Program 322: Stones of England; Stockholm Al Fresco; The Finnish Sauna

A lot of Stockholm's charm comes from how much land and waterfront is dedicated to parks and public access. On the next Travel with Rick Steves, we get a guide to enjoying the Swedish capital al fresco, where the locals make it a priority to get outdoors, any time of year.

We'll also explore the mysteries of the ancient stone circles and prehistoric monuments of England. And we'll hear how taking a sauna is an important part of life in Finland.

Meet another corner of the world each week, on Travel with Rick Steves.

• If your station plans to conduct additional fundraising during Travel with Rick Steves, in addition to the fundraising modules we provide, you can contact producer Tim Tattan for suggested cutaway cues during any week's edition of the show.  You can phone him at 425-608-4234.  This will allow you additional fundraising time, with clean ins and outs, while retaining most of the weekly program's content. 
• Note that a new set of fundraiser modules and pitches from Rick are now available, which were uploaded earlier this month.  The April 2013 fundraiser package includes an updated premium pitch from Rick, in which his pitches describe the boxed set anthology of Rick Steves' Europe DVDs, which now include 100 TV shows.  The fundraiser packages we provide are designed for you to air any time of year. 

• Mark Seymour, British tour guide based in Brittany, France
• Åsa Danielsson, tour guide based in Stockholm
• Fred Plotkin, author of Italy for the Gourmet Traveler and Opera 101

• The National Trust has information online about visiting Britain's largest ancient stone circle at Avebury, and the popular stone circle and surrounding grounds at Stonehenge.
• Åsa Danielsson has a profile on the Viator website, which provides a link for booking her walking tours in Stockholm.
• The new ABBA museum in Stockholm is scheduled to open May 7, 2013.
• A BBC reporter got a preview of the exhibitions.
• Rick writes about historical sites and the old town of Stockholm.
• An English-language guide to maps and trip planning for the Stockholm subway system.
• Wikipedia has an entry about the Af Chapman clipper ship and hostel in Stockholm, which includes a link for reservations.
• Helsinki's official tourism site has an English-language guide to saunas around the city.
• The Finnish Sauna Society has six saunas available for its members and guests.
• A major underwriter for Travel with Rick Steves this month is the European Union Delegation to the United States.

• "I took my granddaughter to Stonehenge. Contact the National Trust and arrive at Stonehenge before it opens - they let 20 people in. You can walk among the stones then. It was misty and beautiful!" (Barbara in Tulsa, Oklahoma)
• In program extra: Asks for help planning a trip to view ancient stone circles in Britain.  "Is it possible to join in exploration or research at the sites?" (Cindy in Franklin, Tennessee)
• Recommendations for things to do in Stockholm. "Do not miss the Vasa Museum, King's Palace, or Skansen. Wander and get lost in Gamla Stan's cobbled, winding lanes, Rathaus (climb tower if you have strength and time), relax on a harbor or Vaxholm ferryboat cruise, and go inside and explore the NK Department Store." (April in Roseville, California)
• Planning a three-day visit to Stockholm. "What are the top things to do and see in Stockholm, and what are the best times of the year to visit?" (Richard in Lake Sherwood, California)
• "My husband and 4-year-old son and I visited Stockholm in 2011. The site we visited over and over again was Djurgården. The Junibacken, Grona Lund, Skansen, and Vasa were just a few jewels in that condensed area. It is wonderful for kids."  (Elaine in Toronto, Ontario)
• "I see that the Vasa Museum is closed to build a new entrance. Can you please tell me when it will reopen? And I know that Sweden remained neutral and accepted thousands of Jewish refugees during World War II. What sights would you recommend for a visitor who would like to see the Jewish landmarks of Stockholm?"  (e-mail from Linda in Columbia, Maryland)
• Caller asks about the clipper ship on display in the Bay.  (Nancy in Pacific Grove, California)

• Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Gavin Sutherland, cond., "'Folksong' from 'Folksong and Fiddle Dance' (Percy Fletcher)," English String Miniatures 5 / Naxos
• Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Uri Mayer, cond., "'Tourdion' from 'Capriol Suite' (Peter Warlock)," Orchestral Suites of the British Isles / CBC Records
• Maire Brennan, "Against the Wind," Celtic Heart (collection) / BMG
• Lorenna McKennitt, "Bonny Portmore," The Visit / WEA
• * Philip Lane, "Suite of Cotswold Folk Dances, II: 'Constant Billy,'" British Light Music Collection 1 / ASV
• Ireland National Symphony Orchestra, "'Midsommarvaka' from 'Swedish Rhaposdy No. 1' (by Swedish composer Hugo Alfven)," Midsummer Vigil: Orchestral Favourites of Hugo Alfven / Naxos
• Den Fule, "Ormslå (The Legless Lizard)," Quake / NorthSide
• Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Ari Rasilainen, cond., "Rustle of Spring (Christian Sinding, arr. Hans Sitt)," The Nordic Experience (collection) / Warner Classics
• Hedningarna, "Grodan (Toadeater)," Nordic Roots (collection) / NorthSide
• * Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Ari Rasilainen, cond., Harald Aadland, violin, Jon Sønsebø, viola, "Vision (from Suite No. 3, op. 19) (Kurt Atterberg)," The Nordic Experience (collection) / Warner Classics
• Ben Hans Trio, "Dear Old Stockholm," Drums! Bass! Guitar! / Coffee Road Records
• Den Fule, "Den Blå Slåtten (The Blue Tune)," Nordic Roots (collection) / NorthSide
• ABBA, "Happy Hawaii," Chronicles / Polydor
• ABBA, "Arrival," Arrival / Universal Motown Records Group
• Troka, "Klockar Aleksanteri," Nordic Roots (collection) / NorthSide

• Rick says that while Stockholm is nicest in the summertime, in the open to segment B, it has a lot of activities any time of year. Åsa  reiterates that summer is their favorite time of year, May through August, at 40:56.
• At 41:37, Åsa notes the Nobel Prize banquet is held on December 10 each year at the Stockholm City Hall.