Alexander, Uppsala

Advantages: Excellent day trip venue
Disadvantages: Linneaus Gardens

...For me, Uppsala is the Swedish version of St Andrews, but without the golf, an old city steeped in history especially as an important religious centre that now revolves almost entirely around its university. Uppsala is approximately 45 minutes north of Stockholm by train which will cost less than £10 for a day return and the trains run extremely frequently during the day, approximately every half hour and more at peak times. This makes Uppsala an ideal destination for a day trip if staying in Stockholm. As noted above the town is dominated by the university, don't be surprised if you see large numbers of young people walking around in colourful boiler suits, this seems to be the identifying uniform of the 'nations' or student houses which appear to make up the core of the Uppsala social scene. Officially you are not permitted... Read review

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Advantages: beautiful landscape, friendly people, relaxed atmosphere
Disadvantages: very expensive

...: sprinkled red, blue and yellow spots in front of green forests and deep blue lakes. ---------------------------------------- Balsta, middle of nowhere, Sweden ---------------------------------------- Our destination, Balsta, is a town of an estimated 10,000 inhabitants in Uppland county. This part of Sweden is generally not too well known to foreigners, but the county's capitol, Uppsala, may ring a bell. Balsta lies on the shores of Mälaren Lake, Sweden's second largest lake. The town has its own shipyard, harbour, marina and lighthouse. The city centre is a modern but dull collection of apartment houses. There is only one shopping centre and two restaurants. We did go to one of the restaurants and had a decent fish plate with Salmon. The locals at the restaurant's bar were extremely friendly, almost too friendly indeed. We had hoped... Read review

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Advantages: A site of historic interest by Rhodes medeivel town
Disadvantages: a wonder of the ancient world that isnt there anymore

...The colossus of Rhodes was a huge bronze statue around 110 feet in height that stood at the entrance of Rhodes harbour. Rhodes is one of the three largest greek islands and is located a mere 12 miles off of the coast of Turkey where the Aegean sea meets the Mediterranean. Being of significant strategic importance the island sparked the interest of many and in 357BC was conquered by Mausolus of Halicarnassus and remained in hs hands until 340BC when it was captured by Persians and captured from them by Alexander the Great in 332BC. After Alexanders death his vast empire was divided up amongst three of his victorious generals after they all fought visciously amongst themselves for a piece of his massive kingdom. The Rhodian people supported Ptolemy which angered Antigous, (another of Alexanders generals) who sent his son Demetrius... Read review

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