BBC: "Sweden takes cool culture crown"
"Journalist Stieg Larsson can be given a lot of the credit for this refreshed interest in all things Swedish. Larsson wrote the Millennium Trilogy which went on to sell millions of books - and overnight the genre "Scandi-Crime" had been unleashed", according to BBC News
The Swedish film adaptations of the Trilogy novels have also enjoyed astonishing worldwide box office success for foreign language films. The two movies which have been released so far, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who played With Fire, have taken around £100m and are in the Top 15 foreign language grossing films to date.
Larsson's success has opened the door to sell other genre novels and movies, including John Ajvide Lindqvist's vampire horror Let the Right One In and Henning Mankell's world-weary detective Wallander, also a successful BBC TV series.
Fotografiska awarded Swedish Tourism prize
During the Swedish Tourism Gala - Fotografiska (photo museum) was awarded the Swedish Grand Tourism Award (Stora Turistpriset 2010). The prize honors exemplary efforts in innovation, internationalization, quality or durability, which has helped to develop tourism in Sweden. The award ceremony was held in cooperation with the RTS, travel and tourism industry in Sweden, in Swedish Tourism Gala at the Stockholm Concert Hall (Konserthuset).
- We are proud to receive such a prestigious award only five months after the premiere. This is a great recognition for us, "said Per Broman and Jan Broman, founders of Fotografiska.
The jury's full motivation reads: "In a very short time has created a photographic Swedish world-class attractions in Stockholm. Through a bold and innovative venture in photography opportunities as a medium they have created audiences attractive exhibitions, a meeting place for knowledge and experiences and training. Major tourism prize aimed at promoting development in the tourism industry has really been achieved through the successful collaboration between amateur and professional photographers. The Photographic also established itself in an industrial heritage with all amenities, shows that you have managed to establish a business that not only is in keeping with the times but will also offer future opportunities ".
Preview of Stockholm Adventures
Finalist 2010 - Stockholm Adventures from Svenska Rese- och Turistgalan on Vimeo.
Two Stockholm attractions was among the nominees for the best experience in Stockholm, during Swedens tourism gala. Stockholm Adventures was one of the nominees.Preview of open-air museum Skansen
Finalist 2010 - Skansen from Svenska Rese- och Turistgalan on Vimeo.
Two Stockholm attractions was among the nominees for the best experience in Stockholm, during Swedens tourism gala. The open-air and living history museum Skansen was one of the nominees.Martha Stewart loves Stockholm and TRIWA watches
The american tv- and cooking legend Martha Stewart got a Swedish TRIWA watch when she stayed in Stockholm at Lydmar Hotel- She just loves the city and the watch. See why in this episode
Stockholms Gay lesbian blog awarded
Stockholm Gay & Lesbian Network blog is one of the top 20 LGBT Blogs in the world, according to Lesbiandating.net.
"Stockholm Gay Lesbian Network is included, since I always find your articles to be very informative and useful.”, says Lesbian dating.net
Björn Dahlström at Gallery Pascale
The prominent swedish graphic and industrial designer Björn Dahlström is exhibiting his new collection of glass tables named "Bellevue 2010" at Gallery Pascale. Bellevue 2010 consists of nine unique glass tables made especially for the exclusive line "Selection Pascale". The tables are exhibited and sold at Gallery Pascale until November 20, 2010.
Photos: Jason Strong
12 trendy hotel bars in Stockholm
Photo: SVB/Nico Södling
Coctails in a hotel bar is not only for visitors. Its become quite trendy for Stockholmers to enjoy the hotel bars as well. Dagens Nyheter lists their favorite hotel bars in Stockholm - from calm relaxation rooms to office atmosphere and, from loud after work to trendy clubs. Here are Dagens Nyheters selection of 12 Hotel bars:
Hotel Rival - attractive water hole for trendy crowd.
Mariatorget 3, Södermalm
Cadier bar - the most elegant hotel bar
Grand Hotel, Södra Blasieholmshamnen
First Reisen Hotel - Mixed age group, relaxed but with competent coctail makers
Skeppsbron 12, Gamla Stan (Old town)
Story Hotel - Designconcept with a industrial twist in exclusive area
Riddargatan, Östermalm
Lydmar Hotel - Enter the home of Mr Lydmar, relaxed chic.
Södra Blasieholmshamnen
Scandic Hotel Malmen - SoFo feeling and live music almost everyday.
Götgatan 49, Södermalm
Scandic Hotel Anglais - The bar that started the trend. Still cool.
Humlegårdsgatan 23, Stureplan, Östermalm
Berns Hotel bar - Large and exclusive environment, with affordable prices.
Näckströmsgatan 8, Berzelii Park
Radisson Blu Strand Hotel - Calm enviroment with a water view
Nybrokajen 9
Diplomat Hotel - Classic elegance, calm jazz and stylish wine list.
Strandvägen 7 C
Nobis Hotel - Rookie of the year is maybee the upcoming golden bar at the new hotel (opens Dec 1)
Norrmalmstorg 2
Utvalt opens on Östermalm in Stockholm
New interior shop in Stockholm. Utvalt (selected) has moved from Södermalm to Östermalm in Stockholm and offers a wide range of design; from unique antiques to selected furniture and carpets. The style is classic elegance and bohemian comfort. Exclusive items are mixed together with things that fit most people's wallets.
Utvalt
Address: Artillerigatan 25, Östermalm
Swedish master painter Zorn at Waldemarsudde
With works on-loan from national and international museums and private collections, the exhibition aims to give a comprehensive presentation of one of Sweden's greatest national painters.
Anders Zorn is arguably Sweden's most successful painter of all times. This year marks the 150th year of his birth, which is celebrated in the exhibition Zorn Masterpieces. The exhibition presents the first opportunity in a number of years to experience some eighties works by the artist, including several important international loans.
For Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde, it is a special joy to be able to show the works of Anders Zorn at Waldemarsudde, since Zorn often visited Prince Eugen here, and the Prince in his turn paid several visits to the Zorns in their home at Mora. Zorn and the Prince initially met in France, towards the end of the 1880s, and were on friendly terms from then on. Zorn painted the Prince's portrait and is represented in the Waldemarsudde Art Collections by a number of works.
The exhibition Zorn Masterpieces at Waldemarsudde, October 23 - January 23 2011
Smartphone app at Liljevalchs in Stockholm
Liljevalchs are using QR codes in their exhibition "Eleganten Einar". Visitors with smartphone are offered extras to 74 of the works on site in the gallery by the QR-code on the action plates. QR Code also makes it easy for visitors to benefit from additional editorial material on a single work in place of the exhibition - in this case, texts, images and films related to the paintings theme or motif.
The QR Code is linked to Liljevalchs new website and the presentations are also found there by Elegant Einar there, for visitors that do not have smartphones.
Get in the Christmas Spirit
Is it too early? Im already longing for Christmas and the best way is to get the christmas spirit elsewhere. May I suggest Stockholm? There are several great christmas markets before christmas, both traditional, trendy and some on an island in the archipelago.
Several attractions are even open on Christmas Eve. One of them is the open air museum Skansen. Skansen is open on christmas eve this year, free of charge, as a christmas gift to Stockholmers and tourists. Welcome.
Here is a list of the main christmas events before christmas.
Photo: Christmas market in Old Town by Yanan Li for Stockholm Visitors Board
BA opens new route to Stockholm
British Airways opens a new route from London City Airport to Stockholm Arlanda. The new route starts January 9 with two flights per day.
Autumn in Stockholm
Did you know that Stockholmtown is on Facebook (Visit Stockholm). Our editor just updated the facebook site with some amazing Stockholm images (see above). Go see for yourself.
Latest news from Stockholm
Click on the image or here to see our latest news on shopping, restaurants, hotels, events, recreation, christmas, Stieg Larsson books in Stockholm.
Skyscraper race
If you are in Stockholm on the 30 of October you can participate in one of the most quirky races in Stockholm. Saturday, October 30th is the premiere of a new tought running event in the city - "First up". The rules for the contest is as simple as crazy: running up all the way from the bottom to the top of the skyscraper "Skrapan" on Södermalm. A total of 24 floors with 436 steps to climb and the winner is the one who is the fastest.
Skrapan is a shopping center and with a restaurant and skybar on Götgatan.
Image: Vasakronan
Best hotel for business travellers
For the seventh consecutive year, the Radisson Blu is the preferred hotell group for business travellers, according to a survey. Every year, the London-based research firm BDRC does a "Continental Hotel Guest Survey" in over 40 countries worldwide. The Nordic study is based on interviews with Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish business travelers. Radisson Blu was chosen as the preferred hotel group.
There are five, soon six, Radisson blu hotels in Stockholm.
Norwegian opens new route to Stockholm
Norwegian Airlines opens a new route from Malmö in southern Sweden to Stockholm from December 2. Skurup Airport in Malmö is also close for visitors from Copenhagen.
New hotels in Stockholm
During this autumn and into next year, Stockholm will welcome several new hotels.
Nobis Hotel (image)—modern and luxurious hotel opening in December
The Nobis Hotel is an independent contemporary luxury hotel with 201 rooms that’s set to open in December 2010 on Norrmalmstorg Square. The hotel is designed by the architect firm of Claesson Koivisto Rune, who have won many awards and distinctions. The 24/7 bistro, in the same building, will be as open as its name implies—24 hours a day, every day of the week. The Nobis Hotel is a member of Design Hotels.com.
Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel opens in the beginning of 2011
The new hotel and conference facility in the center of Stockholm between the World Trade Center, City Hall, and the central railroad station will be the new watering hole for business travelers. The Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel will have 418 rooms with a view of Stockholm, four suites, together with a restaurant, bar and fitness center. In addition, there’ll be a large and flexible auditorium for up to 3,000 persons, and an adjacent banquet hall for 2,000 guests.
Scandic Grand Central opens in 2011
The environmentally conscious Scandic chain will be opening one more hotel in Stockholm. The Scandic Hotels Grand Central is located a stone’s throw from the central railroad station and the commercial center of the city, and will be the flagship of the Scandic chain, with almost 400 rooms. The hotel is expected to open in August 2011.
Nordic Sea Hotel to be renovated
This hotel hosts one of the most well-known bars in Stockholm, the Absolute Ice Bar, and will be getting a thorough facelift beginning in December 2010. Considering that its sister hotel is the trendy designer Nordic Light Hotel, there are great expectations.
Connect Hotel City
Connect Hotels focuses on low prices. At this new hotel, you’ll be close to shopping, sights, restaurants and entertainment in the Kungsholmen district of Stockholm. The hotel will be opening late in the autumn of 2010.
Elite Eden Park Hotel
The Elite chain will be expanding with a new hotel in the exclusive Östermalm neighborhood in October.
More info in the hotel category
Autumn restaurant favorites
Whether you are looking for contemporary international cuisine, traditional Swedish food, ethnic from around the globe or affordable neighborhood restaurants - Stockholm has it. The autumn is the cosy season, and restaurants light their candles and some offers real warming fireplaces and a snugly atmosphere. Here are some of our new and old restaurant favorites:
□ Orangeriet (orangery)- crackling fireplace, cozy sofas, magical view of Stockholm and the best cocktails in town. To good to be true? This new bar, next to the popular restaurant Kungsholmen has become an autumn favorite.
□ Hjerta-(heart)on the lush island of Skeppsholmen, lies this newly opened charming and rustic restaurant. Perfect for a lunch after a visit to the neighbours Nationalmuseum, Museum of Modern Art and East Asian Museum, or in the evening.
□ Ulla Winbladh - A charming place on Djurgården, next to Skansen and the Vasa Museum, Stockholm is one of the real classics, serving Swedish home cooking. Next summer Michelin restaurateur Melker Andersson will open a restaurant at Godthem next to Ulla Winbladh on Djurgården.
□ Bistro Ruby/Grill Ruby - French bistro or Texas grill? The two sister restaurants in Stockholms old town offer the best of two worlds in an intimate setting.
□ Djuret (the animal) or Pubologi - Djuret serves one animal at the time, from head to tail. The menu consists of different meat paragraphs from the same animal. Pubologi is a hybride of a diningroom, bar and pub and is next door. Both of them quite new
Photo: Orangeriet
Feel like a Nobel Laureate in Stockholm
Many of this year's Nobel laureates were announced this week. In mid-December they will all gather in Stockholm for the big ceremony. But you too can experience the city in the spirit of Alfred Nobel - all year around. For example, you can take a tour of the City Hall where the Nobel banquet is held, visit the Nobelmuseum in the Old Town or any of the other museums that spotlight science. Or why not sample the Nobel Banquet menu? Here are our top tips!
Photo: Yanan Li
The girl with the dragon tatoo in Stockholm
If you were in the area of Tingsrätten or St Paulsgatan on Södermalm this weekend, you could get a glimpse of Daniel Craig (Mikael Blomqvist) and Rooney Mara (Lisbeth Salander) filming for The hollywood version of Stieg Larssons "The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo". Here are some more images from SvD.
I was ill last week, so I hope you forgive me for posting this rather late.
Nordic Light - best boutique hotel in Stockholm
Nordic Light Hotel in Stockholm won the category "Swedens leading boutique hotel 2010" for the third year in a row by World Travel Awards 2010.
New design shops in Stockholm
Several new design shops are opening in Stockholm; beside Illums Bolighus, which opens tomorrow friday there are at least four new places to go for swedish design:
1. Lexington (clothes, bath and bed) have just opened a store in PUB lifestyle department store, Hötorget.
2. Växbo Lin (linen weavery) traditional teqniques and modern design. Växbo has just opened a combined showroom shop, Odengatan 52.
3. Ceramics Karin Eriksson have moved her handicraft shop named Manos to Södermalm. Finde her lovely things (images above) on Renstiernas gata 22.
4. Monica Förster is one of the most renowned swedish designers at the moment. At her showroom - shop on Södermalm, Östgötagatan 18, you can buy all her designs.
More shoppingideas on the blog
IKEA Bus from Vasagatan
Drinks according to your sex
Does all women sip white wine and does all men drinks whiskey? Vin och Sprithistoriska museum in Stockholm has an exhibition about drinks connected to your sex named "Könad Sprit" where they are addressing the questions about male and female drinking from a historic perspective and also from a queer perspective. Very interesting.
More autumnexhibitions
Autumn favorites
Fashion at Fotografiska
Favorite autumn exhibitions
Fashion photography, emperors and legendary dancers - these are just a few of the themes at the museums this season. Here are our favourites - all exhibitions except the Terracotta Army are included in the Stockholm Card!
Fashion at Fotografiska
Fashion! is a new exhibition at Fotografiska, one of the world’s largest meeting places for contemporary photography. The exhibition is based on Camera Work’s collection in Berlin, which received a great deal of attention the first time it was exhibited. Over 200 photographs, of which a large number are vintage prints, created by 50 world renown photographers, make Fashion! one of the most comprehensive exhibitions of fashion photography in Europe. It is a spectacular odyssey through fashion photography’s visual world. From Man Ray’s experimental compositions from the 1920s, to icons such as Irving Penn and Richard Avedon to Steven Meisel and Peter Lindbergh’s cult of supermodels during the 1990s. Today’s fashion photography is represented by Steven Klein and Mikael Jansson, to name only a few.
