Stockholm Blog

Korfball: Another Quirky Expat Sport

mariya — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:22:14 +0000

Have you ever, um, played basketball with a soccer ball? On grass? With mixed teams of men and women? I didn't think so. If you're looking for a good mix of expats and Swedish locals and some fun exercise, you might want to give the Stockholm Korfball Klubb a whirl.

The Drinking Club with a Running Problem

mariya — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 08:00:32 +0000

Are you too lazy to exercise while in Stockholm? Why not motivate yourself with beer? Join the Stockholm Hash House Harriers in their weekly "hashes", or running games rewarded with alcohol. A diverse crew of Swedes and expats alike (all with risqué nicknames!) await you in some of the most scenic places in and around Stockholm. Recent hashes have taken place in gorgeous Drottningholm and Södermalm. No entrance fee for first-timers; for repeat offenders, dues are 10-60kr.

Summer in Siberia

mariya — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 09:11:46 +0000

If you don't mind a little kitsch, you may want to check out the KGB Bar, brimming with Soviet era paraphernalia and weird voices in the toilet stalls (I kid not). The top floor is a bit disappointing, but the lower levels have some good beats during Saturday night's Summer in Siberia.

Check them out: http://www.kgb-bar.com/

Hang Out With Expats & Swedes, Learn Languages

mariya — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:54:29 +0000

One of the bad things about Stockholm is that the people are reserved, so making friends is not easy. However, throughout the city, there are pockets of people who are interested in just that. My personal favorite is an event/club called Language Kompis, a bunch of nice folks who gather to practice foreign languages. This includes Swedes looking to practice foreign languages and offering their help to improve your Swedish. However, this also includes a ton of expats from all over the world who want to throw in a bonjour here, an hola there and certainly a hej hej everywhere. Check them out here.

Josefina: Smashing Outdoor Bar Experience

mariya — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 17:29:54 +0000

Stockholm's summers are as short as they are beautiful, so do as the Swedes do: take the party outside. A heavenly spot---both kicking and cozy---is Restaurang Josefina. Named after a Victorian-era queen and located in Djurgården ("Stockholm's Central Park" ) just outside the exclusive Östermalm district, this place is certain to draw an elite crowd.

You're not expected to drop a fortune, either. I spent a delightful couple hours lounging on the colorful outdoor cushions and drinking 55-krona beers. The palm trees are a nice touch, although I have no idea how they survive there. I sometimes had to glance over at the neighboring Nordiska Museet to convince myself that I was not in Dubai.

I was lucky enough to catch a sunny evening, but if it rains, you can always grab a bite to eat in the sleek, polished-white interior. Directions can be found here.

Baltic Cruises Part II: Pictures from Helsinki to Stockholm

mariya — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 07:47:42 +0000

So what do you see once you're aboard a Baltic cruise ship? The pics below, snapped during my trip from Helsinki to Stockholm, give a sneak peek of the Nordic panorama that unfolds: cliffs peppered with pines, islands dotted with red cabins and lighthouses. Closer to the cities, military fortresses welcome the ships.

As the day draws to a close, majestic sunsets give way to misty nights. And if you go on deck at night, you can often see fog enveloping the islets, giving the ship a forlorn quality to it. (If that makes you sad and cold, head back in for some drinks.)

Baltic Cruises Part I: Hopping On

mariya — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 09:18:36 +0000

If you've had your fill of Stockholm, and want to see another Baltic city for cheap, consider going by boat. An overnight cabin costs less than a hotel, free entertainment abounds, and if you've been largely dry on your trip to tax-wringing Scandinavia, note that all alcohol on board these ships is tax-free. Sound like a win-win prospect? Read on.

The liners, often called Finlandsbåt or Stockholmsbåt, depending on where they're headed, are not your typical cruise. Because most of the money is made from the bars and shopping on board, tickets are inexpensive (starting at around 20 Euros for travel, 50 Euros with a cabin, slightly more with a dinner or breakfast buffet). And because tickets are inexpensive, the crowds are diverse: from teenagers packing the disco on one deck to seniors fox-trotting on the next; from gourmands eating in restaurants to gamblers playing blackjack.

The two most popular lines are Viking and Tallink-Silja, so check out their sites and book online. Then head over to the Södermalm port and hop on!

Fact: The Baltic cruises carry a melting pot of local ethnic groups, so it is not uncommon to see Swedes, Finns, Russians, Estonians and gypsies sitting at the same bar.

Urban legend: There are two feuding clans of Finnish gypsies living in Stockholm. Every so often, they need to go home to Finland. To avoid troublesome run-ins with their rivals, they struck a deal: one clan goes by Viking Line, the other by Silja.

Stay tuned, future posts will go into detail about shopping and entertainment on board.

Nature in Sweden

mariya — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 07:53:51 +0000

A warm welcome from an American expat here in Stockholm! It gets pretty chilly up in these parts, so now is probably the best time to come visit. There are plenty of things to see and do in the city---culture, shopping, and strolling around one of the most beautiful cities in the world---but if you really want a taste of Sweden, nature exploration is a must.

The country is full of sprawling forests, with plenty of goodies growing underfoot. Depending on when you arrive, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and lingonberries may be in season. If you want a taste of forest, hiking, and berry picking right outside Stockholm, consider Tyresta National Park, which is accessible with Stockholm Public Transport (SL).

Merry berrying!