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There is no end of exciting things to do and see during your
visit to Sweden -- at any time of year. Because winter, temperatures are typically warmer
than they are in many U.S. cities, Sweden is an ideal place to experience the season's
traditional activities without the climactic extremes found elsewhere. For many, simply
taking in the vibrant cultural life of Stockholm and it's surrounds is more than enough.
For others, the entire country, in all its natural beauty, its local color, and its
pristine grandeur, holds an attraction that cannot be ignored. There are a number of ways
to explore and to experience this larger Sweden - here are just a few of them: In the rugged expanses of the Swedish
north is found Europe's last remaining wilderness region, an
area of stunning vistas and crisp clean air that is sheer heaven
for trekking, whitewater rafting, ice climbing, alpine
and cross-country skiing, and much more. The Allemansratten,
or the Right of Public Access, insures that all the land
is accessible provided that you respect nature and other people's
privacy. Sweden is filled with great biking and riding trails,
including most notable the 1,597 mile-long Sweden Trail.
The further north and northwest, the
more mountainous; the further south you go, the flatter it gets (with
a few exceptions).
Mountain biking or easy biking, it's your choice; but we can guarantee
it will be scenic.
Boating is so popular in Sweden that it is less a recreational activity than a
fundamental part of life. The reason why is simple--surrounded by waters from the 24,000
islands of the Stockholm
Archipelago and the placid grace of the Göta Canal (not to mention its 100,000 lakes and innumerable streams and rivers)
andthe stunning open-sea coastline around Gothenburg and the west coast, Sweden is one of
the finest boating destinations imaginable. Sweden's waters are pure and clear, and its fishing
is astounding. Pike, perch, zander, beam, rainbow trout, grayling, char, brown trout, sea
trout, and salmon abound, and those are only the freshwater options.
Sweden has in recent years become one of the most passionate golfing countries
in the world. Over three hundred
courses now dot the countryside, including Björkliden, the northernmost golf course on
the planet. In the land of the Midnight Sun, you can tee off any time you like.
Tennis has long been a sport in which Swedes have excelled, and opportunities to
play and to watch outstanding tennis abound here. Devotees of the sport should make a stop
at Båstad, the mecca of Swedish tennis.
Stretching along the northwestern border of Sweden is a string of breathtaking
mountains, many of which offer exceptional alpine skiing conditions. There are
venues here for all tastes and skill levels, from the intimate warmth of the small resorts
around Sälen to the grand snowboarding competititon held each year at Riksgränsen, 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. Midnight
sun skiing is also available mid-May through mid-June.
In 1897, an intrepid explorer by the name of
Salomon Auguste André set off in a hot air balloon from the small Swedish town of Gränna in an attempt to reach the North Pole. André never
made it, but Gränna has been a capital of hot air ballooning ever since, and the
spectacular views offered from a balloon have made it a popular pastime here. In fact, touring
by balloon has become one of the very best ways to discover Stockholm itself, as long
as the weather allows.
Tours
There are an endless amount of tours in Sweden; so many that you can design almost
any kind of visit imaginable. The three major cities in Sweden - Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö all have City Tours, which introduce visitors
to the sights, history, cuisine, and nuances of the cities and their outlying areas. Road
trip options are also easily available through both Drive-Yourself and Chauffeured
Tours. Those interested in tracing their roots can partake in a Homecoming Heritage
Tour, which assists visitors in the task of tracing roots and tracking down relations.
If you wish to base your tour on a special interest or activity, such as art or
ice-climbing, there are hundreds of private tour operators. The physically challenged
can also find tours designed for their special needs. To get a better idea of what
specific options you have, consult your local travel agent or the Danish
and Swedish Tourist Board Office.
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