YouTube video by Ben & Kayla

YouTube video by Ben & Kayla

YouTube video by Ben & Kayla

YouTube video by Ben & Kayla

YouTube video by Ben & Kayla

YouTube video by Ben & Kayla

YouTube video by Ben & Kayla

YouTube video by Ben & Kayla

YouTube video by Ben & Kayla

YouTube video by Ben & Kayla

YouTube video by Ben & Kayla

YouTube video by Ben & Kayla

YouTube video by Ben & Kayla

YouTube video by Ben & Kayla

YouTube video by Ben & Kayla

YouTube video by Ben & Kayla

YouTube video by Ben & Kayla

YouTube video by Ben & Kayla

Oh Stockholm, how we wish we had more time to explore! Sweden is one of those countries that got away from us. We had a ton of things planned, but it just didn't quite work out. That doesn't mean it won't be a memorable place for us, maybe for reasons that most people wouldn't consider "normal", but we now have an excuse to go back... maybe next time in summer. The people we met in Stockholm were kind and caring, and I'm not just saying that like every other travel blog saying "the locals are nice and welcoming"... they truly were beyond kind to us. So this blog post may come off as an overly positive "love letter" to the people of Stockholm, but that's because they deserve it! ## A Rocky Start (and an MIA Suitcase) Our first evening in Stockholm started a little rough as Kayla's bag had been left behind, not just on one flight, but _two_ flights. Her bag was sitting in IAD and had yet to make its journey to mainland Europe, much less Stockholm. Time was already ticking for us as we had limited time for them to get us the bag before we were on to our next country. With less than an hour before closing, Kayla ran to the H&M store to pick up a set of clothes to hopefully get her through the next few days of -15°C weather. If you're going to have to do an emergency wardrobe run in any country, Sweden (fun fact: the home of H&M) isn't a bad place to do it. Silver linings and all that, right? ## Gamla Stan and All the Tourist Things The next morning we headed out to hit all of the top tourist spots, starting with Gamla Stan. If you haven't been, Stockholm's old town is absolutely stunning — narrow cobblestone streets winding between colorful buildings that look like they belong on a postcard. We toured the Royal Residences, popped into a few of the museums there, and watched a changing of the guard ceremony. Even in the bitter cold, there's something magical about standing in the middle of a city that dates back to the 13th century. Gamla Stan has that perfect mix of history and charm that makes you want to take photos at every corner, peek into every little shop, and grab a coffee at every café you pass, even if it's just to step out of the freezing cold winds for a few minutes. We also quickly learned that Stockholm in winter is _cold!!!_ And we were prepared, after years of living in one of the snowiest parts of the world, we had the right gear. And we don't mean the kind of cold where you just throw on an extra layer and power through. We're talking the kind of cold that hits your face like a wall the second you step outside. But honestly? The crisp air and the low winter sun casting golden light across the city for most of the daylight hours gave everything this gorgeous, almost ethereal glow that _we imagine_ you just don't get in the summer months (or maybe you do, and now we have another reason to come back). ## The Day We Lost And then... well, we lost a day. Without going into too much detail, we had a minor medical issue that kept us grounded in our hotel for an entire day. When you only have a handful of days in a city, losing one feels like a gut punch. All those plans we had.... The Vasa Museum, exploring it's, the ABBA Museum (yes, it was on the list, no judgment) just evaporated. It was frustrating, but also one of those humbling travel reminders that things don't always go according to plan, and sometimes you just have to listen to your body. Here's where that love letter to Stockholm's people really kicks in. From the hotel staff who checked in on us multiple times, to the pharmacy worker who went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed, to just the general warmth of everyone we interacted with during a pretty stressful moment, Stockholm showed up for us. These weren't grand gestures; they were small, genuine acts of kindness from people who simply cared. And honestly, that meant more to us than any museum or tourist attraction ever could. ## Making the Most of What We Had Once we were back on our feet, we did our best to soak up every last minute we had. Was our time in Stockholm what we planned? Not even close. But was it memorable? Absolutely. Sometimes the trips that go sideways end up being the ones that stick with you the most. We didn't get to check off our list, but we got something better: a genuine connection with a city and its people that left us wanting more. ## Until Next Time, Stockholm So yes, Stockholm, we owe you a proper visit. A summer one, preferably, where we can explore your islands, sit outside at a café without risking frostbite, and finally make it to all those spots we had to skip. Consider this unfinished business. But for now, we had a ferry to catch ->because next up, we were headed across the Baltic Sea to **Helsinki**. And let's just say... if you thought our Stockholm trip was an adventure, you're going to want to hear what happened in Finland. Stay tuned. 🇫🇮 * * * ## Related Videos

YouTube video by Ben & Kayla

YouTube video by Ben & Kayla

YouTube video by Ben & Kayla

YouTube video by Ben & Kayla

YouTube video by Ben & Kayla

YouTube video by Ben & Kayla