[trip style = urban + steal + food + wine]
Ever since I started collecting stamps in my passport, I've longed to visit Scandinavia. The fashion, the design, the architecture; need I say more?
A CRAZY Flight Deal
Back in February, Mr. Trip Styler found a trip style = steal-of-a-deal fare for a nonstop SAS flight from LA to Stockholm for $220USD return. It was an opp we couldn't pass up. So, we packed our parkas, and along with Baby Styler, visited in March. Amazingly, it was mostly sunny and not too frosty, allowing us to spend a ton of time outdoors exploring the city-on-water's 14 islands, part of an archipelago where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea.
Real talk: We learned a lot on the nine-day trip; namely that traveling with a 17-month-old toddler who likes to sprint everywhere and is still learning about instruction and boundaries, is not the ideal candidate for an 11-hour flight. While Baby Styler is a rock star traveler with 34 flights under his "wings" and a go-with-the-flow temperament, this time, our airborne adventures proved difficult. {Filing this under my "you live, you learn" drawer.}
The Plan
Instead of hopping between Scandi cities and hotels every few nights, we decided to stay put in Stockholm. Our aim: Travel slowly and get to know the city local-style.
The Accoms
In keeping with this MO, we booked an apartment rental. Not only did we want a kitchen knowing we'd be hungry at all hours of the day/night as we adjusted to the time zone, we also wanted to immerse ourselves into the culture and be in close proximity to grocery stores and cafes.
We chose well. Our one-bedroom Airbnb was g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s {worthy of Elle Decor}, close to all that is cool, and our hosts were gracious enough to provide a new pack 'n play crib for Baby Styler so we didn't have to lug ours across the Atlantic.
Most days we ate breakfast in our flat, then ventured out for "fika" {coffee} around 2pm. While this sounds a tad late, we woke up at 11am due to the time change, and once we put Baby Styler down for his morning nap, 2pm ended up being our "hello, world" time.
Going kookoo for Cafes
To my surprise, aside from swooning over the street style and interiors of every flat I saw advertised for sale, Sweden's cafes ended up being our greatest joy. They are e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e, mirror each neighborhood's culture and design, and their food and fika is drool-worthy. When we ventured out before 11am, our typical breakfast dish would be strong coffee paired with a kanelbulle {Swedish-style cinnamon bun with extra cinnamon, low sugar, and no icing}, in the afternoon we noshed on a hearty sandwich or a burrata-topped arugula salad with rye crumble and beat purée. Stockholm's food game is strong.
Sophies Canelé
Rosendals Trädgård
Kaffeverket
Café Pascal
Trip Styler Tips
- Packing: We did the whole trip with carry-ons. Mr. Trip Styler and I each had rollaboards, and we carried a suitcase-style backpack for Baby Styler with his clothes, plus a starter kit of wipes, diapers and nappy cream.
- Baby essentials: Pampers, wipes and baby food is easily accessible at any grocery store in Sweden.
- Bus with baby: One parent can travel for free on the bus with a baby stroller in tow.
- Shopping: Want to dress for Scandi success? Save room in your bag for the Acne Studios {a local and iconic brand} Archive boutique for jeans, suits, dresses, and all that is on-trend.
- Airport transport: The easiest and fastest way to/from the Stockholm Arlanda Airport from Stockholm—even airline employees hop on this service—is the Flygbussarna coach, a 40-min bus transfer service.
