Insider’s view on visiting Sweden

By Gerlinde Anderberg

Outdoors in Swedish Lapland

What makes Sweden an ideal travel destination for all?
The beautiful nature, the fresh air, the accessibility, the great food, the wide range of historical places, cultural and architectural highlights, the emphasis on equality and innovation.

Tell us something that every traveller should know when traveling to Sweden?
Take your time. Don’t rush from city to city. Slow travel is the best way to experience Sweden.

Any essentials that one needs to carry when they traveling to Sweden? 
A credit card, since cash is hardly accepted anywhere anymore.

Which are the most surreal places to visit when in Sweden?
One has to experience the Midnight Sun in summer and the chance to see the Northern Lights in the winter time. These are most likely to be seen north of the arctic circle.
The National Parks in Sweden all have fantastic sights to offer.  

High Coast

Northern lights

Can you tell us a little about the life of the locals? 
In Sweden most adults aim to have a job. For those who don’t, there is a social security system to take care of them. When families get children, they are dividing childcare equally and are at home with their children appr 1-2 years.
After that, the children go to day care and later on school during the day. Working hours are normally appr 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Swedes have 25-30 paid holiday days a year. Swedes are individualistic and generations are living separate.
Most Swedes love the outdoors. You will see them enjoying nature with their families and friends. You will see them exercising, running, bathing, skiing..
Swedes love “fika” as well. That is taking time with your friends, have a coffee and something sweet and just catch up.


What are the local delicacies/drinks which one must try and where in Sweden?
Coffee and kanelbullar (cinnamon rolls). If you see a certain type of pastry that is being sold a lot, buy it. It’s then probably the time of the year to eat just that kind of pastry or the region’s speciality. Try it then!
Also the “dagens rätt” (dish of the day) is something to try. You will then eat whatever the locals are having that day, at that restaurant.



What are a few things which one must buy here? 
Perhaps wooden carved butter knives, local delicacies and handicrafts.

Which is the most romantic places to visit in Sweden?
Anywhere where you can be out in nature and enjoy the beauty and tranquility, being out in the archipelago.

What are the local festivals which one must come to attend here?
Walpurgis Night: Walpurgis Night and May Day | Visit Sweden

This is the night of the bonfire in Sweden, traditionally believed to ward off evil spirits, but now a festive way of getting rid of excess gardening odds and ends. Walpurgis, Valborg (short for Valborgsmässoafton), or ‘the last of April’, is a traditional spring celebration in Sweden. For students, it’s a foretaste of summer. At dusk, bonfires are lit and people gather to listen to speeches and songs welcoming spring and a brighter future.


Midsummer: Celebrate Midsummer in Sweden 2024 | Visit Sweden

The successful midsummer never-ending lunch party formula involves flowers in your hair, dancing around a pole, singing songs while drinking unsweetened, flavoured schnapps. And downing a whole load of pickled herring served with delightful new potatoes, chives and sour cream. All in all, a grand day out.Midsummer Eve 2024 is on Friday, 21 June. It’s always celebrated on a Friday between 19 and 25 June. Midsummer is the longest day of the year and was long considered a magical night. In agrarian times, the Swedes arranged Midsummer celebrations to welcome summertime and the season of fertility.


Crayfish Parties: Experience a Swedish crayfish party | Visit Sweden

Sweden has many unique traditions, the crayfish party being just one of them. Join in to absorb a slice of true Swedish cultural heritage. A highlight on the Swedish calendar, the ‘kräftskiva’ (crayfish party) – an annual seafood fest with lots of side dishes, drinks and joyous songs – is a summertime celebration dear to Swedes of all ages. Its history stretches back to as early as the 16th century, when it became popular with the royals. In the 17th century, Swedes started eating crayfish on a broader scale. The name kräftskiva was coined in the 1930s and it’s believed to derive from the 19th century bourgeois crayfish ritual ‘kräftsupa’ – involving crayfish and alcoholic drinks. As for the kräftskiva as we know it today, it took off in earnest in the 1960s.


Lucia: Lucia – an old Swedish tradition | Visit Sweden

The Lucia tradition is as integral to Swedish culture as midsummer and crayfish parties. Immensely atmospheric, this 400-year-old custom brings peaceful joy each year on 13 December – and it’s spreading across the world. Celebrated annually in December, this historic custom is an atmospheric event involving Christmassy treats and a singing line-up of candle-carrying characters dressed (mostly) in white gowns. These tuneful “Luciatåg” processions – led by Lucia herself – play out on national TV and in kindergartens, schools, care homes, churches and offices across the country. Waiting in anticipation, the audience’s first sign that Lucia and her posse are nearing is a mellow chorus approaching from the distance, followed by soft light cutting through the pre-dawn darkness.


Christmas: Christmas in Sweden | Visit Sweden

How does a traditional Christmas in Sweden look like? Bake your own gingerbread house, visit our Christmas markets, attend a Lucia celebration and enjoy the endless array of delicacies on the Swedish Christmas buffet, ‘julbord’.

The things guidebooks will not tell anyone about?
-That the winter-Swedes are so different from the summer-Swedes. As soon as it gets lighter and warmer, the Swedes come out of their cozy homes and are outside, sitting on terraces and enjoying life. The winter-Swedes are hard to find. They are at home, just minding their own business. This of course with the exception of the Swedes being outside and exercising skiing or other sports.
– That the Swedes take off their shoes when they come home – even when they visit other people.

According to you what is the best thing about the destination?

The space and the quality of life.

Wellness amidst luxury in the Caucasus Mountains

By Dr Parveen Kanda

In the hustle and bustle of our fast-paced lives, finding time to unwind and prioritize self-care has become more important than ever. Wellness retreats offer a sanctuary for individuals seeking to escape the daily grind and reconnect with their inner selves. Last week, I got the unique opportunity to experience the ultra luxury wellness retreat Chenot Palace situated in the heart of the Caucasian mountains in the beautiful region of Gabala, Azerbaijan, just 210 km from Baku.

In this post, I would like to share my thoughts with wellness seekers, who have a vacation like this on their bucket list. My first thought when I got this invitation to gain an insight into their wellness treatment, was that this is definitely something I wanted to experience. Being so involved in our stressful chaotic day to day life we all yearn internally to sometimes go to a beautiful retreat where we can detoxify our mind, body and spirit. In this blog post, we’ll explore the transformative experience of a wellness retreat, delving into the holistic approach to well-being that these havens provide.

This pristine and harmonious retreat overlooks the Nohur lake. The picturesque setting instantly offers the discerning travelers serenity and peace amidst the natural beauty of the place.

Chenot Palace is a unique luxe wellness centre which offers wellness seekers a blend of modern medical state-of-the-art facilities combined with bio energetic Chinese healing methods. It follows the Chenot diet and has enhanced spa procedures which allows the guests to get a holistic personalized programme based on their wellness quest. Each programme is customized according to the physical , fitness and wellness criteria of the guests . Their main pillars are Detoxification of body and spirit with their special Chenot diet along with the unique therapies like Hydro Aromatherapy, Phyto mud bath and Cryotherapy to name a few must experience fundamental procedures.

One of the primary benefits of a wellness retreat is the opportunity to step away from the daily grind. Breaking free from routine allows individuals to distance themselves from stressors, providing a mental and emotional reset. This holistic focus helps in achieving a sense of balance that may be elusive in the fast-paced world. Mindfulness practices are often central to wellness retreats. This heightened awareness not only reduces stress but also cultivates a mindset that can be carried back into daily life, promoting resilience in the face of challenges. Many wellness retreats incorporate physical activities that not only contribute to physical fitness but also aid in releasing tension and promoting relaxation. The combination of movement and relaxation helps in revitalizing the body, leaving guests feeling invigorated and energized. The nutritional education that the retreats implement, equips individuals with the tools to make healthier choices beyond the retreat, fostering a long-term impact on their well-being. Wellness retreats provide an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals on a similar journey of self-discovery. The sense of community fosters support and camaraderie, creating a positive and uplifting environment. These connections often extend beyond the retreat, providing a valuable network for ongoing encouragement and shared wellness goals.

They have excellent staff who cater to all your needs and a team of fully professional and capable medical personnel who plan your specific program. The last few days which I spent in this pristine setting definitely rejuvenated my mind and energized my routine. Furthermore Chenot Palace has 72 rooms and suites and all the rooms overlook the beautiful lake , plus it has 3 villas with private spas for the guests who crave privacy. Wellness focussed travelers will benefit immensely in this exclusive retreat . I am delighted to give a first hand review of this wellness holiday. In a world that constantly demands our attention and energy, wellness retreats offer a valuable pause—a chance to realign, rejuvenate, and rediscover our sense of balance. From the mental clarity gained through mindfulness practices to the physical rejuvenation fostered by holistic activities, the advantages of a wellness retreat extend far beyond the duration of the experience.

If you like this post and feel that you want to explore wellness at Chenot Palace please send a mail to parveen@thewanderers.co.in

I will help you select the right treatment and guide you through the process.

My heartfelt gratitude to #THRS for the invitation to experience wellness at Chenot Palace.