If you’re looking for new ideas for holidays and something a little different from the Mediterranean options, look to the Scandinavian shores and think about heading to Sweden. It’s a Nordic country with a Viking history, warm temperate climates and rural landscapes.
Sweden has a very diverse landscape, particularly in its rural areas. Skane boasts rolling golden rape fields - Sarek National Park is covered by wilderness, rapids and glaciers and Halsingland is full of forests and lakes. For the cosmopolitan side of Sweden, check out Stockholm, Sweden’s capital. It’s a hip city with vintage shops, artwork in the undergrounds and lots of coffee shops, (the Swedes allegedly drink the most coffee in the world).
The Old Town is particularly interesting to walk around, and has the Kalmar Castle as one of its sites – a stunning example of Sweden’s twelfth-century Renaissance monarchy.
In the village of Jukkasjãrvi stands the world’s largest igloo, which has been turned into something of a fairy tale hotel - The Ice Hotel - which exists until the warmer months cause it to melt! It’s obviously out-of-bounds during the summer months, but, for a real one-of-a-kind experience check in and stay in one of their many beds made of ice and covered with reindeer hide.
Alternatively, The Grand Hotel in Stockholm is a plush place to crash and where the glitzy and glamorous stay, although the luxurious piano bar hang-out does come at a cost. If you want somewhere that will be standing any time of year, and not too expensive you may want to browse a few other hotels or hostels online. Check out hostelbookers for a head start on budget accommodation.
To eat like a Scandinavian, it’s recommended that you order the cold table: the smorgasbord. It’s a traditional meal that includes pickled herring, boiled potatoes, smoked salmon cold meat, sliced beef, stuffed veal or even smoked reindeer. Wash it down with some Snapps, a very strong and potent liquor made to warm you up.
Stockholm has a heap of nightclubs, but probably the best place to schmooze in is Cafe Opera, the swankiest nightclub in town where the pretty people go to be seen. It’s got a very opulent bar, so you’ll need to dress up very glam to fit in. Don’t forget that Sweden is famous for saunas – so don’t forget to indulge in this typically Swedish health-boost.
Sweden is easy to get to – try looking at Cheapflights, a website that has a weekly update of cheap flights across the internet. Take care of yourself and your belongings and arrange to have your travel insurance organised in advance. Try Go Travel for simple, online browsing and buying. |
