OFF-COURSE ATTRACTIONS

Breakfast in Style

Opened in 1874, Stockholm's Grand Hôtel has a long and fascinating history, and for decades has been everybody's favourite place to spend the night, from Nobel Prize winners to movie stars. Even if you don't have a room booked, enjoying a leisurely ‘Breakfast at the Grand', something that is dear to the hearts of both discerning Stockholmers and visitors alike. Inside the elegant and stylish Grand Veranda, the breakfast buffet bulges with an assortment of mouth-watering foods; organic cheeses, fresh juices, exotic fruits, grain-topped rolls, breads and smoked salmon. www. grandhotel.se

Cruise the Archipelago

Stockholm itself is built on 14 islands, at the point where the freshwater Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea. The ferry terminal in front of Stockholm's Grand Hôtel is a launch pad for boat trips to a galaxy of islands, 24,000 of them scattered across the water for 70kms in the direction of Finland. www. waxholmsbolaget.se

Visit the Vasa Museum

The Royal Warship Vasa lay at the bottom of the sea for well over 300 years after it sank on its maiden voyage in 1628. It was finally discovered and salvaged in the 1960's with virtually all its treasures intact, including sailor's pants, carpenter's tools, and nearly a thousand original wooden sculptures. After a careful restoration process, the ship, now the oldest identified and complete ship in the world is the crowning glory of the Vasa Museum. Along with several exhibitions, there's a fascinating film of the restoration and a guided tour available. www.vasamuseet.se

Explore the Old Town

Medieval Gamla Stan (the Old Town) is the oldest part of Stockholm and a treasure-trove of Swedish architectural art from the 17th century. Take time to wander the network of picturesque streets, narrow lanes, among squares, historic buildings and churches. The area has Stockholm's biggest ranges of restaurants, bars, tourist shops, studios and museums.

Cocktails With A View

One of the best bars in Stockholm, Gondolen has a setting that stuns even the most jaded of locals. Situated some 33-metres above street level in the centre of the landmark lift structure at Slussen, this glass-walled bar has unparalleled views of the Old Town and Lake Mälaren. With over 150 cocktails on offer, Gondolen is a great place to meet, see and be seen. www.eriks.se

Traditional Swedish Cooking

The historic and atmospheric Den Gyldene Freden (The Golden Peace), is a top-end restaurant right in the heart of Gamla Stan that has been open continuously since 1722. A selection of imaginative modern dishes is blended with traditional Swedish cooking (husmanskost), including such classics as husets sill (assorted herring of the house) and viltkötbular med gräddsås och lingon (meatballs of game with cream sauce and lingon). www.gyldenefreden.se

Ice Cool Drinking

For one of the coolest places in town head for the Ice Bar in the lobby of the Nordic C Hotel. Dressed in the provided clothing of boots, mittens and a warm silver fur-lined poncho you feel like an extra in a Star Wars movie entering a frozen world of -5 degrees Celsius. The entire interior is constructed of ice from the frozen waters of the Torne River in Lapland: walls, bar counter, tables, works of art and even the glasses that the vodkas are served in are made of ice. www.hotelcstockholm.se