We are planning a first-ever, two-week trip to Copenhagen and Stockholm for late May/early June 2008. We'll begin in one city and end in the other (not sure yet about the order).

We enjoy art and design, along with good traditional food, authentic local culture, and scenery. Hiking is something we often do, but it is not an imperative for this trip.

We are a very well-travelled (5 continents) couple in our mid-40s, from the New York area, and we are comfortable in most lodgings, from mid-range hotels to very high end properties. Cost is not a concern.

My initial thought was to simply limit the trip to the two cities, with train travel between them, allowing for perhaps two daytrips out of Copenhagen. Then, I realized that we might be missing a charming village setting or natural beauty area. At the same time, I don't want to create an itinerary that is too busy.

Any suggestions? 13 nights, with at least 3 each in Copenhagen and Stockholm, leaves us with up to 7 extra nights...

I would make an attempt to visit Aero, the small island community close to Copenhagan. Not much to see between Chagen and Sholm. The vasa museum in Sholm is a must-see.
EK

Art and design, eh? How about Boda, Kosta, and Orrefors? These are three villages known for hand made glass objects. I visited many years ago and came home with a lot of tableware and arty stuff. The cost in the factory seconds shops is a fraction of US retail and the selection is very good.

These tiny villages are about halfway between Kalmar and Vaxjo, just west of Nybro. One of the factories allows visitors on an elevated gangway around the workshop. It is amazing.

At that time I was driving around Sweden and was alerted to these villages after striking up a conversation with another customer in a Stockholm glass shop. You'll probably need the trunk of a car to haul away your booty. The closest train station I think is Emmaboda, about 15 miles away, or maybe Nybro.

Also visit Uppsala, a university city north of Stockholm. I was impressed by the burial mounds. You can do a short hike around them. There is a nice historical museum in Stockholm. The Wasa ship is another amazing sight in Stockholm. For authentic local culture in Stockholm visit some of the jazz bars in Gamlastaan!

Visit Tivoli Garden in Copenhagen for fun and a view of the amusement park that Walt Disney copied.

As for food the only thing that Scandinavia has going for it is raw herring, and it is beautiful. Bring your own booze if you drink because it is expensive up there. Max out at duty free on the plane before landing. My favorite drink up there is Aquavit, ice cold and neat. Copenhagen has some great beers.

The Swedish scenery is rolling hills covered in pine and sprinkled with granite boulders, interspersed with farms. Could be better!

I was in Copenhagen and Stockholm again last year for quick visits. Bring a lot of wampum. BTW, neither Denmark or Sweden uses the euro. Each has its own kroner. The Forex Exchange offices are fair. You can also use bank cash machines but find out what your bank will charge you beforehand.

ttt

Copenhagen has a lot to offer. Try this page http://www.aok.dk/section/english for an intro.
One reply mentioned "raw herring". Actually it is pickled and in general seafood is excellent in Scandinavia.

Herring: some is pickled and some is fresh. Fresh is best. I can buy pickled herring in a jar anywhere.

I have tried several times to post but the reviewed doesn't like my Swedish accents. So, it's without accents in Swedish for today.

Kalmar has a small castle, of course, in the city of Kalmar. It's visitable and it doesn't take too long. Do Not miss.

Gote Canal: it transits from the Baltic to the Atlantic side of Sweden. Actually this isn't direct on the Atlantic but it's near Gotenberg. 160 meters rises into the middle of Sweden and then it drops down the other side. Take a few hours and visist the boats transiting. The boats come from all sorts of countries. Lovely locks are a perfect place to eat an hour of lunch picnic.

Norkoping has a large wild animal park.

Remember, you can find glass blowing companies near Norkoping too. Smaller, cheaper but it has it's own art.

Personally I like Stockholm better than Copenhagen. Of course I lived in Sweden for ten years and I'm biased. But the islands, the boats and all of the good pickled herring in Sweden always gives my vote.

Blackduff

If you like beef, try the reindeer in Stockholm. My SIL had a reindeer steak at a restaurant in Gamla Stan, that was just delicious. I was kicking myself for not ordering it. I had tried a smoked reindeer appatizer and didn't care for it, so passed on the steak and I shouldn't have. I'm certain all reindeer is not created equal, so you might try to get some recommendations from your hotel or others if you want to try it.

Also, the Grand Hotel has a fabulous "borgessmorg". Alas, we could not partake because we were in Stockholm the first week in Jan. and it wasn't going to be open again until Feb. My neice ate there on a prior trip to Stockholm and just loved it. It, like many other things in Stockholm, is pricy and you need reservations.

Another idea, Plan B. Take an overnight ferry to Helsinki and return the next night. Spend the day touring Helsinki.

The Silja Symphony and its beautiful sister ship make the crossing. Eat for two hours at the huge buffet, €35 or so, including beer and wine. Take the second seating to avoid the kids.

Here's a good photo view of Scandinavia.
It gives good information about Denmark, Sweden and afterwards.

http://chscott.com/2002web/Day0-Intoduction.htm

Nice photos.

Blackduff

Thanks so much, everyone!!

We had a delightful trip to Stockholm and Copenhagen in June of 06, it is one of my favorite trips - we are from Boston area, early 50's.

I wish I had just a few more days in Stockholm, b/c of a few things we missed - b/c I like to keep the pace comfortable but moving !

Here are the links to my three trip reports on Stockholm, Denmark and the ICeland layover stop we did on the way home - and I wish we'd had another two days there to see even more.

If you have any sepcific questions, ask away -
Stockholm was expensive, but worth every penny to us, the food, the people, everything was perfect.

The Stockholm Trip Report:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34816811

The Denmark Trip Report:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34817466

The Iceland Report:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34817629

3 nights in Stockholm is just two days, I would make it at least 4 full days in Stockholm.