Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Sweden



 
Sweden Flag



Why visit Sweden?
Ideal for the outdoorsy and sophisticated cultural traveler seeking experiences to enjoy art, architecture, beaches, bicycling, camping, canoeing, castles, culture, festivals, fishing, forests, gardens, golf, hiking, history, ice fishing, ice skating, islands, lakes, manors, mountain biking trails, mountains, museums, national parks, northern lights, quaint villages, sailing, saunas, scenery, shopping, skiing,  sleigh rides, snowboarding, snowmobiling, tennis, valleys, wilderness, and winter sports.



Stockholm, Sweden. Photo Credit: brightfreak/Pixabay 



At a Glance
  • Souvenirs to Buy: Amber, coins, crystal, furniture, glass, glassworks, gold jewelry, knitted sweaters, rya rugs, silver jewelry, stamps, stainless steel cutlery, woodwork, and wool goods.
  • Local Cuisine to Try: Ärtsoppa (pea soup).Gravlax (cured salmon). Gubbröra (anchovy salad). Kalops (stew). Kanelbulle (cinnamon bun).  Knäckebröd (crisp bread). Korv Stroganoff. Köttbullar (meatballs).
    Pitepalt (potato dumplings). Prinsesstårta (cake). Pyttipanna (hash). Smörgåstårta (sandwich). Wallenbergare (traditional).
  • Local Drink to Try: Akvavit (spirit). Filmjölk (yogurt). Glögg (wine). Gotlandsdricka (beer). Julmust (soft drink). Pucko (chocolate milk). Punsch (liqueur). Saft (soft drink). Söderblandning (tea). Snaps (vodka).


Drottningholm Palace, Drottningholm, Sweden. Photo Credit: Erich Westendarp/Pixabay 



Fun Facts
  • Relied on U.S. nuclear submarines during the Cold War (1947 - 1991).
  • Hosted the Equestrian at the Summer Olympics (1956), FIFA World Cup (1958), FIFA Women's World Cup (1995)Summer Olympics (1912)UEFA Euro (1992), UEFA Women's Euro (2013), and World Championships in Athletics (1995).
  • Home of  Vikings and Volvos.
  • At Lake Gryttjen (Gävleborg County) are mysterious sightings thought to be of a sea cow.
  • Largest Nordic country.
  • "Die Another Day", a James Bond film is based on the real structure (Icehotel) in Jukkasjarvi.
  • Norway and Sweden pedestrian bridge was designed by Leonardo da Vinci.
  • Gota Canal is between Gothenburg and Stockholm.
  • Fifth largest European country.
  • Largest city is Stockholm (capital).
  • After 200 years, broke Switzerland's record for peace.
  • Largest country in Northern Europe.
  • Highest point is Kebnekaise (6,926 ft).
  • Longest river is Klarälven-Göta älv.
  • Maintains their own currency, the Swedish Krona (SEK).
  • Every Swedish resident receives a state pension. 
  • Considered one of the oldest populations in the world.
  • English is taught between grades 1 - 9.
  • Ericsson Globe (Stockholm) is the largest hemispherical building in the world.


Photo Credit:  Janina Bienkowski/Pixabay 



Special Holidays/Occasions
  • Annual Events: (January) Gothenburg Film Festival, Kiruna Snow Festival, (February) Stockholm Design Week, (April) GothCon, Uppsala River Rafting Event, International Science Festival, Walpurgis Night, Walpurgisnacht Festival, (May) Drottningholm Court Theater, Stockholm Japan Expo, (June) Gothenburg Aero Show, Hultsfred Festival, Midsummer, Peace & Love Festival, Stockholm Early Music Festival, Summerburst Festival, (July) Around Gotland Race, Arvika Festival, Gay Pride, Rattviksdansen, Stockholm Jazz Festival, (August) Kulturkalaset, Malmo Festival, Medieval Week, Minnesota Day, Stockholm Folk Festival, Uppsala Reggae Festival, World Water Week in Stockholm, (September) Göteborg International Book Fair, Kivik Apple Market Festival, Lund International Fantastic Film Festival, (October) Intrum Stockholm Open, Stockholm Jazz Festival, (November) Stockholm International Film Festival, (December) Lucia the Festival of Lights, Musikhjälpen, and Nobel Day.
  • Holidays: New Year's Day, Epiphany, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, May 1st, Ascension Day, Whit Sunday, National Day, Midsummer Day, All Saints' Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.

Mellerud, Sweden. Photo Credit: Lena Lindell/Pixabay 



Good to Know
  • Not recommended for budget conscious travelers.
  • Ride a train north from Stockholm to Lapland to be transformed from the city to untamed beauty of Arctic wilderness.
  • Has 4 distinct seasons and mild temperatures throughout the year.
  • Northern region is known for its midnight sun.
  • Viking artifacts are scarce.
  • Most popular museums are Gothenburg's Universeum (Gothenburg), Museum of World Culture (Gothenburg), and Vasa Museum (Stockholm).
  • Sailing is most popular in Gothenburg along the coast north of Gothenburg.
  • Are Bike Park (Areskutan) is popular.
  • Ostersund is known for its winter activities.
  • Topless bathing is permitted.
  • Vehicles are required to drive with headlights on.
  • Most beautiful beaches are Bohuslan, Gotland, Havang, Laholm, Oland Island, Sandhamn, Tylosand, Uto, and Varberg.
  • Snow tires are required from December 1 - March 31.
  • Drivers must be at least 18 years old.
  • Parking is expensive.
  • Popular bike trails include around Lake Siljan (Siljansleden), around the lakes of Malaren and Hjalmaren (Malarsleden), from Helsingborg to Karesuando (Lapland), and Stockholm to Nynashamm (Nynasleden).
  • January, March and April are considered the best times to ski in the northern region.
  • Taxis are expensive.
  • In small towns, stores tend to close by 2PM on Saturdays.
  • Locals tend to speak at a lower volume level compared to us.
  • Fishing License required for lakes and rivers.
  • Daily ferries from Stockholm also run between Helsinki and Turku, Finland; Tallin, Estonia; and Riga, Latvia.
  • Oresund Bridge links Malmo, Sweden, with Copenhagen, Denmark.


Stockholm, Sweden. Photo Credit: Lena Lindell/Pixabay 



This international destination requires:
  • A valid passport with three months of validity and space for entry/exit stamp.
  • Tourist VISA not required.
  • Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: 10,000EUR.


Photo Credit: JaakL/Pixabay 


  • Best Time to Visit:  May - September
  • Coldest Months: November - March
  • Hottest Months: June - September
  • Peak Season: July - August


Bohuslän, Sweden. Photo Credit: Klaus Reiser/Pixabay 



Your Must-See & Do
  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Birka Viking Museum, Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland, Drottningholm Palace, Engelsberg Ironworks, Falun, Gammelstad Church Town, Grimeton Radio Station, High Coast, Hovgården, Karlskrona, Kvarken, Laponian Area, Öland, Royal Domain of Drottningholm, Skogskyrkogården, Suomenlinna, Tanumshede, The Chinese Pavilion, The Struve Geodetic Arc, and Visby.


Vittskövle Castle, Scania, Sweden. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay 


Ideal for the outdoorsy and sophisticated cultural traveler seeking experiences to enjoy art, architecture, beaches, bicycling, camping, canoeing, castles, culture, festivals, fishing, forests, gardens, golf, hiking, history, ice fishing, ice skating, islands, lakes, manors, mountain biking trails, mountains, museums, national parks, northern lights, quaint villages, sailing, saunas, scenery, shopping, skiing,  sleigh rides, snowboarding, snowmobiling, tennis, valleys, wilderness, and winter sports.
Why visit Sweden?
Ideal for the outdoorsy and sophisticated cultural traveler seeking experiences to enjoy art, architecture, beaches, bicycling, camping, canoeing, castles, culture, festivals, fishing, forests, gardens, golf, hiking, history, ice fishing, ice skating, islands, lakes, manors, mountain biking trails, mountains, museums, national parks, northern lights, quaint villages, sailing, saunas, scenery, shopping, skiing,  sleigh rides, snowboarding, snowmobiling, tennis, valleys, wilderness, and winter sports.

Ready to embark on custom and personalized services, your journey begins with Louvet Travel

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"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" Saint Augustine


                                        All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.  

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