• Riddarholmen Historical Marker - We start the tour at Gamla Stan Metro station, inside/underground, in front of the Pressbyrån kiosk. We discuss the early history of Stockholm and Sweden, from the ice age to the first settlements on the islands. From Riddarholmen (The Knights Island), we enjoy a beautiful view of Lake Mälaren and the City Hall, a famous Stockholm landmark.
• Riddarholm Church (Riddarholmskyrkan) - The story continues… Outside Riddarholmen Church, we encounter the presumed founder of Stockholm, Birger Jarl, or at least a statue of him. The year 1252 marks the first written mention of “Stockholm” in a preserved text, signed by Birger Jarl.
• Riddarhuset - We pause outside Riddarhuset, the House of Nobility, to view the statue of Gustav Vasa, “the father of Sweden.” Since Gustav Vasa marched into Stockholm in 1523, Sweden has remained a sovereign state, never occupied by foreign powers. After his father and between 80 to 100 other noblemen were killed in “The Bloodbath of Stockholm,” Gustav organized an uprising against the southern neighbor who had taken control of Sweden. He also transformed Sweden’s religion from Catholicism to Lutheran Protestantism.
• Vasabron - We then proceed to the other side of Riddarhuset to discuss the heirs of Gustav Vasa. His grandson, Gustav II Adolf, was the “greatest” of our warrior kings. During his reign, the Baltic Sea became almost an inland sea, surrounded by Swedish territories. It was under Gustav II Adolf’s rule that the Vasa ship was built!
• Parliament Building (Riksdagshuset) - The predecessor of the parliament (riksdagen) was the “Riksdag of the Estates” (Ståndsriksdagen), where Nobility, Clergy, Burghers, and Peasants met separately for discussions before convening with the King in the palace. Until its dissolution in 1866, this institution was the highest authority in Sweden next to the King. In 1866, a two-chamber parliament was introduced, but without equal voting rights for all citizens. The first elections with general suffrage were held in 1921, following a long political struggle led by liberals and socialists.
• Royal Palace - Our next stop is “Lejonbacken” on the north side of the Royal Palace. Peter the Great of Russia ended Sweden’s aspirations of being a great power in Northern Europe. Karl XII, the last of our warrior kings, is still pointing east (i.e., the statue is pointing), where he and his army, the Caroleans, initially had great victories but were ultimately defeated by Peter the Great at Poltava in 1709.

The Age of Enlightenment, with its growing interest in arts and science, influenced Sweden. Gustav III, an enlightened despot with a great interest in theatre, made several contributions in these fields.

• Jarnpojken - The smallest and nicest statue in Sweden!
• Stortorget - The Nobel Prize Museum is located at Stortorget. The Swedish Royal Academies designate the winners of the most prestigious prizes in many important fields of science and art.
• Stockholm Old Town - Below the statue of Carl XIV Johan, we continue the story of Sweden. This king, the first of the Bernadottes, was brought to Sweden from France in the early 19th century to reclaim what was lost to the Russians. Instead, he focused on diplomacy, building infrastructure, and developing education! In 2014, Sweden celebrated 200 years of peace. The industrial revolution, natural resources, and great Swedish inventions laid the foundation for a welfare state, with several entrepreneurs continuing the development into the 20th and 21st centuries.
• Skeppsbron 26 - From Skeppsbron, we will take the “Djurgårdsfärjan” ferry to Djurgården.
• The Viking Museum - Entrance to The Viking Museum is included. Our guide will introduce you to the museum and show you some of the attractions. This small-scale museum offers a unique combination of thrilling experiences and historical facts. The museum is a collaboration between professionals in performing arts and Sweden’s most respected historical scientists.
  This is the end of the guided tour, but you are welcome to stay in the museum after the tour concludes.
  (If you have time, consider staying on Djurgården island in the afternoon to visit the Abba Museum (“walk in, dance out”), the Vasa Museum, the amusement park Gröna Lund, or Skansen. All these attractions are located on the beautiful island of Djurgården (but are not included in this tour)).

• Boat trip to Djurgården
• Entrance to The Viking Museum