The Jewel of Scandinavia

By Paul Rubio

Photo: Take a Liking to a Viking in Stockholm with the M.S. Patricia

While Scandinavian rivalries exist mostly in jest these days, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland still relish in a slight superiority complex over one another. Little debate persists, however, when naming the crown jewel of all Scandinavia – the magnificent city of Stockholm, Sweden. Stockholm is, by far, the most pristine and most stunning of all Scandinavian cities, with endless candy coated streets and an omnipresent royal atmosphere.

Photo: Stockholm’s population is over 776,000 (Stockholm region: population close to 2 million) and the Swedish capital is located at an elevation of only 200 feet (61 meters).

Though recognized for its diversity, Stockholm’s pure-bred neo-Vikings rule the city – tall and muscular in stature, well endowed, with large, piercing eyes, meticulously defined jaw-lines, full, juicy red lips and baby soft yet thick, light locks of blond hair. The stylish Ken dolls seem to grace every corner of the regal city, giving new meaning to gay Stockholm’s slogan, “Take a liking to a Viking.”

Visitors are spoiled for choice in discovering the city’s fairy tale backdrops and riveting architecture. Charming boat rides transport passengers along the Baltic Sea to countless scenic islands. Pedestrian friendly cobblestone streets lead to the majestic Kungliga Slottet (the Royal Palace), while further afield the impressive Vasamuseet (Royal Warship Vasa), the culturally enticing open-air Skansen Museum, the renowned National Museum of Art and the edgy, provocative Millesgarden, reveal the country’s fascinating history and cultural evolution. From May to September, the rise of the perpetual sun equates to long, contemplative ambles through the “European Green Capital” at all hours of the day and night and a city-wide fervor to make up for lost daylight hours of winter. Nevertheless, in any season, at any hour, Stockholm exudes romance and exclusivity, five-star appeal and world-class liberalism.

Photo: An aerial view of the lovely gay-friendly city of Stockholm

Now that summer’s officially here, gay Stockholm has revealed himself in full glory. Come early evening, the horny hewolf takes over, approaching the banks of the Riddarfjärden, for cocktails and copious eye-candy at the waterfront bar/café, Mälarpaviljongen. Making up for lost time in winter, the Stockholm party rages seven nights a week for 3 months on either side of Summer Solstice, starting with insane Sundays aboard the M.S. Patricia, fierce Wednesdays at the palatial F12/Ficks, extended weekend chats and chill time at Zipper Lounge and Torget, electronic/ house/go-go boy throw down at Libra on Saturdays or the hard-core leather alternative SLM Stockholm. If you visit Gay & Lesbian Stockholm’s website, www.stockholmtown.com/gaylesbian, you can even download a full gay guide to the city and read about the party scene in detail!

But there is definitely more to GLBT Stockholm than hot hook-ups and party shenanigans.

As the epicenter of the Scandinavia’s bustling gay life, this hyper-liberal metropolis also courts same-sex couples from abroad to indulge in Scandinavia’s deep-rooted ethos of true equality. Gay weddings are an everyday occurrence at the hotels, churches and historic buildings that line the gingerbread streets of Gamla Stan (Stockholm’s Old Town) and the regal reception halls within the greater archipelago. A bastion of tolerance, sexual preference ceased to be an issue here decades ago; and hotels such as the celebrated Grand Hotel (www.grandhotel. se/in_english/default.asp) have taken pride in welcoming sophisticated same-sex couples for decades, long before it was legally mandated or globally popular.

Photo: The island of Södermalm is home to over 100,000 people and by far the largest borough of Stockholm.

To get yourself even more excited about experiencing Stockholm and greater Sweden, check out their website at www.visitsweden.com.

Photos courtesy, EU Travel Pictures