<p>I am trying to plan a trip to Sweden in September. Neither my husband nor I have ever been, we are escorting my MIL who has a genealogy hobby and has met up with some distant relatives on line. We will spend 2 days in Stockholm and 2 days in Almhult, where the relatives live. We have 1 day left up for grabs. We could stay a day in Reykjavik, where we make our connection from Boston to Stockholm or we could go to Copenhagen. We will renting a car in Stockholm and driving from there. Id love some advice on what to do in Stockholm or whether Copenhagen or Reykjavik would be the better choice. And if there is a hotel or restaurant or attraction or tour guide not to miss please share with me! We will be travelling with 78 year old MIL but she gets around well if a little slow.
Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Probably our favorite thing on our visit to Stockholm a couple of years ago was the Vasa ship. It is really amazing! We took some kind of water taxi to get there, can’t remember the transportation details. After that we went to the nearby Skansen open air museum, then ended up taking a bus back toward our hotel. However, I would not recommend the Skansen with a 78 year old in tow. It is a lot of climbing and hiking. But the Vasa is fantastic, and less work, definitely do that.</p>
<p>We also liked the Royal Palace and its associated museums. But… we do like museums. So take that for what it is worth. :)</p>
<p>Regarding hotels, we were hoping to stay in the Freys Hotel in Stockholm, have heard very good things about it. But couldn’t get a reservation for the days we were there (late August on a weekend). So you might check that out. You can read reviews on Tripadvisor. We ended up staying at a hotel called the Nordic Sea. It was okay.</p>
<p>We also went down and spent a couple of nights on the island of Gotland in the city of Visby, which we also really liked. Another place with a lot of hills and walking, though (although we rented bikes as well there). We took a bus and a ferry from Stockholm to get there.</p>
<p>Here is another choice with one extra day to spend: take the “party boat” to Helsinki and back. It goes overnight both ways, and you can spend the day in Helsinki. There are two cruise lines that do this. We took it one way from Helsinki to Stockholm and then stayed in Stockholm, but a lot of people make the round trip in two nights. Some people don’t get cabins (hence the “party boat” designation), but we did. We took the Silja ferry line, booked a “B” cabin and it was fine. I recall that Silja is the tamer of the two ferry lines, that is why we picked it, since it was me and my college aged D.</p>
<p>I’ve heard great things about Copenhagen, have never been.</p>
<p>We had a good experience staying at the Firsthotel Riesen - the location could not have been better! It is right by the water in the middle of Gamla Stan (Stockholm Old Town). I second the Vasa museum - we spent hours in there. I do not recommend wasting your time on the Nobel Museum - boring. There are cobblestone paved streets all over Gamla Stan lined with gift shops and cafes where one can get seriously lost. :)</p>
<p>The reykjavik airport is a long way from town. The Blue Lagoon spa is between the airport and town. </p>
<p>I would advise several days layover in Iceland, but I’m a geology nerd. IcelandAir offers some great packages for those flying through.</p>
<p>I’ve not been to Reykjavik, but I have been to Copenhagen. Went there twice in 2009 (tagged along with my H who was going to a conference). It’s a lovely city with lots to see and do. Everyone speaks English and tons of people commute to work on their bikes. People are very friendly.</p>
<p>The food is great–big emphasis on local, fresh food. If you decide to go–try to get reservations for a restaurant called NOMA (Michelin Three Star). Amazing place. Visit Nyhaven, Botanic Garden Rosenborg Castle, Round Tower, Christiansborg Palace (and changing of the Guard) Tivoli Gardens, Little Mermaid (this was a little disappointing–not really a standout–although everyone talks about it). Also do a canal tour. We went to a jazz club the last night we were there and it was great.</p>
<p>Wow! Thanks everyone. Lots of great ideas. I am getting excited now which is good because I would rather have a root canal than go on this trip. My husband, who never asks a thing of me, really wants me to go, so I am trying to be a good sport. Thanks to CC I’ll have things for which I can look forward!</p>
<p>Do you enjoy eating out? This is a fancy restaurant with a great view of the city and an interesting menu:</p>
<p>[Gondolen:</a> Stockholm’s official visitors guide](<a href=“http://www.visitstockholm.com/en/Dine/Restaurants/gondolen/1054]Gondolen:”>http://www.visitstockholm.com/en/Dine/Restaurants/gondolen/1054)</p>
<p>Our favorite was a restaurant called KB that served Swedish food and had a nice wine list:</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.visitstockholm.com/en/Dine/Restaurants/kb--konstn”>http://www.visitstockholm.com/en/Dine/Restaurants/kb--konstn</a></p>
<p>Laketime, we did this same genealogy trip with 16 of us in 2008. 72 was the oldest at the time, but something got into my Mom and my aunt and after drinking their Swedish Aquavit, they decided to roll down the hill behind the hotel of the small village we were staying at! Be wary of the aquavit!</p>
<p>Stockholm - We have stayed at the First Hotel on Gamla Stan, but chose the more modern Sheraton at Tegelbacken 6 [Sheraton</a> Stockholm Hotel | Official Website | Best Rates, Guaranteed](<a href=“http://www.sheratonstockholm.com%5DSheraton”>http://www.sheratonstockholm.com) for our family trip because of location. Get a room over looking the water and you will be right across from Gamla Stan, 2 blocks from the old city hall near where the water boat departs to take you on a glorious ride to the summer palace. My Mom thought it was so fun to see all the summer homes on the lake. The Sheraton is also just around the corner from Avis (verify it is still there - you can play with rentals online) , the train station AND the Absolute Ice Bar at Vasaplan 4 - many, many giggles and pictures taken here. (reservations in advance are needed and you can drink a glass of lingonberry juice if you don’t want vodka) Make reservations at the [Hotell</a> Stockholm City - Nordic Sea Hotel Stockholm - Nordic Sea Hotel Stockholm](<a href=“http://www.nordicseahotel.com%5DHotell”>http://www.nordicseahotel.com)</p>
<p>The Vasa ship is amazing and we also liked the palace and the Lutheran Cathedral and the Nordic museum. The food in Stockholm (and Copenhagen) is very fresh and nuevo. I booked a traditional Swedish meatball dinner our last night at <a href=“http://www.restaurangprinsen.se%5B/url%5D”>www.restaurangprinsen.se</a></p>
<p>On the way to Almhult you will pass though the area of Vaxjo which is famous for its glass making (think Oreforrs and Kosta Boda) If Mom is interested in this, then pick one to stop at. You may have to google this because not all give tours of the glass blowing and just have large sales rooms.</p>
<p>The Malmo bridge to Copenhagen is fun to cross. (toll). You can return your car at the airport and take the train into Copenhagen (there is a fee to drop off in another country, but it was less than cost of train ride across to Copenhagen) or drop your Mom off at a hotel and you and H can drive to an Avis store in town. I believe it is a few blocks west of Tivoli Gardens. Or you could stay at the world famous D’Angleterre on Kongin’s Nytorv and let the doorman deal with it. (at least go into the bar at night and have a drink - they think it is fancier than it is, but the Mom’s LOVED the floral arrangements and knowing that visiting dignitaries stay there)</p>
<p>We have stayed there, at the Hotel Phoenix (old world), the Ambassador (nautical), and the Opera Hotel (older and bit tired, but affordable and well located). Have dinner/lunch on the Nyhavn canal, go to Tivoli Gardens if you like that, walk the stopping street (Stroget), take a canal ride and eat, eat, eat! We love this city as it is a cross between old world and ultra modern. </p>
<p>Both Stockholm and Copenhagen have the changing of the guards at their palaces. (We prefer Copenhagen)</p>
<p>I have never been to Iceland, but would guess it is not as interesting for a genealogy trip. My Mom’s highlight was seeing the old cabin where her mother was born and attending the small church where her ancestors were baptized and admiring the beauty of and the care they take of their cemetery plots…and the aquavit!</p>
<p>Sorry to go down memory lane…</p>
<p>I’ve been to all of these places and they are all lovely, but I don’t think you are allowing for travel time and jet lag. If you arrive in Stockholm, on your first day you will be exhausted, and on your second day you will be traveling somewhere else. So really to see any of Stockholm at all you need to add a day there.</p>
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<p>I also do not love traveling… but after we went there, I swore that if I ever win the lottery I am going to live at least part of every year in Stockholm. 
Agree on the jetlag point, too… One thing I would say is that we got a great view of Iceland from the air flying in and out of Reykjavik. We were actually flying to and from Helsinki, but I expect they take a similar route to and from Stockholm. We flew north (then south on the way back) over Iceland for at least an hour and a half. Weather was clear, and it was a fascinating view. I didn’t really feel a need to spend time there, but if your weather is good you likely will get a lovely view of the country from the air. </p>
<p>The hotel we stayed in was the one that had the ice bar in it (which I admit we did not enter…). We are from MN, felt no need. :)</p>
<p>Changing of the guard at the palace in Stockholm was interesting, although you have to get there early to see much. They have a band on horseback (I have a picture of a baritone player riding a horse!).</p>
<p>Love all of those cities ! I have only been to Reykjavik once but like a previous poster stated, it is a distance form the airport. If I had to choose with the challenge of taking along elderly mother in law , I would go with Copenhagen. There’s more to see and maybe a little easier for walking. And the food is so good. They have some great overnight ferry cruise also from Copenhagen to Norway, which is very relaxing.
If you think you might enjoy that, check out DFDS cruises.</p>
<p>After the advice here and checking out Reykjavik on Trip Advisor I think Copenhagen would be more suitable. I am enjoying checking out the hotels, all could be delightful. And yes, we love to dine out and are pretty adventurous exploring local cuisine, so the restaurants all look fantastic.
Also good points about the pace and the aquavit!
Thank you everyone!</p>
<p>Nothing to add here, but I want to warn you that these cities are: Expensive Expensive Expensive.</p>
<p>Another vote for the Vasa ship in Stockholm. I was in Stockholm for a business trip and had one morning off. We asked the locals for advice on what to see, and Vasa was the unanimous choice. We were also recommended to go EARLY, since it fills up quickly. </p>
<p>I went with a group of business colleagues, and we walked to the Vasa from our downtown hotel, which is perhaps not the best bet with 78-year old along, but it was quite a pretty walk, with boat along the water. Then we took a boat ride back to the old town area, where we walked through and found a restaurant for lunch. The boat ride was very nice and scenic.</p>
<p>We have family in both Stockholm and Copenhagen, so my vote is obviously for Copenhagen. Both beautiful cities. Most locals speak English, however most appreciate if you attempt in Swedish/Danish first…once they see you struggling a bit they’ll immediately speak to you in English.</p>
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<p>Their royality is so much different then in England, or even what we think of our President. DH was visiting the gardens at Fredensborg Palace with S3 one spring (about 5yrs ago). Princess Mary just strolled right by them on a path with then baby Princess Isabella in a pram. She smiled and said hello and went on her way. If you didn’t really know who she was, which DH does because he’s Danish, you would have thought she was just another person enjoying the lovely weather and taking her baby for a walk. They get torn to shreds in the magazines (same as any other public figures), but seem to be allowed some private space.</p>