The locals leave during July. With good reason. Stockholm is OVER RUN with tourists–particularly cruise boat travelers from all over Europe. My mother-in-law had a wonderful Louisiana expression that applies here–“You can’t stir ’em with a stick.” Crowding is more noticeable only because up until now we have not run into packed exhibits or areas.

So we joined in to see Gamla Stan, the oldest part of the city and definitely Tourist Central. The day was brillant and we capped it off with a boat ride to Drottningholm, palace and actual residence of the King of Sweden, his wife and his American educated daughter (Yale) who is now doing an internship with the European Union.