. The interior of the castle is not very big and you can go rather quickly, while the park extends for a lot (there are also some things to see, eg. a Chinese pavilion, small but nice). In the afternoon we returne to Stockholm and we see the Stadshuset (inside it is modern, there is a few to see, but you can always do a visit (the entrance is included in S. card), then fastly at Arme-museum (a friend said me there you can eat well, but we find that the restaurant has already closed) and then on TV tower (it is a little far, but well connected).
The view is beautiful, it’s amazing to see how much green there is so near (a few minutes from the city center). Then, taking advantage of the long day we go to Skansen, passing by Vasa Museum (we see only the ground floor, we have no time, but it’s always good to see it again). Skansen is an area where there are typical wooden houses and some animals (reindeer, wolves, bears…)
Saturday June 16th, 2007
The day begins well, and the breakfast room is full of models … and Swedish ones. In the morning we go to Sigtuna, but we have some difficulty figuring out how to get there. Sigtuna is … for tourists, in the sense that there are appearing in costume who walk through the streets of the city.
However, if you have half a day, go there. Again in Stockholm to see the downtown: first of all on Riddarholm where there is a church where they buried some kings/queens (in November was closed), then through the streets of Gamla Stan, the center of the city (where there is the royal palace), and then on Katarinahissen, a lift near Slussen (intersection of underground and buses) to see once again a sightseeing of Stockholm.
We walk a little in the commercial area (I do not remember the name) and then at the hotel because the day after will be a long day. The only negative note: even in this period museums close early (16-17).
Sunday June 17th, 2007
We leave Sweden (but we’ll be back in a few days) to Bergen, Norway. Unfortunately there isn’t the sun, but fortunately does not rain. Bergen is nice, but small, absolutely to be seen Bryggen, a district of wooden painted houses (what we usually see in advertising).
We also see the stronghold and some churches. We arrive quite early in the morning, we don’t take a tour in the fjord and also the funicular due to the weather. And then in the late afternoon we have dinner and patiently wait for the train to Oslo (at 23.00 with arrival in Oslo at 6.30am the next day). Indeed, the time was not nice, but certainly to be done. The railway crosses glaciers and lakes. The sightseeing is wonderful and this period of the year the light is perfect (unfortunately, the photo are not good).
Monday June 18th, 2007
We arrive in Oslo, we leave our luggages at the hotel and then immediately visit the city. The Slottet, the port and Nobel center for peace. Towards the lunch time to Holmenkollen, where there is the Olympic springboard.
Nice sightseeing (the lift reaches only half the springboard, for us to get on top of the stairs is a little hard, but it’s worth). Break at the hotel to recover a bit (the night without sleep is starting to feel), then later on to VigelandsParken, nothing special, a park with some statues.
Tuesday June 19th, 2007
The morning visit to the fortress, then through the streets of the downtown. In the afternoon at the airport to take the flight to Copenhagen (even if our destination is Malmo).
In the evening we arrive in Malmo (perfectly connected with the airport). Immediately to see the city, especially Lilla Torg, a lovely square with many pubs, then some churches and the castle.
Wednesday June 20th, 2007
In the morning still in Malmo (visit to the Catheral) and a walk to the center. We see the Turning Torso only from afar.
In the afternoon we go to Copenhagen … Another hot sunny day greets us at our arrival in Denmark. We begin to see the city, monuments only externally. We start from square Radhus, going to Christiansborg (a nice building, unfortunately actually being restored), through the streets of the city and we admire the channel which is located near Christiansborg.
Then through the wide square Kongens Nytorv we make a short detour to see Nyhavn, very characteristic channel full of local, before reaching AmalienBorg (royal palace). From here it is inevitable to go to see the famous Little Mermaid. Before arriving we find the church of St. Alban which is reflected in a canal. The Little Mermaid: to say the truth, I was expecting something more, first of all I was expecting it was surrounded by a crowd of tourists … Instead there are few people and then it is also quite small. We stop a few.
To return to the center we cross Kastelett and go to Rosenborg Slott (another royal palace, with the treasure), surrounded by a beautiful park. And then again to the pedestrian area.
Thursday June 21st, 2007
Today is cloudy. We decide to see the castles in the surrounding area and we must satisfy to see them with the bad weather. Too bad. The guided tours are on Thursday, and so we decide to go by ourselves. First step: Helsinor with Kronborg castle (Hamlet’s one), there is a bit of fog. We visit the castle inside (we have the Copenhagen card, transports are included, while the entrance to the castle is not included in the card).
Among other things, we climb up the tower, where, in calm day you should see the Sweden … We see the fog. And, subterranean, almost completely dark (at the entrance there is a distributor of flashlights). Very impressive. It is almost time for lunch, we head to Hillerod where there is another castle. To reach the building which is located on an island we decide to use the boat (you can reach by foot), then visit to the castle.
In the evening we return to Copenhagen just in time to climb on the Round Tower from where you can enjoy the view of the city. And this day ends.
Friday June 22nd, 2007
Last day of our trip. The day begins early. About half an hour earlier than our wake up time, the fire alarm fire of our hotel rings. False alarm, but now we are awake. It rains. Today we go to Roskilde, city around 40km far, where there is the cathedral in which are buried kings.
The church, inside is very beautiful, while the exterior is being restored. Brief visit to the port and the central streets, before returning to Copenhagen. Here we resume our luggages and we go to the airport to take the flight to go home.
