Hej (that's hello in Swedish), My Fellow Adventurer!
Hallå (also hello), from Stockholm, Sweden!
Now I know what you're thinking... 'Meghan, how can you be in Stockholm, Sweden at a time like this... when the country (at the time of your post) is suffering from a national pandemic?"
Have no fear my fellow friend, for I bring you this post (out of my memories) from 2018!
For those of you whom have been with me since the very beginning, you may remember that I originally started this blog during my studying abroad experience at The University of Edinburgh, in Scotland (UK).
Aside from traveling ALL over Scotland (not to mention, visiting literally every coffee shop, tourist attraction & even meeting Price Harry & Meghan Markle in Edinburgh back before their wedding), but during my 5-months in the UK, I traveled to England (with my family), Spain & Portugal (with a friend) AND Sweden (all by myself)... say what!
Yes that's right - you heard me correct! My trip to Stockholm, Sweden was my first solo trip... now not to say I don't love traveling with other people, but until you've traveled alone & experienced the particular freedom that comes along with the solo journey (planning your own itinerary on a whim, aka. spending as long as you want at a museum & not having to take into account anyone else / varying interests)... I can hands down say, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of my tiny Scandinavian exploration!
Now before I get into the details of my trip, you may be wondering why it's taken me so long to describe this journey? "Why now, Meghan?"
Well my fellow adventurer, at the time of this post (April 2020 to be exact), the current "frozen" state of the world (COVID-19 quarantine) combined with my intense desire to still travel (post social distancing), has given me a lot of time to reflect on some of my past happy adventures (that I never wrote about) - but always wanted to!
While I may not be able to travel (at this time nor anyone else), as a way to relive those journeys from the comfort of my home, replaying the memories in my mind has been a great way to pass the time (as they say, a picture says a thousand words)! And revisiting my Sweden pics these past few days has made me feel I must share my journey with the world! With the intention that you too, my fellow adventuring friend, can travel from within your home instead!
As I'm sure you probably gathered from the title of this post, "Scandinavian Explorer: My Solo Sweden Adventure (part 1)", this being my "part 1" entry means I simply (without all the details & story diary logs), wanted to give you a brief overview of my 5-day Sweden stay... to be followed by a "part 2" post where I go into more detail (showcasing my photos, personal travel encounters & links to the particular restaurants / excursions I partook in).
So without further adieu, I give to you my,
5-day Solo Stockholm Sweden itinerary...
Date(s): Friday April 20th to Wednesday April 25th , 2018
Hotel: Sheraton Stockholm Hotel
Airline: SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)
- Flew into Stockholm, Arlanda from Edinburgh, Scotland
Saturday
Dinner: Hard Rock Café – Stockholm
Sunday
The Royal Palace (Stockholm Palace)
Explored Gamala Stan (Old Town)
Visited Stortorget – a must see stop in Gamla Stan
Walked around Sodermalm, a super cool neighborhood/island in Stockolm
After dinner, went to The Medieval Museum (Medeltidsmusett)
Monday
Morning Boat Ride (canal ride) around the Stockholm Islands
Mid-morning Vasa Museum (Vasamusett) visit
Early-afternoon National Museum of Sweden visit
Late-afternoon Nordic Museum visit
Tuesday
Morning guided tour of Stadhust (Stockholm City Hall)
Late morning, lunch & afternoon at the Open Air Museum (Skansen Open-Air Museum)
Late afternoon / early evening at Fotografiska Stockholm (photography museum)
Wednesday
Fly Home (aka. back to Edinburgh, Scotland, where I was studying).
Without a doubt, the brief itinerary I just shared with you my fellow adventure doesn't nearly do my trip justice - once you read part 2, you'll be amazed by just how much I accomplished in 5 (well actually 4) full days!
Now I'm sure you have many questions such as...
"Meghan, why of all places did you choose to go to Sweden", "Did you feel safe traveling alone as a single woman", "How did you get around", & "Did you miss having a traveling companion at all"?
All great questions my fellow friend!
Truth be told, before the opportunity for me to venture to Sweden alone came to light, I never actually thought once about traveling solo until I realized (in this scenario) both the timing, my age & location just seemed right!
Should my idea of a solo-trip peak your interest, stay tuned for my "The Platinum Passport Guide for Solo Travelers" (to come), where I discuss in detail the research / steps I took into consideration before, during & after my Solo Scandinavian Exploration!
At the end of the day, as a result from traveling to Sweden alone there's no doubt that I found a new inner self-confidence that I don’t think will ever go away!
For it is my greatest wish for you my fellow adventurer (should you feel comfortable / have the means & are up for the challenge), to embark on your own solo journey one day!
Now it doesn't have to be outside of the country (like me), it could simply be researching a place you've always wanted to visit (that has a known reputation for safe solo travelers... especially females for all my other ladies out there... men, you have it 'lucky', for I find the 'stigma' surrounding solo male travelers to be a lot easier to navigate the world unquestioned / noticed)... but go out & explore, take a solo adventurer!
Even if it's just for 3-days (a long weekend), explore a new city, take in a solo dinner & get to know youself (for without a doubt, the longest relationship you'll ever be in is the one with you, so you might as well try to get to that inner person as best you can)... just some words of encouragement from your friendly Platinum Passport friend!
Tills Nästa Gång (until next time), my fellow adventurer, I look forward to sharing the rest of my journey with you in Part-2... so stay tuned!
Cheers,
The Platinum Passport
Meghan Chayka
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