A weekend in Stockholm: thoughts, feelings, & time with friends.

London is not shy on opportunities to duck across to Europe for a weekend.

An activity that is not unknown among the London expat community (or to their friends back in their native country watching their Instagram's).

Each weekend trip, city visited or mountain hiked, brings with it new experiences and new feelings.

In some respects, after a while, a city is a city. And I can agree with that on some level, but it’s not often. Another still provides an opportunity to connect with a place that is so far from, and such a different culture to, what I knew growing up in Australia.

I think that’s one of my favourite things about travelling. Flying into a new location, immersing myself in its heritage and culture, building on an expanding perspective of how different parts of the world live.

To share such experiences with special friends that you connect with so strongly from your home country. Where you grew, and began establishing the paths you wanted each of your lives to take, there is a richness to those experiences. Particularly due to it's rarity in opportunity; to both be living on the others side of the world to all that we used to know, our life's back home considered old by the numbers of years gone by, but certainly not forgotten.

It provides a richness to be treasured for all the days to come.

Rich in the memories we make.

Rich in the wholesomeness that it exudes.

Rich in the elation our heart beats.

Rich in the happiness and joy that radiates.

An intangible wealth that only the heart, mind and soul can really feel.

My first time in Stockholm was with a soul so dear to me, that the beautiful city is coated in an adoration beyond, what can be seen in its structure and landscapes.

Rather than writing a step by step guide to a weekend in Stockholm, I want to explore the relationship with this type of experience through my words, intertwined with tid-bits of itinerary inspiration.

And what great weekend doesn't start with coffee? A weekend in Stockholm is no different.

An easy Saturday morning strolling the city of patch work islands. In the crisp early-Autumn air, the soul is cosy. Absorbing the Scandinavian atmosphere that is introducing the day, along side the architecture that frames your walk. The ease of comfort deepens stepping into the warmth of an early morning Swedish cafe; The smell of fika and coffee, mixed with the calm sounds of quiet conversation and coffee house soundtracks.

A juxtaposition to the familiarity of our Australian coffee runs back home - buzzing and bustling by 8am, Europe - not rising as early for a cafe jaunt, quiet still at 9am.

This space nurtures wholesome conversation, catching up on life gone by since we resided in the same country together. Elevated by the connection that immediately feels so familiar, but had unknowingly lay doormat since our hometown goodbyes.

From coffee to a Fika tour, a cinnamon bun from Bergstrands Bageri, a cardamom bun from Lilbrors - a self guided exploration of the baked delights of Stockholm, the perfect way to embellish our morning. A walkable city, exploring the coloured streets on foot, the elegant architecture providing many cute photo opportunities along the way. A fit check video, a first for me, looks chic and classy against the minimalist back drop of Stockholm. Another favourite friendship factor: getting lost in the time being spent together, uncaring and oblivious to the opinions of others.

The patch work of islands, makes for a charming landscape.

Crossing between islands that make up the archipelago city, there's modern architecture mixed in with the charm of historic buildings, museums and a palace, standing modest among other historic structures, but of course grand in nature.

Green spaces are abundant, some stemming from cobble stoned lanes, adding to the charm. The view from Monteliusvägen allowing you to pause a moment, appreciating all the beauty that lays in front of you.

The day passes by, conversation flows. The comfort of being around such a familiar soul in a foreign place, hugs the experience.

The evening gets cool as lamps in the windows of Swedish homes illuminate - a tradition established in its past to fight the darkness - providing a warm glow, nurturing comfort and cosiness.

It’s welcoming and almost feels like home, with the sounds of long term friendships and laughter filling the air, your heart feeling as full as your tum, from a delicious dinner heading to bed.

The weekend isn't over. Sunday brings with it sunshine and more walking side by side, mimicking the many walks had back home in Aus. Except it's Sweden, and instead of The Tan there's the perimeter of Kungsholmen.

The waterfront route this morning brings new beauty to your eyes. Standing tall and impressive is the town hall, home to the Nobel Prize ceremony, a building that radiates it's prominence in a kind and gentle way. Admiring it from it's external, the feeling is that of walking through Cambridge, Harvard or Georgetown - a desire is lit to want to study, to evolve, be academic again. It's amazing what a red brick building can do.

Alas, just like the feelings moving through the universities noted, no further study eventuated from this feeling.

It's not just prestigious building that can inspire, it's also the the magic of the friends you stay connected to when living overseas. They inspire, motivate and encourage you to be the best version of you. To reach for the stars, and feel capable. A feeling that stays with you long after a prestigious building fades into the horizon. An inspiration that doesn't fade, it holds true and deep while time continues to pass.

From Nobel Prizes, to waterside restaurants and cafes, it's picturesque at every turn.

The main event though is a couple of hours spent at Rosendals Trädgård - a place that epitomises the essence of the Swedish life. Sustainable, wholesome, and calm environments. The farm to fork business provides space to wander the gardens, delight in local produce and sit among the apple tree's as you eat.

Honestly, Swedes have the way of life sorted - it's genuine, it's wholesome, it's natural, it's minimalist yet chic.

Speaking of chic, they also know how to sustainable second-hand retail. Acne Archive is a great place to start, while Södermalm is worth including in your city wonder for browsing, and trying on good quality, Scandinavian brands - ethical, sustainable and joy to participate in.

Two days can go by quickly and spending a weekend in Stockholm, goes by in the blink of an eye; experiencing a European city with a best friend from home, getting swept up in the magic and wholesome essence that radiates across the city with a dear friend who radiates the same energy.

But that's life, as they say. It passes us by, and if we fail to remain present and grateful in it, we'll lose it to the past.

It's not lost on me how fortunate I am, to have opportunities and experiences like this one. To have shared years with a friend on one side of the world, and then get to experience another region of the world with that same soul. Treasuring our journeys, chosen paths and who we continue to evolve into, as we create new memories and feed into the paths ahead for each of us.

See you next week.

Dani xx

Travel tip:

A weekend in Stockholm is only a short flight from London, and the perfect city break to reset and refresh. I visited in Autumn, which of course adds to the charm. Spring and Summer particularly buzz, and then like most of northern Europe, winter is dark and cold. But this city is beautiful, so I truly believe it has something to offer across all seasons.

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