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Recently I found myself in Stockholm for the very first time – a city I have long wanted to visit. Stockholm truly is one of the great capital cities of the world and has been for a very long time; for centuries it has been known as a bastion of business, culture and learning. So naturally the very first thing I did was to visit the ABBA Museum. It may seem like an unlikely first stop in a city of such legendary import, but not only was the experience fantastic, but I found myself drawing real inspiration from the museum itself. Seriously though, hear me out.

The ABBA Museum Experience

I’ve wanted to visit the ABBA Museum in Stockholm since it first opened just a couple of years ago. To be honest, I didn’t have high expectations; I just wanted to go in order to be able to say that I was there. But almost immediately I realized that this was no thrown-together, flippant experience. No, instead what I discovered almost right away was one of the best curated and presented museums I’ve ever been to. I know, who knew right?

I personally love ABBA and have probably since I first watched “Priscilla: Queen of the Desert,” a great film that used “Mamma Mia” on its epic soundtrack. Since then my love has only grown as I discover (or rediscover) songs that I can sing along to. I’m not alone obviously, millions of people around the world love ABBA as much or more than I do, although it’s hard to say why. The music isn’t deep, it almost never addresses pressing world concerns, no, it’s just fun. We all need things that are just fun in life, and both ABBA’s music and the museum provide just that.

Led by ABBA co-founders Ulf Westman and Ewa Wigenheim-Westman, the present day museum first opened its doors in 2013, and almost immediately became one of the most popular tourist spots in town. During my museum briefing by staff though, I quickly understood that this isn’t just a boring collection of trinkets and tidbits. Naturally, all of the members’ costumes and memorabilia on are full display, along with the story of how they started and persisted throughout the years. But the experience, because it really is an experience, is about much more than just looking at stuff. Visitors become part of the experience through a variety of innovative, interactive exhibits.

Complimentary headsets are included in the price of admission and all you have to do is wave them in front of marked exhibits to learn more about them, usually from the ABBA members themselves. The real fun comes though when guests visit the Polar Studio installation. ABBA created the former Stockholm studio and it’s where some of their most popular albums were recorded. Adjacent to the studio in the museum are special booths, karaoke-style spaces where visitors can try their hand at singing along with ABBA. Throughout the museum, the entrance ticket becomes a log of the extra-activities you decide to do. After I sang along (badly) with “Mamma Mia,” I received a score and was told that the full recording was available online through a special code on my ticket. Obviously, for the well being of humanity I’ve since destroyed the ticket, but I love that kind of curation and interaction. I don’t think I’ve visited any other museum in the world that encourages such involvement and participation with guests and you know what? It’s a lot of fun. I went on to try my hand at costume design (also poorly) and even mixing one of ABBA’s classics songs on a special mixing board. The ultimate in hands-on participation though comes in the hologram room, where anyone can jump onstage with ABBA and see if they have what it takes to become a new member. Leave your inhibitions at home, because this is meant to be a fun, almost party-like atmosphere.

Naturally, visitors leave the museum through a disco dance room, where the disco ball and strobe lights never end and every day is the time of your life.

What I Took Away From It All

Aside from the interactive exhibits and the good, clean fun, the museum itself was interesting. I found myself learning not only about the band, but also more about the music industry and even cultural issues in Sweden during the 1970s and 80s. It broadened my knowledge about the country and the pop band that it was forced to love, even though at times it may not have wanted to.

I also left the ABBA Museum feeling inspired, which surprised me. ABBA never intended to become one of the most famous bands on the planet whose music has mostly stood the test of time. They were some friends who made music that wasn’t very popular; they were just enjoying themselves. The result was super-stardom and the pinnacle of music success. There’s a good lesson in that I think. What our passions are in life, the things that we enjoy and want to do most are important. So many of us ignore them, or relegate them to hobbies or things to do when we have the time. But if we devote ourselves, and I mean wholly and truly, then I firmly believe success will be a natural result. Being happy and fulfilled in life is about doing things that not only have an impact on the world, but on also on us. It’s important not to ignore our passions, but to embrace them, just like ABBA did so many years ago.

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A few weeks ago I finally visited Stockholm for the first time. I say finally, because a visit to the so-called capital of Scandinavia had been on my wish list for as long as I can remember, and I’ve even visited Sweden before but somehow just never made it to Stockholm itself. On the way home from Helsinki though, I decided to add in a couple of days to the trip and spend some time, far too little of it honestly, getting to know Stockholm for the first time. I really didn’t know what to expect. Nordic cities in my opinion are hit or miss. Some are great while others have the appeal of watching paint dry. Given the build up, all the photos I’d seen and stories I had read though I was certain Stockholm would be interesting, I just didn’t realize how hard I would fall in love with it. Looking back at the experience, I wanted to try to figure out why I fell for the city after only a day, it’s not a normal thing for me, and so with that in mind here is my attempt at dissecting the appeal of Stockholm.

Museums and More

I like museums, but they’re not usually the reason why I visit a new city. That being said, the museums in Stockholm actually were a major reason for my visit and one in particular was number one on my to-do list. ABBA: The Museum may not sound like one of the great museums of the world, but believe it or not I soon discovered that it’s one of the best curated and organized museums I’ve been to in a long time. Whether or not you’re a fan of the music, I find it hard to believe anyone won’t enjoy singing along to “Mamma Mia” in a private recording booth, or dancing with holograms of the musicians themselves on stage. It’s fun, quirky and a must-do activity in Stockholm. Luckily, the ABBA Museum is within walking distance to several other great Stockholm museums including the most popular, the Vasa Museum. The museum displays the only almost fully intact 17th century ship that has ever been salvaged, the 64-gun warship Vasa that sank on her maiden voyage in 1628 and walking around the ship learning more about the era is something enjoyable for just about any age or interest. I was in Stockholm for less than two days, a travesty now that I look back at it. If I’d had the time there are many other museums I would have loved to visit, including the Transportation Museum, the Photography Museum and many more. I like museums, but they’re not normally the focal point of my trips. Stockholm is different though, the museums in town are just so interesting and varied that an entire trip could be made centered just on them.

Great Food

The fastest way to learn about a new city or culture is through the food, which is why I decided to devote a considerable hunk of my time in Stockholm to joining a food tour with the walking tour company Food Tours Stockholm. Choosing their Nordic Food walk, it was a fantastic, 4-hour introduction to the city, the people, the culture and of course the food. As with most food tours, I learned a lot about what Swedes eat and why, but I also learned a lot about the city. Food tours are the best way to learn about the totality of a new city or country you visit and the food is a nice added bonus. The Stockholm tour was one of the best run food tours I’ve been on though, led by a local food writer and cookbook author, her expertise in all things Swedish cuisine made a big difference not just in my enjoyment of the food and city, but my understanding of the culture behind it. Of course my favorite Swedish food custom is Fika, that time in the afternoon when you sit down with coffee, some cake or sweets and catch up with friends. It’s a tradition that I wish more countries would adopt and is yet another reason to fall in love not just with Stockholm, but Sweden itself.

Color, Architecture and Travel Umami

The first thing that struck me about Stockholm was the color. Everywhere, from the Old City to more modern elements, color seemed to be emblazoned on every surface. This is the vibrancy I missed in other Nordic cities like Oslo and Helsinki, and it put a smile on my face that seemed to last throughout the duration of my visit. While touristy, Gamla Stan – the Old Town – is one of those places that just needs to be experienced. Historical buildings, restaurants, shops and cafes all line the winding streets, but the best views of the Old Town are from across the water at the Stockholm City Hall. I was a little confused at first as to why all of the so-called experts listed a tour of the City Hall on every must-do list I read. It looked nice enough from the outside, but I couldn’t imagine that it would be very interesting inside. Naturally, I was wrong. While it’s still a working government office building, this is also where the annual Nobel Prize dinner is held, a major event in the city. Designed in the early 20^th century, the interiors are grand and opulent, none more so than the Gold Room. Made with more than 18 million gold mosaic tiles, the glitz and glam of the room seems totally incongruous with everything I know about Sweden, and yet somehow it all works. It was a beautiful way to end my short time in Stockholm and the view of Gamla Stan from the City Hall is worth a visit in its own right.

More than museums, cinnamon rolls or nice rooms though, there’s just something intangible about Stockholm that drew me in immediately and which is begging me to return. I don’t know what it is, but it’s a feeling, a sensation really, I’ve felt before; something I call travel umami. It’s when all of the pieces of a trip or new destination come together perfectly and in the process create something intangible, a new element that can’t be seen, touched or heard but which makes everything extraordinary. I call it travel umami. You can’t define it, but you know it when you feel it.

I spent less than two days in Stockholm and saw a mere fraction of everything that I wanted to. But thanks to that travel umami, the city is a siren calling out to me now and I know I’ll return, not just to visit more museums, but to try to understand a little better what makes it so very special.

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I’m not a big fan of travel bucket lists, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t places I don’t want to visit before all others. I think we all have those places in mind; dream destinations that may or may not ever become a reality. I know that everyone has a best of list for 2015, and so rather than just add to the fodder of not all that useful travel information I thought I’d share some places I would really like to see in 2015. Some of these are realistic and some are not, some will happen and others will not, but they all combine to create my favorite part of travel – the anticipation. Where would we be if we didn’t stare at a calendar and dream of a tropical beach or pine after visiting some cultural masterpiece in Europe? This list is a combination of places I have never been to and others that I’d really like to revisit and explore some more. If anything, this list provides a little more insight into my admittedly at times strange personality, so I hope you enjoy this glimpse into my ultimate travel goals. I’d love to hear yours too, so please be sure to list them in the comments section below.

These are in NO particular order, really I mean that. Except for number 1 – that’s always my top pick.

1. South Pacific/French Polynesia

My first real travel obsession and one that I STILL haven’t been able to check off the list yet, despite its prominence on similar lists year after year. When I was a kid I read Michener’s epic tome Hawaii, which set off a furious bout of wanderlust not just for Hawaii, but the entire South Pacific. Even though I am not normally a beach kind of guy, there is just something about the perfect waters of French Polynesia that gets my heart beating a little bit faster. Will 2015 be the year I finally make it to the beautiful islands of the South Pacific? Who knows, but I’m hopeful.

2. China

My only experience with China is visiting Hong Kong – I’ve never been to the mainland and I am frankly intrigued. It’s obviously a massive country and requires many visits to see properly, but I would like to at least visit to start the process of education and to see for myself Beijing, pandas and of course that large wall for which they are so famous. I have to be honest though, the food and language barrier both intimidate me.

3. Brazil

I’ve been to South America a few times, but only briefly and it’s a continent that I don’t feel like I know at all. But that doesn’t mean it hasn’t interested me, it has and near the top of that interest list is Brazil. From the massive cities to rainforests and jungles and of course beautiful coastlines, Brazil seems to offer visitors a little bit of everything. But crime, high prices and difficulties in intra-country travel have put off many would-be travelers. I’m curious to visit and see for myself whether or not these are real concerns, or fake media-hyped problems.

4. Anywhere to see the Northern Lights

Almost, I almost got to see the beautiful Aurora Borealis, but cloudy weather in Iceland foiled my efforts. Canada, Alaska, Iceland, Norway – these are all great locations from which to catch a glimpse of the eerie and colorful lights that seem to be en vogue at the moment. I don’t want to see them just because they’re currently popular, I want to witness first hand what honestly must be one of the most beautiful sights on the planet.

5. The FSRs

The Former Soviet Republics, these are a diverse group of countries that include everything from modern urban areas to plains that look like something out of a Game of Thrones book. No matter what though it’s hard to deny how intriguing they are. They can be difficult to visit though, both in terms of transportation and language barriers, which is probably why I haven’t been yet, but I hope I can see at least one of them this year.

6. Tasmania

Australia is one of those countries I could visit a thousand times and never get tired of the experience. It’s a special place but Tasmania in particular currently has piqued my interest. Slightly remote, amazingly beautiful and somewhat different from the mainland, Tasmania is an intriguing place. Of all of these destinations, I really do hope that I can make this one happen in 2015.

7. More of Africa

Before my first visit, everyone always told me that Africa latches on to your soul and never lets go but I didn’t believe them until I experienced it for myself. There is something indefinable about this massive continent that just begs for travelers to return again and again and try to suss out what makes it so very special. I’m always happy to return to South Africa, one of my favorite countries, but I’d also love to see more of Africa, from Kenya to Namibia and who knows where else.

8. The Arctic

I love expedition style trips; my experience in Antarctica was one of the best I’ve ever had. It’s with this in mind that I’d love to plan a trip to the other side of the planet and see some of the Arctic regions for myself. Leaving from Svalbard I’d really enjoy seeing polar bears in the wild and the icy waters on top of the planet.

9. Myanmar

Closed off to foreigners for years, Myanmar suddenly finds itself as one of the hottest new travel destinations in the world. It’s not its trendiness that appeals to me though; it’s the photos I’ve seen my friends take. The people, the temples and the countryside all look like something out of a movie – it’s just that beautiful. While traveling there definitely comes with some headaches, I’d be happy to take those on to experience the country before the rest of the world changes it too much.

10. Thailand and Bhutan

Thailand is one of my favorite destinations and it’s been a few years since my last visit so obviously it’s time for a return. This time though I’d like to also include a trip to not-so-far-away Bhutan. One of the most mysterious countries in the world I think, everyone I know who has visited has left the country changed in some way or the other. It’s intrigued me for a long time and while epic hikes don’t sound all that great, this nation in the clouds is one I’d definitely like to experience for myself.

11. Alaska

I’ve been to almost every state in the Union, but the 49^th state has eluded me. I’m not exactly sure why either, but I just haven’t managed a visit to this massive and beautiful place. Chatting with family members though, it looks like a cruise up there may be in the works and so finally I’ll be able to experience the glaciers and quirky communities that make this last frontier of America so very appealing.

12. Scandinavia

There’s just something about Scandinavia that appeals to me on a very base level. I’m not sure if it’s the people, the sense of style or the societal organization, but whatever it is I just feel like I belong there. Sadly though I’ve only skimmed the surface and have lots more to see and do. Norway is near the top of my list, but so is Stockholm in Sweden. I’ve been to West Sweden before but never the capital city, and it’s a place that I think will be one of my favorites once I finally do manage to visit.

13. American West by car

Although I’ve technically visited almost every state, I don’t feel like I’ve really SEEN my own country. Its impressive size means that lifetimes could be spent exploring America and still things would be missed. What I haven’t done yet and would love to try this year is an epic road trip through some of the Western states, including stops at a few of our amazing National Parks. More than a century ago the US began the conservation movement and our National Park system was the first in the world to recognize the inherent societal value these pristine wildlands possess. So they’re important. Add in quirky roadside stops and I really think this adventure will be a personal favorite.

14. New Zealand

I visited New Zealand several years ago but it was a brief visit, just a week, and an intensely busy one. I would like to once again see the Land of the Long White Cloud and hopefully bring my partner along with me this time. There’s something just so very special about New Zealand that makes it an extraordinary place to visit. I’m not sure if it’s the natural beauty or the quirky people, but it makes an impression and I have yet to meet someone who didn’t leave having fallen in love.

15. India (Maybe)

India is one of those places that evokes a visceral reaction from people who have visited – they either love it or hate it, there is no middle ground. I honestly don’t know if I would like it or not and up until now I haven’t felt prepared enough to visit. But I think I’m ready mentally to see what the subcontinent is really like. I would want to travel there though in very specific ways and see very specific things and it’s owing to this level of particularity that I’m not sure it’ll happen and frankly, I’m not completely convinced that I want it to. But we’ll see!

What are some dream destinations you’d love to visit in 2015?

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