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Sunday, February 02, 2003

Other than a valid U.S. passport, no visa or other documentation is required for tourists to enter Sweden for stays of up to three months.

When you get there, it is a good idea to buy a Stockholm Card, which gives admittance to 70 museums, ground and water transportation to many places, and other discounts. It is available at tourist offices, campgrounds, hostels and SL (public transportation company) Centers. There are a variety of passes for specific periods of time or specific areas of interest. Some venues offer discounts to students and senior citizens. Check whether it is cheaper to use these discounts plus a transport pass, or the Stockholm Card.

For a flavor of Stockholm, visit the following Web sites. Many of them are in Swedish, so look for the icon of the British flag (the Union Jack), and click on it to have the Web site translated into English.

www.stockholmtown.com -- An award-winning Web site that will link you to most places, events, weather and other information that will be helpful in planning your trip.

www.skansen.se/eng -- The site for the Skansen open-air museum site in English.

www.nobel.se -- The site for the Nobel e-Museum. Learn about the Nobel Prizes and Nobel laureates. Listen to interviews by laureates, read articles by them, play games on the subjects of the Nobel Prizes.

www.operan.se -- The site for the Royal Swedish Opera, which includes opera and ballet performance information.

www.vasamuseet.se -- The site for the Vasa Museum.

www.royalcourt.se -- Information on the Swedish royal family and royal history.

-- Marilyn Posner