Sweden

North of the Arctic Circle lies Sweden, the fourth largest country in Europe. Sweden is a long country, divided into Norrland, Svealand and Gotaland. Across Sweden adventure travel opportunities are provided by its fantastic landscape. It’s natural if you live in a country which has some of Europe’s last surviving areas of wilderness, to be passionate about all the outdoor activities in Sweden and have a love for nature and the outdoors.

Sweden offers an immense range of activities from fishing to snowboarding, and even dog sledding! All over the country are charming towns and cities bursting with fascinating museums and great restaurants. A country with a vibrant history, a landscape offering a wealth of opportunities and a climate to be in wonder of certainly presents a challenging task of finding a better holiday destination.

Host to a remarkably varied landscape, Sweden incorporates dense forests, wonderful island getaways, idyllic lakes and snow-capped mountains. Climatically, a Sweden adventure travel holiday can be split between regions: the north and the south. Due to its unique geographical position you can experience the full range of the weather in just one visit, most notably in autumn or spring.

Southern Sweden enjoys warm summers and cold, cloudy winters without snow. In northern Sweden winters get more severe the further north you travel, and temperatures fall well below zero. The summer’s outdoor activities in Sweden are unique as you’ll have virtually continuous daylight for several weeks between May and July. This is then the perfect setting for letting the adventurer in you out!

When visiting Sweden you should really focus on one of three areas (the country cannot be explored in a hurry, and you wouldn’t want to). Svealand is a land of green islands and glittering bays, stunning castles and wonderful wooden towns. Its heritage predates the Vikings. Stockholm is at the centre of this great region, and is home to one third of SwedenÍs population! Take a boat trip through the archipelago which envelops tens of thousands of islands of all shapes and sizes, some inhabited, others not. Stockholm is the most beautiful European city and is the culture capital of Sweden. It certainly necessitates a look.

If you would like to experience the phenomenon of the midnight sun and Northern Lights, then head to Norrland. It is a vast and almost untouched region. The Norrbotten archipelago is renowned for being the sunniest place in the country and its beach resorts lure holidaymakers every year. Explore more cultural outdoor activities in Sweden when you visit Lappland where you’ll and learn about the Sami culture of reindeer herding, hunting and fishing. Here you will also find plenty of adventure sports to thrill the senses.

Gotaland is most known for its gentle, undulating landscape. Interesting as a stop off on a Sweden adventure travel holiday as you’ll notice that it has retained a Danish atmosphere. Many castles and manor houses that feature in the countryside were built by the Danish nobility. Gothenburg is Sweden’s seafaring city and its maritime past is still ever present in its streets. The history of this city and its architecture is spectacular. In the past, this was the starting point of an adventure for many Swedes. So why not begin your journey here, and feel the excitement and buzz before you embark on your own itinerary of outdoor activities in Sweden?

Since the late 1980s, the most unusual, and least permanent, hotel in Sweden has returned early every winter to the steps near the iron mines of Jukkasjarvi, Kiruna. It is the biggest ice hotel in the world and the most famous one too. Enjoy a couple of shots of coldest blue vodka by the Ice Bar and a night in a self-made igloo – an experience like no other.

Swedes like to enjoy what their country has to offer to the fullest, so why shouldnt you? Take to the water in Varmland region and float down the river Klaralven on a raft! Go ice fishing in northern Sweden! Peak season starts in April. Make sure you obtain a license first though.

Sweden is a magical and mystical country, through Sweden adventure travel lovers might notice the country foster a multitude of pagan traditions to celebrate the coming and going of seasons. Legends, folklore and many mythical beings are part of its national identity. To partake in these festivities is to allow yourself to get lost in Sweden, it truly will be a wonderful experience so don’t hold back as you don’t need a permit to fish here.