Swedish Autumn Getaways | May 2012

YOUR GUIDE TO:GREEN GETAWAYS,CONFERENCE VENUES,AND WEEKEND GETAWAYS

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Swedish AutumnGetawaysAGUIDE BY SCAN MAGAZINE

ContentsGreen Getaways .................................. 4The general travel mentality is going throughsome profound changes, with more and morepeople recognising the impact they have ontheir surroundings, and thus looking for moresustainable alternatives when it comes to holi-daymaking.

Green Conference Venues.................. 15There are plenty of conference venues in Swedenthat are known for their sustainability effortsand green agenda, and they will certainly leaveguests inspired, fully content and with a clearconscience.

Weekend Getaways ............................ 18For a relaxing weekend break head to Swedento explore its gorgeous countryside or to dis-cover a tranquil oasis within one of its bustlingcities. The striking autumn colours of Swedenare sure to bring people closer together andcreate the perfect backdrop for a quick get-away holiday.

SWEDISH AUTUMN GETAWAYSPublished by Scan Magazine LtdInsert to Scan Magazine, Issue 40, May 2012

Published on 08.05.2012

Executive Editor: Thomas WintherCreative Director: Mads E. PetersenEditor: Nia KajastieCopy Editor: Mark RogersSales and Key Accounts Manager:Miriam Wesslén DechichaCover and Introduction photos:Imagebank.sweden.se

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2 | A Guide by Scan Magazine | May 2012

A Guide by Scan Magazine | May 2012 | 3

Swedish Autumn Getaways | Introduction

Welcome to ourguide to Swedishautumn getaways: acomprehensive in-troduction to shortbreaks in Sweden.Here, we will intro-duce you to green

holiday options as well as great destina-tions for weekend getaways within Swe-den. We have also included some excel-lent conference venues known for theirsustainability efforts and green agenda.

The general travel mentality is goingthrough some profound changes, withmore and more people recognising theimpact they have on their surroundings,and thus looking for more sustainablealternatives when it comes to holiday-making. Our travel guide includes some ofthemost green travel experiences in Swe-den for the autumn.

Ecotourism is defined as “responsibletravel to natural areas that conserves theenvironment and improves the well-beingof local people” (TIES, 1990, The Interna-tional Ecotourism Society). This new wayof thinking combines commercial tourismwith a respectful approach to local cul-tures, and as a result creates new, sus-tainable tourism economies.

Perhaps you are also looking for thosegorgeous Swedish landscapes or an oasisin a bustling city, where you can enjoy aromantic or relaxing weekend break. In anincreasingly stressful and demanding so-ciety, it is exceedingly important to stop,look and listen to our hearts once in awhile. The guide will introduce you to thestriking autumn colours of Sweden thatare sure to bring people closer togetherand create the perfect backdrop for aquick getaway holiday.

From quaint, personalised accommoda-tion to lovely views sitting by a lake sur-rounded by stunning nature, Sweden hasit all. You are definitely in for a treat, if youdecide to travel to Sweden this autumn.

And even if you are not travelling forleisure, the green conference venues inSweden will leave you inspired, fully con-tent and with a clear conscience. Read onto find out more about the best autumngetaways and eco-friendly conferencevenues in Sweden.

Nia Kajastie,Editor

SCANM A G A Z I N E

Enjoy Sweden this autumn

A GUIDE BY

Swedish Autumn Getaways | Green Getaways



...Leads the way to the most excitingparts of Swedish nature

Nature’s Best is a quality assurer that hashighlighted close to 250 exciting Swedishnature experiences, including lobster sa-faris, archipelago canoeing, bear watch-ing, mountain hiking with Sami reindeerherders, Baltic Sea sailings, eagle safaris,alpine weeks, forest rides with spa expe-riences, wolf tracking, dog sledding withJacuzzi bubble baths, winter sleigh tourswith folk music, national park visits,moose hunting, trout fishing, forest her-mitage in tree houses, oyster tasting, andmuch more – experiences which have re-ceived a lot of media coverage in the in-ternational press and mass media.

...Gathers a selection of Sweden’s mostrenowned nature experience organisers

Swedish eco-tourism quality-labellingdraws on a number of basic principles

that can be summarised by key phrases,such as quality, continuous improvement,putting the quality of the guest’s experi-ences first, competent and stimulatingguides, comfortable or alternative ac-commodation, plates of local delicacies,and active conservation and protection ofcultural heritage. Simply put, it is all aboutenjoyable nature experiences, all in col-laboration with and with respect for thenature, culture and people of the destina-tion.

...Provides tomorrow’s nature experi-ences from north to south

According to numerous trend spotters,the future is bright for Nature’s Best ex-periences. It is all about satisfying a de-mand among a growing group of trav-ellers who want to experience more, meetthe locals, travel in harmony with natureand cultural heritage, and ideally learn a

lot during their visit. Together with the la-bel’s skilled entrepreneurs, Nature’s Besthas been the driving force behind an in-creasing selection of exciting experiencesfrom Abisko in the north to Skåne’sÖsterlen in the south of Sweden – a col-laboration that has been honoured with anumber of national awards, and that isconstantly being complemented as the la-bel’s approved organisers receive new lo-cal awards.

...Makes it easy for you to enjoy yourselfin a sustainable way

Nature’s Best always emphasises theguest’s holistic experience. It is not ex-clusively about fantastic encounters withSwedish nature and the country’s culturalheritage. Many experience packages,though not all, focus just as much on pro-viding opportunities to taste local delica-cies, stay in comfort and travel with ease:simply being able to enjoy Swedish na-ture to the fullest.

Text by Nature’s BestPhotos: Fredrik Broman/imagebank.sweden.se

Swedish eco-tourism’s quality-labellingby Nature’s Best...

For more information, please visit:www.naturesbestsweden.com

Green Getaways Introduction:



Lotsstugan welcomes pre-booked groups,and the entire facility is available to themwith full board and full service, for a min-imum of seven people.“This is the perfect place for parents or

grandparents who want a comfortablebase for an exciting adventure with theirrelatives, or for friends who are seekingexperiences in the High Coast nature. It'salso a great place for teambuilding and forcompanies to develop ideas, or businessplanning,” says Annika Höök, who hasbeen running the facility since 2002.Lotsstugan lovingly prepares dishes

based on carefully selected high-qualityingredients. “We have a great love for good

food, the menus are seasonal and 80% ofour food is locally produced and organic,”explains Annika.The interior is pleasing with sea views

from all of the 11 rooms containingaround 20 beds. If you are lucky, you mayspot an eagle or a seal from your window.The cottage and its owners are very

much environmentally conscious. “Ourheating is provided by solar and pelletheating, electricity comes from a wind en-ergy cooperative and the food is locallyproduced or organic,” says Annika.Lotsstugan is open all year around,

apart from July. The cottage is situatedseven kilometres from Härnösand, which

offers great shopping, culture and trans-port links. There are, for example, directflights from Gothenburg to Sundsvall/Härnösand with Skyways.

A perfect getawayon the Swedish High CoastIf you are longing to escape the stress of city life and searching for an extraordinary,remote location, Lotsstugan, situated high on the cliffs with panoramic views of theGulf of Bothnia in the north of Sweden, is your answer. This wonderful cottage is sim-ply breathtaking.

By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photos: Lotsstugan

For more information, please visit:www.lotsstugan.com

“The trail is a great way to discover theSwedish wilderness, both for those look-ing for a casual stroll and for those want-ing a multi-day adventure,” says KarinReibring, registry officer at the volunteerassociation Sörmlandsleden, which worksto maintain the trail.Sörmlandsleden consists of 100 or so

sections, and the entire trail is markedwith orange circles. Information is dis-played at the beginning of each sectionmaking it a safer way to experience theSörmland nature.The trail starts at the tube station

Björkhagen in the south of Stockholm andcontinues all the way down to the large

forest Kolmården, which separates Sörm-land from the county Östergötland. Youcan even begin your hike at the arrivalhalls at Stockholm Skavsta Airport, whichconnects to more than 50 destinations inEurope.If you are going for a long-distance

hike, you can bring your own tent or stayin one of the many shelters provided.There are also several bed and breakfastsand hostels along the way.Sörmlandsleden offers scenic beauty

as well as historical sites, such as castles,traditional Swedish crofts and old mines.If you are looking for an additional activityduring your hike, you can try geocaching,a treasure hunting game that uses ahand-held GPS to find hidden treasures.“But the best thing about walking

along Sörmlandsleden is the tranquillityand being in harmony with nature. It takesyou to stunning places you never wouldhave seen otherwise,” says Reibring.

Explore one of thelongest trails in ScandinaviaThe Sörmlandsleden trail guides you through the beautiful Swedish county of Sörm-land, famous for its natural beauty, oak pastures, manor houses and castles. Itstretches for more than 1,000 kilometres and takes you along the shores of the BalticSea, through woodlands, past forest lakes and historical sites.

By Sara Schedin | Photo: Sörmlandsleden

For more information, please visit:www.sormlandsleden.se



“I grew up in these parts and learned froma young age how to respect and coexistwith nature. Bearfoot North is my way ofsharing my knowledge and love for thisarea with other people,” says Claes-Jör-gen.

During his years as a leadership coach,Claes-Jörgen often felt restricted by thefour walls of a classroom, so he decided totake his classes into the wilderness in-stead.

“There is no better place to learn aboutleadership and management than duringa hike. All the tools you need are righthere. You’ll learn about everything fromconflict management to communicationand decision-making,” says Claes-Jör-gen.

He emphasises that Bearfoot North is notabout extreme activities but about enjoy-ing the silence, the spectacular views andexperiencing Sami culture. The companyis a member of the Swedish EcotourismAssociation and works to preserve theLaponian nature and culture for futuregenerations.

“It’s important for us to protect and pre-serve the environment we grew up in. Wewant to promote and strengthen all thecultural treasures that the area offers,”says Claes-Jörgen.

Bearfoot North offers theme-baseddaytrips or multi-day adventures for bothindividuals and companies. You will walkthrough Laponia’s stunning nationalparks, taste traditional food, and experi-

ence the area’s rich fauna and wildlife up-close.

In the summertime, you can go on a mid-night sun hike, on which you get to expe-rience nature at night, or you can climbthe mountain Áhkká which rises to 2015metres above sea level. For those lookingfor a longer adventure, there is a week-long hike that takes you from Ritsem,where Bearfoot North has its base,through the mountain forests, along themountain plateau, down to the Norwe-gian fjords and back.

Discover the vast wilderness and cultural landscape of Laponia in the north of Swe-den together with Bearfoot North. The company and its founder Claes-Jörgen Pohl of-fer exclusive and unique wildlife experiences in this breathtakingly beautiful WorldHeritage area, where the Sami people have lived and worked for thousands of years.

By Sara Schedin | Photos: Bearfoot North

Mindfulness and adventure in theWorld Heritage area of Lapland

To learn more about the adventuresmentioned above or to find out aboutBearfoot North’s many other theme-based experiences, please visit:www.bearfootnorth.se



“It was long said that the Forest Finnshad magical powers,” says Susanne An-dersson, a project manager in the area ofForest Finn descent. “They lived in smokecottages and had smoke saunas, and theirfood and handicrafts were also very spe-cial.” In order to preserve what is left ofthe tradition, the umbrella organisationFinnskogarna works with just under 50local businesses to tell the story of theForest Finns to visitors to the region.

“There is so much to see and do,” saysAndersson and talks about FinngårdenRikkenstorp, the organically run small-holdings with a nearby culture trail and afarmhouse museum that depicts the day-to-day life of its former inhabitants. While

Rikkenstorp offers accommodation bothin modern cottages and on the farm itself,Abbas Stugby & Camping in Torsby offerseven more choice, with everything fromcamping space to luxurious houses withmodern saunas and fireplaces. Alongsidea restaurant with freshly prepared tradi-tional cuisine made of local produce, thesite is also home to the only Profile TrekStore in Sweden, with mountain bike ac-tivities for beginners and veterans alike.

Those less keen on sports might enjoy acrafts course in yarn dyeing, lacemakingor iron preparation at Orsa Finnmark’sFågelsjö, an old country estate owned bya wealthy family of Forest Finn heritage;while Packstation Högfall offers a variety

of horse riding excursions including three-to six-day packing school trips as well aswolf and bear tracking tours.

With a number of activities already ap-proved by Nature’s Best and anotherhandful awaiting approval, Finnskogarnahas added its own cornerstone to the al-ready existing three of environment, qual-ity and safety. “Historical knowledge ofthe Finn Forest is key. We should know itinside out,” Andersson makes clear. Andno wonder, as the organisation’s straplinereveals: behind every corner, there’s anew story.

Around 400 years ago, the Forest Finns left eastern Finland and settled in centralSweden to pursue so-called slash-and-burn agriculture. Today, though the ForestFinns have long since integrated into Swedish society, the cultural heritage they leftbehind is still very much alive. Finnskogarna, or the Finn Forest, offers a wide rangeof tourist experiences, all telling the story of the people that once came and madethis land their own.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Finnskogarna

Behind every corner, there’s a new story

For more information, please visit:finnskogarna.com

Photo: Lars Sjöqvist/Värmlands Museum

Photo:LarsSjöqvist/Ute.se



“In addition to dog sledding, we do thingssuch as white-water rafting, stand-uppaddling and kennel visits. We always fin-ish off the day with a typical Västerbottenmeal made with locally produced food,”says Donald Eriksson, who started Au-rora Borealis Adventures in 1993 togetherwith his wife Maria Gustafsson.The company is based in Vindeln in

Västerbotten, just on the border withLapland, where the northern lights playacross the sky in winter and the sun onlysets for a couple of hours in the summer-time.“We provide high-quality experiences

in beautiful surroundings for groups of

two to forty people. For our companyclients, we arrange conferences, teambuilding and complete solutions,” saysDonald.You can stay at their guesthouse or in

one of the nearby hotels that they workwith. The meals are served in a Sami tipiin the forest and are cooked by Donaldwho worked as a chef for 17 years. Thereis a lot of local game, fish and berries onthe menu, and they try to use as many or-ganic products as possible.Donald and Maria’s tours have been

awarded the Nature’s Best label, which isthe first national quality label for naturetours in Europe. Caring for the environ-

ment is very important to them, and theyare committed to minimising the negativeimpact on nature and the local Sami cul-ture.

Wild adventuresin Sweden’s outbackExperience the wilderness of the north of Sweden together with Aurora BorealisAdventures and their team of 50 Siberian huskies. You can either whoosh through thestunning landscape in a dog sled (on wheels in the summer) or try some of the manyother activities they have on offer.

By Sara Schedin | Photos: Aurora Borealis Adventures

For more information, please visit:www.auroraborealis.nu

Here, you are welcome to pick berries to-gether with Eivor, fish for trophy char withÖrjan, or listen to local stories and songsby the fire with Irene. In this village burst-ing with entrepreneurship, hospitality andcommunity spirit, visitors are offered gen-uine experiences that make them feel athome.“The idea is to offer authentic, con-

trasting experiences together with the vil-lagers all year round,” says Eva-LenaSkalstad, director of the cooperativelyowned village initiative Lapland Vuollerim

Welcomes You Ltd, the first ever actor toget nominated for the best outdoor expe-rience at the Stockholm Wilderness Fairthree years in a row.The house hopping dinner event per-

fectly embodies the project’s cooperativespirit. Visitors get to spend an evening invillage homes, having a starter, maincourse and dessert in three differenthouses. “Guests love to see how peoplelive,” says Skalstad. “It’s an amazingmeeting of cultures, and just as enjoyablefor the villagers themselves.”

Coinciding with the world-famousJokkmokk Winter Market is also the fes-tival when the locals create thousands ofice lanterns. Archaeological findings fromthe Ice Age, a cooperatively owned hotel,products approved by Nature’s Best, anda rare, blue light in the winter when thesun never rises, make Vuollerim a magi-cal place. This is not just a place you visit;it is a way of life you learn to love.

“Five-star experiences and world-class hospitality.” That is what guests are sayingabout Vuollerim, a picturesque village close to the Arctic Circle in Lapland, Sweden.

For more information, please visit:www.laplandvuollerim.se

A sample of activities:- The 1,000 Ice Lanterns’ Festival, first weekin February

- Horseback riding in the midnight sun,June to July

- Forest Sami Safari, May to October- Cloudberry Festival, August- Moose hunt, September to November- Skiing behind a horse, November to April- Blue Lights Festival, December

An unexplored pearl in Swedish Lapland

ByLinneaDunne

|Photos:LaplandVuollerim



“I’ve always been into paddling,” says Blad,founder of High Coast Experience. “Myolder brother and I used to go canoeingfrom our home in Uppsala through Stock-holm and out into the Baltic Sea, when Iwas only ten or eleven. We’d pack our ca-noe full of tinned food and head off withour lifejackets and amap. It was fantastic.”

Years later, as a member of the kayakclub in Härnösand, he spotted a gap in themarket as people phoned up asking tohire kayaks, and so High Coast Experi-ence was born. “This is the ideal spot forkayaking, so it didn’t make sense to sendpeople elsewhere. I invested in a couple ofkayaks, and it grew from there.”

Welcoming veterans and amateurs alike,Blad has put together a handful of kayak-

ing tours that present the rolling land-scape of roaring mountains, green forestsand a dramatic coastline. Experiencedkayakers can hire equipment and getdropped off to go on their own five- to ten-day adventure along the wild coast, while

less confident explorers can take thecalmer route down the Ångerman Riverfrom Sollefteå.

Beginners are joined by qualified tourleaders who adapt the trips according toage and fitness. “The High Coast is one ofthe most beautiful parts of Sweden, butit’s surprisingly unknown,” says Bladabout the area, which is included on UN-ESCO’s World Heritage List due to itsunique geology, with cliffs burstingstraight out of the sea, a souvenir of thelast glaciation. “With Sweden’s Right ofPublic Access and a fantastic coastlinethat is still reasonably untouched, this isa great way to unwind in nature.”

Kayakers either set up tent whereverseems appropriate or check in at a localbed and breakfast or holiday cottage, andvisitors who want to spend a night in a ho-tel in the city of Härnösand can get Blad’shelp with that too. In fact, there is notmuch he will not do for his guests. “Forthose who want to stay on dry land, wehave now started to arrange trekkingtours as well,” he smiles.

With dramatic mountains crashing into the Gulf of Bothnia, and the majestic Ånger-man River running through deep, green forests, the area around Härnösand is oneparticularly well suited to exploration by kayak. Water lover and experienced pad-dler Lars Blad makes it possible, with the family-run High Coast Experience.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: High Coast Experience

Kayaking through the mostbeautiful part of Sweden

For more information, please visit:www.highcoastexperience.se



Östergötland has Sweden’s southernmostwilderness, with enormous woodlands andhuge altitude differences, lending itself toadventures and fun for the whole family.Nature tourism is in focus, and visitorscan really take advantage of what motherearth has to offer. Do a spot of bird watch-ing at Lake Tåkern, which has watchtow-ers facing all four cardinal directions, or gohiking or bicycling along one of the manypathways at Omberg, the holy mountain ofÖstergötland. The colours of the foliageare stunning at this time of year, andguided tours are available.

With thousands of lakes, you can even rentyour own lake for pleasure fishing and en-joy the peace of the untouched waters.Why not go kayaking in the archipelago onthe east coast, among its 9,000 islets?

Horseback riding on the plains is anotherpopular activity. For something quieter,engage in some mushroom and berrypicking, perfect for the autumn season.

The main cities of Linköping and Norr-köping add a touch of culture and a cityvibe for those who are looking for excite-ment. This embodies the allure of this partof Sweden: the contrast of city life and na-ture. The famous Göta Kanal runs throughthe county, spanning 190 kilometres ofwaterways along its 58 locks, with variousattractions, activities and events along theway.

For a stay out of the ordinary, spend anight at Urnatur, bathe in a wood-fired hottub under the stars and sleep among thetreetops, at this hotel which was awarded

the Grand Travel Tourism Award’s Eco-tourism Prize for 2012. For those moretraditionally minded, there is GjestgifveriSommarhagen or Ombergs Turisthotell,which has been listed in the White Guidesince 2008. Ecologically grown and locallyfarmed produce is characteristic of thisarea as is eco-friendly accommodation.

Just two hours from Stockholm lies the county of Östergötland, where city andnature meet to create an unparalleled combination of sights and activities for thediscerning traveller. It is the ideal autumn retreat to soak up some culture whilstcaring for the environment.

By Ulrika Osterlund | Photos: Visit Östergötland

City pulse and naturalattractions in one package

For more information, please visit:www.visitostergotland.sewww.naturguidning.sewww.ostkustenkajak.sewww.urnatur.sewww.hotelsommarhagen.sewww.ombergsturisthotell.sewww.trollmarker.se

Ombergs Turisthotell

Omberg

Gjestgifveri Sommerhagen

Urnatur



Sweden's largest archipelago consists of30,000 islands, islets and rocks. Some arelonely and uninhabited, while others fea-ture housing, restaurants and hotels. Theinner archipelago is home to lush greenislands, and further out, you will findsmooth bare rocks in front of an openhorizon.

“The foundation protects the archipel-ago's amazing environments of varyingcharacter, carefully managing access to

an increasing number of new visitors. It'san exciting challenge,” says Lena Nyberg.

A transformation

Nyberg, a former Children's Ombudsman,was appointed as a director of the foun-dation in 2010.

Founded in 1959, the organisation under-went a transformation in 1998, whenStockholm City Council handed over theirowned land. This meant that virtually all

publicly owned land in the archipelago ofinterest for outdoor recreation and con-servation was gathered under one princi-pality. Skärgårdsstiftelsen owns some12,000 hectares, equating to 12% of allland in the Stockholm archipelago, in-cluding around buildings.

The foundation supports agriculture,forestry, building, sanitation, conserva-tion, youth hostels, restaurants and natu-ral harbours.

Developing the archipelago

“There are roughly forty rangers workingon sanitation and environmental protec-tion, and thanks to the efforts of the foun-dation and its 24,000 supporters, visitors

Skärgårdsstiftelsen is a foundation with a mission to open opportunities for all peo-ple to experience and enjoy Stockholm’s archipelago, while maintaining the coun-tryside and promoting the development of the area.

By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photos: Anna Björkman/Skärgårdsstiftelsen

Preserving the natural beautyof Stockholm’s archipelago



get the chance to see, for example, an ar-ray of protected wildlife, including eagles,owls and seals,” says Nyberg.

“We want to be informative and pass onknowledge about our operations, includ-ing everything from environmental policy,conservation and tourism, to agriculturalorganization, development and gover-nance. We also hope that we can attractmore visitors to our sites in the archipel-ago,” says Nyberg.

“The need for sponsors and businesspartners is important, and we are reach-ing out our hands to business leaders andentrepreneurs that would like to be part ofhelping us develop our beautiful andunique archipelago,” Lena Nyberg ex-plains.

The Archipelago Foundation

You can become a Friend of the Archipel-ago Foundation, which costs 300 SEK a

year and that includes a book and amem-ber’s magazine, as well as the opportunityto join exclusive guided trips. A familymembership costs 375 SEK.

Another more recent focus has been toengage the younger generation residingin the archipelago, discovering what theywant to change in order to retain interestin the area. Having recently received EUfunding for this youth project, the foun-dation will provide outreach activitythrough various seminars and confer-ences.

Children in focus

“To focus on children and young people isimportant in many ways. Childrenmust beable to influence their environment, and itis important to captivate the interest ofour future audience. We want to continueto engage people who care about the ar-chipelago and to develop it for future vis-itors,” says Lena Nyberg.

“Hundreds of thousands of visitors areamazed by this unique environment everyyear, with many of them international vis-itors. They are amazed by Sweden’s law,giving everyone the right to roam free inthe wild,” Nyberg says. “Translated as‘everyman's right’, it’s one of Sweden'sfour fundamental laws; a beautiful thingthat has a huge impact on our wellbeing.”

For more information, please visit:www.skargardsstiftelsen.se

Photo: Ulrika Palmblad

Photo: Ulrika Palmblad

Lena Nyberg, director of Skärgårdsstiftelsen



Taking a walk on the roofs of the historicbuildings at Riddarholmen in the Old Citymight sound a little nerve-racking, butcoordinator Veerle Schrovens reassuresus that it is completely safe. The groupsare never larger than eleven people andare accompanied by two guides equippedwith a great knowledge of Stockholm aswell as sets of security equipment. “Once

you get used to it, there is nothing to it,and it is a unique experience. In no othercapital city do you get this opportunity.”

Personal tours

It is important for Upplev Mer that everyvisitor gets the most from the rooftopwalks. The guides are therefore chosenbased on what kind of group they are tak-

ing out. For Swedes, they go a little morein depth than they do for visitors fromother countries. A group from Britain willlearn about the Brits’ relationship withSweden. And a group of architects will geta tour focusing on buildings rather thanhistoric events. “We also organise toursfor two persons, where we can be evenmore personal and flexible,” Schrovenssays. “It can be beautiful to be on the topof the roofs in the sunset. We have wit-nessed proposals on several occasions,all with successful outcomes, not verysurprisingly.”

Stockholm from aboveSince 2007, visitors to Stockholm have been able to enjoy a breathtaking view of thecity, from the rooftops. Unique in the world, “Upplev Mer” (Experience more) offersguided tours, on which you can learn about the city from above.

For more information, please visit:www.upplevmer.se

The county focuses on sustainable tourism,and several companies have been certi-fied with the quality label “Nature's Best”.A fine example is the town of Järvsö, work-ing actively and purposefully to becomeSweden's first sustainable destination.

Erika Larsson is project manager at Re-gion Gävleborg and is in charge of a three-year long EU-funded project which aimsto stimulate the development of tourismwithin the county during 2011-2013. ”Inthis project, we are working with an in-creasing number of export mature pro-ducts, bringing them to an internationalmarket,” she says.

The area has a proud history both inforestry and agriculture; both have left a

clear legacy environmentally and cultur-ally.

“We often refer to the area as a naturalplayground which appeals to the Swedishlifestyle: an exciting blend of old and newculture. The town of Gävle, for example,has a rich cultural scene encompassingart,music and theatre,” says Erika Larsson.

The highly popular Millennium film trilogybased on the books by author Stieg Lars-son was partly filmed in the area, and thevillage of Segersta in the province of Häl-singland was where the movie The Girlwith the Dragon Tattoo was based. TheSegersta Bridge is now known as the "Mil-lennium Bridge”. Gävle is home to awhiskey distillery called Mackmyra; it of-

fers guided tours and is proud of its her-itage and a more recent appearance inone of the film adaptions of Larsson'sbooks. Gävleborg is roughly 170 kilome-tres north of the Swedish capital.

The county of Gävleborg offers a wealth of natural experiences from the extreme tothe gentle. Discover Sweden's densest population of bears, a beautiful coastline dot-ted with picturesque fishing villages and lush green countryside, all in close proxim-ity to Stockholm by train and car.

For more information, please visit:www.mid-sweden.com

Gävleborg: A Natural Playground

Take a tour from the top

Cost: Group tour 525SEK, Private tour,two persons 2,500 SEKDuration: The tour lasts one hour andfifteen minutes.To consider: Read the requirements onthe website before registering.

ByAnneMargretheMannerfelt|Photos:UpplevMer

ByEm

elieKruglyHill|Photos:RegionGävleborg

Mackmyra whiskey distillery

Engsholms Castle is a family-run confer-ence and meeting place for which CEOKerstin Johansson is the third genera-tion. For many years, the family has run allrestaurants at the Stockholm Interna-tional Fairs and is from July this year alsomanaging all restaurants in StockholmCity Hall, including the Nobel festivities. Apersonal family feeling is important forall their undertakings.

Feel at home

Engsholm does not have the typical hotelreception. When entering, you step rightinto the hallway and are greeted by the ho-tel owner. “Engsholm is unique for many

reasons,” Johansson says. “We are one ofthe few conference castles by the BalticSea, and our surroundings are famous fortheir rich and unique animal and birdlife.But most important is our high level ofservice and quality.”

Take a stroll in the park or why not be aSwedish James Bond for a day?

Engsholms Castle has 53 rooms, modernconference facilities, and a top-classrestaurant, serving game and ecologicaldelicacies from local providers. The hoteland restaurant both have the Nordic ecolabel and are also members of IACC, In-ternational Hotel and Conference Associ-

ation. One of the most special featuresabout the castle is the beautiful park. Justtaking a stroll is a treat. The hotel also of-fers activities such as boat trips and hunt-ing excursions. Recently, the castle washome to a large Swedish film production.“A movie about the Swedish equivalent ofJames Bond, Hamilton, was recently shothere. On that theme, we are offering anadventurous activity, for which visitors canbecome Hamilton for a day.” EngsholmsCastle provides the settings for any meet-ing, whether it is a conference for 60 peo-ple or just a meeting for two. “We are keento make every meeting a success,” Jo-hansson says. “We will arrange the logis-tics, activities and menus, suited to theneeds of our guests, so that they can feelrelaxed and focus on the meeting.”


Swedish Autumn Getaways | Green Conference Venues

Engsholms Castle was built in 1916, but the history dates back to the 14th century. Itis located on the island of Mörkö by the Baltic Sea, only a 45-minute drive fromStockholm. When driving up the linden alley, you are met by a castle with 16th cen-tury architecture, reminding you of grand times when noble families lived in the cas-tle, strolled around the park and went hunting in the forests. The atmosphere givesenergy and inspiration to any meeting.

By Anne Margrethe Mannerfelt | Photos: Engsholms Castle

Feel at home in a castle environment

For more information, please visit:www.engsholm.se

Left: The library (Photo: Åke E:son Lindman). Middle top: Engholms Castle. Below: CEO Kerstin Johansson. Right: The dining hall (Photo: Åke E:son Lindman).



You could say that Sånga-Säby is its ownecosystem, completely carbon neutralsince 2007, according to the Respect Eu-rope programme, and the first ever Nordichotel to be approved by eco label Svanen.With only 0.47kg CO2 emissions per guestper night, the environment is consideredin every decision made by sales directorTörnroth and his colleagues.

For the love of food

The head chef is the heart and soul of theplace and a real perfectionist. “It’s got tothe stage where our suppliers always dou-ble-check themeat before delivering it, asthey know we’ll return anything that isn’tperfect,” says Törnroth. “Food is so im-portant when it comes to conferencing.”That is why conference guests enjoy a

choice of eight different wholesome sal-ads alongside meat, fish and a vegetarianoption, and sometimes even a soup – andthat is only for lunch!

The breakfast buffet is just as impressiveand a good reason to set the alarm niceand early. Choose from a wide range offreshly-baked breads with plenty of top-pings, juices and fruit, and finish off witha fluffy pastry. At dinner time, the restau-rant always serves up a three-coursemeal, and wine enthusiasts can book a

wine tasting session, either as a substitutefor an aperitif or as an event on its own.

Brand new extension and modernisingmission

Unsurprisingly, this eco haven does notlimit its environmental awareness to itskitchen. A brand new wing with 72 dou-ble rooms is currently in the making,due to open its doors in August, andmodernity is paramount to this build: notonly will the water of lake Mälaren beutilised, but solar and geothermal heat-ing will also be looked at. In fact, noteven the lobby and the other parts of themain building will escape the hammer,as Sånga-Säby is going all in on its mod-ernising mission.

Yet another part of the eco-consciousnessis an insistence on unparalleled waste re-cycling. While most Swedish homes di-vide their rubbish into five different cate-gories of waste, Sånga-Säby uses 47. “Youhave no idea how many different types ofplastic there are,” Törnroth explains. Andin fairness to them, the organisation’sstubbornness has had a spill-over effect,with the local council having adapted in

There is a history behind Sånga-Säby Hotell & Konferens that is far more importantthan the names of the people who have worked there or what is behind the walls ofits beautiful old manor house. Founded and owned by the National Farmers’ Associ-ation (LRF), this is a conference centre that puts green, local thinking first. “You un-derstand what we mean when you stand on our big balcony, looking over the lakeMälaren and drinking its water, purified and carbonated by us just to avoid the waste-ful transportation of bottled water,” says Anders Törnroth.

By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Sånga-Säby

Carbon-neutral conferencingwith great food and focus

“You sleep well, eatwell, and can take a calming,re-energising break in naturewhenever you need it, and asa result, you work well.”



order to take care of the carefully sepa-rated waste.

All-round concept for heart and soul

Being one with nature is not all about foodand recycling, of course. As Törnroth in-sists: “This is a lovely, peaceful place to be,both physically and mentally. When I’vebeen in town for meetings, I always reallyfeel the urge to get back.” This might bewhy conference guests at Sånga-Säby tendto make the most of their visit, most oftenchoosing to spend the night but alwaysmaking sure that there is enough time fora run in the woods or even some canoeing.

An old barn, a remnant of the mansion’sfarming past, makes the perfect spot forteam-building exercises like cowboy bat-tles and other competitions, and a saunadown by the water makes a quick dip inthe lake a possibility all year round. Evenmore advanced activities, such as clay pi-geon shooting, can be arranged on re-quest, and for rainy days, there are al-ways indoor activities.

Conferencing with focus

Close enough to Stockholm city centre tobe described as handy, the venue is still asafe distance away from shopping cen-tres and pubs and other distractions. Witheverything you need in one place, you canbe sure that all conference participants’attention will be 100 per cent on gettingthe job done. “You sleep well, eat well,and can take a calming, re-energisingbreak in nature whenever you need it, andas a result, you work well,” says Törn-roth, who says that guests are treatedmore like family than like customers.

As for your carbon footprint, there barelyis one. From August on, Sånga-Säby willbe able to boast a capacity of 264 beds andan auditorium seating up to 250 people atonce, all with a perfectly clean conscience.In the name of all the environmentalstamps of approval they have already got,it seems fair to say that they are prettymuch unique in that way.

For more information, please visit:www.sanga-saby.se


Swedish Autumn Getaways | Weekend Getaways



There is so muchmore to explore and dis-cover in Sweden than the big cities. FromWallander’s Ystad in the south to wilder-ness adventures in the north - and every-thing in between! Staying at one of Coun-tryside Hotels’ properties on the Swedishcountryside means that you have a wide

range of experiences to choose fromwhileon a romantic getaway in our amazingcountry: horseback riding, a round of golf,a painting or gardening class, a romanticboat trip with a picnic basket, a moose sa-fari, cross-country or downhill skiing, gal-leries andmuseums, relaxing spas, taking

long unwinding walks… The list is longand only your imagination is the limit. Or,if you prefer, you can just stay in yourroom!

Countryside Hotels’ 38 hotels are found infairy-tale castles, impressive manorhouses, welcoming guesthouses andcharming inns in the Swedish country-side. Passionate owners who take greatpride in their lifework run them all. And allof them serve great food. That is theessence of Countryside Hotels.

Past the impressive trees lining the alley, you can see the fairy-tale castle where youwill be staying. Oh, how you have been looking forward to this weekend. Welcomingpersonnel see you to your room. You pour a glass of the chilled champagne, run a bathand slip into the hot water. Youmake a toast to each other and talk about life until thewater feels cool and it is time to get ready and dress for dinner in the main diningroom. Your romantic getaway has only just started and the whole weekend lies aheadof you.

Text and photos by Countryside Hotels

Romantic Getawaysin the Swedish countryside

Read more about Countryside Hotelsat www.countrysidehotels.se

Weekend Getaways Introduction:



The hotel is family run and situated in theheart of the Swedish capital, only a fewminutes’ walk from Östermalm square,the metro station, famous food halls, and,of course, numerous shops and restau-rants.

“The service we provide is personal; wegenuinely care about our clients and arekeen to get to know them. Every week,guests are invited to our Tuesday club, of-fering various events and a chance for usto mingle,” says revenuemanager HelenaForsberg.

Mornington Hotel went through a majorrenovation in 2010 and has an elegant yetmodern, as well as bright and cosy inte-rior and colour scheme. Books play a big

part in this hotel, resulting in an intimatelibrary style decor that is carried throughinto the guestrooms.

“Our owners have a great interest inbooks, and all of the 4,000 volumes havebeen handpicked. We also have a librarianwho visits us once a week to take care ofthe books, both in the lobby and in all ofour guestrooms," says Helena Forsberg.

The hotel comprises 221 rooms with threeprice brackets: normal, superior and ex-ecutive. If you were to choose the superioroption, for example, a bathrobe and slip-pers are included along with access tothe Health Club, and you will receive freecoffee and dessert, while dining in therestaurant. If you book an executive room,

you can also enjoy a special evening mealwith free coffee and dessert. The restau-rant offers Nordic food at its finest, fo-cusing on locally produced meat, usingonly the best ingredients and makingeverything from scratch, and also offers awide range of wines from every corner ofthe world.

“In the summer months, we open our se-cret patio where our guests can enjoybreakfast and drinks,” says Forsberg.

“The breakfast is an important featurewhen you stay in a hotel, and we try tohave a great variety to meet as manywishes as possible. All of our jam, muesliand pancakes are homemade, and thejuices are freshly squeezed,” explains He-lena Forsberg.

All guestrooms are equipped with a bath-room and shower, desk, chair or sofa,hairdryer, TV, kettle for tea & coffee andtoiletries from FACE Stockholm. WirelessInternet and breakfast are always in-cluded in the rates.

At first you might think that you are stepping into a private house, as the first thingsthat will catch your eye are some of the 4,000 books that the four-star Mornington Ho-tel in Stockholm has handpicked for their guests.

By Emelie Krugly Hill | Photos: Mornington Hotel

Mornington Hotel:Your home base in Stockholm

For more information, please visit:www.mornington.se/stockholm



In Värmland, you are always close to thenature. The paths and welcoming guidesmake it accessible for anyone to experi-ence the deep forests and magnificentlakes that have been an inspiration to writ-ers and musicians for hundreds of years.Today, Värmland is a popular getawayfrom hectic city life as well as a destinationfor people looking for that balance in life.Cajsa Jansson, coordinator for RegionVärmland was born and raised in Värm-land. Today, she tells the world about whata great place it is to visit and live in.

Nobel next door

It is not only the famous Nobel prize-win-ner Selma Lagerlöf who came fromVärmland. Alfred Nobel himself spent the

last years of his life at the country man-sion, Björkborns Herrgård, in Karlskoga,Värmland. Today, there is amuseum therewhere visitors can learn more about thelife of the great inventor. Värmland stillhas close ties to Nobel. Jansson tells usabout the very special Klässbols LinenMill: “At the mill, you can get your owntop-quality linen cloths that have beendecorating the tables at the Nobel AwardCeremony as well as the Swedish andNorwegian embassies around the world.”

Back to nature

In Värmland, you can easily escape from ahectic everyday life at one of the manycountry mansions. Or if you prefer a moreactive getaway, you can go skiing or kayak

at Vänern, Europe’s third largest lake.Jansson tells us that water is never faraway. For example, next to the lake “Elden”you find the Nature Village. “Here, you canlive in a nest up in the trees and cook yourdinner over an open fire. The plates you eatfrom are made from the trees and arethrown into the fire when you are done.”The people in Värmland know how to ap-preciate the treasure they have in theirnature and heritage. Region Värmlandworks towards providing future genera-tions with the same beauty that has in-spired and given comfort to generations.

Värmland has a long tradition of storytellers. Literature Nobel prize-winner SelmaLagerlöf is perhaps the most famous internationally. Her stories are filled with vividnature descriptions giving life to the mystical forests and lakes. It is easy for any vis-itor to see where the inspiration came from.

By Anne Margrethe Mannerfelt | Photos: Leif Silversund

Deep forests and beautiful viewsinspire in Värmland

For more information, please visit:www.varmland.se/en/visit

Photo:ØyvindLund



Fryksås Hotel, located by the lakes Orsaand Siljan, is run by the Schröder andKarlsson families. Here visitors find a per-fect match of history and modern hotelstandards. In the old days, women farm-ers used to bring their cattle up to thegreen hills in the summer. There they livedin cottages, “fäbodar”, producing dairyproducts. These cottages are now usedby Fryksås Hotel to lodge visitors from allaround the world.

Top restaurant with view of Siljan

Fryksås restaurant has amagnificent viewoverlooking the lakes. Their speciality is

local game delicacies. Ulla Karlsson andher team keep busy all year round withweddings, conferences, family holidays,friend trips and couples looking for a get-away.

Bears, skiing, mushrooms and culture

There is plenty to do right next to the ho-tel. In the winters, skiing is the main ac-tivity, and in the summers, people come tohike in the unique nature. Towards theautumn, mushroom picking is very popu-lar. At nearby Grönklitt, you can go skiingand see bears living in their natural habi-tat. In the summers, visitors come to not

only enjoy the nature but also visit art mu-seums and theatres. “The culture is stillvery much alive; young teenagers stilllearn the old tunes on their violins. It isembedded in the souls of the peoplehere,” Karlsson says.

For more information, please visit:www.fryksashotell.se

Tradition and modern life atFryksås Hotel, DalarnaIt is hard to find anythingmore Swedish than Dalarna. It is here that the famous “Dala-horses” aremade. Folkmusic is not just an ancient history lesson; it is lived every dayand shared by generations.

By Anne Margrethe Mannerfelt | Photos: Fryksås Hotel

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