Saint Lucia in Stockholm

global traveller — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:00:02 +0000

For its winter atmosphere, Sweden is the ideal place to visit around the period of Christmas festivities. Although, Christmas celebrations do take place on the 24th December, there is a very peculiar tradition for Saint Lucia’s day on the 13th December, which occurs close to the winter solstice.

Saint Lucia is one of the few Saints to be celebrated in Lutheran Scandinavian countries that is in fact also related to a pagan mythical figure of Lucia and dates back from Medieval Times. She is personified as the queen of light, a young woman bringing light and sweets in the darkest period of the year.

In Stockholm, where the tradition is particularly felt, the is a procession on that day starting in the afternoon and thousand of young people dressed in angelic white gowns who walk through the town’s streets and sing traditional Lucia carols. The Saint is traditionally interpreted by a young girl with a crown of lights on their head. Many other churches organize other Lucia processions throughout the day and it is certainly worth visiting the main ones, like the Jakobs Kyrka situated in Gamla Stan (the Old Town), where you can also find Lucia concerts.

Other than the traditional rituals, the whole city of Stockholm is enlightened with candles and Christmas lights, whereas cafés and restaurants are open until late. If you are also lucky enough to found the city covered with snow, then you will have the full magic Christmas experience.

Sweden to develop Arlanda Airport

Sweden to develop Arlanda Airport

travel globally — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:29:09 +0000

Arlanda Airport in Sweden is regarded as one of the most important airports in Europe. Because of the location of Sweden it has become the convenient gateway for tourists. Arlanda Airport is used by more than 18 million passengers a year. Continuous development is a must for the government and controllers to continue accommodation of the increasing travellers to this part of Europe.

But Sweden wants to take the airport to another level of service. There are plans for developing an Airport City which will be built around the current airport, transforming its look from a mere portal for tourists.

The Airport City will have an impressive hotel that will have more than 600 rooms. Different structures that will cater to different businesses will also be put up around the airport.

This project will be funded by three institutions – the local government of Sigtuna (the airport’s location), Arlandastad Holding and LFV/Stockholm-Arlanda Airport. The total cost of construction is estimated to be at 1.46 Billion Euros (US$2.05 Billion).

The airport city will have all its structures completed from 10-15 years. However, the airport hotel is expected to be open for tourists as early as 2011.