You are currently browsing the category archive for the 'Swedish Culture' category.
The word “sauna” comes from Finnish and is often associated with Finland, where it is certainly a central feature of the culture. But the tradition of sauna (or “bastu” in Swedish) is also very important in Swedish society. It is also an ever-popular activity for travellers on holiday in Sweden!
Saunas are found in many private houses in Sweden, and are also a common feature in log cabins available for hire or at mountain stations during for example, an extended dog sledding or hiking tour. Plunging into a cold lake or rolling in the snow before retreating to the warmth of the sauna is a truly unique and invigorating experience!
The development of the sauna
Evidence of the first saunas in Finland date back to around the 5th century. At their earliest beginnings, saunas were hollows in the side of a slope, containing a fireplace with heated stones. Steam was produced by throwing water onto the stones.
The advent of the industrial revolution led to saunas being constructed as wooden buildings heated by metal stoves, reaching temperatures of 90 degrees C or higher. Due to the availability of hot water and hygienic nature of its interior, the sauna became a popular place for women to give birth. The sauna traditionally also has spiritual connotations – a place for worshipping the dead, healing illnesses and even casting love spells!
The modern sauna
Today, saunas are either wood-fired (still the option favoured by many sauna lovers) or heated by an electric stove. Sauna still plays a very important part in the cultures of Sweden and Finland, as well as many other countries – you will often find a group of friends sharing an evening together in the sauna with a crate of beer (though note that alcohol should be consumed with extreme caution in saunas, due to the risks associated with accident and dehydration!).
The perceived temperature inside the sauna can be varied in one of three main ways:
- By throwing water onto the heater, creating steam, raising the level of humidity and making the body produce more sweat.
- Sitting lower or higher when in the sauna (as heat rises, it is considerably hotter on the upper bench!)
- Increasing the duration spent inside the sauna.
Those unused to taking sauna may find that temperatures and durations favoured by locals unbearable! It is important to be aware of your body and to expose yourself to temperatures and durations and that you find pleasant and comfortable.
Do I need to be naked?
Not necessarily! Family members or groups of friends will very commonly take sauna together unclothed or with just a towel – nudity in saunas in Sweden and Finland is of a distinctly non-sexual nature. Public saunas in Sweden are often single-sex, and in other public areas such as mountain stations, it is common to take your sauna wearing a swimsuit.
Taking a sauna after a long day in the Swedish outdoors is the perfect tonic for tired muscles and guaranteed to lift the spirits! Nature Travels offers a number of holidays in Sweden featuring sauna facilities, from our Log Cabin Escape in Värmland to Northern Lights Dog Sledding in Lapland.
Best regards
The Nature Travels Team
Relaxing with a cold beer or glass or wine after a hard day’s paddling on one of our self-guided canoe tours in Värmland or hiking tours in the mountains of Lapland is one of life’s little pleasures. But you may find it harder than you think! In this series of FAQs, we look at some of the questions most frequently asked by our clients regarding Systembolaget – the Swedish national chain of off-licences.
What is Systembolaget?
Systembolaget is a nationwide, government-owned chain of off-licences in Sweden. Systembolaget stores are the only places in Sweden apart from bars, restaurants and night-clubs where strong alcoholic beverages can be purchased.
When was Systembolaget introduced?
In the second half of the 18th century, following a series of unsuccessful attempts to regulate the consumption of alcohol in Sweden, all restrictions were removed by the king. This led to a rapid increase in the consumption and home production of alcohol. In 1830, the first society for moderation in drinking was started in Stockholm, and in 1850 alcohol first began to be regulated by the state. During and following the First World War, strict rationing was in place with the quantities of alcohol which could be purchased limited. This was abolished in 1955 when Systembolaget stores were introduced. In 1965 private stores were permitted to sell beer up to 4.5% abv, but this was reduced to 3.5% in 1977 following a dramatic rise in beer consumption.
Does Systembolaget have a monopoly?
Yes. In June 2007 an EU panel of judges ruled that Systembolaget’s shop monopoly was justified, though did lift restrictions on the private import of alcohol.
Why is Systembolaget allowed to be only chain of off-licences in Sweden?
A number of regulations govern how Systembolaget stores are operated. One major reason for the monopoly being permitted is to enforce the minimum age law. Also, Systembolaget stores are prohibited from favouring particular brands, which in theory leads to a fairer choice for the consumer. Systembolaget can promote itself, but not individual products. All products are taxed on alcohol content rather than price, and all are sold with the same profit margin. Another advantage sometimes cited is that the enormous bulk buying power of the Systembolaget chain helps to keep prices down – Systembolaget is one of the largest buyers of wines and spirits in the world. Staff are well-trained and often surprisingly knowledgeable about the products on sale.
When are Systembolaget shops open?
Opening hours have been extended in some places in recent years. In larger centres, Systembolaget stores may be open Monday-Saturday, perhaps until 7pm on weekdays and 3pm on Saturdays. In smaller towns, opening hours may be restricted to weekdays and/or office hours only. In remote areas and small villages, the local store often operates as an extension of Systembolaget, where orders can be placed in advance for collection on particular days of the week
How do I buy alchohol in Systembolaget?
In some stores you can choose products off the shelf yourself as you would at the supermarket to pay at the till. In other stores, available example products are displayed behind glass cabinets. You write down the codes of the products you would like to purchase, take your order to the cash point and the assistant will fetch your items from the stores.
What is the legal age to buy alcohol in Sweden?
To buy alcohol at Systembolaget you must be aged 20 years or over. To buy alcohol in a bar or restaurant you must be 18.
Do Swedish supermarkets sell alcohol?
Yes, but only beer up to Klass II or “folköl” (“people’s beer”), max. strength 3.5% abv. Stronger beers and other alcoholic beverages must be bought at Systembolaget.
Is alcohol in Sweden expensive?
Generally yes, but not always. Sweden certainly has a reputation for high prices for alcohol. In general, prices for beer, wine and spirits in Swedish bars and restaurants are likely to be higher than in the UK.
However, Systembolaget has a very wide selection to suit a range of tastes and budgets. Prices for a bottle of wine start from around 60 SEK (about £5). As products are taxed on alcohol content rather than price, some products can be quite competitively priced relative to the international market.
Light beers (up to 3.5% abv) are sold in supermarkets and are usually very affordably priced.
Can I recycle cans and bottles in Sweden?
Yes. The price for all beer and other drinks cans includes “pant” or deposit, which will be refunded if you return the empty cans to a recycling station. Most supermarkets have a station outside the store, where you feed in your cans and then get a receipt which you can take to the till to exchange for cash or use as a discount on purchases. Don’t squash the cans! The machines will only accept them if they are intact. The same system also applies to plastic PET bottles.
The Systembolaget monopoly and restricted opening hours can seem strange to visitors from overseas, but in many ways the system functions very well. Provided you plan ahead and check local opening times, there is no reason why you should not be able to enjoy a glass of wine or cold beer after a day of outdoor activities in Sweden!
Best regards
The Nature Travels Team
For British people, the term “outside loo” is something strongly associated with a way of life from our parents’ or even grandparents’ generations, conjuring visions of portly housewives in aprons, working men in cloth caps and children with shorts and grubby knees braving biting winds to scurry down to the bottom of the garden and “spend a penny”. It is an anachronism from a time when families gathered around the “wireless” for evening entertainment, prices were reckoned in shillings and baths were taken in a tin tub in the living room on a Friday night.
But in Sweden, a country at the very forefront of modern communications technology and with one of the highest standards of living in the world, the outside toilet or “utedass” is still very much alive and well and an essential part of Swedish outdoor life.
As we discussed in our article on Swedish summer houses, many Swedes have access to a cabin in the country which is regularly used at weekends and during holidays, and while most will have running water for cooking or washing, a great many of these summer houses will have outside toilets. This “old-fashioned” style of living which characterises the typical Swedish summer house is not only often a necessity dictated by the remoteness of the cabins and the physical distance to services such as mains water pipes, but for many Swedes is an integral part of the nature experience, a chance to escape the trappings of the modern life and take pleasure in a simpler way of living.
As a result, the “utedass”, or dry compost toilet, remains a central feature of modern Sweden.
For visitors from overseas, asking for the loo and being directed to a small wooden shack in the forest can bring on a minor attack of culture shock. But there is no need to be concerned – Swedish dry toilets are a much pleasanter experience than you might expect!
When travelling to one of Nature Travels’ holidays in Sweden, you may encounter outside toilets on experiences such as our Romantic Adventure in Forest Log Cabin and Forest Weekend with Elk and Beaver Safari or at one of the mountain cabins on our extended dog sledding tours. Here are some of the questions we are sometimes asked regarding the Swedish outdoor toilet:
Are “utedass” found only in Sweden?
No, but they are particularly characteristic of and strongly associated with summer houses and remote cabins in Sweden.
Are Swedish outdoor toilets comfortable?
Many summer house owners go to great lengths to make the “lilla huset” or “little house” as comfortable and pleasant as possible, decorating the inside of the cabin with flowers and photographs, thoughtfully providing books and magazines and even using polystyrene toilet seats to ensure exposed bottoms do not get cold!
Do Swedish outdoor toilets smell?
In many toilets you will find a bucket of earth or compost and a small cup, which should be used to sprinkle a covering of earth over the waste once you have finished. This not only helps the composting process but also controls odours. As a result, Swedish dry toilets should smell earthy but not unpleasant. In general, modern chemical toilets of the kind found at music festivals or public events are likely to have a much more unpleasant and aggressive odour.
Is it necessary to use the toilet if you just need to urinate?
Swedish outdoor toilets will generally be found in remote areas, and there is likely to be no-one else around when you need to go to the loo. To minimise odours and also to avoid filling up the toilet so quickly, it is best to use the Utedass mainly for solid waste. For liquid waste, a quick trip to the forest (especially for males) is the preferred solution.
Do all Nature Travels experiences have outdoor toilets?
No! Our log cabins in Sweden are fully equipped with kitchens, showers, flush-toilets etc and furnished to a high-standard. Many of our other Sweden holidays, such as wilderness canoeing, timber rafting or sea kayaking feature wild camping, and on these experiences toilet facilities are not available. You will be given full instructions on how to deal with your toilet waste to ensure that you do not pollute the local environment, create a health hazard or leave any trace for travellers who may come after you.
As well as being a central part of Swedish outdoor life, dry composting toilets are a sustainable, environmentally-friendly alternative to flush toilets, requiring no power or chemicals for their operation and using no water. If you would like more information on composting toilets, including advice on how to build your own, visit the excellent Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales or download one of their factsheets.
Best regards
The Nature Travels Team
The word “sommarstuga” in Sweden is not easy to translate: “summer cabin”, “summer house”, “summer cottage”, or “holiday cottage” all come close, but none quite sum up the spirit of the Swedish sommarstuga.
In the UK, it is considered a mark of comparative affluence to have a “holiday home”, a rural retreat, a weekend bolthole from the stress and overcrowding of urban life. In Sweden, there are around 680,000 summer cabins in the country as a whole. There are around 700,000 families in Sweden with an average of 2 children per family. Given that most summer cabins in Sweden are owned collectively by extended families and handed down from generation to generation, this means that the great majority of the Swedish population has access to a summer cabin and the opportunity to spend their weekends and holidays at their own private “holiday home” in the country.
But whereas a holiday cottage in the UK may, in other hands, serve equally well as a full-time dwelling, the vast majority of Swedish summer houses used by Swedish families (rather than available for hire to visitors) are an altogether simpler affair. Most will have modern conveniences such as electricity and cooking facilities, and perhaps running water in the kitchen area, but indoor toilet facilities are uncommon and showers and baths would be considered a real extravagance!
Instead, Swedish summer cabins generally have a dry outdoor toilet, or “utedass”, located in a small separate wooden building some distance from the house. Waste is collected in buckets and covered over with dry earth to prevent odours and aid rapid composting. When the buckets are full, they can be emptied into a composting area secluded in the forest and later used for compost. The Swedes had been doing eco-friendly composting toilets for generations before such ideas became fashionable in the UK!
Many first-time visitors to Sweden are often surprised to find that Swedish summers are, on average (and of course depending on how far north you travel) warmer and drier than in the UK. By the middle of summer, the lakes and archipelago waters are usually a fresh but very pleasant temperature for bathing and swimming. Most Swedish summer cabins will be located next to water, and it is a familiar morning sight to see a towel-clad Swedish family making their way from their summer cabin down to the water for their morning bathe.
These days, Swedish summer houses are often just that, private holiday retreats used during the warmer periods of the year. Most sommarstugor do not have the insulation required for modern standards during winter time, and so come autumn most families will close up their summer cabin for the winter. In earlier times, the cabins would have been lived in year-round, usually by ancestors involved in farming or forestry.
It sometimes seems as if all Swedes are born with an instinctive aptitude for carpentry, plumbing and electrical work. Certainly the vast majority of summer cabin owners in Sweden will do all necessary repairs and renovation themselves. This means that owning a summer house is a real commitment in terms of time and energy. Most Swedish families will pack up the car and drive out to their summer house (often referred to as going “ute på landet” or “out in the country”) almost every available weekend during the season, and will also spend at least a week or two of their annual holiday out at the summer cabin. It is much more common for Swedish families to take their summer holidays within Sweden than to travel abroad.
The Swedish summer cabin occupies a central place in Swedish cultural life – it is a focus of family leisure time, a demonstration of Sweden’s egalitarian principles where a private holiday home is not just the preserve of the wealthy, and an icon of the Swedish rural idyll with its beautiful landscape of deep forests and clear, sparkling lakes.
Rich or poor, old or young, most Swedes will be spending their summer weekends this year “ute på landet” at their summer cabins, painting the wood-clad houses red and white, picking flowers from the meadows to decorate the table at mealtimes and beginning each day with a refreshing dip in the lake. Summer at the family cabin is a Swedish tradition which harks back to a simpler, more innocent past, but which looks set to continue long into the future.
Best regards
The Nature Travels Team
Nature Travels offers a range of log cabins in Sweden available in both summer and winter. Our simplest log cabin experience in Sweden, Romantic Adventure in Forest Log Cabin, is a unique romantic break available between May and September with simple facilities in a beautiful forest setting. Our other Swedish log cabin experiences, Log Cabin Escape in Värmland and the Northern Comfort Lodge, offer modern facilities and year-round accommodation ideal for families or groups. For an overview of our log cabins in Sweden, see our website at www.naturetravels.co.uk/articles-log-cabin-holidays-in-sweden.htm
Swedish manor houses, or “herrgårdar”, are a unique Swedish cultural institution. These days, many of Sweden’s manor houses offer comfortable, affordable and atmospheric accommodation in beautiful countryside locations.
Each Swedish herrgård has a distinctive character and charm all of its own, offering high-quality accommodation in locations steeped in history. Located on the shores of lakes, on the banks of rivers or surrounded by forest, a Swedish manor house is an idyllic rural retreat and an ideal combination of wilderness and comfort.
As well as the advantages of high-standard accommodation and attractive locations, Sweden’s herrgårdar are renowned for their excellent cuisine, some acquiring an international reputation for the quality for their food.
Nature Travels offers active accommodation at a beautifully-situated Country Manor on the border of the counties of Värmland and Dalarna in western Sweden – a lovely region of deep forests, myriad lakes and rolling hills. With grounds reaching down to the water’s edge, the manor house was built in 1849 by Captain Uggla in what he considered one of the most beautiful spots in the region.
The area’s economic prosperity originally came from power production, making use of the seemingly endless water and forestry resources. But the region’s industrial days are long gone, and these days it is the beauty of the countryside, the tranquility of the setting, and the excellence of the food which attract visitors to the manor.
Your host, Uta, who runs the manor in cooperation with her husband Oscar, has built a well-deserved reputation for the manor as a centre of excellence for Swedish cuisine. Using fresh, locally-sourced, organically-certified produce wherever possible, the menu at the manor will vary according to the seasons. But whatever time of year you visit, the cuisine will be a central part of your experience! Uta herself is a widely-respected chef and her residential cookery courses at the manor are always eagerly-anticipated and enthusiastically received.
Meals at the Country Manor are served in the beautifully-renovated dining rooms, which create an authentic 18th century atmosphere. After dinner, guests (including the ladies!) can retire to what was the gentleman’s smoking room, to relax with an after-dinner drink before a blazing fire.
It is not only the quality of the food at the Country Manor which will surprise you – accommodation is in one of eight two-room “mini-suites” comprising bedroom, living room and en-suite bathroom. The rooms are located in the “Iron House” adjacent to the main manor building.
The manor is ideal for a relaxing get-away-from-it-all break or romantic escape, but for those with a more active visit in mind, the area offers a wealth of opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast. Guests have free access to kayaks and rowing boats for use on the lake, or bikes to explore the surrounding countryside. In the winter, the lake freezes over, making it possible to go skating on natural ice, or you can hire cross country skis and set off into the silent world of the winter forests.
If you are planning a Christmas getaway, the Country Manor offers special packages during December and New Year, including a feast of traditional Swedish Christmas cuisine and fireworks by the lake.
In addition to the standard self-guided activities at the Country Manor, there are a number of additional activities available during the summer. These can be booked on site on request:
Tuesdays – guided nature hiking
Wednesdays – cooking courses run by your hostess
Thursdays – guided fishing
It is also possible to arrange horse-riding or guided birdwatching safaris in the area.
Accommodation at the Country Manor also features in two of our wildlife experiences, Autumn Forest Gold and Dance of the Black Grouse, Call of the Diver. You can even choose to extend your Autumn Forest Gold experience with a weekend of wild mushroom picking, foraging for edible mushrooms in the deep forests before returning to the manor, where Uta will help you turn your forest bounty into a wide range of mouth-watering dishes!
Swedish herrgårdar are a wonderful historical and cultural institution which typify the tranquility, simplicity, eye for design and high standards of cuisine for which Sweden is rightly famous – and the Country Manor in Värmland is one of the loveliest of its kind!
Best regards
The Nature Travels Team
Our Country Manor Multi-activity Getaway experience is available year-round for periods of 1 or more nights. It is possible to choose from a variety of board options, with discounts available for guests staying one week or more. For further details on this and other active accommodation holidays in Sweden, please see our website at www.naturetravels.co.uk/category-summer-other.htm
What is the Swedish Right of Public Access?
Allmansrätten, or “Every Man’s Right”, is an important part of Swedish cultural heritage, a unique freedom of access to Sweden’s countryside and wild places, and one of the things which makes Sweden such an attractive destination for the outdoor enthusiast.
Where does the Swedish Right of Public Access come from?
The origins of the Right date back to the local laws and customs of the Middle Ages, and it is of enormous importance in Sweden both to individuals and to groups, clubs and tour operators (such as ourselves). Clubs and companies are permitted to take advantage of the Right of Public Access when conducting activities in the Swedish countryside, although in essence the Right is limited to individuals.
What is its general principle?
The Right of Public Access has a number of parts, which are discussed in more detail below, but in essence it can be summed up in the phrase “Do not disturb, do not destroy”. With the considerable freedom and right to roam afforded by Allmansrätten comes the burden of care and responsibility, and the principles of the Right are there both for the enjoyment of outdoor activities in Sweden and for the protection of its rich flora and fauna.
Why is it necessary?
With a growing global population and increased pressure on natural areas everywhere for recreational purposes, the principles of the Right of Public Access are more important than ever, providing an important framework for the sustainable enjoyment of Sweden’s countryside and wilderness areas. If these areas are used without care or respect, irreparable damage can occur to the natural environment, which may include:
- litter and toilet waster
- erosion of paths and soil
- depletion of natural resources such as wood for fire making
- damage to fragile ecosystems and removal of rare or vulnerable species
What controls are there to ensure that companies follow the rules?
The Swedish Environmental Code requires organises of outdoor activities in the countryside to demonstrate a knowledge of and respect for the natural environment of the area in which their activities take place. They are also obliged to inform participants in their experiences of the principles of the Right of Public Access and how the natural environment of the area can be conserved and protected.
At Nature Travels, we work exclusively with small-scale partner companies in Sweden. All these companies are members of the Swedish Ecotourism Society and most have passed through a strict quality-control system to receive a quality mark for their high standard of environmental commitment. Among the many criteria that must be met for certification, they must provide a detailed analysis of how their activities impact the local environment and what measures they have to manage this impact. For more details on this, please see our previous blog article on Ecotourism FAQs.
On any of the experience pages on our website at www.naturetravels.co.uk, you will see a button near the top of the page labelled “Full Details”. This link opens a PDF file giving further information on the experience, and in each file you will find a section titled “Common Sense and the Right of Public Access”. If you have any questions about how this applies to your chosen experience, please don’t hesitate to ask and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
Can I walk or ski anywhere in Sweden?
Within certain guidelines, yes. Following the principle of “Do not disturb, do not destroy”, you may not walk or ski on cultivated ground or in the grounds around someone’s house. There are no limits or distances defined in law, but people engaged in outdoor activities in Sweden are required to exercise common sense and consideration. For example, a newly-planted section of a forestry plantation would also be considered “off-limits”, even though it may not be seen as cultivated ground as such. Common sense also allows you to interpret the Right sensibly – you should not cross a crop field where crops are growing, but if the ground is hard and snow-covered in winter, there is no reason why you should not be allowed to cross.
What about cycling?
The Right of Public Access also allows great freedom for cycling in Sweden. Again, you must use your discretion to judge whether or not your presence will disturb or destroy, but you are allowed access to all private roads, and it is not permitted for a landowner to put up a sign prohibiting you from cycling on the road or path.
You should ensure that you choose the correct cycling style to suit the area and the environment. Avoid places or times or weather conditions when your tyres could cause erosion, keep off fragile areas such as those covered in moss or lichen, and if cycling on a trail intended for hikers or joggers, cycle slowly and show consideration for other uses of the paths, giving way to joggers and walkers.
There are exceptions to the freedoms afforded to the cyclist in Sweden. Local authorities may decide to introduce “No Cycling” restrictions on some paths, while inside National Parks and other protected areas, cycling may be banned completely.
Can I ride a horse in Sweden?
Again, horse riding in Sweden is permitted in most areas under the Right of Public Access. Because of the great potential for riders to damage ground and cause erosion, there are a number of things you should bear in mind when riding your horse in Sweden.
You should avoid trails specially intended for hikers, joggers or skiers and avoid sensitive ground such as bogland or moss-covered areas. You should also be careful not to damage young trees and be especially cautious when the ground is wet around spring and autumn. If riding in the same area on a regular basis, it is advisable to ask for permission from the local landowner. You should also avoid cultivated ground and the grounds of houses as you would if walking or cycling.
Unlike for cyclists, landowners can erect a “No Riding” sign in areas where there is high risk of damage to the ground. Local authorities and National Parks and nature reserves may also have their own restrictions.
Can I fish without a licence in Sweden?
No, not generally. As a non-Swedish citizen, you are required to have a licence unless fishing with hand-gear in public waters. In all other cases, you must obtain a fishing permit. Fishing is prohibited within 100m of stationary fishing equipment and fish farms. You are permitted to fish from a private jetty on an occasional basis (though not one next to someone’s house), but must of course give priority to the owner of the jetty if they require access for a boat, etc.
Can I pick mushrooms, berries and flowers in Sweden?
One of the great joys of being out in the forests of Sweden is the rich carpets of flowers and berries which cover the forest floor, and the wide variety of mushrooms available at different times of year. Looking for and gathering this forest bounty is a popular activity for Swedes and visitors alike. If you are particularly interested in this forest pastime, you may wish to take a look at our Autumn Forest Gold experience.
You are permitted to pick flowers, berries and mushrooms for private use, but must avoid protected species and should also use your discretion for other fragile species which may not yet be formally protected. There may be local restrictions in place if a particular species is vulnerable in that area. Protection for plants and animals is usually absolute – you are not permitted to disturb them in any way, even within the grounds of your house. In other cases, protected may be partial, so that certain flowers can be picked for private use, but not dug up by the roots. If a property is abandoned and there are no standing buildings, it is permitted for you to collect fruit, e.g. apples, raspberries, gooseberries, etc. from the abandoned orchard.
Live wood is also protected, and you may not chop wood from a growing tree to make a fire or otherwise cause damage to it (e.g. by carving in the bark).
As with many other aspects of the Swedish Right of Public Access, National Parks and protected areas may have their own restrictions on the collection of berries, flowers and mushrooms.
Can I take my dog on holiday to Sweden?
Many Swedes own dogs themselves, and dogs are generally very welcome in Sweden. There are certain restrictions designed to protect wild animals during the most vulnerable times of the year and to prevent harm to livestock.
Between 1st March and 20th August, it is important that dogs are not allowed to run loose in the countryside. In practice, this means that dogs should be kept on a lead in areas where there are wild animals, livestock or game. Outside this period, dogs should be kept under close control, and if you are in an area which practices reindeer husbandry, dogs not used for reindeer herding must be on a lead at all times.
Once again, National Parks and other protected areas will have their own regulations, and in some National Park areas dogs are prohibited.
If you would like to take your dog on holiday to Sweden, Nature Travels offers a number of dog-friendly experiences which are ideal for dog owners. Please contact us for details. You should be aware that Sweden that the regulations for bringing a dog into Sweden are usually tighter than for other EU countries. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for advice or assistance.
Can I light camp fires in Sweden?
Yes, lighting fires is permitted under the Right of Public Access, but you must follow certain precautions to minimise damage and the risk of an uncontrolled fire.
Many people do not think of Sweden as a hot country, but in fact during the summer, the forests and heathlands can become extremely dry and large forest fires are a very real danger.
You must site your fire whether there is no risk of the fire spreading and where the fire will not cause damage, such as on sandy ground or gravel. Avoid mossy and peat-bog areas, as the fire is likely to spread and can also burn underground unnoticed long after you have left. You should also not light your fire next to a rock, as this can crack and scar the rock. Wet stones may crack and even explode when heated. You are permitted to collect cones, fallen branches and twigs for your fire, but must not gather live wood or use fallen trees. Dead trees are extremely valuable habitats for wildlife and must be left intact.
At times where there is a high risk of fire, a ban may be imposed by the local authority. In this case, you are not allowed to light fires, but may still use designated grill spots and a camping stove with care.
Don’t forget that National Parks and nature reserves in Sweden may have their own regulations regarding camp fires.
I’ve heard that you can camp wild anywhere in Sweden. Is this true?
Up to a point, yes. The freedom to camp wild is one of the great joys of an outdoor holiday in Sweden. You should not pitch your tent on farmland or near a house, and stays in any one location are limited to a night or two.
Groups of friends pitching two or three tents do not need to obtain permission from the landowner, but as always, you must respect the privacy of anyone living nearby and take care not to damage the natural environment.
Generally, a good rule of thumb is to ensure that you pitch your tent out of site of people’s houses and do not stay more than two nights in the same spot. Don’t forget to take all your litter away with you (including food scraps –orange peel, for example, can take many years to degrade naturally!). If no other option exists, make sure you bury your toilet waste properly. Choose a spot at least 50m from houses, camping spots, water sources, etc. Dig a hole 15cm deep for your waste and then fill in soil on top. Do not bury non-degradable items such as children’s nappies or female sanitary products.
Can I recycle my rubbish in Sweden?
Yes, most areas of Sweden have very good facilities for recycling. In addition to the standard containers for glass, paper and cans common in the UK, many small towns or village supermarkets will also have stations to recycle batteries and plastics. If you buy drinks in aluminium cans or plastic bottles (“PET-flaskor” in Swedish), a few kronor of the price you pay will be a deposit, or “Pant”. Many shops will have a station near the entrance where you can return these bottles and reclaim your deposit. Just ask the shop assistant for help. If you want to recycle your cans, be careful not to crush them, as the deposit machines will only accept non-crushed ones.
I’d like to take my caravan or motor-home to Sweden. What freedoms will I have?
Along public roads, you may stay for 24 hours in lay-bys and designated public parking areas, or until the next weekday at weekends or on public holidays. You must not drive your vehicle off-road, e.g. to park in a field or on a beach.
What about sailing, boating and swimming in Sweden?
As with other aspects of the Swedish Right of Public Access, provided you show suitable care and consideration, a great deal of freedom is allowed. You should ensure you are aware of local regulations which apply to you and demonstrate good seamanship at all times.
It is permitted to temporarily moor a boat off the shore, to swim, to cast anchor and to go ashore, as long as you are not within the grounds of a private house or in a protected natural area. In the same way that you should not camp in the same spot for more than two nights, you should not moor your boat in the same place for more than two nights before moving on.
Be especially careful around bird or seal sanctuaries, where you are not permitted to go ashore. Make sure you look for the signs for advice in local areas.
A final thought…
The Swedish Right of Public Access is a wonderful cultural institution, providing unique freedoms to Swedish citizens and visitors alike. As long as its principles are respected, and common sense exercised at all times when judging what is or is not possible, there is no reason why everyone should not continue to enjoy these freedoms long into the future. With increasing pressure on all our natural areas and the rise in popularity of outdoor recreation, it is now more important than ever that its ideas of fair and sustainable use of the countryside are observed. If we “Do not disturb, do not destroy”, the valuable natural environment of this vast and beautiful country can be enjoyed by all for many years to come.
Best regards
The Nature Travels Team
Many of the outdoor holidays in Sweden offered by Nature Travels include wild camping, such as our canoe tours, sea kayaking experiences, wilderness hiking tours and our Go Camping by Dogsled and Ice Fishing and Dog Sledding experiences.
Once again it’s Shrove Tuesday here in the UK, which means in Sweden it’s time for “Fettisdag”, or “Fat Tuesday”. Last year’s blog on this subject resulted in a flood of enquiries asking how to make this delicious Swedish bun, so this year, here is the recipe for semla. Everyone has their own variation on how to make a Swedish semla (plural semlor), and competition is fierce in local communities to find the tastiest, but this recipe should get you started.
For those of you unfamiliar with this important piece of Swedish culture, you may like to start by reading our previous blog article on Swedish semlor and fettisdag. If you’re already suitably versed in Swedish baking traditions, it’s time to proceed to the kitchen……
Ingredients:
To make a dozen Swedish semlor, you will need:
- 25g of yeast
- 75g of margarine or butter
- 200ml of milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- Half a teaspoon of cardamom
- 500ml of sugar
- 700ml of plain flour
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
For the filling and topping, you will also need:
- Roughly grated almond paste
- Whipping cream
- Milk
- Icing sugar
How to make a semla:
- First, melt the butter or margarine in a saucepan, add the milk and head until lukewarm.
- Crumble the yeast into a bowl, and add some of the liquid to dissolve the yeast.
- Add the remaining liquid, plus the salt, cardamom, 1 egg, sugar and 600ml of the flour.
- Work the mixture together into a dough.
- Cover with a cloth and leave the dough to rise for around 30 minutes.
- Mix together and work into a dough, a kitchen-machine makes this easy.
- Mix together the baking powder and remaining flour and work into the dough. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth.
- Separate dough into maximum 12 round balls.
- Lightly grease some baking sheets, put the buns onto the sheets and allow them to rise for 35-40 minutes.
- Beat the other egg and use a brush to glaze the tops of the buns.
- Heat the oven to 250 degrees C and bake the semlor in the middle for 10 minutes.
- Cover the buns with a cloth and allow to cool on a wire rack.
- Before eating your semlor:
- Cut a circular “lid” off the top of each bun. Use a spoon to scoop out the inside of the bun.
- Mix together the grated almond paste with the inside of the bun, add milk to make a smooth mixture and use this mixture to fill the hole.
- Whip the cream and spoon the cream on top of the bun filling.
- Replace the lid of the bun and decorate with icing sugar.
Semlor are wonderful to eat at any time of year, but for a real Swedish winter experience, nothing beats a freshly-baked semla consumed in the snow while warming your hands on a hot cup of freshly-brewed coffee!
Good luck with making semlor, and a very happy Fat Tuesday!
Best regards
The Nature Travels Team
Nature Travels offers a wide variety of outdoor ecotourism experiences in Sweden, from wilderness canoeing to dog sledding expeditions. For ideas of what to do in Sweden in February, please see our website at www.naturetravels.co.uk/sweden-holidays-february.htm
August is a lovely month in Sweden. The days are still long and warm, the evenings are bathed in a magical light, and it’s time for another important cultural event in Sweden – the crayfish party, or kräftskiva.
Crayfish have always been considered something of a delicacy in Sweden, as the Baltic crayfish population has long been at risk of overexploitation and catches have been restricted since the early 1900s. Even though today’s global marketplace means that crayfish are now on sale year-round in Sweden, it is really only in August that the Swedes turn to this very special dish as they make the most of the remaining days of summer. Those on a tight budget opt for crayfish imported from China or the US, but Swedish crayfish are of course considered far superior!
A crayfish party is an outdoor affair, with the dining area decorated with paper lanterns, many depicting a smiling full moon. Paper hats and bibs add to the jovial atmosphere. The crayfish, cooked in brine and seasoned with plenty of dill, are served in large bowls placed in the centre of the table and eaten cold with fresh bread and a strong cheese (such as a mature Västerbotten) on the side.
An evening of crayfish eating is a noisy business, both because of the cracking and sucking sounds, which are an integral part of crayfish consumption, and the frequent bursts of singing – an essential prelude to each toast and drink of schnapps! A number of flavoured schnapps from different regions are usually available, and everyone will have their favourite – some are instantly palatable, while others are very much an acquired taste!
If you are lucky enough to be invited to a Swedish crayfish party, it is a cultural experience you will not easily forget. The memories will stay with you long after your sticky hands have been washed and your head has been cleared by a bracing early morning dip in the lake – memories of an evening of companionship, wonderful food and some perhaps less than perfect singing!
Helan går
Sjung hopp faderallan lallan lej
Helan går
Sjung hopp faderallan lej
Och den som inte helan tar
Han heller inte halvan får
Helan går
Sjung hopp faderallan lej
Listen to ABBA’s rendition of Helan går (”the whole one goes” – roughly, you have to drink your schnapps in one, otherwise you can’t have any at all!) here.
Sweden is enjoying a beautiful warm August in many areas at the moment, so the outlook for crayfish party season looks good – have fun, and don’t forget: the whole one goes!
Best regards
The Nature Travels Team
Nature Travels is the UK specialist for responsible adventure holidays in Sweden with a wide range of ecotourism holidays including canoeing, dog sledding, and Swedish log cabin experiences.
It is with great sadness that we learned today that Ingmar Bergman, widely regarded as one of the greatest directors in the history of cinema and certainly one of Sweden’s most iconic figures, died today at the age of 89.
Born in the university town of Uppsala, to the north of Stockholm, Bergman began making his own movies at the age of six. These early works were made from a collage of film cuttings, and just a few years later Bergman was producing his own plays for puppet theatre.
Bergman went to university in Stockholm in 1937, and in 1942 was appointed to the Swedish National Opera following an acclaimed performance of Macbeth. The next few years saw him share his creative talents between stage and screen.
Bergman’s first film, Crisis, was made in 1945, but it was not until 1956, with the release of The Seventh Seal, that Bergman produced his most popular and critically-acclaimed work. This story of a knight who challenges Death to a game of chess has earned a place in cinematic legend. He went on to make a number of other films which displayed his characteristic intensity, including Wild Strawberries, The Magician, The Virgin Spring, and the ambitious trilogy of Through a Glass Darkly, Winter Light and The Silence.
Bergman’s career continued until 2001 with the release of Faithless, written by Bergman but directed by Liv Ullmann. Although Bergman was less active creatively in recent years and had perhaps his best works behind him, he is nevertheless remembered as one of the pivotal figures in cinema and an acknowledged influence on many of our most well-known modern directors, including Woody Allen.
And so, today Sweden has lost a hugely influential cultural figure and one of its most famous sons. He leaves behind a substantial creative legacy and Swedish film continues to be a thriving and vibrant industry through the works of such directors as Bille August (Smilla’s Sense of Snow, House of the Spirits) and Lasse Hallström (Chocolat, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape).
Best regards
The Nature Travels Team
Nature Travels offers a wide variety of outdoor holidays in Sweden from dog sledding to canoeing. Browse our range of activities at www.naturetravels.co.uk.
Midsummer – one of the most important days in the Swedish calendar. Why? Because it is the middle of summer? Certainly not! For Sweden, Midsummer marks the beginning, the start of the brief but glorious summer season, a time for leisure, a time for long romantic walks on endless light evenings. Many workers choose to take their long summer holidays in Sweden at this time of year.
Perhaps because of its relative brevity, the Swedes are determined to get the very last drop of enjoyment from summertime. Beginning in May, summer proper bursts into life in June in a riot of luscious greens and wildflower meadows.
No self-respecting Swede would miss the annual Midsummer celebration. The woes and worries of city life are abandoned, and families head for their summer houses to make preparations for the festivities.
Regardless of the actual date of the longest day, Midsummer is always celebrated on a Friday. The day begins with families fanning out into the surrounding forests to collect flowers to make wreaths. These are then hung upon the maypole, which will form the centrepiece of the day’s (and night’s!) celebrations.
On all occasions, the Swedes love to sing, and Midsummer is no exception. Ring dances are performed around the maypole to the accompaniment of screams of delight from the children and peels of laughter from the adults.
As the afternoon wears on and the dancers tire, it is time to eat – and what a feast! A typical Midsummer menu will include various kinds of pickled herring (flavoured with onion, garlic, tomato, mustard sauce, and a myriad of other varieties – everyone has their favourite, ours is the mustard!), boiled new potatoes with freshly-picked dill, soured cream and red onion. Fish always features strongly in Swedish cuisine, and the next course may well include salmon or perhaps a meat dish such as spare ribs. To follow, the summer’s first crop of strawberries will be proudly brought to the table and eagerly devoured.
Of course, the smörgåsbord would not be complete without the traditional accompaniment of cold beer and schnapps – but once again, singing is very much in evidence. You can’t drink a schnapps without singing!
As the sun descends (very briefly!) towards the horizon, it is once more time for dancing, but this time of a rather more sedate and romantic kind. At this point many Swedes will head for a jetty beside the lake or archipelago water to for an evening of dancing.
It is hard not to feel romantic as the long warm evening wears on and the scents of nighttime fill the air. According to tradition, girls wishing to marry should pick seven different types of flowers as they make their way home on Midsummer’s Eve, and put them beneath their pillows as they sleep. If all goes according to plan, their dreams should be filled with visions of their future husband – a Midsummer Night’s Dream!
This year’s Midsummer celebrations in Sweden 22nd June will be on Friday, and we at Nature Travels would like to wish you all a very “Glad Midsommar” (“glard midsommar”) – Happy Midsummer, and may your dreams come true!
Best regards
The Nature Travels Team
