Stockholm city break

Civilised Stockholm is one of our favourite European cities. It comes into its own in the summer, when Swedes embrace the sunshine with gusto and the 14 main islands on which the city is built are at their most vibrant. Ferries are the best way to get around between the islands, with the deep blue waters of the Baltic Sea and Lake Mälaren comprising a third of the area inside the city limits. Other parts of the city, such as Royal Djurgården, are given over to woodlands and parks. This leafy island was formerly royal hunting grounds and is a popular place for walking and swimming. It also contains Skansen, an open-air museum showing 150 reconstructed buildings that include windmills, farms and small Sami dwellings. Stockholm also offers great shopping and museums among broad  boulevards of fine Renaissance and baroque architecture in the old quarter, Gamla Stan. On one such boulevard stands the art nouveau Diplomat Hotel, where we suggest you stay. Celebrating its centenary in 2011, the hotel is known for its high level of personal service.