Looking down from the sky, the white sailing boats on the blue northern waters resembled butterflies beating their wings against the summer breeze. As we approached, small islands became more numerous, scattered to either side like the beads of a necklace. On some we could see red-roofed houses. We would soon be landing at Stockholm's Arlanda Airport. We drove into the city through virtually uninterrupted forests of plane, beech and pine, occasionally passing signs warning drivers to watch out for deer. In every direction were green trees, tiny lakes, and black rocks. The lakes and bridges were so numerous that from time to time we wondered if these were actually inlets of the Baltic Sea. The Swedes only discovered exactly how many lakes they had when a survey was carried out a few years ago and found the number to be an astonishing 90,000. Splendid steel bridges carry roads across these lakes of all shapes and sizes mirroring the sky.

Set on the shore of the Baltic Sea, Stockholm is surrounded by lakes linked to the sea by channels, and stands on 14 islands, not counting those with just a few houses. These tiny islands are delightful places to find tranquillity without leaving the city. Hot air balloons gliding over the slender church spires and buildings like small palaces with green copper roofs and domes in the centre of Stockholm reminded me of Jules Verne's novel Around the World in 80 Days. Probably there is no other city where you can see so many balloons at once. A three-hour tour over the city in one of these balloons costs around 1300 krone, which is expensive but worth it for an experience you will never forget. From the hills south of the city we watched the balloons drift away over the green beech forest and gradually disappear in the distance. These hills, which have inspired Sweden's most famous writers, command a splendid view of the city below.

The huge statue in front of the Concert Hall in Hötorget is also his work. Another sight not to be missed is the Nobel House built at the turn of the 20th century, with its roof in the form of a Viking ship and an architectural style resembling Italian Renaissance palaces. Stockholm is a lively city with lots to see and do. Throughout the summer boats and ships take visitors on tours around the hundreds of islands of this blue paradise. Fish restaurants on the islands serve delicious freshly caught fish and seafood, including the local speciality laks fish, at very reasonable prices. Stockholm is a port city set on a coast of spectacular wild scenery. Here history and modernity are combined in a setting of unforgettable beauty. It has often been described as the Venice of the North, and aptly so. Perhaps it will be the countless bridges of all shapes, sizes and ages that you cross during your visit to Stockholm that will always come first to mind when you recall the city afterwards.

* Ali Konyali is a photographer and cultural researcher