Stockholm to Hamar-Day 10

My ancestors did come from Stockholm.  They also came from Karlstad which is where the next two pictures are taken.  Notice I have my red and black on--just like the Stockholm ladies I thought. 
 

As we were going by in the bus I noticed the name of Karlskoga on this trailor, this was another city my relatives came from.

 

Our destination for the night was to be this Scandic Hotel in Hamar.  I loved the comforters and warm towels we found in all the hotels.  Denice like to sleep on her comforter but I liked it on top of me.

Another city we spent some time in was medieval Orebro and I had heard my aunt's speak about Orebro, yes we had relatives from there, too.  After Orebro and Lake Vanern we drove through Varmland which we had many relatives from. 

We drove along the Glomma River before finally reaching the Sweden/Norway border marked by this huge monument.   Denice's ancestors came from Norway and the reason she had been planning this trip for four years.  I was anxious to compare Norway and Sweden.  So far I no knew why I liked pine trees, red houses, and candy, plus wearing red and black.  All part of my dna I guess.

Finally we reached Hamar which became a trading center in the 11th century and an advanced city as far back as 1849.   Within walking distance from the hotel was a huge Cathedral, and also the oldest operating paddle steamer in the world plus the Viking Ship which is a new tourist attraction. 

This is Viking Hall of the Winter Games.

Stockholm Sightseeing-Day 9

Our morning sightseeing trip includes the City Hall.  The City Hall is amazing, right on the water and absolutely beautiful inside and out. 

 

 

They give out the Nobel Prizes from here.

So beautiful, you have to see it to believe it.

This was the Royal Dramatic Theater.

We explored Old Town by ourselves, such a fun place with good things to eat and fun things to buy.

 

Earlier in the day at the Royal Palace I took this picture of students touring.  They looked just like Americans I thought.

There was a fun marketplace where vendors were selling lots of different things near our hotel and we had fun talking to an American who had gone to Sweden to study and then married and stayed there.  He made wooden toys and puzzles and I believe I bought some from him. 

Denice and I really enjoyed walking all over Stockholm and going into the modern area as well as old town.  In the downtown area so many of the young people were wearing red and black.  Very noticeable.  We also found there were candy stores on about every corner.  No wonder I love candy, it is in my genes.

 of D

One of the most interesting museums was the Vasa Museum on the island of Djurgarden in Stockholm.  There is much to see but the main thing is the royal warship Vasa which was built in 1628 and sank on her maiden voyage.  The Vasa was the most expensive and richly decorated naval vessel that Sweden had ever built.  She was the King's pride.

In 1956 Andersw Franzen found the ship and began the salvage and restoration.  It is one of the world's foremost sights and best preserved 17th-century ships.  As of 1994 over fifteen million visitors from various countries had viewed it and the adventure is still in progress and being seen by millions more.

It was also in Stockholm when I finally let Denice know how frustrating it was when she positively said she knew something (for instance when people would ask how to get to a certain place) and then she was wrong.  She was so eager to be of help but it is not help when we walk four blocks out of our way beccause she is so sure she knows the way.  Other than that we got along just fine but I began to doubt her assurances and depended more on my own directions than to ask for her help.

We thought the most beautiful people we saw were in Stockholm (on the whole trip).  Norway has beautiful scenery but Sweden has beautiful people.

Copenhagen to Stockholm-Day 8

We take a morning ferry crossing of the Oresund to Sweden.  Then on to Granna, at the head of Lake Vattern.  I thought I would love to live there, didn't get many pictures though as we were driving in a bus.  I loved seeing southern Sweden, the countryside and houses.  Lots of red houses.

 

 

We stopped at this wonderful place for the best lunch.  We ate so well on the whole tour.


This was actually just to see the thatched roof!

 

Can't remember where this was but so picturesque.


And then finally we arrive in Stockholm where we will stay two nights.

We will have lots of free time to do lots of walking of Old Town and our hotel is located so we can walk many, many places.

Copenhagen Sightseeing-Day 7

Today we see impressive highlights on morning sightseeing including the Stock Exchange, home of the Danish Monarchy,  Amalienborg Palace, Christiansborg Palace.  We also saw the Little Mermaid guarding the harbor, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's sad fairytale.  We also had time on our own to wander and see whatever we wished.

 

 

The Palaces that we saw--not sure which is which.

 

This was near the home of Hans Christian Andersen--such a charming area.

 

Copenhagen

We loved this area.  So came back again.

I had to ask a lot of people before I could find a post box.

 

Part of our tour group.



At the Queen's Palace.

Hamburg to Copenhagen via Lubeck and a Cruise-Day 6

In the city of Lubeck we visited this beautiful church St Marien where there are organ concerts throughout the year.

 

 

 

Lubeck

Also in Lubeck are these bells that still sit where they fell in WW II.
We drove to Puttgarden and took a short cruise across the Baelt to Rodbyhavn in southernmost Denmark and then a scenic drive to Copenhagen, which is considered Scandinavia's Capital.

We stay here two nights at the luxurious Sophie Amalie Hotel.

 

This large ship was sitting right outside our Hotel.
That night we got to the Apotek for a typical Christmas Dinner.  This was really wonderful food and very enjoyable.

 

 

This was 'Cat' our tour director.  This is a wonderful way to take a trip.  Your luggage is carried in for you, plans are all made, you are told many wonderful things.  You just have to show up every morning dressed and ready for a great time.

After the dinner we went to Tivoli to wander, shop, gaze, be entertained.  What a magnificent place.

 

Show on stage at Tivoli.

Amsterdam to Hamburg, Germany-Day 5

I took a few more pictures of Amsterdam as we took the bus to Hamburg.
 

 

For lunch we stopped at a charming spot called Groingen before reaching the German Border.  The lunch was delightful and I think this is where we watched the making of the Dutch shoes.

 

When we arrived in Hamburg we had a bus tour of the city and went to the top of this high building for drinks and to view the sights. 

 

 

We stayed at Le Meridien Hotel and that night viewed the Dancing Waters.