Getting there British Airways and Scandinavian Airlines fly daily from London Heathrow to Stockholm-Arlanda, which also serves Manchester, London City airport and Edinburgh. Low-cost airlines opt for the smaller Stockholm-Skavsta and Västerås; both have buses to the capital. Green initiatives include transfer buses running on renewable fuel, eco taxis, and airport coaches using rapeseed oil. High-speed trains bring you to the city centre in 20 minutes for around £20. Taxis take longer and cost double.

Business climate Most large Swedish companies are headquartered in Stockholm and multinationals choose the city for its business opportunities, high standard of living, modern city life with excellent infrastructure and an archipelago of 24,000 islands within close reach. About 800,000 people live in the capital, which is ranked among the top 10 in the world for conferences.

Don't miss Sweden loves design, music and food, so sample all three. Take the road less travelled on a walk around Lake Trekanten or visit Telefonplan, the up-and-coming art and design mecca. End the evening with ping pong and beer at Morfar Ginko or Hornstull Strand.

Shopping Sweden is hip and Stockholm is hipper. Shop around in Gamla Stan (or Old Town). NK, the department store, offers brand names while Kista Galleria has an impeccable food court.

Etiquette Business hours are 8am to 5pm with an hour for lunch. Swedes aspire towards gender equality, so meetings early in the morning or the afternoon are not popular with mums and dads taking children to nursery or collecting them. Keep in mind that Stockholm shuts down in July, when locals leave the city for second homes. Be punctual for meetings and social functions.

Culture The land of the midnight sun becomes much darker in winter. Lighten things up with a visit to the Modern museum and a stop for coffee at the neighbouring Architecture museum. Kulturhuset, the city's cultural centre, right in the middle of the city, puts on timely exhibits and Bonniers Konsthall is a newish and welcome addition to the art scene.

Where to stay Grand Hôtel is the choice of presidents and Madonna. But for a less traditional stay, check in to the Abba-owned Hotel Rival (below left) or the recently opened Clarion Hotel Sign, where leading Swedish chef Marcus Samuelsson has opened Aquavit, a restaurant based on his New York concept with the same name.

Eat like a local Sweden's cuisine is diversifying and blends exotic flavours from afar. Enjoy lunch at Lydmar Hotel or book a table at the adjacent Michelin-starred Mathias Dahlgren. Another idea is to start the evening at the entirely red Le Rouge, moving on to drinks at Gondolen, which offers stellar views of Stockholm. Tennstopet is simple and to the point while Landet is for those who dare to leave the city centre.