Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and the most populous city in the Nordic countries.
The city stretches across fourteen islands where Lake Mälaren flows into the Baltic Sea. Just outside the city and along the coast is the island chain of the Stockholm archipelago.
The area has been settled since the Stone Age, in the 6th millennium BC, and was founded as a city in 1252 by a Swedish statesman Birger Jarl.
Images by Visit Stockholm except :
Drottningholm Palace by
The Kaknäs Tower by
I declined the chance to be the fifth member of global pop sensations ABBA, deciding instead to remain on the hop-on, hop-off bus when it reached the interactive ABBA Museum in Stockholm.
Like millions of others world-wide, I enjoy the music created by the chart-topping group but "When All Is Said and Done" (a line from a song) seeing members' costumes, gold records, original items, memorabilia is not for me.
And I certainly don't want to find out what I would look like in their legendary stage costumes or to enter the stage together with Benny, Bjorn, Agnetha and Anni-Frid.
I sidestepped walking down a musical memory lane but it is whatever floats your boat, I guess.
Undoubtedly, the museum is one of the popular stops on the informative hop-on, hop-off bus tour of Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, a remarkably clean and welcoming city.
Other "attractions" include the world's first permanent ice bar where the interior is kept at minus five degrees centigrade all year round. Even the glasses are made of ice.
Don't worry. You get a cloak and gloves on entry, but we stayed outdoors and were fortunate to visit on a sparking day which showed stylish Stockholm at its best.
The Old Town
The Old Town, founded in the 13th century, is a jewel with cobbled streets, intimate coffee bars and restaurants and quaint shops.
The Royal Palace which stands at the gateway to the area which also houses the Nobel Museum and the Swedish Academy which meets every year to decide on the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Across the river is the VASA Museum which is built around a restored 17th century warship.
It sank in Stockholm's inner harbour on its maiden voyage and it was only salvaged in 1961.
With more than 12,000 objects on board, it is one of the most important events in Swedish maritime history.
Ostermalm
Our tour moved at pace to Ostermalm, a fashionable neighbourhood with the most expensive houses in Sweden, then onto Sergels Torg, the most central public square in Stockholm.
The Parliament Building and the House of Nobility is also on the tour along with the city's main theatre which helped launch the career of actress Ingrid Bergman.
The City Hall is one of Sweden's most famous buildings and one of Stockholm's most visited tourist attractions. It is the site of the Nobel Prize banquet on December 10 each year.
Nearby is the main shopping area and it boasts niche boutiques, major retailers, department stores, tourist shops, restaurants and cafes.
You will also note a substantial presence of H&M (Hennes and Mauritz) a Swedish multi-national clothing-retail brandoperating in 62 countries with over 4,500 stores, but my in-house retail consultant - my wife - was underwhelmed and did not bring out the credit card.
Away from the city centre lies the versatile Ericsson Globe (capacity 16,000) which houses concerts - Madonna has played there - ice hockey (capacity 13,850) and various other events.
It resembles a giant golf ball and it is said to be the largest spherical building in the world.
A ride in a gondola takes you to the top, around 400 feet, to see a panorama of the city.
Skansen Open Air museum
Other open air attractions incude the Skansen Open Air museum, the world's oldest open-air museum, showcasing Sweden in its extensive parklands. Around 1.3 million people visit every year.
It houses a unique collection of historical buildings, moved to the park from all over Sweden, plus wild and domestic animals.
Visitors are met by hosts in period costume and they demonstrate weaving and spinning plus glassblowing. It also has its own concert stage, craft workshops, cafes, restaurants and shops.
Skansen is also adjacent to the Grona Lund Amusement park which houses 30 rides and which can also be accessed by the hop-on, hop-off water cruise. This cruise, incidentally, is well worth taking.
The drop off point is also near the ABBA museum. That's where I came in.