Now that DOF has, sadly, come and gone, I am getting into our next cruise - BRAVO.

We want to spend some time, pre and post, in Stockholm and Copenhagen. I'd like to get opinions on how many days to spend in both cities to tour the major sights.

We are also looking into a stopover in Amsterdam. I'm asking the same question for Amsterdam. The Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank's House are must sees for us. I've also heard there is another museum, outside of the city, that has an extensive Van Gogh collection. Can anyone enlighten me on this, as well?

Thanks!

Hi Denise! Glad you had such a wonderful visit to Turkey and a great Diamond cruise.

How close to July are you traveling? July is holiday month in Stockholm so more of the restaurants and stores are closed. I found Stockholm more interesting than Copenhagen, but I think I'm in the minority on this one. I'd think two days in each place but I like to keep on the move when I travel. Tivoli at night is magical. Cheers, Anne

Hi Denise!

Glad to hear you and Alan enjoyed your DOF cruise!!

I have been reading about Stockholm and Copenhagen and starting to plan also. I am getting so excited to see all these gorgeous places!

I am thinking 2 or 3 days on each end of the cruise. I didn't think about Amsterdam. Hmmm, I may have to take a look at that.

Ginny

There is nothing like planning your next vacation as soon as you get home from one! :hyper:

Denise, going to Amsterdam from Stockholm or Copenhagen is a 6 hour train ride. If you plan to go by plane, you need to look into some discount carriers. Plan to spend about 200 pp for airfare. I looked into this for our trip and found it just wasn't logistically or financially feasible...and remember, I live here.

Hamburg and Berlin are more doable. You can use AirBerlin.

I found that one day prior and day of sailing is more than enough for Copenhagen. Copenhagen was just so so.

Stockholm is great and deserves 3-5 days. You may also wish to take a ferry back over to Helsinki and spend more time there. Oslo is doable from Stockholm.

Thanks, all.

Hi Anne,

We are sailing on August 6 (BRAVO cruise). Hopefully, by the time we arrive in Stockholm, we will be unaffected by Stockholm's holiday month. We are now planning our arrival on August 3 or 4.

We were thinking at least 2 full days pre-cruise in Stockholm and possibly 1 full day post-cruise in Copenhagen. We were also considering taking a city tour with Radisson after we disembark and then be transported directly to the airport. This would alleviate the need for an additional hotel stay.

We will most likely be purchasing upgradeable air tix; therefore, per United, we will be allowed a stopover in Amsterdam. So, no need for additional air or train expense. We hope to spend 2 full days in Amsterdam.

Due to time constraints with my job and vacation time, we are trying to get the most in that we can within a short period of time.

Denise, I can't speak for Copenhagen but I think 2 full days is perfect for Stockholm (3 days if you want to be leisurely).

Hi Denise

Hopefully I will have time to look at your DOF photos this week.
Copenhagen can be done in 1 day unless you want to do extras like to out to Hamlet's castle. I would plan on 2 for Stockholm. I agree with Marcie. I did it as a 1 day, 1 night post cruise and it wasn't enough time. And I was exhausted from all the party time on the ship. I missed several things I wanted to see, expecially the Viking ship. Can't think what it is called right now. If you have the time, you might consider driving from one city to the other. 4 years ago they opened a bridge that spans both countries.

The Viking ship's museum is the Vasa.

AND it is a *must* see in Stockholm.
We even went to see it again when we were on BAT although we had seen it some years before!

Doug

Doug

That is it. It was the only thing on my must see list in Stockholm & I missed it. Denise, you & Alan definitely don't miss it. I almost feel like it would be worth another visit just for this.

Other to do's in Stockholm are Skansen (a Swedish Williamsburg)and the Castles...one in the center of town and one a ways out...which is wonderful). It is also great to take the lovely canal locks ride.

Spent 5 days in Stockholm before a Baltics cruise and I was busy every moment. I got a Stockholm card before I went, which entitles you to free transportation and admission to museums and attractions. Some of the highlights were the Vasa Museum, City Hall (where the Nobel Prize dinner is held), Drottningholm Castle, Nordiska Museum (there must be over 50 museums in Stockholm), old town, Skansen (open air museum-village of life in the old days in Stockholm); the TV tower, which gives you a great view of the surroundings . . I could continue.

So many great suggestions! Thanks! We will keep this all in mind.

How and where do you obtain a Stockholm card?

Denise,

You'll love Amsterdam. We stayed there on our way back from Africa 2 years ago. (At the Hotel Pulizter, one I highly recommend if you can get a decent rate. We were given the Tauck rate so it was pretty reasonable for us.)

Be sure to take a canal cruise. Great view and lots of fun. It's a great city to just walk in, too. We loved it and would definitely go back.

I'm trying to figure out what we're going to do about Copenhagen. We're on the Moscow pre-cruise so I doubt we'll have much time in Stockholm. I'm hoping we can at least get to the Vasa museum, though. :)

Kathy

Hi Kathy,

I see you are now figuring out our Baltics trip, too. Nothing like jumping right in, right?

Once we both get back to ourselves, I am looking forward to working with you on BRAVO. Thanks for the recommendations! There are a few InterCon/Crowne Plazas that I am going to look into that hopefully will give me an employee rate.

Welcome home!

Denise, I have to call my friend and get all those books and tapes to you in preparation for BRAVO. I think I had more fun researching this trip than any other. The history of Russia is fascinating.

Thanks, Olivia. I really appreciate you doing this for Alan and me.

Half our family is from Russia, so this trip holds a very personal appeal and meaning to us!