Entering Stockholm via Archipelago - What is it like?

[Giantfan13]

For me, charging for your luggage is obscene. People need to have luggage, and it sure seems as if they are taking advantage of the public in that regard. I wouldm rather see a higher fare and accpet that, then see them nickle and dime us to death.

Are we suppose to fly with the clothes on our back and nothing else????

 

Charging fro every little thing is worse than the cruise lines nickle and diming one to death. But there, you don't have to indulge, on airlines you still need luggage.

 

 

 

Cheers

 

Len

[J18ktleo]

Well, I didn't get on here to rant however :rolleyes: just having come back from New Zealand and paying LOTS AND LOTS more for better seats, better food, amazing service...it is a toss up! I wouldn't mind if the airlines would have an order form online before we fly that we could put in our preferences...don't need a pillow but do need a blanket, no on alcohol, yes on beverages, no on box lunch, yes on bathroom use :p

 

ok...back to the thread. We are sailing on the Jewel OTS this summer and I am looking at doing an Archipelago boat tour while we're there. However, we also have a fabulous aft balcony and since we arrive at 9 am being awake for arrival won't be so hard and we leave at 5 so we could watch sail away for an hour or two.

Do you think the Archipelago tour would be overkill? Or maybe more insight? I keep remembering the boat tour we did of the 1,000 islands in Upstate NY and it was so amazing...having been to Oslo some of the sights in the city seem very similar.

[Giantfan13]

Well, I didn't get on here to rant however :rolleyes: just having come back from New Zealand and paying LOTS AND LOTS more for better seats, better food, amazing service...it is a toss up! I wouldn't mind if the airlines would have an order form online before we fly that we could put in our preferences...don't need a pillow but do need a blanket, no on alcohol, yes on beverages, no on box lunch, yes on bathroom use :p

 

ok...back to the thread. We are sailing on the Jewel OTS this summer and I am looking at doing an Archipelago boat tour while we're there. However, we also have a fabulous aft balcony and since we arrive at 9 am being awake for arrival won't be so hard and we leave at 5 so we could watch sail away for an hour or two.

Do you think the Archipelago tour would be overkill? Or maybe more insight? I keep remembering the boat tour we did of the 1,000 islands in Upstate NY and it was so amazing...having been to Oslo some of the sights in the city seem very similar.

 

Personally, if your ship is sailing the Archipelago at the right time, you probably do not need another 'dose' of it. yes, it is amazing, and a private tour will get up much closer, but, as you say, it might be overkill. Again, just my opinion.

 

Cheers

 

Len

[J18ktleo]

thanks, that's kinda what I'm starting to think!;)

[north-bound]

J18ktleo, if you have one day in Stockholm an archipelago boat tour would certainly be overkill as I see it. The passage through the archipelago takes 3-4 hours in the morning and the same in the evening. If your cruise is in June or July the sun will be up long before you enter the archipelago, and you will still have daylight when the ship leaves the archipelago in the evening. So there will be plenty of time to enjoy the views. Much better do something else when you are in port. Stockholm is a beautiful city.

[Skallywag]

Well, I didn't get on here to rant however :rolleyes: just having come back from New Zealand and paying LOTS AND LOTS more for better seats, better food, amazing service...it is a toss up! I wouldn't mind if the airlines would have an order form online before we fly that we could put in our preferences...don't need a pillow but do need a blanket, no on alcohol, yes on beverages, no on box lunch, yes on bathroom use :p

 

ok...back to the thread. We are sailing on the Jewel OTS this summer and I am looking at doing an Archipelago boat tour while we're there. However, we also have a fabulous aft balcony and since we arrive at 9 am being awake for arrival won't be so hard and we leave at 5 so we could watch sail away for an hour or two.

Do you think the Archipelago tour would be overkill? Or maybe more insight? I keep remembering the boat tour we did of the 1,000 islands in Upstate NY and it was so amazing...having been to Oslo some of the sights in the city seem very similar.

 

 

We should have been sailing the Jewel in June on this cruise but they changed it to the Sun and now we find they are going into Nynshamn not Stockholm direct - bit disappointed but there must be some plus things. I certainly hope so

[J18ktleo]

Thanks so much, I'm also hoping to find the Great Synagogue and Holocaust Memorial...anyone know if it's easy to find in Gamla Stan?

[Giantfan13]

Thanks so much, I'm also hoping to find the Great Synagogue and Holocaust Memorial...anyone know if it's easy to find in Gamla Stan?

 

While we were on our cruise, we did try and seek out some of the Synagogues of the ports we were in. We did NOT find the one in Stockholm but we did in Helsinki, Copenhagen and St Petersburg.

 

Here are a few pixs of these

 

Here is the Synagogue in Copenhagen--very unnoticeably plain

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europemaster328.jpg

 

It's Front gate

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europemaster327.jpg

 

In Helsinki, the main Jewish synagogue

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europemaster1085.jpg

 

A deli right nearby

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europemaster1087.jpg

 

Choral Synagogue in St Petersburg

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europemaster991.jpg

 

Inside this magnificent Synagogue

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe985.jpg

 

I have many more pix of choral, if you are interested

 

Just a side note. We were in Helsinki on a Saturday and when we arrived at the Synagogue we tried to go in for Shabbat services. If you look at the pix, you will see two men guarding the entrance. they would not allow anyone even onto the grounds without ID.

They Were very nice about it, but would not let us even into services. security is very high all over Europe.

 

Cheers

 

Len

[Al_Frescoe]

Here is the website with infor regarding the Synagogue in Stockholm. It is fairly near the Old Town with Kungstagården (the long park) on one side and Berzelii Park on the other.

 

http://www.jf-stockholm.org/english/

 

this from their website regarding security)

 

<snip>

 

Tourist information

Are you planning to visit a Shabbat service ? Please send in your name to info@jfst.se at the latest on Friday before 11.00 am.

You will be met by our security guards, who will carry out a security check at the entrance. Please follow their instructions. Bring an ID-card in order to facilitate the security check but no big bags.

Please notice that photographing on Shabbat and Holidays are prohibited.

 

 

<snip>

 

 

So security is indeed high.

 

 

Al

[J18ktleo]

Thank you so much!!!!!

I will definitely make it a point to visit the Synagogue and we'll be there on Monday so Shabbas won't be an issue.

I remember years ago when we were in Rome the guards at the entrance to the shul as well so that's to be expected.

 

We have asked for a Synagogue to be included in out tour of SPB.

I really appreciate the links and location so now there's no excuse on why we didn't find it!;)

[Giantfan13]

Thank you so much!!!!!

I will definitely make it a point to visit the Synagogue and we'll be there on Monday so Shabbas won't be an issue.

I remember years ago when we were in Rome the guards at the entrance to the shul as well so that's to be expected.

 

We have asked for a Synagogue to be included in out tour of SPB.

I really appreciate the links and location so now there's no excuse on why we didn't find it!;)

 

Whom have you booked your tour with in St Petersburg?? We used SPB tours and speaking with Viktoria, I asked specifically if we could fit the Choral sysnagogue into our tour package. She didn't miss the mark. It was a fantastic place to visit. Try and make it there.

 

Here are a few more pixs of the Choral Synagogue inside and out

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europemaster988.jpg

 

They have a Kosher restaurant and cater right next door--the sign out front

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe990.jpg

 

 

Here is the 'chuppah' that is used for weddings

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe974.jpg

 

The beamer

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe981.jpg

 

The Front entrance

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe970.jpg

 

Some of the many items in their museum and around the synagogue

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europemaster988.jpg

[J18ktleo]

Wow, I'll have to make sure that's the synagogue she's talking about!

We're going with Travel SPB and they've been great. Although we don't go

til this June we've had our group together for a couple of months...will make sure this is the synagogue we're going to!:p

[Giantfan13]

Wow, I'll have to make sure that's the synagogue she's talking about!

We're going with Travel SPB and they've been great. Although we don't go

til this June we've had our group together for a couple of months...will make sure this is the synagogue we're going to!:p

 

During the Soviet Regime, when most of the churches were closed, Choral Synagogue stayed open. What they didn't tell you was that right across the street, there was a building with glass windows that was a KGB site where they sort of filmed everyone going and coming into choral synagogue. So being open may not necessarily mean it was really doing a great business if you get my meaning.

 

Choral Synagogue is not far from the pier and it is in easy access so let your tour know you wish to visit and I'm sure they will accommodate you. Most of the tour groups try and bend over backwards to make their 'guests' feel as though they had the best experience of a lifetime. They all want those 'good reports' back here on CC and other sites like this. Choral is not a long stop, maybe 30 minutes at most, but well worth it.

 

Cheers

 

Len