COPENHAGEN
EAT Noma [one of the best restaurants in the world; Nordic cuisine] 108 [casual sibling to Noma] Amass [Noma’s alumni chef, great space] Manfreds & Vin [wine bar with a 7-course menu] Relae [1st Michelin-starred restaurant in the world to obtain an organic certification] Radio [another Noma alumni checf] Baest [pizzas] Torvehallerne Food Market [great spot for lunch]
SLEEP Bertrams Guldsmeden [they have bicycles for rental; super convenient] SP34 Hotel [this is where I would stay next time I'm in Copenhagen]
TO DO [Bike everywhere. This is, hands-down, the best cycling City in the world that I have ever been to] [Alternative Christiania is a green and car-free neighborhood, best known for its autonomous inhabitants’ different way of life – pretty hippie. Freetown Christiania, as it is knows, is a mix of homemade houses, workshops, art galleries, music venues, cheap and organic eateries, and beautiful nature] [Jægersborggade hip street in the residential Nørrebro neighborhood is home to art galleries, organic produce shops, vintage clothes, ceramics and jewellery designers, as well as wine bars, coffee shops and restaurants (Relae & Manfreds)] [Meatpacking District in Vesterbro is a hipster area full of bars and restaurants. Make sure to explore the whole neighborhood. Sønder Boulevard is a greenbelt that crosses the middle of this neighborhood and hosts various outdoors activities]
SHOP Hay [furniture, home & office accessories]
FAVIKEN, SWEDEN
My friend Alessandra and I had a fun adventure getting to/from Faviken, just to enjoy a very special dinner:
flight from Copenhagen to Trondheim (Norway) > 2-hr taxi ride to Faviken > sauna to relax > 4-hr dinner > sleep at Faviken (5 rooms available) > more amazing food at breakfast > 1-hr taxi ride to Are > flight to Stockholm
It was worth every minute! Best dinner experience I have ever had in my life.
STOCKHOLM
SLEEP Hotel Rival [loved this hotel! Rooms were very nice, great neighborhood, non-touristy location] Miss Clara by Nobis [another great option]
EAT Oaxen; Oaxen Slip [more laid back] Flying Elk [great wine bar next door] B.A.R; Lilla Ego; Lux Dag for Dag
COFFEE Drop [near Hotel Rival]
TO DO Fotografiska [great photography museum; don’t miss the cafe on the top floor for great views of the city] Mosebacke [unpretentious biergarten, full of locals and with nice views of the city] Djurgården [an island that can be reached by bike, ferry or bus. It can be a bit touristy where the amusement park is, but it's worth going to Rosendals Tradgard for lunch] Explore Gamla Stan, the old town.
SHOP Manos [ceramics, clothes and knick knacks in SOFO neighborhood] Nygardsanna [Swedish designer of linen clothing]
ALAND ISLANDS - FINLAND
Alessandra and I went on another adventure and decided to take Lotta’s Jansdotter Workshop Retreat on pattern design at the Aland Islands between Sweden & Finland.
From Stockholm 6.5-hour ferry ride through the archipelago to Mariehamn > 1-hr bus ride to take a small private boat to Silverskär, a very small private island.
This was a special place – setting, beauty, silence, the fresh food (fish caught in the morning, smoked and served for lunch; fresh veggies from the island; homemade bread; homemade everything! – thanks to Viktor). We got to do yoga on the small harbor's deck under the morning sun and enjoy the sauna in the evenings.
