"Make the right turns when you're here" Sweden by dave_21

Sweden Travel Guide: 12,620 reviews and 38,054 photos

Off the beaten path in Sweden

About this site
I have tried to summarize my own thoughts and opinions what to see and what not to miss at this site.
The tips on this site is tips that you wont find anywhere else. Most people havn't heard of these places and I guess that some people havn't been just right at that particular spot I'm vriting on.

What do I think about Sweden?
Well that's not an easy question.
I am born and raised in Sweden, all my ancestors is Swedes or Norweagans. It's a great country to live in, we have exellent welfare, our public health services is great and the education level is high. Not every country can offer this. When I think of the all the poverty in the world I know how lucky I am. Living in Sweden is simply great!! It's clean everywhere and you'll be fined on an high amount for just throwing paper on the Street. We also have the four seasons wich are all beautiful in its own way!

What do I think about traveling in Sweden?

It's a quite expensive country but cheaper then our neighbors Denmark, Norway and Finland. (Generally) My recommend is to visit more than one place if you go here. If you f.ex visit Stockholm you will have a great time visiting all great historical monuments, museums, amusment parks, castles etc. but you will miss so much other things! Did you know that we have great Fields in the South were the spring arrive in late February? Did you know that in our north we have high mountains and Tundra where the snow never melts away? What I want to say is that Cities is great but the countryside is awsome! When people think of Sweden, they might think of Stockholm, Göteborg and snow. Sure, those things are here. But it's a shame more people don't see our Wilderness.
My general recommend is: Visit a city and go out hiking afterwards! :-)

I'll keep on updating this page until I think it's complete..

Swedens North

Short History of Sweden

Swedens South

About 14,000 years ago, some of the ice covering what is now Sweden started melting. Evidence has been found that there was human life in Sweden by 9000 BCE. The inhabitants were generally hunters and fishers, until about 550-800 CE when Sweden's inhabitants settled and became a primarily agricultural society.
Then, for the next 250 years, they went through a period of expansion (the "Viking Age"), mostly eastward, as far as the Caspian Sea. The vikings' activities consisted of: trading, plundering and making temporary settlements.

In about the year 1000, the provinces of Sweden combined to form one country. In was around this time, too, that Sweden became Christianized, although the pagan Nordic religion was still around for another century or so.

Sweden continued expanding and had taken over Finland during the 12th and 13th centuries. In 1389, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden united under the Danish Queen Margareta. This union broke up in 1521, after a Danish union king had 80 important Swedish men executed due to conflicts between them and the central government, and the Swedes rebelled.

After that, Gustav Vasa was elected king (make sure you see the Vasa Museum in Stockholm). For the next 140 years, or so, Sweden battled like crazy, taking over all kinds of places in the Baltic, and by the end was considered a major power in northern Europe.

But, you know how that goes; Russia took over Finland, the other provinces that Sweden won were taken back. So now Sweden, while being a great country, cannot be said to be a "dominating" country. And somehow this country of vikings has turned into a country of peaceful, courteous citizens.

Pros and Cons

Pros:We have kalles kaviar, snus and four seasons. And of course the "right of common access" which is unique
Cons:It's hard to tell if someone is angry at you =) I guess the weather for some, snow and cold in the winters! And we have Lutefisk!!
In a nutshell:The Oblong Sweden brings you great history and enjoyment of the choppy countryside

Intro Updated Jun 17, 2003
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (18)

Oh, I almost forgotten. We got tons of Lakes too! - Sweden

Snus, Knackebrod and Nyckelharpa Local Customs (1)

This is endless, but some of your local customs: What is Snus? Snus is snuff in english, but we don't sniff it, we... more travel advice

Varberg, Historical City Things to Do (16)

Varbergs is a place I'll always come back to. It has lots to offer, both Historical and by nature. The most famous... more travel advice

Accommodations Hotels (1)

I could add tons of tips in this theme, but not all people wants to stay cheap. If you have money, go stay at a luxury... more travel advice

Stora Sjöfallets National Park Things to Do (16)

The oldest and largest national parks in Sweden are to be found in Norrbotten. Eight of Sweden's twenty-six national... more travel advice

Travelogues (2)

1 - 2 of 2

Comments (34)

Reply
- Report abuse
SPCM Mar 15, 2008 at 5:13 AM

Hi David! Great pics. I´m thinking going to Sweden in APril . The pics reminded me the beautifull Norway. Scandinavia is great! Greetings from the Gardens of Europe - Portugal :)
Reply
- Report abuse
JessH Mar 3, 2007 at 9:35 PM

Hello Ernie. Really beautiful page here with fantastic information. My ratings are with you :-) I hope to visit Sweden either this or next summer... Greetings from the desert / Jess
Reply
- Report abuse
jcarolj Jul 22, 2006 at 11:18 PM

thank you for very valuable guide to sweden
Reply
- Report abuse
Propermark Apr 9, 2006 at 7:54 AM

Hi there! The landscapes Pics are simply great! Greetings from the South:))) Marco.
Reply
- Report abuse
OONylander Jan 16, 2006 at 3:52 PM

thanks for the visual tour !!!!!!!!
Reply
- Report abuse
xuessium Dec 25, 2005 at 7:58 AM

Merry Christmas, David! Cool pictures of Sweden. Greetings from the never cool Singapore.
Reply
- Report abuse
dora_Heta Oct 27, 2005 at 6:21 AM

i like the pictures especailly the landscape picts. sweden is too cold for me . thanx for sharing info.
Reply
- Report abuse
RAJASTHANBYCAR Sep 29, 2005 at 8:45 AM

Sweden is nice place snow hills National parks beches Historical good information.
Reply
- Report abuse
sprdak11 Sep 18, 2005 at 10:21 AM

Interesting travel page with nice pictures! Greetings!
Reply
- Report abuse
SVMainUS Aug 5, 2005 at 1:19 PM

Wonderful tips and pictures Dave. I'm US born but have Swedish grandparents on both sides, and aim to spend my big 5-0 year of my life (or at least 2 or 3 weeks of it) touring Sweden. My Sundstrom and Landstrom ancestors will be proud!