Sweden Small Group Holidays

Introducing Sweden (Continued...)

try are charming towns and cities bursting with fascinating museums and great restaurants. A country with a vibrant history, a landscape offering a wealth of opportunities and a climate to be in wonder of certainly presents a challenging task of finding a better holiday destination.
Host to a remarkably varied landscape, Sweden incorporates dense forests, wonderful island getaways, idyllic lakes and snow-capped mountains. Climatically, Sweden can be split into two regions: the north and the south. Due to its unique geographical position you can experience the full range of the weather in just one visit, most notably in autumn or spring.
Southern Sweden enjoys warm summers and cold, cloudy winters without snow. In northern Sweden winters get more severe the further north you travel, and temperatures fall well below zero. The summers take on a whole new meaning, with virtually continuous daylight for several weeks between May and July. This is then the perfect setting for letting the adventurer in you out!

Dog Sledding

If you are looking for that once in a lifetime, unique outdoor experience then you should take on the dog-sledging challenge in Kiruna. The capital of the Lapland region is one of the most sparsely populated and beautiful areas of the country. It is also home to the country’s tallest mountain, Kebnekaise, at 2117m. Alternatively, try it at Ostersund. This town is most famous for the Storsjon monster, which is thought to inhabit the lake surrounding the town. You can also enjoy this adventure in Kangos. Training is given in how to ride the sledge as well as how to handle the excitable, athletic husky dogs. Gliding speedily through the forests and the tundra guarantees an unforgettable ride. It is pure excitement from every angle.

Cycling

If cycling is what gets you up in the morning, then why not try mountain biking at Varmland in Svealand region? The forests have exciting trails and some run along one of the longest rivers in Scandinavia, Klaralven. The river flows over beautiful countryside, letting you observe striking, unspoiled valleys among high mountains.

Quad Biking

The fantastic views can also be experienced roaring through on a quad bike at Kangos. On this epic journey through the wilderness of northern Sweden, you’ll pass through expansive valleys where wild herds of moose and reindeer roam; whiz through rushing rivers and streams; and discover what twenty-four hour daylight really feels like.

Snowboarding

Swedish slopes offer a truly wild and raw alternative to the French and Swiss Alps. You will genuinely feel like you are touching the Arctic Circle here. The unique culinary dishes of bear or reindeer stew are perfect for adventure diners, and those wishing to know the full Swedish experience. Vemdalen is ideal for beginners and families, but there are also plenty of varied routes to occupy the more experienced skiers and snowboarders.
Åre is Sweden’s best-known resort and offers excellent downhill skiing. The high altitude of the Åreskutan Mountain here ensures snow even in June. Snowboarders are well catered for in both Vemdalen and Åre – look out for many drag lifts and T-bars! Difficult to master but extremely satisfying when you manage to ride all the way up without falling flat on your face! After a hard day on the slopes, the perfect way to unwind is to embrace Sweden’s hot tub and sauna culture. It is a great way to socialise with other skiers and snowboarders before hitting the town.

Snowmobiling

On your quest for adventure, take to the slopes in a snowmobile! It will be exhilarating, exciting and breathtaking as you speed past the expanses of Kangos or take on the three-country challenge. Take it slow while you get to grips with the mechanics of it, but soon you may find yourself yearning to get on the snow and live out your own powder-filled fantasies! It is not for the faint hearted. It is, however, for a strong adventurer wanting to take it up a notch.

Classic Itineraries

When visiting Sweden you should really focus on one of three areas (the country cannot be explored in a hurry, and you wouldn’t want to). Svealand is a land of green islands and glittering bays, stunning castles and wonderful wooden towns. Its heritage predates the Vikings. Stockholm is at the centre of this great region, and is home to one third of Sweden’s population! Take a boat trip through the archipelago which envelops tens of thousands of islands of all shapes and sizes, some inhabited, others not. Stockholm is the most beautiful European city and is the culture capital of Sweden. It certainly necessitates a look.
If you would like to experience the phenomenon of the midnight sun and Northern Lights, then head to Norrland. It is a vast and almost untouched region. The Norrbotten archipelago is renowned for being the sunniest place in the country and its beach resorts lure holidaymakers every year. Explore Lappland and learn about the Sami culture of reindeer herding, hunting and fishing. Here you will also find plenty of adventure sports to thrill the senses.
Gotaland is most known for its gentle, undulating landscape. It has retained a Danish atmosphere. Many castles and manor houses that feature in the countryside were built by the Danish nobility. Gothenburg is Sweden’s seafaring city and its maritime past is still ever present in its streets. The history of this city and its architecture is spectacular. In the past, this was the starting point of an adventure for many Swedes. So why not begin your journey here, and feel the excitement and buzz before you embark on your own discovery of the country?

Other Activities

Since the late 1980s, the most unusual, and least permanent, hotel in Sweden has returned early every winter to the steps near the iron mines of Jukkasjarvi, Kiruna. It is the biggest ice hotel in the world and the most famous one too. Enjoy a couple of shots of coldest blue vodka by the Ice Bar and a night in a self-made igloo – an experience like no other.
Swedes like to enjoy what their country has to offer to the fullest, so why shouldn’t you? Take to the water in Varmland region and float down the river Klaralven on a raft! Go ice fishing in northern Sweden! Peak season starts in April. Make sure you obtain a license first though.
Sweden is a magical and mystical country, with a multitude of pagan traditions to celebrate the coming and going of seasons. Legends, folklore and many mythical beings are part of its national identity. To partake in these festivities is to allow yourself to get lost in Sweden, it truly will be a wonderful experience so don’t hold back!