2. Stockholm, Sweden
You don’t have to dip a toe in the water to check out one of the world’s best preserved viking shipwrecks, the Vasa. This Swedish royal warship was built in the early 1600s to glorify King Gustavus Adolphus. Despite the shipbuilders objections, they were told to build it bigger more grandiose than ever. However, when it comes to seaworthiness, bigger and heavier isn’t always better. The glorious Vasa sunk on its maiden voyage just a mile out of Stockholm harbor. The cold waters of the Baltic Sea kept the ship and its artifacts (plus human remains) pristine and preserved for 350 years, like a snapshot in time. It is now the centerpiece of one of Sweden’s most popular museums.
