– Stockholm is perfect for a girls' getaway

 "This trip left us wanting to spend even more time in Stockholm," sier Kari Øverstad (59). 

"We had lots of fun, made great memories and enjoyed a fantastic time together!"

Good beds and breakfast 

Kari and her three close friends Anne (54), Mai Tove (57) and Rigmor (58) headed for Sweden’s capital for a weekend after winning the Thon Tester competition organised by Thon Hotels. 

They checked into Thon Partner Hotel Kungsbron, located a stone’s throw from the central railway station in the Norrmalm district of the city centre. 

"It was the perfect location for us. We like to stay centrally and we had cafés, sights and pubs all within walking distance," says Kari, and then adds, 

"The rooms were also nice and large and the beds were very good. That's always a plus." 

Hotel Kungsbron’s business room, with such amenities as bathrobes, slippers and Jensen beds, is 40 square metres in size, making it perfect for couples, families and friends. 

And the breakfast was really great," Kari makes sure to add.  

 "This trip left us wanting to spend even more time in Stockholm," says Kari Øverstad (59). 

"We had lots of fun, made great memories and enjoyed a fantastic time together!"

City sightseeing 

Having been close friends for almost 30 years, the women often spend time together on weekend cabin trips and hiking in the mountains, as well as skiing and afterski fun. 

"But apart from a trip on the Kiel ferry, we've never been abroad together. So, this trip was the perfect opportunity for us," says Kari. 

Since they were not very familiar with Stockholm, they decided to jump on the 'Hop-on Hop-off' sightseeing bus to get an idea about the city. The bus takes you to lots of Stockholm’s sights, such as the Royal Palace, City Hall and Opera House." 

"It’s also a great way to get around the city. We took it to Skansen and Gröna Lund, for example," says Kari.

The good life in Gamla Stan 

After exploring the city by bus, the group of friends got to their feet and headed for Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s oldest and what many consider most picturesque district. Here you’ll find a wide variety of cosy cafés and shops throughout a maze of narrow side streets and charming cobbled streets. 

 "Gamla Stan has a really unique ambiance. We spent a lot of time just walking around because it was so charming," says Kari. 

There was also time for jewellery shopping and lunch at the delightful Café Schweizer, which has an extensive menu for breakfast, lunch and genuine Swedish 'fika'. When evening came, it was time for the ladies to head out for drinks and dancing.

"We were looking for a place with live music and ended up at Engelen Pub. We highly recommend it! It has a fantastic atmosphere and a real dance vibe," says Kari. 

Ready to return 

Stockholm is a clear favourite among foodies. There are countless exciting and delicious restaurants to check out and for the ladies, the restaurant YUC! LatAsian, around a 15-minute walk from the hotel, was another highlight of their trip. 

It serves a fusion of Asian and South American flavours, with things like spring rolls filled with brisket, mozzarella and chilli cream, Korean fried chicken and kuro-niku tacos with confit chuck steak on the menu. 

 "Both the food and atmosphere were amazing," says Kari. 

But a weekend flies by quickly and there are several things this group of friends wish they had more time for. So, they're already planning a trip back to Stockholm, with the ABBA Museum, Stockholm’s famous food hall Saluhallen and a night out on the town on Stureplan on the programme. 

"We also need to spend a little more time shopping. Stockholm has so many fantastic shops," says Kari. 

The perfect finish

But before leaving on Sunday, there was one more thing they found time for. 

"We enjoyed some time in the sauna and bubbles in the hotel room. I’ve travelled a lot and stayed at lots of different hotels, but this was the first time I’ve seen a room with both a sauna and whirlpool," says Kari enthusiastically. 

 "It was the perfect ending to a fantastic girls’ trip!"

Kari and her friends' top 3 tips for Stockholm:

• Jump on the 'Hop-on Hop-off' sightseeing bus on the first day to get an idea of the city and learn a bit about Stockholm’s history. It’s also a great way to get around because you can jump on and off wherever you want.
  
• Do some research on places to eat beforehand because it's often a good idea to reserve a table in advance. We recommend the fantastic Café Schweizer for lunch and YUC! LatAsian for dinner. And if you're into live music and a good vibe, the Engelen Pub in Gamla Stan is a great option in the evening.
  
• Stockholm is also an exciting city to explore on foot. Choose a few districts to visit and just start walking. We really enjoyed Gamla Stan.