For a Half Day

Drottningholms Slott: Just 15km (9 miles) west of central Stockholm, Drottningholms Slott (Drottningholm Palace) (tel: (08) 402 6280; website: www.royalcourt.se) is one of the most magnificent legacies of Sweden's imperial age, justly compared to Louis XIV's Versailles. Begun by the great Swedish baroque architects, Nicodemus Tessin the Elder and Younger, in 1662, for the dowager queen, Hedvig Eleonora, Drottningholm is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is surrounded by equally splendid gardens containing the delightful Rococo Chinese Pavilion (tel: (08) 402 6270), almost a palace in itself. It also has the world's best-preserved palace theatre, with its 18th-century stage machinery still in working order - a popular venue for summer concerts and performances. Closed to the public in winter, the palace is the official residence of King Carl Gustaf XVI and the Swedish royal family. Guided tours in English are available on request.

Drottningholm Palace is open daily 1000-1630 (May to Aug), daily 1200-1530 (Sep) and Sat and Sun 1200-1530 (Oct to Apr, but closed from early Dec to early Jan) and can be reached by bus 301 or 323 from Brommaplan metro station. There is a regular summer boat service from Stadshuskajen (City Hall Quay) to Drottningholm, operated by Strömma Canal Company (tel: (08) 5871 4000; website: www.strommakanalbolaget.com).

For a Whole Day

Thousand Isles: The classic excursion from Stockholm, this is a water tour of the entire surrounding archipelago. The 24,000 islands and islets of the Stockholm Archipelago are famed for their beauty and unique atmosphere, especially in summer. The standard package stops at three or four of the most appealing islands. During summer, Strömma Canal Company (tel: (08) 5871 4000; website: www.strommakanalbolaget.com), operates excursions departing from Stockholm Nybroplan, which include lunch, coffee, a two-course dinner and guided tours.