I have a friend who lives in sweeden and i will be e-mailing him later on. So i will ask him for you.

cheers chris xx

Cool,

We've just booked a place to stay on a boat

http://www.rygerfjord.se/english/index.asp

Location looks pretty good, only 1.5 miles south of the Big Coach / Bus Station - now just need recommendations on where to go, i.e. places to visits, bars, clubs, etc

I have sent the e-mail of just. As soon as i get a reply i'll let you know.

Your hotel boat looks nice.

This is the reply that i got in a e-mail tonight, althought i think it has been copied from somewhere. but if you read it you will see, what i mean. I hope it helps you.

There's a type of bus/tram/underground ticket called "Rabatt-kuponger"
which costs either 7 or 11 pounds (small or big) and which you can use
on all the trains and buses - 2 people can share it, so it's perfect
for
a weekend and saves a lot of money. This type of ticket is available at
all "T-bana" (underground) Stations and in most newsagents (especially
the ones called "Presbyran" which you see everywhere).

For buses from VÃÆ'¤sterÃÆ'Â¥s Airport to Stockholm Central Station, see
http://www.flygbussarna.se//tidtabeller/vasteras.pdf (no possibility or
need to pre-book). A return journey costs about 16 pounds per person
and
takes 75 mins each way.

For train travel in Sweden, see http://www.sj.se/ and click on "In
English". Trains go twice an hour between Stockholm and VÃÆ'¤sterÃÆ'Â¥s town
centre, taking about 55 minutes, so it could be fun to get a bus or
taxi
there from the airport (takes 10 minutes), then take the train - I
think
the train ticket can be pre-booked but it's not much cheaper than
buying
it at the station.

There are good travel instructions on the hotel website - from
Stockholm
Central Station, take the T-bana to Gamla Stan (just one stop) and then
just ask someone directions. They've picked a great looking place and
it's in an excellent position. I'm a crap person to advise on touristy
things though - friends from England who've spent a weekend here have
been to more places than me. But here's my advice:

1) Don't change money beforehand - either use a Swedish cash machine
(the blue ones always work with English cards) or bring English money
and change it at "Forex" in the airport or at Stockholm Central
Station.
Virtually all shops have card machines where you type your PIN, so you
can get by with very little cash.

2) Lunch is much cheaper than dinner in Sweden - look for blackboards
outside pubs/cafes. Salad, a cold drink, bread & cheese plus coffee are
usually free with lunch.

3) Alcoholic drinks are quite expensive in pubs and restaurants (beer
=₤4). But if your friends like wine, I do recommend they visit a
"Systembolaget" on Friday or Saturday. It's the official, state
off-license (you can't buy alcohol in ordinary shops) and ask a staff
member to choose them a wine based on what food they're going to eat
(e.g. roast chicken) and how much they want to spend (e.g. 60
kronor/₤5)
- the staff are experts and love to help - it's something you'd never
be
able to do in Asda or Tesco and I guarantee that they will pick a nice
wine to bring home to England, even if you ask for a cheap one.

4) Many people say SÃÆ'¶dermalm is the trendiest part of Stockholm and
even
of Scandinavia - your friends are staying in this area so they should
walk around. 6.00pm - 7.00pm (the "blue hour"), the skies are beautiful
over Stockholm in autumn and the views over the city from the hill
above
their boat hotel are possibly the best in the city.

5) Department stores: ÃÆ'"¦hlÃÆ'©ns = Debenhams, Pub = George Henry Lees, NK
=
Harrods. I recommend ÃÆ'"¦hlÃÆ'©ns for reasonably priced Swedish stuff.
Swedish
quilt covers are really well designed and can be good value.

6) Bring proper shoes to walk in, warm clothes and gloves because it
can
be windy/cold but it's the type of city that you really want to walk
around.

7) Nearly everyone speaks English, so avoid obvious touristy places
(with signs in English) and go where the Swedes go!
Keep a few 5 kronor coins in case you have to pay to use a toilet.

9) 24,50 in Swedish is 24 kronor and 50 ÃÆ'¶re (about ₤1.90). Note the
comma instead of a dot. 50 ÃÆ'¶re = 4.5 pence.

10) Evening time, beware of restaurants/pubs where they offer to take
your coat as you go in - there's usually a steep charge and Swedes
never
use such a service - it's a tourist rip-off

11) Don't walk in the bicycle lanes and don't hire a bike unless you're
brave! I believe the boat trips are nice.

12) Bring a few teabags if you like proper tea.

12) Enjoy - it's safe, clean and beautiful. If in trouble/lost/stuck,
call or text me - I'm usually not far away.

Best regards,
Gordon
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