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The ultimate Copenhagen to Stockholm journey

Spend time in Copenhagen. Photo: iStock
Spend time in Copenhagen. Photo: iStock

From hanging out in one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods and indulging in artisan coffee, to sea bathing in the nude and gawping at 17th Century shipwrecks; a week-long Scandinavian journey from Copenhagen to Stockholm yields surprises aplenty.

DAY ONE - COPENHAGEN

A perennial on the annual 'world happiness' list, Copenhagen also regularly makes the grade in roundups of the world’s most liveable cities and for good reason. Super-low crime rates and a strong focus on being clean and green combine with a beautiful cityscape of chocolate-box harbourside buildings and sleek, contemporary structures and a wealth of cultural attractions.

Flying directly into Copenhagen, the city’s compact dimensions are the perfect starting point to begin your Scandinavian adventure. As cars have almost no right of way on its most central streets, exploring on two wheels is the best way to get a great overview of the city. Copenhagen Fairy Tales offer small-group, personalised guided tours of the city’s main sights - and many of those off the tourist trail - by bike. The three-hour tour covers iconic monuments such as the Little Mermaid and the Amalienborg Palace, alongside the secret gardens, courtyards and hidden churches of the Danish capital.

The famous little mermaid. Photo: iStock
The famous little mermaid. Photo: iStock

Copenhagen is the hub of the modern Nordic food movement - spearheaded by lauded eatery, Noma - and has Scandinavia’s largest collection of Michelin stars. But for a cheap and cheerful authentic experience, then a bodega is a great way to experience old Denmark.

DAY TWO - COPENHAGEN

Start the day with a dip in one of the four outdoor swimming areas in the inner city. Popular with locals both in the summer and - believe it or not - in the winter, these crystal-clear swimming spots are enjoyed by thousands monthly. The Islands Brygge was the first harbour bath to open in 2002 and it’s still the most visited. On sunny days crowds flock here to swim, dive and sunbathe on its lawns.

No visit to the city is complete without experiencing the counter-culture “free state” of Christiania. This green and car-free neighbourhood began life as an alternative hippy commune in the 70s. Nowadays it has become synonymous with a resident ‘green light district or ‘Pusher Street’, where copious amounts of hash and marijuana dealers cater to visitors and residents alike. However, if you veer away from the drug-fuelled area of Christiania then a bevy of craft shops, DIY homes, cosy gardens, cheap eateries, beer gardens and music venues can be found.

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DAY THREE - MALMO

Get up nice and early to get the train from Copenhagen to Malmo, which takes an easy 30 minutes.

Sweden’s third-largest city has a progressive contemporary feel. Home to Scandinavia's tallest building, beautiful parks, edgy contemporary museums and some seriously good cuisine, Malmo was put on the global map after hosting Eurovision three years ago and since then tourism has been booming.

Take the plunge (literally) into Swedish culture with a lengthy session at the beautiful outdoor Ribersborg bath. The naked sauna is a national pastime and this complex is one of the most beautiful in the simply.

Built in 1892 and is located at the end of a pier on Ribersborg beach, seperate sections for men and women contain several saunas - one wood-fired and one steam - and offer direct access to the surrounding ocean. After all, a swim in the ice cold ocean and a steaming sauna is a perfect match. From the saunas you can enjoy panoramic views of Malmö and the remarkable Turning Torso building, as well as Copenhagen.

While Copenhagen famously has Noma restaurant, Malmo has Lyran. Situated smack bang in one of Malmo’s hippest neighbourhoods, the food here focuses on organic, seasonal Scandinavian produce. Owner-head chef, Jorgen, has become a big hit with locals and international visitors thanks to his flawless food combos and ever-changing vegetarian and meat menus. Expect un-fussy fine dining with an amazing selection of natural wines from the in-house cellar. If you're very lucky, Jorgen’s signature mushroom truffle dish, which took seven years in the making, will be on the menu.

DAY FOUR - KALMAR

An hour and a half by train from Malmo, Kalmar was voted Sweden’s Summer City of the Year two years running and has been the longtime summer residence of the Swedish royal family, yet it surprisingly still hasn’t made it onto the radar of most international tourists.

In the Swedish countryside. Photo: iStock
In the Swedish countryside. Photo: iStock

Surrounded by water - the city centre itself is situated on its own island - Kalmar oozes charm thanks to its pretty cobblestone streets, lovely parks, beaches, forests and meadows. At the same time there’ss a broad range of restaurants, bars, boutique shops and galleries. As one of the oldest Swedish cities - dating back to the year 1027, in fact - Kalmar has history in spades. Make your first stop the 12th century Kalmar Castle, which was also home to a women’s prison back in the 19th century. Take a stroll atop the pristine 17th century city walls - the only walls in the country you can walk on - and then pay a visit to the fascinating Kalmar Lans Museum. Containing the remains of the royal ship Kronan, which sank in 1676, more than 30,000 artefacts, including Sweden's largest gold coin treasure.

DAY FIVE - KALMAR

Get your morning caffeine hit at Kalmar’s newest - and only - artisan coffee shop, Balck Coffee. Opened several months ago by coffee-obsessed former pro-cycler, Sebastian Balck, beans are roasted in-house and ethically sourced. Afterwards, a visit to local chocolatier, Johannas Choklad (www.johannaschoklad.se), is a must. A staple for sweet-toothed locals, this place serves up the best pralines and chocolate bars for miles.

DAY SIX - STOCKHOLM

The longest section of the journey - four and a half hours by train - takes you to Sweden’s capital city; Stockholm.

One-third water, one-third parks and one-third city, the scenic Swedish metropolis is part of an archipelago stretching 80 miles out into the Baltic Sea. For first-timers, a base in the heart of the Old Town - or ‘Gamla Stan’ - is definitely advisable. Its narrow, winding cobblestoned, museum-filled streets will appeal to most tourists sensibilities and some of the main attractions, such as the Royal Palace, are only a few minutes stroll away.

A slice of history in itself, the Victory hotel Stockholm was constructed in 1640 and has now been converted into one of the quirkiest hotels in the city. Packed with nautical antiques and painstakingly decorated to pay homage to the country’s seafaring past, the property is as beautiful as it is unique.

Across the bridge from the Victory lies hipster Mecca: Sodermalm. Once a working class neighbourhood, Sodermalm - or ‘Soder’ to locals - is now the epicentre for all things trendy. Vintage stores, independent galleries and quirky fashion boutiques combine to make a neighbourhood that “Vogue” magazine recently cited as Europe’s “coolest” neighbourhood. It’s also one of the best spots for cafes, restaurants and great bars.

After indulging your taste buds, it’s time to indulge your body; after all, you can’t leave Sweden - the birthplace of the classic Swedish massage - without a spa treatment. And the place to do is undoubtedly Stockholm’s most renowned hotel and spa - and Leading Hotels of the World member - the Grand Hotel. Opened in 1874 and boasting enviable views across harbour, the spa at the Grand has been named as one of the best in the world. Housed in a labyrinth complex of limestone and slate rooms in the vaults of the hotel, it’s the perfect spot to cocoon yourself from the (often) chilly climate. Facilities include a vast steam room with actual steam jets in the ceiling, a large hydrotherapy pool and swimming pool. Treatment-wise, you can’t go past the signature ‘Nordic Beauty’ ritual. Utilising organic locally produced products, such as Scandinavian cranberry scrub, in a combination of massage and private steam bath, it’s both unique and seriously relaxing.

Finish the trip in Stockholm. Photo: iStock
Finish the trip in Stockholm. Photo: iStock

DAY SEVEN - STOCKHOLM

Go out on a high and end your stay in the city with a visit to one of its most impressive - and definitely most unique - attractions, the 17th century royal warship, Vasa.

After sinking on its maiden voyage back in 1628, the ship remained on the bed of Stockholm’s harbour for 333 years until it was rescued and restored to its present glory. The 69 metre-long warship is the only preserved 17-century ship in the world and more than 95 per cent is original. Understandably, today the Vasa Museum is the most visited museum not only in Sweden, but in the whole of Scandinavia.


GETTING THERE:

Cathay Pacific has over 70 flights a week to Hong Kong from six major Australian cities including four flights daily from Sydney and three flights daily from Melbourne. From its Hong Kong hub the airline offers five daily flights to London.

Travelling between Copenhagen, Malmo, Kalgan and Stockholm is quick and easy with Rail Europe offering regular connections between the cities.

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