PARECE QUE SUECIA LE DEBE MUCHO A... / It seems Sweden owes a lot to... ABBA

Parece que Suecia le debe mucho a Abba, según un artículo de ayer en el periódico británico "Daily Star" de cómo el grupo sueco hizo cambiar la percepción sobre el país nórdico. Enlace y transcripción en inglés más abajo.

It seems Sweden owes a lot to Abba, according to an article on yesterday's British newspaper "Daily Star", which explains how Abba made them change their minds about the Nordic country. Link and transcription below.

ABBA cadabra! How we changed our mind to discover the pure magic of Sweden

["Daily Star" 15/3/2014]

Brits never really considered it a holiday destination, and it was too expensive anyway.

But over the years things have changed.

One reason is of our love for ABBA. Band member Björn Ulvaeus recently said: “Everyone tells me ABBA is at the root of this current obsession with Scandinavia. I think it’s quite possible.

“Until we had our success it was still unthinkable that anything from Sweden would catch on.”

But of course it’s not just them.

It’s also thanks to exports such as IKEA, H&M, Nordic Noir telly shows like Borgen, The Bridge and The Killing, and the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo books and film series.

Lonely Planet named Sweden as one of the top 10 places to visit during 2014 because of its food, culture and scary stories, and what better way to experience it than a trip to its capital, Stockholm?

I flew with British Airways to Arlanda Airport, which is just a 20-minute train ride from the city.

Here ABBA greet you the moment you step off the plane. There are exhibits from the newly-opened ABBA Museum on display all over the place, giving you a very warm and Swedish welcome.

Stockholm is called The Venice Of The North for good reason. It’s built on 14 islands and connected by 57 bridges.

Although transport (trams, buses, Tubes) is top class you will enjoy the place more if you walk.

And since just under a million people live there, with only nine million in the whole of the country, you never feel crowded out.

The city has great hotels and I chose the excellent Radisson Blu Strand on the Sodermalm waterfront, where Gary Barlow, Rod Stewart and Tom Jones have all stayed.

It’s a cool, five-star boutique hotel offering fabulous views across the harbour and it’s a convenient 10-minute walk to the centre of town.

The city offers waterways, parks and islands galore. A favourite is Djurgarden, which is a short tram ride from the centre.

Located on this isle is the open air museum and zoo Skansen, the Nordic Museum, the old theme park Grona Lund and the new ABBA Museum.

Here you can not only learn about the band’s history, but also dance, dress and sing like Agnetha, Benny, Björn and Anni-Frid.

It only opened last year but is fast becoming a top attraction.

Celebrations including the launch of an ABBA choir are planned throughout April to mark the group’s 40th anniversary of winning Eurovision with Waterloo.

There is lots to see and do elsewhere, ranging from visits to City Hall where they hold Nobel Prize banquets, The Royal Palace, The Vasa Museum housing a 17th Century warship and the Moderna Museet, which boasts a fantastic collection of modern art. To get a measure of the city, head to the EricssonGlobe in the south. It’s a sport and concert arena but also has a ride called Skyview.

You travel in a glass bubble car around the outside of the dome to get a real bird’s eye view of Stockholm some 130 metres above sea level.

Then if you fancy a trip on the water, take one of the many boats around the archipelago, which boasts 30,000 small islands.

Although folk often think Sweden is expensive, it is no dearer than other main Euro cities. Beers can be found for three or four pounds. And in Sweden, you can’t buy booze in supermarkets.

You get it from a “Systembolaget” where ID is required. They are closed on Sundays too.

With drink comes food so don’t leave without sampling true Swedish fare.

Dishes such as moose-loaf and elk stew are on the menu at Restaurant CC in Gamla Stan and traditional pea soup, meatballs or pytt i panna (Swedish hash) are on offer at Pelikan in the south.

And for an adventurous night, try Aifur in Gamla Stan where your hosts dress as Vikings and you can sup mead in clay pots and eat a feast while traditional music plays.

Pack an extra bag if you fancy going shopping.

There are two smart department stores, Ahlens and NK, and fashion stores galore to browse.

And if you want tasteful gifts follow the charming cobbled narrow streets of the Old Town (Gamla Stan).

Pop into Polkapojkarna where you can watch shop staff make traditional sweets, and also try them.

There is plenty to do at night, with bars and clubs to cater for everyone.

Why not start your evening at the exotic Ice Bar at The Nordic Sea Hotel, where you will be dressed in furs and drink vodka out of ice glasses in temperatures of minus five degrees?

And then dance till dawn at Patricia, a floating nightclub on a ship in the harbour.

As ABBA might sing...Take a chance on Sweden!