Sweden is part of Scandinavia and lies in Northern Europe west of the Baltic Sea. It has land borders with Finland to the north east, Norway to the west and has a bridge link to Denmark. The country extends into the Arctic Circle and more than half of the land area is forested. Sweden holidays can be taken at any time of year. Winter sports include both downhill and crosscountry skiing, and boarding. Are, just an hour by plane from Stockholm, is one of the most popular resorts. Its slopes accommodate all levels of ability and it has good facilities for families. Travel to Lapland and take a safari through the tundra and forests, where, if you are lucky, you may catch sight of elk, deer, wolves, lynx or brown bears. For accommodation like no other, try a night in the Ice Hotel or an igloo. The best place to see the Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights, is north of Kiruna in the Abisko National Park. The Sami people are an indigenous group in the far north of Sweden. To experience their culture, visit Jokkmokk in February when their annual market takes place. Other ways to explore the environment is by dog sledding, or by snowmobiling. Ice fishing is another popular pastime. Fish through a hole drilled in the ice and catch the likes of salmon, trout and pike.
For an entirely different experience, visit Sweden in the summer during the months of June, July and August. Sweden is a large country with a diverse landscape which offers a wealth of holiday experiences. With mountains, rivers and lakes, an abundance of woodland and sandy beaches, scenic islands, cities of culture and traditional villages, Sweden holidays have wide appeal. The northern region, with long hours of sunshine, is perfect trekking country over marked trails. Alternatively you can relax on the shores of a lake and enjoy the mountain vista. Sweden's west coast stretches from Gothenburg to the border with Norway. There are hundreds of islands scattered along the shore line just waiting to be explored. Off the east coast is the country's largest island, Gotland and it is one of Sweden's top tourist destinations. Its beaches, its relaxed atmosphere, its medieval towns and its long hours of sunshine, combine to give you a holiday to remember. For a short city break, visit Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmo. They all have many tourist attractions, a lively nightlife and good shopping.
