It\u2019s (almost) the middle of May already. Time\u2019s fun when you\u2019re having flies, or rather, the other way round. The weather may not be very summery yet, or up North \u2013 not even very springy yet, but summer is already on everybody\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n
Yes, it\u2019s time to plan your summer vacation, if you haven\u2019t done so already. Where to go, when exactly to go, how much to spend and all those other pesky little details of your long-awaited summer break.<\/p>\n
My friends and co-workers all seem to be discussing their semester<\/strong> (vacation) plans right now. Global crisis, or not, semester<\/strong> is sacred. After all, what are you going to do? Stay at home for four weeks in July? Nah, you gotta go somewhere.<\/p>\n True, many people are concerned about the economy and about whether or not they can actually afford their summer breaks. Some of my friends have downsized their normal plans. Instead of a trip to Thailand or another exotic destination, they choose more mundane places like Spain or Egypt. Those who normally would go to Spain or Egypt are opting for even more budget friendly choices like Turkey and Bulgaria. But few of the people I know say they will stay in Sweden during the summer. Why? All things considered, it\u2019s cheaper to go abroad. And oh yeah, the weather\u2019s better elsewhere, too.<\/p>\n But let\u2019s pretend for a second that staying in Sweden this summer is your only option. Or that visiting Sweden this summer (for those of you in other countries) is your only option. In that case, where would you go? Which places would you like to visit? Where in Sweden have you visited already and what would like to recommend to others?<\/p>\n Anybody who\u2019s been reading this blog for more than 5 minutes knows that I\u2019m a huge fan of Lappland<\/a><\/strong>. My number one destination in Sweden is the Far North \u2013 Kiruna, Abisko, Jukkasj\u00e4rvi<\/strong> and the whole Tornedalen<\/strong> (Torne Valley) area. There are no ancient castles there and no Viking huts. There are no gothic cathedrals and splendid art museums. Instead, there is plenty of nature, gorgeous views, different culture and midnight sun (after all, we are talking about summer here). If not for the mosquitoes, it would be an ideal adventure destination. The drive along the Torne<\/strong> river is, without a doubt, one of the most gorgeous in Sweden.<\/p>\n A bit more south (if you\u2019re in, let\u2019s say, Pajala<\/strong>) there\u2019s Lule\u00e5<\/a><\/strong> with its World Heritage listed Gammelstads kyrkstad<\/a><\/strong> (Gammelstad<\/strong> Church Town). Oh yes, and why is Lule\u00e5<\/strong> calling itself The Capital of Swedish Lapland<\/em>? Just how many capitals does Lappland<\/strong> have? What about Lycksele<\/strong>\u2019s claim to \u201cLapp Stockholm\u201d?<\/p>\n So, now you know where I would like to spend my summer in Sweden. How about you? What are some of your favorite Swedish summer destinations?<\/p>\n PS. And just so there is no misunderstandings \u2013 it\u2019s \u201cLappland<\/strong>\u201d in Swedish, but \u201cLapland\u201d in English.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It\u2019s (almost) the middle of May already. Time\u2019s fun when you\u2019re having flies, or rather, the other way round. The weather may not be very summery yet, or up North \u2013 not even very springy yet, but summer is already on everybody\u2019s mind. Yes, it\u2019s time to plan your summer vacation, if you haven\u2019t done…<\/p>\n