Well seems like it was just last month that I was blogging about our trip to New Orleans for the ACP meeting. Actually it was last month. Today, actually last night, we left for a trip to Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. Neither of us have ever been to these countries so it should be an interesting adventure. We are once again using Tauck tours. I remembered my mother talking about enjoying the Tauck vacations so we gave them a try last year when we travelled to Croatia. That was a fun trip so we are giving them another chance. I know some of my friends prefer to set up their own vacations so they can dictate the itinerary but that can be so much work and sometimes quite expensive. Last year we investigated a private tour of Scandinavia and a two week trip was going to cost us an unspeakable amount of money. I didn’t even bother to reply to the agent. When the travel company followed up I told them they misunderstood my request, I wanted to visit Scandinavia, I didn’t want to buy it. They offered to alter the tour to make it more affordable but we thought going to Croatia with Tauck was a better decision.
The flight from LAX last night took us first to Copenhagen. Our friend, Mike, was kind enough to give us a ride to LAX. It was very fortuitous because he is quite strong and I don’t think I could have lifted our luggage into a cab. The flight to Copenhagen was uneventful except for a brief period of severe turbulence. Of course I was in the bathroom when it started making for an interesting excursion. That being said the flight and service was quite good. I guess these days if a door or window from the plane doesn’t come off and you don’t hit a helicopter when coming in for a landing it has been a good trip. The crew of the SAS flight were very good. I found out that SAS (Scandinavia Airline System) hires attendants from Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. The crew members all speak English but talk to each other in their native tongue. The languages are similar enough for our Swedish flight attendant to understand her Danish co-worker even though they are speaking 2 different languages. Apparently not that different.
In Copenhagen we had a 3 hour layover until departing for Stockholm. Patrice occupied herself by reading her book, checking emails and Facebook, and ignoring my whining.
The flight from Copenhagen to Stockholm was also uneventful (I am very happy to report) and we were met at Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) by our driver Sven (I made that up since I didn’t hear him say his name). He quickly took Patrice’s luggage and carrier, leaving me to fend for myself.
We made it to the hotel and I am now chilling in our room. I need some sleep. Our trip starts tomorrow. Something about his hotel makes me feel at home. See below.
See you tomorrow, if I wake up.
Robert Reiss Travel Blog and Other Ramblings 