Sweden
Summer Holidays

Sweden is a country of colourful contrasts. Crisp, white blankets of snow coat the ground in the depths of winter, but come summer, the landscapes burst into colour with emerald green grasslands spattered with the brightest bluebells (Sweden’s national flower) while Stockholm’s colourful buildings shine brighter under the sunny skies. Delve into Swedish culture by joining Sweden’s midsummer celebrations that take place during the summer holidays to celebrate the Nordic summer solstice in the warm wildflower scented air. Don a flower crown, laden with primroses, clover and daisies, and joyously jig around the maypole with villagers of all ages.

For a wilder, off-the-beaten-track adventure, explore never-ending lakes and forests. The long, light days provide enough time for toe-chilling wild swims off the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea, as well as hikes up the King’s Trail in Northern Sweden to see nature at its finest with dark mossy forests and rushing river rapids. Keep your eyes peeled, and you may be lucky enough to catch sight of the frosted tips of an Arctic fox’s ears poking above the Swedish scrub, or the silhouette of a golden eagle suspended in the sky like a kite.

Sweden summer holidays aren’t just about nature, either. Spend some time in Stockholm, the country’s capital, then break off from the tourist hordes and explore some of Sweden’s lesser known cities and summerhouse-filled beach towns. Climb aboard a luxury sailing boat and explore the west coast, in particular Gothenburg’s Archipelago. Marstrand is an easy city to spot, with its kaleidoscope of red roofed houses, watched over by an ancient fortress. Sample a traditional Smörgåsbord of salty smoked fish, pickled herring and gravadlax (salmon with dill), followed by foraged lingonberries and cloudberries, and chased by a hearty glug of aquavit (potato-based spirit). Experience all of this on one of our Sweden summer holidays.