Winter in Stockholm
by Candyce H. Stapen
One November several years ago my two children and I needed a break
from mundane winter routines. Instead of heading south for the warm
Caribbean waters we flew north to Stockholm, a city even colder
than our hometown of Washington, D.C. Were we directionally impaired,
wrong-way vacationers or just simply nuts?
Neither, we were savvy travelers, taking advantage of pricey Stockholm's
winter discounts of 30 to 50 percent to tour an exceptional city
off-season. In fact, our family's trip to Sweden, including airfare,
proved to be less expensive than a comparable stay at any number
of luxury ski or beach resorts stateside. And yet we got so much
more.
Yes, it gets dark by 3 p.m. and it's cold. But that's why Gore-Tex
and other lightweight miracle fabrics were invented. We dressed
warmly, frequented cafes for hot chocolate and coffee and scheduled
indoor tours after lunch when the weather grew colder and the skies
dark. The Thursday to Monday itinerary we chose gave us just enough
time to sample the city.
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Great Places, Great Deals
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Best of Barbados: Book a US Airways
Vacation at a selected hotel and receive $250
per person airfare credit for two adults, plus
one night free with a minimum seven-night stay.
Travel must be booked by December 10 and is valid
through December 20, 2005. Sample rates for the
all-inclusive Almond Beach Village, which has
a comprehensive children's program, start at $1,399
per person for seven nights and include airfare
from Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh,
or Washington, DC (800-352-8747; www.gousv.com).
Orlando,
Florida: At SeaWorld Orlando, encounter
penguins, pet stingrays, meet dolphins, and get
twirled upside down and dropped some 65 miles
per hour on Kraken, the park's coaster.
With temperate weather and fewer crowds, fall
and winter are best for visits. With the Orlando
World Center Marriott Sea World Two-Night package,
get two nights accommodations for up to four, admission to SeaWorld for length
of stay, Ride Again passes, and more. The cost
is $378 per room and the package is available
through January 4, 2006 (888-99-WORLD; www.worldsbestvacation.com).
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Here are some of the city's top attractions for families:
Vasamuseet: This museum houses
the Vasa, a commanding war ship that sank in 1628 almost
as soon as it left the dock because it was too tall and too heavy
to sail.  Salvaged
in 1961, the ship's wooden hull was preserved by the Baltic mud.
Carefully restored, the massive Vasa once again looks fierce
with its ornate gargoyle-like sculptures. The museum, built around
the ship, showcases coins, tools and other items reclaimed from
the sea.
Historiska Museet (Museum of National Antiquities): Head straight
to the Gold Room on the ground floor for the dazzling collection
of Viking gold and silver coins, necklaces, rings, chains, and other
treasures.
Kungliga Slottet (Royal Palace): The 600-room palace, completed
in 1754, has its share of ornate ceilings and intricate tapestries,
but your kids are likely to be more interested in the Royal Armory's
display of armor and kingly coaches, some of them gilded. If it's
not too cold, stay to watch the changing of the guard.
Gamla Stan (Old Town): The Royal Palace is located in Gamla Stan, Stockholm's Old Town.
Cafes and shops line the narrow winding streets and the aroma of
hot chocolate and grilled waffles pulls you into the eateries.
– Candyce H. Stapen’s latest book
is National Geographic Guide to Caribbean Family Vacations.
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