Coming out in the animal kingdom

STOCKHOLM is the ideal destination for a weekend break; prices are about the same as at home and the there are budget flights from Dublin.

Coming from car-infested Ireland, it’s a joy to visit a city which works; there is little traffic congestion and public transport, including a Metro network, is excellent. A third of Stockholm is open space.

The city is located on 14 islands (there are 57 bridges), with great public buildings picturesquely fronted by water. A purpose-built wildfowl feeding station, located on a raft moored opposite the parliament building, attracts a huge flock of swans, ducks and coots. There are 24,000 islands in the archipelago which extends eastwards into the Baltic for 70km. The inner ones have lush vegetation, while those more remote are windswept and rugged. The archipelago is well worth exploring; cruises are available from the city quays.