“10 Swedish pearls which beats utlandssemestern”

“This is climate-smart Swedish destinations as an alternative to foreign destinations.”

“Turquoise waters, miles of sandy beaches, perfect surfing waves or the exciting street art. Here are 10 Swedish sites that can withstand competition with foreign destinations.”

“When SJ announced a competition for climate-smart Swedish destinations that stand up well in international comparison, they received over 1,000 proposals. Now they have now nominated ten of them to a vote where the best destination will be crowned.”

“- We had not in our wildest dreams been able to imagine the enormous interest that is available to view on the Swedish alternative to foreign destinations. Sweden is really a fantastic tourist destination, ” says Karin Starkman Ahlstedt, communication strategist at SJ.”

“Destinations from Skåne in the south to Lapland in the north are among the nominees contributions. Among the proposals are the Swedish sandy beaches, which compete with both the Greek archipelago that is the Caribbean. There are also examples of a Swedish artist who is as interesting as the French painter Claude monet’s source of inspiration. One of the proposals highlights an interesting comparison between Borås and New York.”

“in Addition, they are climate-smart and saves up to more than 3 295 kg of carbon dioxide per trip if the train is selected instead of the plane. Until march 31, it is possible to vote on SJ:s website the destination of which is the best alternative to a trip abroad.”

“Trollsjön – lake Garda”

“With its clear sparkling blue water reminds Trollsjön on the Italian lake Garda. However, is the magic here, something completely different. In the sami language called lake Rissájávri and means ”the lake that glistens by the fire.” Not far from the Abisko is the Låktatjåkka or Vassijaure, where you can take the train. From there it is about six kilometres to the magical Trollsjön. You start with a nice walk through the birch forest. Then, wait for a slightly steeper climb before you are rewarded with a magnificent view. The ice age has left its mark both in terms of the Garda lake and the hike to the Trollsjön. After the climb, continue the trek through the valley of Kärkevagge is a real fairytale with stone formations from the ice age, the lush green meadows with alpine flowers and small babbling brooks. Then you reach the magic Trollsjön. The clear blue water flowing down from the nearby glaciers, and make Trollsjön to Sweden’s clearest lake with a transparency of 36 metres. Take a break and enjoy the beautiful view and the opportunity to take a refreshing dip. “

“Boras is historically known for its textile industry, but many do not know is that the city is full of artistic experiences beyond the ordinary. Like världsmetropolen New York city, is the art to discover in every street corner, but in Borås, everything is within walking distance and you wont have to hail a taxi to take you where you want to. The city has in three years organized the street art festival No Limit, and allowed artists from all over the world turn the city buildings into a single large art gallery. The city center is filled with hundreds of stunning sculptures, installations and gigantic murals that is absolutely free to watch. Go a art walks through the city at your own pace, grab a bite at the Viskan river and let yourself be inspired by the Borås art museum, which is known for its large collection of american contemporary art. “

“Stenshuvud national park – Caribbean”

“Just south of Kivik, in the beautiful Österlen region hiding a white and powdery beach surrounded by greenery. The feeling is like being in the Caribbean’s tropical paradise, stuck in Sweden. The more than 4, 5 km long beach belongs to the Stenshuvud national park, which has received its name from the tretoppiga the mountain Stenshuvud national park. Up on the mountain, the views are magnificent and in the horizon we get a glimpse of the Danish island of Bornholm. Further into the national park meander the hiking trails in the deciduous forest. During the summer graze cows on the flowering meadows and there is a possibility to grill and camp. Stenshuvud national park is easily reached by train to Simrishamn and a short bus ride thereafter. Eco-friendly and absolutely wonderful. “

“Djäknesundet – Mediterranean sea”

“The holidaymakers in search of crystal-blue water and beautiful nature hardly need to fly to the Greek more Samos to experience this. After a train ride to Skövde via a short bus ride to the town of Karlsborg is the lake of Vättern hidden gem: Djäknesundet. The high cliffs surrounding the turquoise water and the lush green forest provides a peaceful quiet. The place is like taken from a fairytale and perfect for families with children. In the middle of the bay is a nice and child-friendly sandy beach and along the water there are high cliffs to jump from. Djäknesundet, which is a nature reserve, attracts even where diving enthusiasts thanks to its clear water and smooth sandy bottom. Pack a picnic basket and bring swimwear for an unbeatable summer day by the lake of Vättern oasis. “

“Instead of travelling to the Island to see the famous Silfrasprickan, you can experience an equivalent level of natural phenomena in the coastal skuleskogen national park, in the heart of the High coast. Here is Slåttdalsskrevan, a 200 metres long and 30 metres deep bergsskreva which cleaves the mountain in two parts. A hike through the skrevan is a powerful outdoor experience that you will never forget. “

“In the north of Bohuslän is Kosterhavet national park that is teeming with life, both above and below the surface. Here, it is beautiful to kayak and snorkel, just like in the Abel Tasmans national park on New Zealand’s south east. Among the Kosterhavet coral reefs, you can discover Sweden’s most species-rich marine area, with over 12 000 species. Another way to explore the sea is to take a boat in the fabulous archipelago. There is a seal safari, where the chance is big that you get sight of gray harbor seals basking on the rocks. Around the koster islands there are many nice rocky beaches and nice walking trails. Do you want to experience the Koster-life in real? Sign yourself up as a volunteer lighthouse keeper on, Ursholmen, Sweden’s most westerly inhabited point. “

“the Surf in Sweden? Of course! You don’t need to travel all the way to the French Biarritz on the Atlantic coast to vågsurfa. Take the train down to skåne west coast and experience one of Sweden’s best surfing paradise – Molle. If the tides form waves in Biarritz, it is the westerly winds from the Kattegat, which makes Molle a must-have for surfers. The Swedish surfsäsongen is best during the winter months, but with the right wind, you can enjoy surfing in sweden along the beautiful klippkusten even during the summer. The so-called ”Möllevågen” was discovered in the 90’s and has since then attracted surfentusiaster from all over the world. In the cosy marina will be completed in the summer of surfshop if you would need the equipment for to try your luck on the waves. Stops you would rather remain on land, you can spend a day at the hot stenhällarna in Solvik, a several hundred-metre long pebble beach surrounded by cliffs. “

“Åstol – Greek island-the world”

“Southwest Åstol is an idyllic small island with beautiful white wooden houses that fronts the island’s rugged cliffs. Just like the Greek island of Hydra, is Åstol, a car-free island. Here are the easiest around on a bike or on foot. Start the morning with a swim on the island’s southeastern side and watch the sun rise over the mainland. Then, stroll along the horseshoe shaped harbour, where sailing boats and double enders of the Swedish is and bobs. In the middle of the harbour is Åstols café offers the traditional bohuslän äggosten – at least as good as the Greek cheese. On the northern side, is Klockarudden, a features an klippbassäng with the associated slide for the whole family. From the basin you see the iconic lighthouse Pater Noster and the imposing Carlsten fortress on Marstrand. Just as in the Greek fishing villages you can buy fresh fish and also seafood from the port sheds. “

“Ven –Scottish whisky distilleries”

“A bike ride on a hot summer day on the idyllic island of Ven is a skånsk classics. But did you know that Ven has a private distillery? On the ”Spirit of Hven” you can try at local whiskey, gin, schnapps and vodka. Admittedly, the options are not as many as on the island of Islay in Scotland, but the experience is at least as enjoyable. To bike or hike around the island followed by a whisky tasting can easily measure up to to hike on the scottish island. The open landscape surrounded by steep slopes that reach right down into the sea, so-called an ideal place for cycling. You stand on the edge of the precipice, you have a magnificent view over the sound. You can also explore the Danish scientist Tycho Brahe’s creations, the castle Uraniborg and the observatory Stjärneborg, which at one time was the hub for astronomical research in Europe. “

“Sundborn – An artist in monet’s spirit.”

“In the village of Sundborn, outside Falun, surrounded by lush green forest and shining lakes, is a red house with white trim. It is one of Sweden’s most talked about artist, namely Carl Larsson-gården. Just as the French village of Giverny was the paradise of the impressionist painter Claude Monet, was Sundborn source of inspiration to many of Carl Larsson’s most famous paintings. Carl Larsson-gården, gives you a glimpse into the artistic couple’s iconic homes, and there are organised guided tours, and itself hosts art shows year round. Monet had his water lilies, but during the summer it is a delight to see the thriving garden, which today is preserved in Sundborn. In connection with the farm serves locally sourced rustic dishes with a taste of the Valleys. This year it is 100 years since Carl Larsson died, which attended by city tours itself hosts art shows and installations of performancekonstnärer. “

“So much carbon dioxide, we save to travel within the uk rather than abroad:

“SJ has compared the carbon dioxide emissions return for the ten English destinations (SJ high-speed train plusnanslutningsresor) with the emissions for the flight with a standard aircraft type (from Arlanda) to the utländskanalternativet. Emission data are based on data from the Transportstyrelsenu002FTrafikverket, NTM,nVattenfall, SAS, Ventrafiken, Västtrafik and the Koster Marine.”