In the early 1970s, Arthur Frommer published his eponymous travel guide, Europe on $5 a day. Free wheeling American tourists travelled Europe with a Eurail pass, clutching the book and followed his guidance. I did the same when the Inter Rail pass was launched in 1972, one month of rail travel, £27.50 and you had to be under 21 (imagine that!). Except I couldn’t afford Frommer’s book and anyway my budget was only a third of his $5. I survived by eating very little and travelling mostly by night.
In 1974 I stayed two nights in Stockholm, the first night sleeping rough because the hostel was full and the second night in the youth hostel which was a steel sailing ship moored in the city, called the af Chapman. They crammed almost 300 young people into it, boys in one half and girls in the other.
Today Stockholm is better served by hostels to keep children off the streets. This morning, after eight and a half hours sleep in a hotel by the station, just a stone’s throw from where I slept rough, I made my way to the af Chapman to pay my respects and rekindle my memories of those days. Sadly it’s locked and no longer a hostel.
Another strange thing happened in 1974: ABBA arrived. I went to see Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Lou Reed and then a host of punk bands but I didn’t know anyone who would admit to having an ABBA record. By 1982 they had gone and good riddance! Years afterwards, they released ABBA Gold and everything went crazy. Even I bought it. So I went to the ABBA museum this afternoon to learn something about them. It didn’t take long because the museum was more of a celebration and catered mostly for young girls who wanted to sing-along with the avatars. But I did watch a recent interview with the blonde one who seemed as bemused as I was by the overwhelming success of the band. But it comes down to good, well produced songs and a sprinkling of magic.
By 1975 it was Europe on $10 a day as inflation took hold. Arthur Frommer died in Nov 2024, leaving a legacy of countless travel guides to the world and with $24m in the bank. And, in the spirit of 1974, I’m taking the night train to Copenhagen.
Pilgrimage 
Did you visit the fun fair?
No I think I’m over the age limit
Agnetha. How can you not remember!?
I seriously couldn’t name any of them. I spent a long time in the museum and there was much of interest away from the costumes. But the whole thing, all those records they sold, defies belief
Abba were perfect pop music, which is why you and I thought them uncool I guess, compared to the rock bands and solo acts we all liked in 1974. I did many years later enjoy the live tribute act Bjorn Again, and some of the films featuring their music.
I suppose the weather in Stockholm is more pleasant than the heatwave in UK? I only ever visited Stockholm with Gant, and that was only once.
Hi Peter, you’re absolutely right about ABBA. Bjorn Again are well known and President Putin gets them to play for him. We had 23 degrees today and that was plenty hot enough. I didn’t bump into any of the GANT people. Are you going to the Proms this year? I’ll probably be there a lot so let me know
ABBA were the soundtrack to my childhood; can’t imagine the music world without them. Having said that, I didn’t visit the museum when I was in Stockholm…
Any more island hopping from now on Tim?…or are you purely mainland & foot transport? I guess it’s a bit more freedom timewise not having schedules to adhere to…& early departure buffers!
I grew to love them but not until the 1990s. In a way I’m sorry not to have seen them live. The archipelago is finished but I have one more ferry to reach Germany. None of this second half is planned yet except but I know the route which is the Danish Pilgrim Trail and roughly where I hope to stop each day. So, back to normal
I just binged on the last week or so of your beautiful pilgrimage through Finland and now Sweden (Peter & I just downsized for the first time in 40 years, so I’m catching up). We visited Sweden on our OE in 1972 and I was lucky enough to go to Gothenburg for a conference 20 years ago (Peter was in St Petersburg so he missed it). As we’re very unlikely to head that far north again your blog & photos are a real treat!
Hi Philippa, welcome back and best wishes for your new home. I worked in Gothenburg in 2004/5 and have happy memories of the place. I hope to go back one day during Lent when they eat those pancakes and the Semla buns. Scandinavia is a wonderful part of the world
wonderful story and memories. We saw Mamma Mia on Broadway and it was enjoyable. The music was part of that era and sort of unique with the harmony. And that rollercoaster … whoooo hoooo
I wish I had seen ABBA in the 1970s and I wish I had ridden that roller coaster when I was able. REGRETS! But I did ride one of the old wooden roller coasters in the USA in the ‘70s and that was an experience I’ll never forget! Frommer did leave a great legacy and although I sadly never owned one of the Europe guides, I always borrowed one on the train to make notes. They would make great reading now
oh and Frommer guides were the best
👍
Wasn’t it your birthday party where we spent the evening with Bjorn Again at St Georges Hill tennis club?
Yes and it was a top band, everything played live and they looked the part but I don’t recall their name. They certainly got the party going and I think everyone enjoyed themselves