Program 322a: 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. 

Program #322A is a re-edit of a program which first aired April 20, 2013. The Finnish Sauna feature in segment C is a re-edit from program #219A in September 2011, and it was included in the Sept. 2010 fundraising modules.

• 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 10

• 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.
• Information about the newly-opened ABBA museum in Stockholm.
• A BBC reporter got a preview of the exhibitions at the ABBA Museum just before it opened in May 2013.
• Rick writes about historical sites and the old town of Stockholm.
• Visitors can only tour the Stockholm City Hall with a guided tour. 
• 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.
• Den Gyldene Freden (The Golden Peace) in old town Stockholm is one of the world's oldest restaurants, and comes recommended by Åsa.
• 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.

• "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)
• Recommendations for things to do in the archipelago of Stockholm, including "all you can eat" shrimp cruises.  "Do not miss the Vasa Museum, King's Palace, or Skansen. Wander and get lost in Gamla Stan's cobbled, winding lanes, and relax on a harbor or Vaxholm ferryboat cruise."  (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 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, and asks for a restaurant recommendation in Stockholm's old town.   (Nancy in Pacific Grove, California)
• (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)

• 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
• Kate Bush, "Mná Na Héireann," The Celtic Heartbeat Collection, vol. 2 (collection) / Celtic Heartbeat
• * 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
• International Youth Wind Orchestra, "Catching of Quails - vivace vigoroso," 2003 WASBE 11th Conference, Jönköping, Sweden / Mark Records
• Den Fule, "Ormslå (The Legless Lizard)," Quake / NorthSide
• Hedningarna, featuring Wimme, "The Bear," Nordic Roots (collection) / NorthSide
• Väsen, "Way Down Yonder in Smaland," Nordic Roots (collection) / 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)," Quake  / NorthSide
• ABBA, "Happy Hawaii," Chronicles / Polydor
• ABBA, "Arrival," Arrival / Universal Motown Records Group
• Troka, "Klockar Aleksanteri," Nordic Roots (collection) / NorthSide

*Music used during the internal breaks between segments

• Asa reports that rosé wine is "the trendy drink at the moment" in Stockholm, at 22:42.
• Rick says that while Stockholm is nicest in the summertime, in the open to segment B, he adds it has a lot of activities any time of year.  Asa reiterates that May through August is the favorite time of year for Swedes, at 23:10 and at 40:56.  
• At 41:35, Asa notes the Nobel Prize banquet is held on December 10 each year at the Stockholm City Hall.