12 Step Planet: Sweden

Where exactly is it?
Sweden is located in Scandinavia, sandwiched between Norway and Finland. Its capital, Stockholm, is located on its south-east coast where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic sea. The central part of the city consists of 14 separate islands.
How do I get there?
If you’re a really strong swimmer you can swim from Denmark or Germany, otherwise it’s much easier to fly (in a plane, as opposed to using one’s wings to levitate). The largest airport, Stockholm Arlanda, is currently only serviced from Dublin by SAS. It is located about 20 minutes outside of the city centre. Ryanair does fly into Stockholm Skavsta but the bus journey into Stockholm can take 80 minutes.
What language do they speak?
Swedish, but most of the population also understand both Norwegian and Danish. Almost everyone you encounter in Stockholm can communicate in English too, as the majority of TV shows are in English with Swedish subtitles.
What’s the weather like?
It depends on when you travel and where in Sweden you go. For the most part it’s actually very similar to the weather in Ireland, except with less rain and more snow in winter. While the north of Sweden can go as low around -20C during winter, in Stockholm it usually never goes below -10C. In summer the average temperature is between 20 and 25C.
What is the local beer like?
The Swedish people love their lager. However, when you walk into a bar and ask for a pint, the likelihood is you’ll be handed a Heineken or Carlsberg, which is somewhat disappointing. While ale and stout are not impossible to find, most locals will drink lager. Norrlands Guld and Mariestad are the two most popular local beers but you have to ask for them by name. 
Other drinks?
The Swedes love their cider and almost any fruit you can think of has been turned into an alcoholic beverage of some kind. Like their Finnish neighbours, vodka is also consumed in vast quantities. Though not as common in Stockholm as it is in the north of Sweden, Wolfpaw (Vargtass in Swedish), a vodka drink made with lingonberries, a wild red berry that grows in the forests of northern Sweden, is a particular treat. You’re more likely to see the bold and the beautiful of Stockholm with a vodka and Red Bull in hand though.
What’s the transport like?
Public transport is very good in Stockholm where they have subways, ferries and buses. You can pretty much explore all that Stockholm has to offer using public transport. This can be a very cheap way of getting around too, as you can purchase a ‘Stockholm Card’ that lets you travel on all these modes of transport over multiple days.
What’s the food like?
While fish and, indeed, anything you can think of that may have lived in the sea, make up the majority of meals in family homes, most restaurants in Stockholm serve a variety of European and international cuisine. The national dish is Sour Herring, which, I’m told, tastes as appetising as it sounds. However, thanks to IKEA, the country is now best known for its meatballs. Potatoes are second only to fish in popularity.
What is the nightlife like?
Stockholm has a very active nightlife, especially when it comes to the live music scene. Debaser Slussen, Debaser Medis and Strand are the three best music venues in the capital. For some amazing blood-themed cocktails, head to a bar called Vampire Lounge in the Sodermälm district. Those favouring a more dance-orientated night should head to the clubbing district of Stureplan but be warned, it can be very expensive for entry into these clubs.
Why should I go?
If you like sport, this is a country for you, with ice hockey and football being the biggest pastimes. Believe it or not, GAA is making quite a stir with the Swedes, and more and more teams are forming every year. Music fans who favour metal are well catered for with everything from speed to death metal having originated in this part of the world. Having said that, the bars and clubs of Stockholm cater for anything from Swedish reggae to classical music and pretty much everything in between. Don’t make the mistake of dissing ABBA, though. The group are still regarded as national treasures by residents of a certain age.
What are the touristy things to do?
If you’re in Stockholm during the summer, the Royal Castle and the Archipelago are well worth a visit, as is the Old Town. Located on the west side of Djurgårdsbro, the Wasa Museum is home to the Wasa warship, which sank in Stockholm harbour on its maiden voyage in 1628. Anyone interested in architecture should check out the Riddarholm Church, a former Franciscan friary that stands at an impressive 295 ft tall.
Anything else?
Though not strictly (or at all) in Stockholm, no visit to Sweden would be complete without taking in a night’s stay in the Ice Hotel in Jukkäsjarvi (pronounce the ‘j’ like a ‘y’). You sleep on a bed of ice, in a room made from ice, and all at the pleasant temperature of -13C. Unfortunately, it can’t be combined with Sweden’s spectacular midnight sun as it melts away during the summer to be rebuilt every winter. Less a hotel and more a work of art.
Anything to avoid?
Sweden is a very safe country, but if someone offers you something called Fermented Herring, do not accept! Possibly the worst-tasting food in the world, locals insist that the smell of it alone has been known to kill the weak and the old.
What should I bring home?
If they’d let you through customs with it, you could always impress your friends with reindeer meat instead of turkey for Christmas dinner. No visit to Stockholm would be complete without a visit to Svenskt Tenn though. Located in the beautiful Strandvagen area of the city, you can buy a traditional Swedish drinking mug here.
When should I go?
Because it’s located on 14 islands, Stockholm is best seen during the summer when there’s always something to do. On top of that, you get to see the aforementioned midnight sun. If you are thinking of travelling to Sweden in the winter though, it’s best to head north as you never know, you might run into Santa in Lapland.
What’s my challenge?
Trying to learn Swedish before travelling. It is one of the most difficult languages to try to master, but the people of Stockholm will appreciate your attempts. Failing that, in winter you could imitate the locals and immediately follow a trip to the sauna with a dip in an ice bath. Possibly the most instantaneous cure for a hangover you’ll ever experience.
What’s the currency?
Swedish Krona (kr)
Something to remember…
If you do decide to drive in Stockholm, remember that Swedes drive on the right. This can be very confusing as most of the roads, signs and roundabouts are designed for driving on the left but the country changed to driving on the right on September 3, 1967.