Into the Swedish World: Astha’s Trip to Sweden with Thrillophilia

“To truly understand a place, one must dive into its history and walk its streets.” I have always been captivated by history and geography. While other students played outside, I preferred reading about different cities and their histories. Europe’s rich history, art, and architecture have always intrigued me. When I finally got the opportunity to travel to Sweden with my friends last year, I couldn’t contain my excitement.

Since our time for exploration was limited, we decided to book a package through Thrillophilia to cover more places in less time. To our delight, everything was perfectly organized, allowing us to visit all the iconic sites and fully enjoy our trip. My excitement was on par and I ordered a few books about Sweden and Denmark to enhance my experience while walking the historical landmarks.

Landing in Denmark

Our trip began with the beautiful city of Copenhagen, a beautiful city known for its art, history, and biking culture! After checking into our hotel, we decided to take it easy on the first day. First, we visited Amalienborg Castle, the royal residence, and admired its elegant architecture. Walking through its courtyard, I kept imagining the centuries of history this place had witnessed.

Later, we stopped by the famous Opera House, a stunning piece of modern architecture that contrasted beautifully with the city’s older buildings. We ended our day with the famous Danish open sandwich in a cafe near our hotel and talked about our upcoming adventure.

The next morning, we set out to explore Copenhagen’s historic sites. Our first stop was Tivoli Gardens—not just an amusement park but a place with over a century of history. The old-world charm was evident in its vintage rides and scenic gardens. From there, we visited Christiansborg Palace, a grand structure that once housed Denmark’s kings and now serves as the Parliament. Walking through its opulent halls, we could feel the echoes of power and politics. We strolled along the Nyhavn waterfront, admiring the colourful buildings and taking pictures.

Our tour ended at the iconic Little Mermaid statue, a symbol of Copenhagen's heritage. Later, we explored Christiania, a vibrant bohemian community known for its interesting past and lively streets, where we enjoyed shopping for souvenirs.

The Most Awaited Destination - Sweden!

Exploring Stockholm felt like stepping into a living history book. The architecture and the air of the city were a blend of modernity with a royal touch of history and culture. The moment we wandered into Gamla Stan, I was captivated. The medieval streets, with their cobblestones and colourful old buildings, made me feel like I had travelled back in time.

We visited the Nobel Museum, which fascinated me with stories of great minds who changed the world. The Royal Palace was another highlight—its grand halls and intricate details reflected Sweden’s royal past beautifully.

Among all the places we visited, my absolute favourite was the Vasa Museum. Seeing the massive 17th-century warship, almost perfectly preserved, was a surreal experience. The craftsmanship, the sheer size, and the history of how it sank and was later recovered left me in awe. 

After a day full of history, we had some fun visiting the ABBA Museum, reliving the band’s legacy through interactive exhibits. As the day ended, we boarded our cruise to Turku, enjoying the scenic Baltic Sea views. Sitting on the deck, I reflected on everything we had seen and excitedly I told my friend, “Maybe I will take history more seriously and make a career out of it!” Stockholm gave us a perfect mix of history and culture, making it one of my favourite cities.

Helsinki & the Suomenlinna Island

Our last two places were Helsinki and a tour of Soumenlinna Island. I was happy and enjoying our trip, yet I was also sad that it would end soon. After reaching Helsinki and a good cup of hot chocolate, we decided to explore the city at our own pace. The Helsinki Cathedral with its striking white facade and grand staircase, was breathtaking. We then visited Senate Square, surrounded by historic buildings, I could almost hear the echoes of the past. Later, we took a peaceful stroll through Esplanadi Park, enjoying the serene atmosphere before returning to our hotel.

The next morning, we set off on a boat trip to Suomenlinna Island, a place that fascinated both of us. As the boat approached, the fortress walls rising from the sea were an impressive sight. I felt like I was in a movie and going on an amazing adventure. Walking through the cobbled paths, we explored the old barracks, tunnels, and cannons, picturing how this stronghold once defended Finland. The island’s coastal views were stunning, adding to its timeless charm.

I particularly loved how Suomenlinna combined history with nature. I kept pausing to appreciate every corner of the place and take in the surroundings, appreciating how well the fortress had been preserved. As we sailed back to Helsinki for our flight home, we couldn’t stop talking about how this journey had been the perfect mix of history, culture, and adventure.

I felt like there was still so much to explore and I promised myself to visit back and bid goodbye to Europe - until next time!

Read More: Thrillophilia Sweden Reviews