Surroundedbyforestsandwater，Stockholmhasthefeelofasmalltown.TheroyalcapitalofSwedenisactuallyacollectionofislandslinkedbybridges.Totheeast，theBalticSeabustleswithferriesandships.Tothewest，LakeMalarenprovidesplentyofspaceforwatersportsandsailing.Stockholm’SresidentsseemtobemoreapartofasmallcommunitythanasophisticatedEuropeancity.Buttheyareintense—lyproudoftheircity.StockholmershavegoodreasontObeproud.Theircity’Sbluewa—tersaresounpollutedthatswimmingandfishingarepossibleinthecitycenter.FishermencatchfloutandsalmonneartheRoyalPalace.Swim—merscantakeadipwithinviewoftheOldTown.Thisexperienceisasmallmiraclethatfewcitiescanoffer.SincewaterdefinesStockholminSOmanyways，novisitorshouldmissatourbyboat.TourboatspassbymanyofStockholm’Sbeautifulbridges，palacesandchurches.Oneofthemostfamoustoursisnamed“UndertheBridgesofStockholm.’’
ThetypicalboattourincludestheOldTown，orGamlaStan.Situat—edonanisland。thisoldcitycenterstilllookslikeamedievalcity.The608一roomRoyalPalacehousestheRoyalArmoryandtheRoyalTreas—ury.TheTreasuryincludesundergroundroomswheretheCrownJewelsareondisplay.IntheStateApartments，theWritingRoomofKingOskarⅡhasremaineduntouchedsincehisdeathin1907.ThenearbyStockholmCathedraldisplaysancientwoodencarvings.The700一year—oldRiddarholmChurchisthetraditionalburialplaceforSwedishkings.Be—sideshistoricalattractions，GamlaStanalsoofferschicshopsandworld—classrestaurants.AfterleavingtheOldTown，theboattouralsogoesbyCityHallonLakeMalaren.Thebuilding’Slargesquaretowerrisesfromthecomerfa—cingthewater’Sedge.HerethekingandqueenofSwedenlookoneachyearastheNobelPrizewinnersreceivetheirawards.TheelegantinteriorincludesthefamousBlueRoom，wheretheNobelbanquettakesplace.Onthecity’SBalticside，thetourtakesvisitorspasttheSkansenMuseum.Skansenisanoutdoor“Swedeninminiature.”The80一acreparkhassectionsrepresentingthedifferentregionsofthecountry.ThevisitorcanwanderfromLaplandinthenorthtoSkaneinthesouth.AstrollthroughtheparkalsotakesthevisitorthroughfivecenturiesofSwedishhistory.Residentcraftsmendemonstratesometraditionaltrades：