Vasa Museum & Stockholm by Boat
A Centuries-Old Warship and a Gentle Sightseeing Cruise
Visit the remarkably preserved 17th-century Swedish warship Vasa and see Stockholm’s cityscape from the water.
Begin at the Vasa Museum, home to a historic warship that sank in Stockholm Harbor in 1628 and was raised, incredibly preserved, 300 years later. Use your free time to explore here before taking a short walk on the green island of Djurgården and enjoying a traditional Swedish meal at the Villa Godthem restaurant, set in the home of a former opera singer. Embark your exclusively chartered motor vessel and set sail among the channels, canals and quays that unite this incomparable city. During your cruise, pass the medieval Gamla Stan, or old town, whose old guild houses and narrow streets spread across the city’s original three islands. Admire the Stockholm Palace, the distinguished Royal Dramatic Theater and the Royal Swedish Opera, the national stage for opera and ballet.
I had a really bad night's sleep. I have really struggled with my sleep on this trip.A Centuries-Old Warship and a Gentle Sightseeing Cruise
Visit the remarkably preserved 17th-century Swedish warship Vasa and see Stockholm’s cityscape from the water.
Begin at the Vasa Museum, home to a historic warship that sank in Stockholm Harbor in 1628 and was raised, incredibly preserved, 300 years later. Use your free time to explore here before taking a short walk on the green island of Djurgården and enjoying a traditional Swedish meal at the Villa Godthem restaurant, set in the home of a former opera singer. Embark your exclusively chartered motor vessel and set sail among the channels, canals and quays that unite this incomparable city. During your cruise, pass the medieval Gamla Stan, or old town, whose old guild houses and narrow streets spread across the city’s original three islands. Admire the Stockholm Palace, the distinguished Royal Dramatic Theater and the Royal Swedish Opera, the national stage for opera and ballet.
After a quick breakfast in the World Cafe, we met our excursion at 9:15 am in the Star Theater. Loading on a bus, we drove to a viewpoint above the ship so the guide could point out where the Vasa sunk.
From there, we wound our way to the Vasa Museum. The Vasa is a Swedish warship that has become one of the world’s most famous maritime archaeological finds. Built in 1626-1628, the ship was designed to be a floating fortress, adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures. On its maiden voyage in 1628, the ship tilted and sank just after leaving Stockholm harbor. The cause of the disaster is believed to be an unstable design, with the ship being top-heavy due to its extensive ornamentation and heavy cannons.
They claim that 98% of the ship is original. It is pretty impressive. In particular, the sculptures and carving are amazing.
After a guided tour, they gave us some free time, but we could have used some more time to wander through the exhibits. Leaving the museum, I was shocked at the number of people lined up outside.
From the museum, we walked to lunch at Villa Godthem. It is a renowned restaurant located in the heart of Stockholm's Djurgården park. The restaurant is housed in a charming 19th-century wooden building that exudes elegance and history. Originally built in 1874 as a gift to the famous opera singer Carl Johan Uddman, the villa has been a restaurant since the Stockholm Exhibition of 1897. We had a traditional Swedish meal, including: meatballs (köttbullar); mashed potatoes; gravy; lingonberries, and; pickled cucumbers.
We walked to the water and boarded a boat with one other Viking bus, We did a 30 minute tour of the harbor. We dropped us back at the pier right next to the ship just after 1:30 pm. It was interesting, but not as nice as the canal cruise in Copenhagen.
The plan for the afternoon was to get the room packed up. Over the last two weeks, we have unpacked and really spread out in the room. We have stuff everywhere.
I did a twenty minute upper body strength peleton work out in the Fitness Center.
Sharon and I went to the Nordic Spa and used the Thalassotherapy pool, hot tub, sauna, snow grotto and heated ceramic lounges.
Before dinner, we had a cocktail in the Explorers' Lounge. We went to an early dinner at the Chef's Table. The set menu included:
- AMUSE BOUCHE - QUAIL SCOTCH EGGS - quick pickle, edible flowers, dressed baby salad leaves. Scotch eggs are not Scottish; instead, the name is derived from the Middle English verb scocchen, meaning "to cut." The eggs are covered with finely cut pork.
- FIRST COURSE - BEER-BATTERED FISH & CHIPS - vinegar salt, minted pea purée, tartar sauce. Initlally "chips" were made from bread, but this was replaced by potatoes during a wheat shortage, and the substitution flourished. Indeed, even during World War II, Britain's Minister of Food restrained from rationing this beloved dish—in part because it provided good, inexpensive nutrition.
- GRANITE - GIN & TONIC - lemon twist. The "G&T" was created in India, where quinine was used to prevent and treat malaria. Since it was terribly bitter, British army officers started adding water, sugar and lime-plus their gin ration-to make it more palatable.
- MAIN COURSE - MINI YORKSHIRE PUDDING & SLOW BRAISED BRISKET - rich beef gravy, garden vegetables with chive butter. One of Britain's most iconic dishes, Yorkshire Pudding boasts a recipe dating back to at least the 17th century, and is the classic pairing to roast beef.
- DESSERT - WHIM-WHAM Scottish Regency trifle with raspberries, oranges & whipped cream. Derived from the word "whimsy," this dessert-like most trifles-consists of cake layered with fruit. Here, cream sherry and Scotch whisky complement raspberries, orange zest and double cream.
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