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Sweden is one of Europe’s best kept secrets. The country has so much to offer. Besides, it’s very affordable nowadays and the climate is much better than most people think.

Just to give you an idea what to see I made a top-10 of tourist attractions in Sweden. Here they are - in no particular order.

Stockholm

Stockholm has it all: unique location, great architecture, historical sights, famous museums, huge parks, a vibrant nightlife, trendy shops - and an archipelago of 24,000 islands just around the corner. It’s a remarkably clean and safe city as well. If you haven’t seen Stockholm, you haven’t seen Sweden.

Gotland

Speaking of tourist attractions in Sweden, one wouldn’t expect to think of beaches. But there are beaches in Sweden. Some of the best are found on the Baltic island of Gotland, which is popular among Swedes and attracts thousands of visitors every summer. The walled medieval town of Visby is an attraction on its own.

Lake Siljan

Found in the heart of Dalarna, central Sweden, this lake is the center of folklore and tradition. Dalarna is a popular holiday destination in summer. Thousands of Swedes visit Leksand every year to see the midsummer pole set up. The nearby town of R

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Traveling requires advanced planning and these easy to follow travel tips can make any trip more enjoyable. Being prepared can help travelers avoid many frustrating situations. Have a smart plan when flying, plan your packing, and have a home security plan.

With today’s busy airports and increased security, it is crucial to come to any airport well prepared. Start and finish your vacation on a good note. Take time before any flight to ensure that you have a great trip by following these simple tips.

Arrive Early for your Flight - Most airports have long check-in and security lines. Plan ahead.

Bring Proper ID - Drivers License, ID card, or Passports may be required upon check-in.

Security Pouch - Place ticket information, travel papers and ID in one easy to reach travel pouch.

Seat Assignment - Be sure to call ahead for advanced seating.

Allow for Connecting Flights - Schedule at least 1 to 2 hours between connections.

Prepare to Wait - Bring snacks, drinks and something to occupy your time if you are delayed.

Carry-on Bag - Always have prescriptions with you. Be aware that toiletries and other liquids can break and leak in the non-pressurized luggage compartments. A spare set of clothes can also be helpful when making connecting flights. Lost luggage can take 24 to 48 hours to catch up to you.

Airplane Air Quality - Cabin pressurized air is sometimes thinner than “sea-level” and always very dry which can leave passengers dehydrated. Have plenty of water on hand. Some passengers feel “tired” during and after flights due to thin, dry air.

Safety - Familiarize yourself with your seat location on the airplane relative to the exits. Read all safety information provided by the airline. Count and memorize the number of seat backs to the nearest exit in the event that cabin visibility is reduced.

Be sure to pack smart. Ever taken twice as much as you needed on a trip? Packing for any vacation no matter how short requires good planning and organization. If you leave packing until the last minute chances are you will be frustrated later. Help anticipate problems before they occur by following these tips.

Have a Security Pouch. Place ticket information, travel papers, confirmations and ID in one easy to reach travel pouch.

Organize a Smart Carry-on Bag. Always have prescriptions with you. Be aware that toiletries and other liquids can break and leak in the non-pressurized luggage compartments. A spare set of clothes can also be helpful when making connecting flights. Lost luggage can take 24 to 48 hours to catch up to you.

Store Toiletries and Cosmetics in appropriate places. If they are not in your carry-on take care to place them in water tight bags away from clothes in case they break or leak.

Have a plan for Laundry. Pack large kitchen bags or an empty duffle to hold laundry. This is helpful if you are changing locations during your vacation. You won’t need to mix clean items with dirty clothes.

Pack a Beach Bag. Avoid having to look for all beach related items you packed by placing them in one bag. Place sunscreens, hats, towels, rash guards and bathing suits in a bag that can double as your beach bag. This is especially important when traveling with children. They will want to dive right into the pool or water when you arrive. Just grab one bag and go!

Keep clothes Dry and Fresh. When traveling to a humid climate it helps to pack clothing in large zip-lock bags opening only those you need. For fresh smelling clothes pack dryer sheets between clothes. Storing shoes in air tight bags will eliminate shoe odor in your luggage.

Avoid Wrinkles in your Clothes. Rolling items together with the most wrinkle-prone item on the outside of the roll can help reduce wrinkles. Another packing method involves laying wrinkle-prone items flat in your suitcase with the rest of the item lapping over the edge of the suit case. Place wrinkle resistant clothes on top of the clothes that are still lying flat and then carefully fold the wrinkle prone item over the clothes on top. If done correctly the result it a gentle curve that avoids a crease.

Plan Ahead for Souvenir Shopping. Pack an empty duffle in your luggage that can be checked-in as luggage on your return flight. This is a good way to have space for all your vacation souvenirs. It can also be used to hold dirty laundry.

Prepare your Home! Preparing your affairs at home before you depart is important for the security of your property. When leaving for more than a few days, be sure everything at home is secure. By following a few steps, your home will be ready for your vacation too.

Suspend all Routine Deliveries. Either stop your mail and paper delivery, or arrange for a friend to pick it up.

Create a House Watch Plan. Even if the paper and mail deliveries are stopped, have a friend come by the house each day to check for unexpected deliveries. They should also walk around your property to make sure everything looks normal.

Leave someone in Charge. Always let someone know your plans and your vacation schedule in case of any unexpected emergencies.

Pay Bills before Leaving. When traveling for more than two weeks, check with all utility companies, credit card providers and mortgage lenders to insure an uninterrupted flow of service with out incurring service charges. In some cases you may need to pay bills in advance of your departure date.

Many frustrating situations will arise when traveling. If you have planned ahead well, many of these pitfalls can be avoided, and those that are unavoidable are more tolerable. Plan ahead and enjoy your vacation!

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Although I was always attracted to the mysterious North, it took a while before I first visited Sweden. Actually, it was my editor who asked me to go there. In 1990 I attended a conference near Stockholm, and fell in love with both the country and its capital.

Since then the city has become a dear friend of mine. Maybe even a relative, as every new visit feels like a sort of homecoming. Stockholm never lets me down.

Nevertheless, my love for the Swedish capital does raise an eyebrow when I mention it to others. Most people simply don’t know anything about Stockholm, except that it’s the capital of Sweden.

So let’s clear things up. Here is a Top-10 of reasons why I love Stockholm - listed in no particular order.

• Stockholm is blue. If there is one thing that makes Stockholm stand out, then it is its relationship with water. The city was built on 14 islands, all connected with bridges for cars AND pedestrians, and you never have to walk far to get a stunning view over the water.
• Stockholm is like Swedish design: it’s functional and almost defines the latest trends, yet it looks great and shows respect for history. The city is very easy to navigate, has everything a big city should offer - excellent shopping facilities, a vibrant nightlife, great business opportunities - but never loses its beauty.
• The city has an atmosphere that is so calm and relaxed compared to other capitals. I don’t know why, really. Maybe it’s the mentality of the people. Most Swedes are friendly, patient, quiet - and helpful. Maybe it’s because there are so many open spaces, water and parks. Or because the houses are so colorful. Maybe it’s all of this together.
• Stockholm has great tourist attractions, but never feels touristy. Even in the most popular part of town - the historical Old Town or Gamla Stan - there are enough quiet streets to make a relaxing stroll.
• Stockholm is green. About one third of Stockholm consists of parks. One third! It is the first city in the world to have a national park within the city borders. Yes, a nature reserve right in the heart of a capital with 1.5 million people. And all of these parks are accessible.
• With around 90 museums to choose from, visiting Stockholm is a cultural feast. And there’s a museum for every one. The city has some of Europe’s best art museums, but also the world’s first open-air museum (Skansen), several museums that display all aspects of Nordic history, an old warship on display (Vasa Museum) and even special places for kids (Junibacken, toy museum). The state-run museums have free admission.
• Stockholm is safe. OK, crime rates have gone up in recent decades, like everywhere in the Western world. Still it’s one of the world’s safest capitals. There are no neighborhoods you should avoid and it’s usually no problem to walk outside at nights.
• Art is an integrated part of Stockholm city life. On the pavement along Berzelli Park a worker pops out of the ground, lifting a manhole cover. From a distance you won’t notice it, but it’s a statue (’Humor‘ by KG Bejemark). There are sculptures and statues all over Stockholm, often at unexpected places. Many stations of the Stockholm underground (tunnelbana) are decorated with paintings, sculptures, mosaics, installations and engravings. And architecture is incredibly eclectic. Italian, German, Dutch, French style - it’s all there, and often in one design.
• Which city has 24,000 islands and rocks in its backyard? Stockholm. A huge archipelago connects the city with the Baltic Sea and you can visit it by boat. Spend a day or so on one of these attractive islands - you won’t regret it.
• Stockholm is so clean … If you’ve been to Paris, London, Amsterdam and then visit Stockholm, you wonder: Where do these Swedes leave their garbage?

Every modern city has negative aspects. Too much traffic, pollution, drunks, criminals … I don’t believe a city built by humans will ever become perfect. But compared to other capitals, Stockholm comes very close.

The author Marc A. de Jong is a Dutch journalist currently living in Antwerp, Belgium. He is the owner and editor of http://www.stockholm-sweden-travel-guide.com - a unique online travel guide based on personal experience.

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