The Renée Review

Summer 2005

A day in Nynashamn & Stockholm, Sweden

Historical Nynashamn , Sweden

Nynashamn Tourism Site

Historical Stockholm , Sweden

Stockholm Card Site

Stockholm Transportation

July & August daytime highs are normally between 72F and 68F though long hot periods are not unusual with temperatures over 86F. July and August, can be wet with showers.

Anticipated Rainfall for the month of July is 71 mm and August is 66 mm sharing the honor of being the rainiest months of the year.

A sweater & raincoat or umbrella.

Layered clothing

Sun Block

Shoes or boots to combat cobblestones and sidewalks.

Mosquito repellent & antihistamine cream for bites.

Calls to Sweden: The country code for Sweden is 46, next dial the area code and phone number (omit the first zero in the area code) Stockholm’s area code is (0) 8.

Calls from Sweden: Dial 00, wait for the tone and dial country code, the area/city code and number. (US country code is 1)

Emergency: Fire, Police, or Ambulance – 112

US Embassy & Tourist Board

Embassy of the USA - Stockholm

Dag Hammarskjolds Vag 31

SE-115 89 Stockholm, Sweden

Phone (0) 8 783-5300

Swedish Tourism Associated

ForTur

Kronobergsg 27

112 33 Stockholm, Sweden

Phone (0) 8 617-3920

Fax (0) 8 617-3929

The national currency of Sweden is called the Swedish Krona pronounced as Kronor / plural. The Kronor is abbreviated as SEK or SKR. Coins are called ore. 1 kronor = 100 ore.

One US Dollar is 7.79464 SEK / SKR as of 6/23/05.

Foreign currencies can be easily exchanged at ATM’s, banks and exchange offices open roughly 7am – 9pm throughout the city.

Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club & American Express is accepted in major hotels, restaurants and shops, but asks first.

TAP WATER is CLEAN – however drinking from a babbling stream must be verified. Check before you drink!

The population based on 2003 figures for all of Sweden was 8.9 million people. The greater Stockholm area has a population of 1.8 million. The official language is Swedish.

Service charges are typically included in restaurant bills and taxi fares.

Handicrafts endorsed by the national handicrafts organization and have a round token bearing a hammer emblem “svensk slojd.” Also look for the “Duodji” label, a round token of authenticity usually found on textiles, knives & other trinkets.

Traditional items are those designed in glass, wood and pewter. Look for the painted wooden horse, “Dalarna” and browse the numerous glass factories.

Bargaining isn’t customary – the price is the price, unless you are a walk in at a hotel.

The VAT (value added tax) is in the price of the goods you purchase and can be as much as 25%. The VAT can be refunded if you purchase more than 200 SEK / SKR in goods if you request a “Global Refund Check.” Shops that display a” Tax Free” shopping sign have the necessary paperwork, other shops may not.

The check must be validated at an international refund point found at international airports and harbor terminals.

Public Toilets in Sweden are marked “WC” and are seldom free, including those in museums, shops, transport stations, historical sites, etc. You’ll either encounter an attendant or the toilet will be coin operated at 5 SEK / SKR. The good news – you’re likely to find them clean! Carry your own Kleenex .

If there is only time for one thing in Stockholm – you must visit Gamla Stan – the old town!

Regular local trains run between Nynashamn & Stockholm. The journey by train  is 1 hour. Traveling this distance by car can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on traffic conditions.

In June of 2005, Sweden banned smoking in all restaurants, cafes and pubs. Smokers must smoke outside.

Expect high prices on everything, especially alcohol. Supermarkets even charge for the bags.

Swedish society is highly ordered, clean, stylish and comfortable.

Most Swedish towns have their own web address. This is found by entering www, the town’s name, followed by .se.

17% of the Swedish population is over 65 years of age (2003 statistics).

20% of the Swedish population is foreign born or have one non Swedish parent (2003 statistics).

Most museums have short opening hours and many tourist offices are closed on weekends.

Nude sun bathing is restricted to marked beaches. Topless sunbathing is common at all beaches – though use the general rule that if no one else is doing it, you shouldn’t either.

Pick pocketing is becoming a serious problem in major Scandinavian cities. Take care of your belongings.