HAL - Stockholm - Historic stockholm
Stockholm, Sweden - Tuesday, July 6, 2010: Founded as a fortress in the 13th century, Stockholm spans 14 islands and is considered one of the world’s most beautiful capitals.Historic Stockholm & Sigtuna Departs: 9:15 am Approximately 7 Hours Adult $149; Child $99 From the pier, drive up to Fjallgatan for a splendid panoramic view of the city and the inner harbor of Stockholm. Descending, you’ll cross to the island of Gamla Stan, the enchanting, medieval Old Town. Enjoy the historic elegance of the exterior of the dominating Royal Palace and stroll along the narrow, twisting alleys and cobblestone streets of Stockholm’s oldest quarter. Experience the medieval intimacy and, as you wander with your guide, savor the romantic atmosphere and the sense antiquity of buildings dating from the 16th and 17th centuries with Baroque doorways and regal coats of arms. You will also see Stortorget (Great Square), which is the hub of the Old Town, and the Stock Exchange that is now the home of the Swedish Academy. Passing through the city center, continue to the nearby island of Djurgården, once the royal family’s private hunting grounds. Here you will visit the stunning Vasa Museum. In its day, the early 17th century, the Swedish battleship Vasa was the pride of Sweden’s mighty navy. While preparing to set out on her maiden voyage in 1628, she capsized and sank in Stockholm’s inner harbor. In 1961, 333 years after the tragic mishap, a Swedish team succeeded in salvaging the great ship, which was astonishingly well preserved. Painstakingly restored to much of its original magnificence, the resurrected Vasa today is the dramatic centerpiece in the Vasa Museum—an authentic piece of living history, profoundly worth a visit. Leaving the Vasa Museum, continue approximately 45 minutes through the northern outskirts of the city into the scenic countryside en route to Sigtuna, an idyllic little town with wooden houses, narrow alleys and the smallest Town Hall in Scandinavia, dating from 1744 and constructed in wood. Sigtuna is situated on the shores of Lake Mälaren. It was founded about 1,000 years ago by the first Christian King of Sweden and even today, the real strength of Sigtuna lies in its religious and educational foundations, which flourish on the heights above the town. During your visit, tour the major points of interest including the oldest Street in Sweden, the Stora Gatan. The town is surrounded by historic landmarks, which bear countless traces of old cultural traditions.
