Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mosquitoes and ticks
Mosquitoes are common throughout Sweden and
it's sensible to protect yourself against bites.
Although Swedish mosquitoes don't carry diseases,
they can torment your every waking moment from
the end of June, when the warmer weather causes
them to hatch, until around mid-August. They are
found in their densest concentrations in the north of
the country, where there's swampy ground, and are
most active early in the morning and in the late
afternoon/early evening; the best way to protect
yourself is to wear thick clothing (though not dark
colours, which attract them) and apply mosquito
repellent
to any exposed skin. When camping, make
a smoky fire of (damp) peat if feasible, as mosquitoes
don't like smoke. Don't scratch mosquito bites
(
myggbett
); treat them instead with Salubrin or Alsol-
sprit creams,
or something similar, available from
local chemists.
Ticks (
fästingar
) are fast becoming a big problem
in Sweden due to a succession of milder winters.
The country has one of the highest rates of tick-
borne encephalitis in Europe, a disease which
causes fever and nausea, and in a third of cases
spreads to the brain; it causes lasting damage in
forty percent of people infected. A third of all ticks
also carry the bacteria which cause Lyme disease,
an illness which can lead to inflammation of the
brain and nerves. The insects, which burrow
painlessly into the skin, are prevalent predomi-
nantly on the east coast and islands and are active
from March to November. Their preferred habitat is
warm, slightly moist undergrowth, bushes and
meadows with long grass. In addition to vaccina-
tion, sprays, roll-ons and creams are available in
local pharmacies; eating large amounts of garlic is
also effective in keeping ticks away.
policy before travelling to cover against theft, loss
and illness or injury. Before paying for a new policy,
however, it's worth checking whether you are
already covered: some all-risks home insurance
policies may cover your possessions when
overseas, and many private medical schemes
include cover when abroad.
Internet
Internet cafés
are surprisingly thin on the ground
in Sweden, and only really exist in the larger cities.
However, there are sometimes terminals operated
by the internet provider, Sidewalk Express, in train
stations, Pressbyrån newsagents and 7-Eleven food
stores; access is from 19kr per hour. As an alterna-
tive, try the local tourist o
ce or
library
.
Kids
Sweden is an exemplary country when it comes to
travelling with children
. Most hotels and youth
hostels have family rooms and both men's and
women's toilets - including those on trains -
usually offer baby-changing areas. Always ask for
children's discounts, as many activities, particularly
during the summer months, are geared towards
families.
Laundry
Sweden has very few public laundries. Your only
option to wash your clothes on the road is at youth
hostels where there is generally a laundry on site for
guest use.
Living in Sweden
The Swedish Institute (
T
08 453 7800,
W
si.se) has a
whole host of information about various work and
study programmes across Sweden and sometimes
organizes Swedish language courses abroad.
Insurance
Even though EU health-care rights apply in
Sweden, you'd do well to take out an insurance
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