Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Värmland (see p.143); one of the companies
offering these tours even allows you to build your
own raft before departure.
Swedes, in general, are an e
cient nation -
planning meticulously and booking ahead to
ensure they get what they want, when they want.
Accordingly, spontaneity and flexibility are not high
on the agenda in Sweden, which can sometimes
create a mistaken impression of rudeness to the
outsider. Honesty and straight-talking are two
highly cherished sides of the Swedish character; a
promise in Sweden is just that. Haggling over prices
is not the done thing. On meeting, friends of both
sexes usually hug, rather than kiss, each other. In
more formal situations, people shake hands whilst
saying their name.
In line with the liberal reputation Sweden gained
during the 1970s as a result of countless soft porn
films, nudity is widely accepted. In changing rooms,
people are uninhibited about their bodies and
don't feel the need to cover up with a towel. Nude
lake swimming and sunbathing are common
practice across the country. If other people are
around, show them consideration, but you're
unlikely to meet opposition.
Saunas and swimming in lakes
Most public swimming pools and hotels, even in
the smallest towns, will have a
sauna
. They're
generally electric and extra steam is created by
tossing water onto the hot elements. The temper-
ature inside ranges from 70°C to 120°C. Traditional
wood-burning saunas are often found in the
countryside and give off a wonderful smell. Public
saunas are always single-sex and nude; you'll often
see signs forbidding the wearing of swimming
costumes, as these would collect your sweat and
allow it to soak into the wooden benches. It's
common practice to take a cold shower after-
wards or, in winter, roll in the snow to cool off.
Otherwise in the countryside, people often take a
dip in a nearby lake. As Sweden boasts around
100,000
lakes
and one of the lowest population
densities in Europe, you needn't worry about
stripping off for a spot of skinny-dipping.
Travel essentials
Fishing
Sweden is an ideal country for
anglers
. Salmon are
regularly caught from opposite the Parliament
building right in the centre of Stockholm, because
the water is so clean and fishing there is free.
Fishing is also free along the coastline and in the
larger lakes, including Vänern, Vättern (particularly
good for salmon and char) and Mälaren. In the
north of the country, Tärnaby (see p.321) offers
top-class mountain fishing for char and trout; and
nearby Sorsele (see p.323) is good for fly-fishing for
trout, char and grayling. For salmon fishing, the
river running up through the Torne Valley (see
p.348) is one of the best places. In most areas you
need a permit for freshwater fishing, so ask at local
tourist o
ces.
Admission charges
Entry into museums is often free. However, where
this is not the case expect to pay around 50kr for
admission. In winter, there is often a compulsory
charge to check your coat when entering a bar or
restaurant; this is usually around 30kr.
Climate
Summer
weather
in Sweden is similar to that in
southern Britain, though there are more hours of
sunshine; the average temperature in Stockholm, for
example, is the same as that in London. By the end
of August, though, northernmost Sweden is usually
experiencing its first frosts. Snow can fall anytime
from around September onwards and in the
Stockholm area there is usually - though not always
- snow cover from early December to late March.
Winters in the far south of the country are mild and
often snow-free.
Daylight
is just as important as
temperatures in Sweden. In December, it doesn't get
light in Stockholm until around 9.30am and it's dark
by around 3pm. North of the Arctic Circle there's
24-hour darkness from mid-December to
mid-January, and the merest glow of light at noon
during the months immediately either side.
Conversely, at the height of summer there's no part
of Sweden which is dark for any length of time; in
Culture and
etiquette
In many ways, Sweden is a model country:
society is liberal, people are prosperous
and the social and economic position of
women is one of the most advanced in the
world. As a result, most visitors find
Sweden an easy country to visit.
