Sweden: Mora & Stockholm – My Travel Notions

With six countries to cover over less than 30 days, staying in one place too long is just not an option and that’s okay with me. I have definitely enjoyed exploring the Scandinavian country of Norway and now looking forward to seeing the sites in Sweden. So, we say good-bye to Norway, along with our wonderful Intrepid leader/guide Johanna, and say hello to Sweden and our new Intrepid leader/guide Marina.

There’s honestly something magical about crossing a border, even if there’s no stamp or fanfare. Traveling from one European country to another does not require any border patrols. Since we traveled by a private van, around five hours between destinations, we were able to stop at the border and make our own fanfare.

Situated in Northern Europe, Sweden borders Norway to the west and north, Finland to the east, and is connected to Denmark in the southwest by a bridge–tunnel. It’s a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. It’a also been part of the European Union since 1995.

Our first stop in Sweden was the laidback lakeside small town of Mora. Not to be too offensive but our little group of defectors, who chose to leave “Mora Bora,” affectionately nicknamed by Richard, after one night instead of the two scheduled nights. We, meaning Richard, Tania and myself, felt quite strongly about moving on to Stockholm, the capital and largest city in Sweden, less than a 4-hour train ride away.

We arrived in Mora early enough to get checked into our hotel, the Fridhemsgatan, get in an introductory walk and come to the understanding that one day in Mora was sufficient to see its highlights.

The Mora highlights before moving on to Stockholm.

My selfie leaving Norway and at the border of Sweden. There are no immigration or customs control between the two borders, at least not in this area from Lillehammer, Norway to Mora, Sweden. (July 24, 2022)

Along with the Sweden sign, I was also alerted about the border crossing by T-Mobile my mobile communications provider in the U.S. for both my cell phone and my tablet (an Apple iPhone and an iPad Pro) that I travel with. I get a similar text message every time I cross a border letting me know about my mobile coverage in that particular country. And, I don’t pay any additional amount for the service. Having access to my data roaming, for no additional cost, is a necessity as a traveler, especially as a solo traveler. This is not a paid for financial endorsement, just information for other travelers. (July 24, 2022)

Me, again, but at the stone border marker between Norway and Sweden. (July 24, 2022)

My group, myself and our new guide through Sweden and into Finland, at the border of Norway and Sweden. From left: Tanya, Richard holding Inga; Garry; our Intrepid leader/guide Marina and me, the group selfie-taker. The original guide for the trip from Oslo to Helsinki tested positive for Covid so Johanna and Marina stepped in to guide our small group. And, in the background is our private van. Next stop Mora, Sweden. (July 24, 2022)

Another group photo in front of the Dala Horse in Mora, Sweden. From left: Tania, Garry, Marina, Richard and me.
Here we are in Mora, Sweden, stopping at the Dala Horse during our orientation walk of this small village. The laminated wooden Dala horse is a Swedish national symbol that began many centuries ago. The horse’s importance as a tool and workmate was very large in the forest and working villages. It was natural that the horse was the figure that emerged when whittling toys for the children in idle moments from small leftover pieces of wood. Painted wooden horses began serious production in the second half of the 1800’s. The Dala Horse’s definitive breakthrough as Sweden’s symbol was when it was at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York. This large wooden horse was unveiled on the National Day, 6th of June 2011. (July 24, 2022)

My shadow on the red quartzite sandstone sidewalk in Mora, Sweden. (July 24, 2022)

The color, known specifically as Falu red, has been a consistent symbol of pastoral life in Sweden commonly used in wooden cottages, barns and house. The paint’s origin is from various copper mines in Sweden. The paint consists of water, rye flour, linseed oil and tailings from the copper mines. (July 24, 2022)

This famous Swedish souvenir, the dalahäst or Dala Horse, is a traditionally carved and painted wooden horse statue produced in Nusnäs, a village just outside Mora in the Swedish province of Dalarna. Historically, the horse was mostly used as a toy for children. (July 24, 2022)

A close-up of the bronze sculpture of a Vasa Race Runner in Mora’s downtown area in celebration of the 50th Vasa Race held in 1973. (July 24, 2022)

The area in Mora where the Vasaloppet, the annual cross-country ski race in Sweden, with the finish line in the distance. The cross-country competition began in 1922. Nowadays it is held the first Sunday in March each year.
The race was inspired by a notable journey King Gustav Vasa (Sweden’s king from 1523 until his death in 1560) made from Mora to Sälen when he was fleeing from King Christian II of Denmark’s soldiers during the winter of 1520–1521 in the beginning of the Swedish War of Liberation. According to legend, he fled on skis. The modern competition started in 1922 and it has been a part of the Worldloppet events since 1979. While Gustav traveled from Mora to Sälen, the modern race is run the opposite way, finishing in Mora. (July 24, 2022)

The Mora Church in Mora, Sweden, was built on the same place as a previous 13th century church that included walls integrated into this newer church. In 1671, the church was partly destroyed by fire but construction began immediately and continued gradually until 1673 when the work was completed. (July 24, 2022)

The Mora Church in Mora, Sweden, is famous for being seen near the Vasaloppet, the annual cross-country ski race finish line, in Sweden. The size and opulence of the church building, as compared to other churches in the region, is a result of the fact that in medieval times the northern Dalarna region was part of the Mora Parish and this church served as the seat of Mora Parish. (July 24, 2022)

Inside the Mora Church in Mora, Sweden. (July 24, 2022)

The pulpit inside the Mora Church in Mora, Sweden. (July 24, 2022)

The altar inside the Mora Church in Mora, Sweden. (July 24, 2022)

A display, at the entryway inside the Mora Church in Mora, Sweden, features the carved signatures of the donors who gave to the rebuilding of the church in 1671 after a fire. (July 24, 2022)

A close-up of the carved signatures inside a display at the entryway inside the Mora Church in Mora, Sweden. These carved signatures are of the donors who gave to the rebuilding of the church in 1671 after a fire. (July 24, 2022)

The bell-tower in Mora, Sweden, is actually just east of the Mora Church and it was built in 1672. (July 24, 2022)

The Mora Church in Mora, Sweden, is dedicated to the archangel Saint Michael since before the Protestant reformation and the establishment of the Church of Sweden in the 16th century. The effigy of Michael and the dragon, as seen is seen in this statue south-west of the church’s main gates. It was adopted as the Mora coat of arms in 1946. (July 24, 2022)

The statue of the archangel Saint Michael whom the Mora Church in Mora, Sweden, is dedicated to. The effigy of Michael and the dragon, as seen is seen in this statue south-west of the church’s main gates. It was adopted as the Mora coat of arms in 1946. (July 24, 2022)

The Zorn Museum complex in Mora, Sweden, contains the home of Swedish painter Anders Zorn and his wife Emma. The complex is a Swedish state museum dedicated to preserving the works of painter Anders Zorn, one of Sweden’s internationally best known artists. His fame abroad was founded mainly on his portraiture and his ability to capture the character and personality of the depicted person. The Zorn Collections administers Anders and Emma Zorn’s donation to the Swedish State. The Zorn Collections consists of four museums: Zorngården, Zorn Museum, Zorn’s Gammelgård & Textilkammare and Zorn’s Gopsmor. (July 24, 2022)

The Zorn house part of the Zorn Museum in Mora, Sweden, that showcases the home and the works of Swedish painter Anders Zorn and his wife Emma. (July 24, 2022)

The main shopping and restaurant street of Kyrkogatan in Mora, Sweden with the archangel Saint Michael and dragon at one end of the street, closest to the Mora Church. (July 24, 2022)

The pedestrian restaurant and shopping street of Kyrkogatan in Mora, Sweden, is covered by slabs of this gorgeous red quartzite along with the cast iron plates rain trough that acts as a run-off for the rain. And, in the distance is the Mora Church. (July 24, 2022)

The pedestrian restaurant and shopping street of Kyrkogatan in Mora, Sweden. (July 24, 2022)

The Tunnel graffiti off the main shopping and restaurant street of Kyrkogatan in Mora, Sweden features this cinematic collage mural of various characters including Freddie Kruger in the “Nightmare on Elm Street.” The spray paint graffiti mural is part of the area’s project called “Legal Graffiti.” It was initiated 2003-2004 by young people so they could legally design and paint elaborate graffiti murals. (July 24, 2022)

My ground floor room at the Fridhemsgatan Hotel in Mora, Sweden. (July 24, 2022)

Leaving Mora early to hang out in Stockholm.

The tour plan was to stay two nights in Mora before taking the train for two nights in Sweden’s capital and largest city of Stockholm. Mora is a small village and a nice one for an overnight stop on the way to Stockholm, but it definitely does not warrant two nights when Stockholm awaits.

Being a small group of fairly independent solo travelers Tania, Richard and I decided to leave Mora a day early and make our way to Stockholm. Easier said than done. Getting an extra night at the hotel Lilla Rådmannen was easy but getting a train there, especially an early train was a lot more difficult. And, the only direct train available was not until later in the afternoon.

I ended up spending the day in Mora, which was overcast and gloomy, enjoying some quiet time in my hotel room and getting caught up on some writing. It was just what I needed to get ready to hit the streets of Stockholm.

Here we are, Richard, Tania and me, making our great escape on the train from Mora to Stockholm a day ahead of the tour’s schedule. Hanging out with these two has been fun and an utter joy. Here we are inside our first class train cabin in what turned out to be a pretty old train. But it still did what it was intended to do, it allowed us to escape the quiet of Mora, and just four hours later, to spend more time in Stockholm. (July 25, 2022)

The train station in Mora, Sweden. (July 25, 2022)

Me in the first class cabin on the train from Mora to Stockholm. (July 25, 2022)

Inside our first class, a rather scruffy first class, train from Mora to Stockholm. (July 25, 2022)

Our train from Mora to Stockholm. (July 25, 2022)

We did it. We’re in Stockholm, just under four hours. It doesn’t look it, but it’s already after 8:00 p.m. but we were still happy to be here. (July 25, 2022)

The Stockholm train station. (July 25, 2022)

My room at the Lilla Rådmannen hotel in Stockholm. (July 25, 2022)

It was late and we (Tania, Richard and me) were hungry. Although the Esperanza Italian Restaurant on the main drag of Drottninggatan in Stockholm was crowded, when we checked, someone’s no-show reservation allowed the three of us to have the only vacant table in the place. (July 25, 2022)

I was definitely in the mood for some good pasta and this was delicious. I had Carbonara at the Esperanza Italian Restaurant on the main drag of Drottninggatan in Stockholm. It was delicious! (July 25, 2022)

Stockholm, along with being Sweden’s largest city and capital, is built on 14 islands and has more than 50 bridges which could be why it is known as the Venice of the North. It also has the medieval old town ofGamla Stan, while being known being progressive and quite modern.

I kept pretty busy during our 3-nights and 2.5 days in Stockholm from seeing the sights to enjoying the food. Plus, my allergies went into overload and left me tired and unable to travel at full speed so I needed to take some down time. And yes, it’s allergies, but I did take a Covid test to be sure and it was Negative.

With our first full day in Stockholm, Richard, Tania and I did the most important thing first and that was dropping off dirty laundry at a place a couple of blocks away that did the washing and drying while we did the fun touristy things…and that we did. First on the list was a hunt for the underground subway art, a walk around and to the Royal Palace, the Stockholm Cathedral, the medieval old town of Gamla Stan and the ABBA Museum.

Here are the highlights of my first day in Stockholm!

We actually began our day in Stockholm with dropping off dirty clothes at the laundry. (July 26, 2022)

For 15 Euros, we could drop off a bag of dirty clothes and pick them up at the end of our busy day. (July 26, 2022)

Me at one of the many Stockholm’s metro system has been dubbed the world’s longest art gallery and for good reason! 90 of its 100 subway stations are decorated. This checkered floor, red and green striped station is called one is Kungsträdgården or King’s Garden. It’s full of eye-catching roof graphics and random sculptures. (July 26, 2022)

The King’s Garden is one of the many art installations of Stockholm’s metro system. (July 26, 2022)

We continued our hunt through Stockholm’s metro stations to see its acclaimed “world’s longest art gallery.” Here I am ready to take the subway train to our next Stockholm metro station art works. (July 26, 2022)

Inside the very clean trains of Stockholm. (July 26, 2022)

Approaching our next Stockholm metro station whitewashed walls and blue painted vines of T-Centralen. (July 26, 2022)

The T-Centralen metro station, with its whitewashed walls and blue painted patterns of vines, in Stockholm. (July 26, 2022)

Me at the T-Centralen metro station, with its whitewashed walls and blue painted patterns of vines, in Stockholm. (July 26, 2022)

The eastern facade of the Royal Palace in Stockholm. It is the official residence and major royal palace of the Swedish monarch. (July 26, 2022)

The eastern facade of the Royal Palace in Stockholm from a boat ride we took across the Norrström, one of the shortest rivers in Europe that connects Lake Mälaren with the Baltic Sea. (July 26, 2022)

Walking up the southern facade of the Stockholm Palace to the right and heading towards the Stockholm Cathedral, the building being renovated and covered in white. (July 26, 2022)

The western facade of the Royal Palace in Stockholm where people are gatering to see the changing of the guard. (July 26, 2022)

Getting a selfie with one of the guards on duty at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. Rain was predicted but it turned out to be another beautiful day in Stockholm. (July 26, 2022)

Entrance into the Stockholm Cathedral which is the oldest church in Stockholm. A number of places in Stockholm are being renovated including the exterior of the cathedral. (July 26, 2022)

Inside the Stockholm Cathedral, constructed in the 13th century, still maintains much of its late medieval appearance in the form of a hall church with a vaulted ceiling supported by brick pillars. (July 26, 2022)

Inside the Stockholm Cathedral, among other sculptures and elaborate sculptures, is this iconic late medieval sculpture of Saint George and the Dragon. The statue was commissioned by Sten Sture the Elder following his victory over the Danish army in the Battle of Brunkeberg in 1471. During the battle, Sten Sture put his army under the protection of Saint George. The sculpture was inaugurated in 1489. (July 26, 2022)

Enjoying Gamla Stan, the old town of Stockholm, Sweden, with two members of my tour group. The old town area dates back to the 13th century, and consists of medieval alleyways, cobbled streets, and archaic architecture. That’s Tania, me and Richard (with Inga, who has her own Instagram traveling account.) (July 26, 2022)

The Stortorget is a public square in Gamla Stan, the old town in central Stockholm. It is the oldest square in Stockholm and the historical center of the medieval urban core. Today, the square is frequented by tens of thousands of tourists annually. (July 26, 2022)

The iconic buildings of the Stortorget (Grand Square), a public
square in Gamla Stan, the old town in central Stockholm, Sweden. (July 26, 2022)

Gamla Stan, the old town of Stockholm, Sweden. (July 26, 2022)

Gamla Stan, the old town of Stockholm, Sweden. (July 27, 2022)

Me in the old town of Gamla Stan in Stockholm, pointing to the sign of a Texas restaurant. There are a number of U.S. fast food restaurants in Sweden from McDonalds to Burger King and Taco Bell to Starbucks. (July 26, 2022)

Instead of having lunch at the Texas restaurant, we had lunch at a place with Swedish meatballs, which I decided to have for lunch. The meatballs were plentiful and a little salty, but the sauce was pretty good. I ended up eating most of it. (July 26, 2022)

And, something else I have been enjoying on this trip are the various ciders in Norway and Sweden. None of these are considered traditional drinks but I’ve definitely enjoyed them. (July 26, 2022)

You can’t come to Stockholm without going to the ABBA Museum. That’s the Swedish group whose music is the score for the Broadway play and movie of “Mama Mia.” And, to get to the museum, we had to take the #82 ferry to the island of Djurgården. Stockholm is a city built on 14 islands, connected by 57 bridges over the two waters Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea. (July 26, 2022)

The entrance to the ABBA Museum in Stockholm. If you like sweet and sappy from the ‘Mama Mia’ play and movies, which I do, then a walk through the museum is a lovely walk through the 70s and 80s. (July 26, 2022)

The ABBA wax figures at the ABBA Museum in Stockholm. ABBA is a a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1972 by Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. The group’s name is an acronym of the first letters of their first names arranged as a palindrome. (July 26, 2022)

ABBA costumes on display at the ABBA Museum in Stockholm. (July 26, 2022)

Inside the ABBA Museum in Stockholm. (July 26, 2022)

Me at the ABBA Museum in Stockholm. (July 26, 2022)

I spent the earlier part of my second full day in Stockholm hanging out with Richard and Tania starting with a walk through the main street of Drottninggatan before taking the “Under the Bridges” boat sightseeing tour along Lake Mälare then back to Gamla Stan, the old town of Stockholm, with a visit to the Nobel Museum before going our separate ways. Since I enjoyed the Oslo City Hall, I only thought it would be fair to check out the Stockholm City Hall so that’s where I spent my afternoon. In the evening the three of us met up for dinner and before heading back to the hotel, we checked out one more Stockholm’s beautiful “cave stations,” or subway art stations where the walls follow the contours of the underlying bedrock.

Here’s to our last full day and night in Stockholm before taking a ferry to Helsinki, Finland.

The ATM next to the sex shop on the main street of Drottninggatan in Sweden. (July 27, 2022)

A walk through the main street of Drottninggatan in Sweden. (July 27, 2022)

The LGBTQ walk signs along the main street of Drottninggatan in Sweden. Initially created as a temporary installation in 2017 to celebrate Pride and to raise awareness of issues affecting the LGBTQ community, 47 lights were modified to show couples of the same gender standing (red) or walking (green) together. (July 27, 2022)

The LGBTQ walk signs along the main street of Drottninggatan in Sweden. (July 27, 2022)

And, along the main street of Drottninggatan in Sweden, is a store dedicated to American sweets, treats and candies. (July 27, 2022)

Inside the Tasty America store along the main street of Drottninggatan in Sweden. It’s a store dedicated to American sweets, treats and candies. (July 27, 2022)

While walking to our boat ride, we passed this luxuriosu department store, NK. It was established in 1915. (July 27, 2022)

Getting onto our Stockholm Sightseeing boat tour Lake Mälaren. (July 27, 2022)

The bridges and views of of Stockholm during my Stockholm Sightseeing boat tour along Lake Mälaren. (July 27, 2022)

The views and bridges of Stockholm during my Stockholm Sightseeing boat tour along Lake Mälaren.. (July 27, 2022)

The views and bridges of Stockholm during my Stockholm Sightseeing boat tour along the Baltic Sea. (July 27, 2022)

The views during my Stockholm Sightseeing boat tour along Lake Mälaren. (July 27, 2022)

The lock that connects Lake Mälaren to the Baltic Sea during my Stockholm Sightseeing boat tour. (July 27, 2022)

Me standing in front of the Noble Prize Museum in the Stortorget (Grand Square), a public square in Gamla Stan, the old town in central Stockholm. (July 27, 2022)

The Noble Prize Museum in the Stortorget (Grand Square), a public square in Gamla Stan, the old town in central Stockholm. (July 27, 2022)

Inside the Noble Prize Museum in Stockholm which showcases information about the Nobel prizewinners, as well as information about the Nobel Prize and its founder Alfred Nobel (1833–1896). (July 27, 2022)

One of the Nobel prize winners featured inside the Noble Prize Museum in Stockholm is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. First issued in 1901, the Nobel Prize is one of the highest honors a person can receive in their lifetime. From 1901 to 2021, the Nobel Prize has been awarded 609 times to a total of 943 people. (July 27, 2022)

The bronze medallion of Alfred Nobel at the Nobel Prize Museum in Stockholm. The Nobel Prize was founded by Swedish engineer, inventor, and chemist Alfred Nobel, whose will established the Nobel Foundation and directed that the prizes be awarded annually “to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind.” (July 27, 2022)

The Stockholm City Hall took 12 years, from 1911 to 1923, to construct. This is the Municipal Council for the City of Stockholm. (July 27, 2022)

The inner courtyard of the Stockholm City Hall.(July 27, 2022)

Every year since 1930, with few exceptions, the Nobel Prize Banquet has been held in this room at the Stockholm City Hall. Following the prize ceremony at Stockholm Concert Hall, some 1,300 people, including 250 students, sit down to eat in this Blue Hall (Blå hallen). The Nobel Laureates, their families, the Swedish Royal Family, representatives of the Swedish Government and distinguished foreign guests all participate. (July 27, 2022)

My feet selfie standing on the floor in the Blue Hall (Blå hallen) where
every year since 1930, with few exceptions, the Nobel Prize Banquet has been held in the Stockholm City Hall. The Nobel Laureates, their families, the Swedish Royal Family, representatives of the Swedish Government and distinguished foreign guests all participate. (July 27, 2022)

The Council Chamber (Rådsalen) inside the Stockholm City Hall where Stockholm’s City Council assembles every third Monday. The interior of the Council Chamber is quite majestic with its high ceilings and takes its inspiration from the Swedish Viking Age. The public gallery has room for about 200 spectators to attend the council meetings. (July 27, 2002)

The Council Chamber (Rådsalen) inside the Stockholm City Hall where Stockholm’s City Council assembles every third Monday. (July 27, 2022)

The decorated roof of the Council Chamber (Rådsalen) inside the Stockholm City Hall where Stockholm’s City Council assembles every third Monday. (July 27, 2022)

The Prince’s Gallery (Prinsens galleri or Stora galleriet) which runs along the Stockholm City Hall’s southern long side. (July 27, 2022)

The pillars by the windows of the Prince’s Gallery in the Stockholm City Hall are reliefs featuring male and female characters from Norse and classical mythology. (July 27, 2022)

After the Nobel Banquet in the Blue Hall guests take the stairway up to the Golden Hall (Gyllene salen) of the Stockholm City Hall, to dance. The walls of the Golden Hall are decorated with mosaics created by Einar Forseth, depicting the history of Sweden from the 9th century to the 1920s. The images consist of more than 18 million mosaic pieces made of glass and gold. (July 27, 2022)

“The Queen of Lake Mälaren”, in the Golden Hall (Gyllene salen) of the Stockholm City Hall. She is Stockholm in human form, sitting on a throne and beside her are figures and buildings from the rest of the world. (July 27, 2022)

The walls of the Golden Hall inside the Stockholm City Hall are decorated with mosaics created by Einar Forseth, depicting the history of Sweden from the 9th century to the 1920s. The images consist of more than 18 million mosaic pieces made of glass and gold. (July 27, 2022)

The southern wall of the Golden Hall inside the Stockholm City Hall shows different motifs from all around Stockholm. (July 27, 2022)

My selfie at the Golden Hall inside the Stockholm City Hall. (July 27, 2022)

During our first night in Stockholm we had Italian for dinner and for our last night, we had Spanish at the Caliente Tapas Bar. We ordered a number of small dishes and really enjoyed this meal. That’s Tania, me and Richard. (July 27, 2022)

After dinner we decided to check out a couple more metro or subway stations before ending our evening in Stockholm. Here we are having fun on a virtually empty metro. (July 27, 2022)

Colourful illuminated escalator steps in metro station, Stockholm. (July 27, 2022)

My selfie at the Stadion Station in Stockholm. (July 27, 2022)

The Stadion metro station in Stockholm with its blue cave walls covered in rainbow colors. (July 27, 2022)

My selfie at one of the many cave-like metro or subway stations in Stockholm. This one is the Stadion Station with its sky blue walls covered in colorful rainbow colors. (July 27, 2022)

Me at the Stadion metro station in Stockholm with its blue cave walls covered in rainbow colors and these colorful flowers. (July 27, 2022)

Tania and Richard having fun at the Stadion metro station in Stockholm with its blue cave walls covered in rainbow colors and these colorful flowers. These two, whom I met on this trip, have been a joy to travel with from their amusing humors to their desires to explore, we made a great team. (July 27, 2022)

Getting ready to hop on the metro to go visit our next subway/metro art station in Stockholm. (July 27, 2022)

The Tekniska högskolan subway station on the red line of the Stockholm metro. (July 27, 2022)

And, one more, this time a colorful one of the Tekniska högskolan subway station on the red line of the Stockholm metro. (July 27, 2022)

After breakfast, on our last day in Stockholm, we visited the Vasa Museum in the inner-city island of Djurgarden. The 17th-century warship, Vasa, sank in 1628 on her maiden voyage in the harbour of Stockholm and was not salvaged until 1961. As one of the most visited sights in Sweden, the Vasa Museum collection consists of the Vasa itself and all of the objects that were found within the ship. On my own, before boarding our overnight ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki, Finland, I spent some time visiting the National Nordic Museum and enjoyed the park across from the museum, the Lusthusportens Park.