Stockholm
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Stockholm is another city that likes to call itself the Venice of the North (along with Amsterdam, St Petersburg …).  It’s actually quite an attractive city, although like most places it doesn’t look at it’s best in the rain. 

In common with most ports, we did our own think in Stockholm rather than taking any organised tours.  We first visited the Vasa museum.  The Vasa was a Swedish ship that was built in 1628, but capsised and sank on her maiden voyage in Stockholm harbour.  She was raised 350 years later, and due to the state of the water she has been remarkably well preserved.  It is difficult to convey in pictures how large and impressive she actually is.

              

It is fairly dark in the museum.  These pictures were taken without flash, using up to 3 seconds of exposure.

 

After the Vasa, we headed back down to the old town, calling in on the Livrustkammaren (the Royal Armoury) – Sweden’s oldest museum, located in a cellar beneath the Royal Palace.  It specialises in royal weaponry, clothing and carriages, and also has opportunities for the kids to dress up as knights and princesses.

    

Knights and carriages.

 

We finished off with a wander around the old town, before catching the shuttle back to the ship (although the walk would only take 10 minutes, we'd had enough of the rain by then).

    

Are you allowed to park that ship there?

    

A sense of humour in Stockholm!