Sweden DMC Advantage

SWEDEN OVERVIEW:

Ikea, Abba, Volvo, Spotify, Nobel, Henning Mankell… the brands are many from the land up North. Behind the famous Swedish icons you find a country which in the north touches the polar circle and you are enchanted by aura borealis and Swedish Lapland. Rolling south miles and miles of lone pine and birch forests until you find Stockholm at the Baltic Sea, the Capital of Scandinavia, as Stockholmer’s proudly call their city. Located on 14 islands the elegant metropolis offers both the beauty of the water and the nearby archipelago – and the buzz of modern city life with cafés, Nordic cuisine restaurants and deluxe brand shops. Going further south in Sweden you find the cities of Gothenburg and Malmö which apart from being settings for many Nordic noir stories, are also lively cities at the sea – and Malmö only a bridge crossing to Copenhagen, capital of Denmark.

The grand city of Stockholm, also known as “Beauty on the Water”, or “The Capital of Scandinavia”, as they call themselves, is a city built on 14 islands, with beautiful cobbled streets, copper roofs and bridges.. Whether taking a roof top tour of the city, or sailing around the 24,000 islands of Stockholm’s archipelago, or enjoying a “fika” (coffee and cinnamon roll) at the seaside, beauty is found everywhere in this picturesque city. The metro is one of a kind, with 100 stations decorated with sculptures, paintings, installations and mosaics. Stockholm is a city of contrasts – water and islands, history and innovation, small town and big metropolis, short winter days and long, light summer nights – with a dazzling array of impressions.

ACTIVITIES

  • Follow in Abba’s footsteps and create your very own Abba CD.
  • Try boat, kayak, pedalo on the Lake Mälaren or hire your private steam ferry around Stockholm’s 24,000 archipelago islands
  • Rent-a-Swede: are they always so correct and healthy? Ask one in person!
  • Rooftop Walking – view the skyline of beautiful Stockholm from 46 meters above the ground, whilst safely secured to one of the city’s rooftops
  • Breathtaking hot air balloon ride in the sunset Fly above Stockholm’s lakes and spires.
  • Genuine Nobel Prize dinner at the Golden Hall in the City Hall.
  • Celebrate Midsummer festivities with songs, maypoles and aquavit and flowers in your hair.
  • Private cocktails at the Swden’s proud warship, Vasa.
  • Experience the very places in which Stieg Larsson’s Nordic Noir novels took their inspiration from
    Taste homemade snaps (aquavit) or genuine Swedish meatball.
  • Do as the Swedes: Enjoy an evening in the forest, take a dip in a beautiful lake, and then relax in the Jacuzzi and sauna. Afterwards, have a crayfish party, illuminated by candlelight.
  • Pass the IKEA test: can you assemble IKEA furniture in 10 min?

GROUP PROFILE:

Stockholm is an elegant city which suit most size of groups from the very small VIP groups up to midsize events of 2-300 to 500+ congresses. The city offers accommodation from the classic deluxe accommodation to good conference hotels to boutique and relaxing archipelago hotels. Its location in Sweden between Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea with its archipelago, make the destination perfect for activities at and nearby the water. Multiple of high class gourmet restaurants and cosy inns serving local products on the islands secure good and healthy meals are prepared for the city’s visitors. The narrow cobble stoned streets of the Old City speaks to all about the dramatic history of the city.

Even though Stockholm is spread out geographically, the city centre is relatively compact and easy to find your way in. The underground system makes distances even shorter (and a must, as all stations are decorated with art and unique – perfect for a treasure hunt), or make a shortcut with a ferry.

As most Scandinavian countries, the Swedes speak excellent English and are delighted to practice their language skills.

ACCOMMODATION:

Stockholm has a wide variety of hotels to choose from, starting with the classic Grand Hotel and the more cool Nobil – well deserving of their 5 star rating. There are many boutique and design hotels scattered around the city, including Abba’s own, Hotel Rival.

Not to forget Stockholm’s archipelago islands also have charming hotels as Hotel J. Conference facilities include Stockholm’s Waterfront Congress Centre for up to 3000 delegates and the City Conference Centre with 50 conference rooms to more unique venues such as Nacka Strandmässan and München Brewery, both former industrial buildings with history and ambiance.

BEST TIME TO COME:

Stockholm’s peak season runs from April to October, the warmer months of the year. The Christmas period is also a popular time to visit, when Christmas markets light up the city in The Old Town and Skansen. Times to avoid are the Midsummer weekend at the end of June when the city shuts down, and The Nobel Prize week in early December, when accommodation is fully booked.

Events

May – Stockholm Archipelago Fair

July – Stockholm Jazz Festival

GETTING THERE:

UK – Stockholm

Direct flights to and from London, Manchester, Bristol and Edinburgh to Stockholm are generally around 2hr 25 min, with over 20 flights leaving daily from London and direct flights leaving from Scotland on a daily basis.

Arlanda airport – Stockholm city centre

A bus or taxi will take around 40 minutes, depending on the time of the day.
Travelling with the Arlanda express train takes just 20 minutes from the airport to city centre, and leaves regularly.

Stockholm to Copenhagen

A 5½-hour train journey with several departures per day allows you to combine visiting the capitals of Copenhagen and Stockholm together.