Visit Scandinavia

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

Sandhamn

Sandhamn is one of the more popular islands in the Stockholm archipelago. In the summer time Sandhamn offer plenty do from sailing and fishing to shopping and eating. Sandhamn is a great resort in the summer. From Stockholm, there is a one-way 3-hour canal tour every day during the summer. Day trips are also recommended.

Website: www.sandhamn.org/english

Falun Koppargruva

Sightseeing of the workroom is possible by going down 55m by elevator through the coal shaft. There is also a museum.

Address: Kopparberget

Tel: +46 23 78 20 30 Fax: +46 23 78 20 43

Website: www.kopparberget.com

Trollenas Castle

5km west of Eslov. Built at the end of the 14th century, it was renovated and extended in the 19th century. The exterior is in the renassance style while the interior is baroque. The English style gardens have a 12th century chapel.

Address: Trolleholm, Svaalöv

Tel: +46 413 773 70

Vaxjo

Established in 1342, this town is the centre of the Crystal Kingdom. There is an immigration museum showing records of the 1.2 million Swedish people who left for the United States between 1850 and 1930.

Website: www.vaxjo.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

Malmö Castle (Malmöhus)

Located to the west of the city stands a renaissance style castle surrounded by greenery and a moat. Built in the 15th century, it is the oldest castle in Scandinavia. Parts of the castle are open to the public as museums.

Kungstradgården

Kungstradgarden, named for its role in the past as the royal kitchen's veggie garden. “King's garden" is today a public park located in the city centre which is always full with people in summer time. In the winter time, ice skating is a popular winter sport.

Tel: +46 8-555 100 90

Email: kungstradgarden@chamber.se

Website: www.kungstradgarden.nu

Backaskog Castle

Built as a monastery in 1250, it was rebuilt in 1537 as a stronghold. King Karl 15th was especially fond of this castle. It has beautiful gardens and a hotel equipped with a meeting room.

Website: www.backaskogslott.se

Art Museum Konstmuseet

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

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

Leksand

Population of 15, 000 people. Every year in June, people wearing national costumes gather here at the summer festival.

Website: www.leksand.se

Malmo

Sweden's third major city has prospered thanks to its role as major area of trade. It is southern Sweden's largest town with 270, 000 people and is located adjacent the Øresund Strait. From a historical point of view, it has proved to be an important area in both trade and defence. Stone structures from the Middle Ages, such as Malmö castle (Malmö hus), are still standing, and the city is full of history and sightseeing spots.

With the opening of the Øresund Bridge connecting the area with neighbouring Demark, it is expected to become an even more important point for transportation.

City Museum Stadshuset

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

Mariebergsskogen

A park displaying the historical buildings of the Varmland District. Apart from the exhibitions of interesting structures of windmills and water wills, inside the park there is a small zoo and a tower for bird watching. The walking paths are well maintained.

Address: 651 84 Karlstad

Tel: +46 54-29 69 90

Fax: +46 54-29 69 95

Email: mariebergsskogen@karlstad.se