One of our favorite lesbian-friendly cities on a budget!
It is a well-known fact that Stockholm is an open-minded and progressive city but some say that Stockholm is also expensive. What is lesser known is that the city offers an abundance of gems that provide great value for your money. With the strong US dollar and with the low-cost carrier Norwegian adding Las Vegas to their growing repertoire of gateways, there has never been a better time to visit the Swedish capital. That is why a number of American travel agents and journalists set out to discover the hidden treasures of tolerant Stockholm.
Over the course of four days, the travelers got to experience many sides of Sweden – from the traditional to the new and modern. Between hotel inspections and museum visits, there was plenty of time to shop innovative Swedish design and experience a traditional Lucia celebration.
One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the island of Södermalm and the bustling, queer-friendly SoFo (South of Folkungagatan) area in particular. SoFo is known for being one of the trendiest areas in Stockholm, with a high number of vintage shops, boutiques, bars and restaurant. Also, the nightlife is known for being among the best in Stockholm.
Nordic cuisine is booming and one of the best places to experience it first-hand is in Stockholm. The city is known for its many restaurants and creative culinary scene. However, as our travelers realized, you don’t have to go to Micheline-starred restaurants to try innovative Swedish cuisine. For example, they tried a new spin on the traditional Swedish meatball at Meatballs for the People. Also, they discovered the very reasonably prices lunch options available at almost every restaurant, called ‘lunch of the day’.
The trip included visits to a number of affordable hotels in the city. The first one was Courtyard by Marriot Stockholm Kungsholmen, where guests can enjoy an excellent location in close proximity to the City Hall and the park Rålambshovsparken. Grand Central by Scandic will be the first of the hotel chain’s signature hotels. Located in a beautiful 130-year-old building right next to the central train station, all modes transportation are only a few steps away. Another Scandic hotel that they visited was HTL Kungsgatan. The hotel is designed to provide a boutique experience at an affordable price and with a fun and inclusive atmosphere. Miss Clara is quite a special hotel. It is located in an old girls’ school from the early 20th century but has been decorated with both Art Nouveau and timeless Scandinavian design – a true gem for anyone who is interested in architecture and design. This is where the travelers enjoyed a few drinks in their well-renowned cocktail bar before heading out to dinner.
Overall, the trip provided the travel agents and journalists an opportunity to see that Stockholm welcomes and offers something for everyone, regardless of their budget.
For more on affordable Stockholm go to www.visitsweden.com