Ekstedt | Stockholm | New Nordic Cuisine

by Wen Sweden

3 of us had the 4 course menu and 2 had the 6 course. We got to try everything. I also did a non-alcohol drink pairing and it was great. The restaurant uses fire as its key ingredient. Cook in old Scandinavian ways, giving flavor to meat and fish through fire and smoke.

Stockholm | Vasa Museum

by Wen Sweden

It’s a must see in Stockholm! Even if you have little interest in ships, this is definitely worth seeing. The Vasa is the most well preserved 17 century warship in the world. More than 98 percent of the ship is original, and it is decorated with hundreds of carved sculptures. Vasa never made it out of Stockholm harbor. It sank on its maiden voyage in 1628. Nearly 400 years later, it is magnificently displayed to light your imagination.

The museum is well designed to allow visitors to experience the ship at different levels. To maximize the visit, do a guided tour (about 30 minutes) and also watch the movie in the auditorium. It will bring you even closer to the whole story.

The food festival occurs during the first week of June (1 – 6 June 2017) in the King’s Garden Park. Many of Stockholm’s local restaurants serves food during the festival and cover everything from traditional dishes to international cuisines around the world.

After visiting the food festival at King’s Garden Park, we took a stroll along Standvagen. It was also on the way to the Vasa Museum. This seemed to the center for cruises, buses and water taxis. From here you will get a European city feel. Beautiful view of fine architecture on one side and the seaside on the other.

The course is regarded as one of the world’s most scenic marathon routes. Runners pass buildings such as the Royal Palace, the Royal Opera, the City Hall and the Houses of Parliament.

This was our 2nd time to visited the old town, strolling down the various cobblestone streets and alleys is a must. Lots of nice souvenirs shops and cafes around. If you have time you might as well explore the Noble Academia Museum. Changing of the guard is also well worth seeing in the royal palace.

Mathias Dahlgren | Stockholm, Sweden

by Wen Sweden

This was our second visit. The menu is an a la carte, offer small plate selections. We each ordered 1 at a time and swapped so we got to try more. In total we ordered 6 dishes. We left feeling satiated but not overly so.

Fäviken Magasinet | Jämtland, Sweden

by Wen Sweden

We flew from the States and committed 2 days out of our 10 days in Scandinavia for this experience. We had 6 months of anticipation after the initial booking to begin our journey. This was my second visit to Fäviken. With very scenic drive through the countryside, we arrived Fäviken around 5pm.

In June the weather here was still cold. It was snowing for about 5 minutes after we arrived. You can’t tell! The sky looks so blue!

At dinner time all guest gathered outside and inside the restaurants lower level to start the dinner at 7pm. Didn’t get to see chef Nilsson at the door this time. We were seated downstairs to share a big table (8 people total) where the appetizers and the rest of the dinner was served.

All ingredients came from this region of Sweden or Norway. The scallop is the dish chef Nilsson is most famous for. It had been cooked in its own shell without any seasoning over burning juniper branches. The texture of the scallop was so good not to mention its delicate sweetness.

The food came with exciting flavors and big contrasts in modern presentations meeting traditional ingredients. I felt it was like the future of food steeped in the past.

From a bone marrow brulée, a savory meat pie (so good!!!) , a box of candy, to duck egg liqueur and homemade snus. These will be an experience I will not forget!

Outside, there is a tipi complete with a bonfire burning inside. At the end of dinner, you are offered cigars that you can smoke in a fire lit tipi. It was my first time to smoke cigar inside a Tipi. What a special night!

People said this was a “once-in-a-lifetime” trip, and we were lucky enough to experience it twice! I would have loved to have done it all over again, will have to wait for another season for different ingredients.

Trondheim, Norway

by Wen Sweden

Trondheim is Norway’s third largest city. We flew with SAS Airlines from Oslo to Trondheim then took a bus to the hotel. The view was beautiful. Got to the hotel around 9pm. It was still bright outside. Our plan was to stay in Trondheim for one night and taking the scenic Hurtigruten coastal cruise to Ålesund next day morning.

Old Town Bridge

A must do in Trondheim is a visit to the city’s old port area at the mouth of the Nidelv River. There are a lot of colorful old wooden warehouses built on piles above the water. The best view of these stunning buildings is from the bridge.

Restaurant Nidelven

Better come hungry to the Norwegian breakfast table! The title “Best Breakfast in Norway” is well deserved. We chose to stay at Scandic Nidelven Hotel simply because of the breakfast. 🙂

There are a lot of choices. Cheese, salami, smoked salmon, tomato mackerel, home made liver pate, freshly made omelet, Cereals, freshly baked bread & pastries, yogurt, smoothies, juices, pancakes, etc. Don’t forget to try their brunost (brown cheese).

Definitely overfed myself again…

Fäviken Magasinet 2014

by Wen Sweden

Oaxen Krog

by Wen Sweden

Jukkasjarvi – Ice Hotel

by Wen Sweden

Experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure at the world-famous Jukkasjärvi Ice Hotel. Nestled in the heart of Swedish Lapland, this extraordinary hotel is crafted entirely from snow and ice, offering guests an unparalleled Arctic escape. Each year, the hotel is meticulously rebuilt by talented artists and designers, transforming it into a breathtaking masterpiece of ice sculptures and enchanting rooms.

A Night in Sub-Zero Luxury

As a traveler seeking unique and unforgettable experiences, the Jukkasjärvi Ice Hotel immediately captured my imagination. This extraordinary hotel rises entirely from ice and snow, creating a magical winter wonderland. I pictured myself entering a world of frozen beauty, surrounded by intricate ice sculptures and cozy, igloo-like rooms. The idea of sleeping in a sub-zero environment both thrilled and terrified me. Yet, the allure of this one-of-a-kind adventure compelled me to explore further.

We had decided not to stay in a "cold room" during our one night stay in IceHotel. We slept in a warm room and toured the cold rooms during the day. It was spacious with comfortable beds, kitchen, dining area, private restroom, wifi and cable TV.

A Frozen Wonderland

Imagine sipping a frosty cocktail at the ice bar, surrounded by shimmering ice walls and sculptures. Or attending a wedding ceremony in the enchanting ice chapel. These are just a few of the incredible experiences that await at Jukkasjärvi Ice Hotel. Beyond the hotel, the stunning Arctic landscape offers endless opportunities for adventure, from snowmobiling and husky sledding to exploring the frozen wilderness.

A Frozen Wonderland

Don't miss a drink or two at the Ice Bar, which is open late. It is one of the main attractions where you can drink alcohol/non alcoholic drinks in glass made up of ice. A very fun experience. Ice anyone ?