Since then the city has become a dear friend of mine. Maybe even a relative, as every new visit feels like a sort of homecoming. Stockholm never lets me down.

Nevertheless, my love for the Swedish capital does raise an eyebrow when I mention it to others. Most people simply don't know anything about Stockholm, except that it's the capital of Sweden.

So let's clear things up. Here is a Top-10 of reasons why I love Stockholm - listed in no particular order.

• Stockholm is blue. If there is one thing that makes Stockholm stand out, then it is its relationship with water. The city was built on 14 islands, all connected with bridges for cars AND pedestrians, and you never have to walk far to get a stunning view over the water.
• Stockholm is like Swedish design: it's functional and almost defines the latest trends, yet it looks great and shows respect for history. The city is very easy to navigate, has everything a big city should offer - excellent shopping facilities, a vibrant nightlife, great business opportunities - but never loses its beauty.
• The city has an atmosphere that is so calm and relaxed compared to other capitals. I don't know why, really. Maybe it's the mentality of the people. Most Swedes are friendly, patient, quiet - and helpful. Maybe it's because there are so many open spaces, water and parks. Or because the houses are so colorful. Maybe it's all of this together.
• Stockholm has great tourist attractions, but never feels touristy. Even in the most popular part of town - the historical Old Town or Gamla Stan - there are enough quiet streets to make a relaxing stroll.
• Stockholm is green. About one third of Stockholm consists of parks. One third! It is the first city in the world to have a national park within the city borders. Yes, a nature reserve right in the heart of a capital with 1.5 million people. And all of these parks are accessible.
• With around 90 museums to choose from, visiting Stockholm is a cultural feast. And there's a museum for every one. The city has some of Europe's best art museums, but also the world's first open-air museum (Skansen), several museums that display all aspects of Nordic history, an old warship on display (Vasa Museum) and even special places for kids (Junibacken, toy museum). The state-run museums have free admission.
• Stockholm is safe. OK, crime rates have gone up in recent decades, like everywhere in the Western world. Still it's one of the world's safest capitals. There are no neighborhoods you should avoid and it's usually no problem to walk outside at nights.
• Art is an integrated part of Stockholm city life. On the pavement along Berzelli Park a worker pops out of the ground, lifting a manhole cover. From a distance you won't notice it, but it's a statue ('Humor' by KG Bejemark). There are sculptures and statues all over Stockholm, often at unexpected places. Many stations of the Stockholm underground (tunnelbana) are decorated with paintings, sculptures, mosaics, installations and engravings. And architecture is incredibly eclectic. Italian, German, Dutch, French style - it's all there, and often in one design.
• Which city has 24,000 islands and rocks in its backyard? Stockholm. A huge archipelago connects the city with the Baltic Sea and you can visit it by boat. Spend a day or so on one of these attractive islands - you won't regret it.
• Stockholm is so cle
  Subcontractors: Who Knows Your Clients Best?
  A big fear computer consultants have when developing partnerships and relationships with subcontractors is “How do I keep the subcontractors from stealing my clients?”Contracts Are Only Part of The EquationShould you implement a non-compete form from the onset of the relationship? Absolutely. But never put a piece of paper ahead of your gut feelings.This type of business is not as cut and dry as just having clients sign your service agreement and subcontractors signing your independent contract
  tockholm is blue. If there is one thing that makes Stockholm stand out, then it is its relationship with water. The city was built on 14 islands, all connected with bridges for cars AND pedestrians, and you never have to walk far to get a stunning view over the water.
• Stockholm is like Swedish design: it's functional and almost defines the latest trends, yet it looks great and shows respect for history. The city is very easy to navigate, has everything a big city should offer - excellent shopping facilities, a vibrant nightlife, great business opportunities - but never loses its beauty.
• The city has an atmosphere that is so calm and relaxed compared to other capitals. I don't know why, really. Maybe it's the mentality of the people. Most Swedes are friendly, patient, quiet - and helpful. Maybe it's because there are so many open spaces, water and parks. Or because the houses are so colorful. Maybe it's all of this together.
• Stockholm has great tourist attractions, but never feels touristy. Even in the most popular part of town - the historical Old Town or Gamla Stan - there are enough quiet streets to make a relaxing stroll.
• Stockholm is green. About one third of Stockholm consists of parks. One third! It is the first city in the world to have a national park within the city borders. Yes, a nature reserve right in the heart of a capital with 1.5 million people. And all of these parks are accessible.
• With around 90 museums to choose from, visiting Stockholm is a cultural feast. And there's a museum for every one. The city has some of Europe's best art museums, but also the world's first open-air museum (Skansen), several museums that display all aspects of Nordic history, an old warship on display (Vasa Museum) and even special places for kids (Junibacken, toy museum). The state-run museums have free admission.
• Stockholm is safe. OK, crime rates have gone up in recent decades, like everywhere in the Western world. Still it's one of the world's safest capitals. There are no neighborhoods you should avoid and it's usually no problem to walk outside at nights.
• Art is an integrated part of Stockholm city life. On the pavement along Berzelli Park a worker pops out of the ground, lifting a manhole cover. From a distance you won't notice it, but it's a statue ('Humor' by KG Bejemark). There are sculptures and statues all over Stockholm, often at unexpected places. Many stations of the Stockholm underground (tunnelbana) are decorated with paintings, sculptures, mosaics, installations and engravings. And architecture is incredibly eclectic. Italian, German, Dutch, French style - it's all there, and often in one design.
• Which city has 24,000 islands and rocks in its backyard? Stockholm. A huge archipelago connects the city with the Baltic Sea and you can visit it by boat. Spend a day or so on one of these attractive islands - you won't regret it.
• Stockholm is so cl
  Sleep Apnea - the Other Silent Killer
  Most of us are familiar with the notion that high blood pressure is a silent killer, but rarely do we hear that sleep disorders are also deadly. As a matter of fact, obstructive sleep apnea is one of the least diagnosed causes of stroke and heart attack.‘Apnea’ refers to the absence of breathing. As a sleep disorder, it refers to periods where a person stops breathing during sleep. One cause of obstructive sleep apnea is extra tissue in the back of the throat. This could be something like tonsils that are
  the people. Most Swedes are friendly, patient, quiet - and helpful. Maybe it's because there are so many open spaces, water and parks. Or because the houses are so colorful. Maybe it's all of this together.
• Stockholm has great tourist attractions, but never feels touristy. Even in the most popular part of town - the historical Old Town or Gamla Stan - there are enough quiet streets to make a relaxing stroll.
• Stockholm is green. About one third of Stockholm consists of parks. One third! It is the first city in the world to have a national park within the city borders. Yes, a nature reserve right in the heart of a capital with 1.5 million people. And all of these parks are accessible.
• With around 90 museums to choose from, visiting Stockholm is a cultural feast. And there's a museum for every one. The city has some of Europe's best art museums, but also the world's first open-air museum (Skansen), several museums that display all aspects of Nordic history, an old warship on display (Vasa Museum) and even special places for kids (Junibacken, toy museum). The state-run museums have free admission.
• Stockholm is safe. OK, crime rates have gone up in recent decades, like everywhere in the Western world. Still it's one of the world's safest capitals. There are no neighborhoods you should avoid and it's usually no problem to walk outside at nights.
• Art is an integrated part of Stockholm city life. On the pavement along Berzelli Park a worker pops out of the ground, lifting a manhole cover. From a distance you won't notice it, but it's a statue ('Humor' by KG Bejemark). There are sculptures and statues all over Stockholm, often at unexpected places. Many stations of the Stockholm underground (tunnelbana) are decorated with paintings, sculptures, mosaics, installations and engravings. And architecture is incredibly eclectic. Italian, German, Dutch, French style - it's all there, and often in one design.
• Which city has 24,000 islands and rocks in its backyard? Stockholm. A huge archipelago connects the city with the Baltic Sea and you can visit it by boat. Spend a day or so on one of these attractive islands - you won't regret it.
• Stockholm is so cl
  How Long Your Mortgage Runs Determines How Much You Pay
  The first thing most of us think about when the time comes to take out a mortgage on a new home is the interest rate.That’s both perfectly natural and very sensible. The rate of interest we pay can make an immense difference – a difference amounting to tens of thousands of dollars – in what the actual cost of our house ultimately turns out to be.Still, interest rates are far from the only thing worth thinking about where mortgages are concerned. Other important variables need to be considered too. O
  s to choose from, visiting Stockholm is a cultural feast. And there's a museum for every one. The city has some of Europe's best art museums, but also the world's first open-air museum (Skansen), several museums that display all aspects of Nordic history, an old warship on display (Vasa Museum) and even special places for kids (Junibacken, toy museum). The state-run museums have free admission.
• Stockholm is safe. OK, crime rates have gone up in recent decades, like everywhere in the Western world. Still it's one of the world's safest capitals. There are no neighborhoods you should avoid and it's usually no problem to walk outside at nights.
• Art is an integrated part of Stockholm city life. On the pavement along Berzelli Park a worker pops out of the ground, lifting a manhole cover. From a distance you won't notice it, but it's a statue ('Humor' by KG Bejemark). There are sculptures and statues all over Stockholm, often at unexpected places. Many stations of the Stockholm underground (tunnelbana) are decorated with paintings, sculptures, mosaics, installations and engravings. And architecture is incredibly eclectic. Italian, German, Dutch, French style - it's all there, and often in one design.
• Which city has 24,000 islands and rocks in its backyard? Stockholm. A huge archipelago connects the city with the Baltic Sea and you can visit it by boat. Spend a day or so on one of these attractive islands - you won't regret it.
• Stockholm is so cl
  Experience The Pleasure Of Cost-Effective Communication With VOIP Technology
  Do you wish to cut down your monthly telephone bill amount?Telephonic communication is the lifeline of the contemporary world. Be it communicating with near and dear ones or with customers/colleagues, telephones constitute an indispensable part of one's life. However, most of us are bothered by the (hefty) telephone bills that we receive at the end of the month (especially when we make long distance calls). This takes away the charm of talking heartily with your friends and relatives...isn't it?Don't
  ark a worker pops out of the ground, lifting a manhole cover. From a distance you won't notice it, but it's a statue ('Humor' by KG Bejemark). There are sculptures and statues all over Stockholm, often at unexpected places. Many stations of the Stockholm underground (tunnelbana) are decorated with paintings, sculptures, mosaics, installations and engravings. And architecture is incredibly eclectic. Italian, German, Dutch, French style - it's all there, and often in one design.
• Which city has 24,000 islands and rocks in its backyard? Stockholm. A huge archipelago connects the city with the Baltic Sea and you can visit it by boat. Spend a day or so on one of these attractive islands - you won't regret it.
• Stockholm is so clean ... If you've been to Paris, London, Amsterdam and then visit Stockholm, you wonder: Where do these Swedes leave their garbage?

Every modern city has negative aspects. Too much traffic, pollution, drunks, criminals ... I don't believe a city built by humans will ever become perfect. But compared to other capitals, Stockholm comes very close.