Visit Scandinavia

Torup Castle

15km south east of Malmö. A 16th century castle in the middle of the forest. The castle has vines entwined around its brick walls, towers and a moat, and the interior and art collections are beautiful.

Website: www.eslov.se/eslovsguiden/slott/trollenas_slott

Smaland Kingdom of Crystal

In the mid 18th century, with forestry in decline, this south-eastern district of Sweden needed to find a new industry to support its people. The glass works industry was born in Kosta, using firewood from the immense surrounding forests and water from the lakes. As the glass industry boomed and its wares distributed all over the world, the district soon came to be known as the Kingdom of Crystal. Authentic products can be bought at discount prices and there is, of course, the factory tour. There are 11 factories in all, and a few of them are introduced below. The access cities are Kalmar and Vaxjo

Address: 382 80 Nybro

Tel: +46 481 457 00

Email: info@glasriket.se

Access: An hour's flight by Scandinavia Air from Stockholm and Copenhagen to Växjö or Kalmar. A 3 and a half hour train ride from Stockholm.

Website: www.glasriket.se

St. Petri Church (St. Petri Kyrka)

A red gothic style building built in the mid 14th century with an 88m high tower, located next to the city hall. A magnificent fresco painting can be fond inside along with a chapel built for traders during the Middle Ages.

Address: Göran Olsgatan 4A

Tel: +46 40-35 90 40

Fax: +46 40-35 90 44

Business hours: Monday to Friday8:00 to 18:00 Saturday and Sunday10:00 to 6pm

Admission fee: free

Smålands Museum

A provincial data museum, showing the history and culture of Smålands.

Address: Södra Järnvägsgatan

Tel: +46 470 704 200

Website: www.smalandsmuseum.se

Kalmar County Museum

Opened in 1987, this museum displays many features of local culture. The biggest highlight is the war ship "Kronan" that was sunk on the reefs of Oland in the 1676 war against the Danish and German union.

Address: Skeppsbrogatan 51

Tel: +46 480 451 300

Email: info@kalmarlansmuseum.se

Website: www.kalmarlansmuseum.se

Factory-Bergdala

Familiar for its simple cobalt blue rimmed designs and colourful reindeer paintings.

Address: 360 51 Hovmantorp

Tel: +46 478 180 30

Website: www.bergdala.com/bruket.html

Hyttsillsafton

Glass factories were not only places of work but also served as social centres for meetings, debates and more festive activities like singing. It was customary in these instances to bake sill (herring) after work using the leftover heat from the furnace (hytt). Some glass factories host "Hyttsillsafton", where you can experience this tradition. Apart from sill, the menu includes Småland's specialty sausages, baked potatoes, beer, mineral water, cheese cake, coffee and tea.

Website: www.glasriket.se/Hyttsill/HS_1E.htm

Lilla torget Square

Meaning "little Square"in Swedish, it is located next to the south west corner of Stora torget Square. It used to be the central market area, and the Malmö market is currently still on the other side. Also, this area used to be the handicraft centre for shoes, leather and other products, which can be seen in the city scenery.

City Museum Stadshuset

Many of the area's traditional style textiles, clothing and handicrafts are on display together with a history corner of Malmo.

Glass Factory-Orrefors

Familiar for its simple cobalt blue rimmed designs and colourful reindeer paintings.

Address: 380 40 Orrefors

Tel: +46 481 341 95

Website: www.bergdala.com/bruket.html

Vimmerby

The home of Astrid Lindgren.

This is the town where Astrid Lindgrens grew up in. She is a Swedish children's book writer known for the works of "Pippi Longstocking"and "Lotta". Vimmerby is an old town with colourful houses.

Website: www.vimmerby.se

Glass Factory-Kosta

Sweden's oldest Glass Factory. There is an exhibition room (open from April to September) and restaurants. In summertime, the "Hyttsillsafton" is held. The heat from the glass-melting furnace is used to cook sill (salted herring), potatoes, sausages and cakes for a great feast. Very popular among tourists.

Address: 360 52 Kosta

Tel: +46 478 345 00

Website: www.kostaboda.se

Kulturhistoriska open air museum

Apart from the collection of 30 farm houses and manner houses from southern Sweden, pottery, glass, silverware and textiles are on exhibit.

Address: Tegnérsplatsen

Tel: +46 46 350 400

Website: www.kulturen.com

Art Museum Konstmuseet

Displays the traditional furniture-craft from the Middle Ages through to the works of contemporary artists.