Sweden An expansive country abundant with natural beauty, coastal towns, pretty villages, chic cities, Sweden has more to offer than just fashionable yet mass-marketable Scandinavian style a la IKEA and H&M

An expansive country abundant with natural beauty, coastal towns, pretty villages, chic cities, Sweden has more to offer than just fashionable yet mass-marketable Scandinavian style a la IKEA and H&M. Sweden has Danish castles in the south, Samis and reindeers in the north, thousands of lakes, saunas, a few fjords and an astounding number of ancient remnants and ruins. With more than 25,000 protected Iron Age graveyards and burial mounds alone, you will also find prehistoric fortresses, open-air rune stones and nearly 1,000 medieval churches.

Sweden has literally thousands of protected nature reserves each with hiking trails and bike paths. Coupled with the opportunities for skiing, canoeing and fishing, Sweden is the perfect destination for the outdoor enthusiast.  Founded in the early 1500s, elegant Gothenburg is a sprawling metropolis strewn with tranquil parks and some fascinating museums.

Also referred to as “Europe’s last wilderness”, Lapland is filled with mountains and alpine valleys that sprawl across the north of Sweden. Winter here can be cruel and harsh but also magical with thick snow covering the area, reindeer roaming and unique Ice Hotel’s popping up for the tourist that wants to experience sleeping on well-padded bed made of ice.

Culturally diverse Malmö is Sweden’s third largest city and acts as a gateway for thousands of immigrants who flock to the country each year given its close proximity to the rest of Europe. With a youthful and lively feel, Lill Torg is a great place for people watching while a spirited open-air market, ethnic eateries and folksy bars can be found in an area of the city’s south called Möllevångstorget.