West Sweden and Gothenburg Spring newsletter 2011

This year the Easter, Royal Wedding and May bank holiday weekends collide to create the potential for an 11-day break, taking only three days off work. Here are some unique ways to spend this time in West Sweden...

Breathe in the great outdoors of West Sweden's Bohuslän west coast, lined by an archipelago of 8,000 islands. Stay on the island of Tjörn, in a beautifully decorated island cottage, complete with its own swimming pool. Explore the surrounding islands, stopping off for scrumptious seafood at the famous Salt and Sill restaurant (Taste of West Sweden accredited) and Käringön's Oyster Bar. Kids will also love Norden's Ark, featuring 60 different species of endangered Scandinavian and exotic animals, as well as Liseberg in Gothenburg, Scandinavia's biggest amusement park which opens on 23 April for the summer.

Spend an active break experiencing Sweden's first marine national park, Kosterhavet, centred around the car-free Koster Islands. It's the perfect setting for walking, cycling and sailing, offering a spectacular setting of beaches, rocky islands and the magic 'Koster light'. West Sweden is renowned for its world-class seafood, with visitors able to sample and learn more about the Big Five here – lobsters, oysters, mussels, crayfish and prawns. Combine this serene coastal setting with a stay in the vibrant city of Gothenburg, only a two-hour drive away.

The Swedes sure know how to celebrate Easter. Think egg painting, Easter witches and bonfires beside the archipelago, followed by an exquisite typically Swedish Easter meal, including organic pickled herring, cured salmon and spiced schnapps! Experience all of this across the region, including at the historic Strand Hotel and Hostel, set in the charming coastal town of Lysekil, the new Marstrands Sea Hotel - King Oscar II's past residence - and the beautiful family-run Handelsman Flink Hotel, on the island of Flaton. For more information and to book Easter holiday packages >>

Visitors to the region now have even more opportunities to embark on an exhilarating sea kayaking trip. Adventure specialists Nautopp have recently opened an office at the Sea Lodge in Smögen, with plans for another on stunning South Koster island. Offering a range of courses to suit all levels of experience, these trips bring you so close to nature. Breathe in the great outdoors, gliding around west Sweden's dramatic rocky coast. UK tour operator Nature Travels also has several thrilling kayaking packages in the area, including the beautiful Fjällbacka archipelago, a great place for seal spotting.

The Shellfish journey is an event along the west coast that kicks off on 26 September and is set to be bigger than ever this year:
  
Extended from two weeks to a month and a half, there'll be a greater choice of educational and mouth-watering seafood safaris available along the spectacular west coast, including unique lobster, mussel and oyster adventures. One of the seafood highlights, the lobster safari, will cover the whole of the Bohuslän region and will see visitors voyage along the coast with a skipper, helping to haul up and reset the pots of 'black gold'. Learn how to prepare and cook the lobsters and then sample the scrumptious catch, perhaps after enjoying a drink in the outdoor hot tub. There'll also be more adventurous activity on offer, including sea kayaking trips around the archipelago.

Gothenburg has seen another of its restaurants, Thörnströms Kök, recently awarded a prestigious Michelin star, further reinforcing the city's growing reputation as the 'foodie' capital of northern Europe. The fifth restaurant in Gothenburg to receive the Michelin seal of approval, the culinary hotspot is run by top chef, Håkan Thörnström, and serves delicious locally-sourced food. 

See chefs from across Scandinavia battle it out to become the speediest oyster opener at this unique championship, in its sixth year. Held in the quaint fishing community of Grebbestad (two hours north of Gothenburg) on 14 May, visitors can enjoy a host of tasty oyster activities, as well as boat trips and diving adventures. There's even a lobster beer, brewed specially for the championships, to sample.

Unleash your fun side with a visit to Scandinavia's biggest amusement park, Liseberg, which opens on 23 April for the summer season. Located in Gothenburg, new for this year is AtmosFear - Europe's highest and one of the world's most spectacular free fall rides. And next door to Liseberg is Universeum, a fascinating interactive science and discovery centre. Get to grips with the natural world and technology, featuring everything from sharks, the rainforest and how to create a building.

Visitors can now take part in a very Swedish tradition - the Midsummer Special - something which hasn't been as accessible in the past. New for 2011 and held on 24 June at the magnificent Gunnebo House and Gardens, join the Swedes as they disappear out into the countryside to celebrate the longest days of the year, celebrating midsummer by dancing and singing around the maypole, whilst indulging in the most delicious fresh picnic. Guests will also enjoy a tour of Gothenburg's most famous sites:

There couldn't be a more calming, unique way to travel between Sweden's most buzzing cities, Gothenburg and Stockholm. Available from July-September 2011, the Göta Canal Steamship Company's four and six-day cruises on its historic boats take guests on a relaxed journey through rivers, lakes and the historic Göta Canal. Leave the stresses of everyday life behind and enjoy fine dining, cultural stops, guided tours and traditional cabin accommodation.

Tackle the 55km course through the lakes and waterways of the Dalsland wilderness, with 1,000 competitors taking part in Sweden's largest canoe event, held on 13 August. Glide your way across sparkling lakes and waterways surrounded by deep forests, with competitors aged 12 to 75 (shorter course for children). Just one and a half hours north of Gothenburg, Dalsland is an inspirational destination for anyone who likes the great outdoors. Nature Travels offers marathon packages, read more: www.canoemarathon.co.uk

See why Way out West is fast gaining a reputation as one of Europe's best music festivals, boasting an A-List line-up, including Robyn, Fleet Foxes, Pulp and Janelle Monáe. The eco-certified festival, held from 11-13 August in Gothenburg's city park, Slottsskogen, also sees eclectic performances at central clubs and culture hubs. What's more, there will be a selection of organic food available at the festival, including fresh seafood, with the menu created by one of the city's star restaurateurs, Mats Nordström. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.wayoutwest.se/en

Gothenburg will also host numerous other leading music festivals this summer, including the pre-party for Way Out West - Woody West Limited Edition - on 21 June in the central park (Garden Society); Where the Action Is, in Slottsskogen park, on 28 June, featuring performances from the likes of Coldplay, Glasvegas, Brandon Flowers and Bright Eyes; Metaltown on 17-18 June and West Coast Riot on 16 June, along with two big heavy metal concerts at Ullevi Stadium - Iron Maiden on 1 July and Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax on 3 July. Read more about festivals and events in Gothenburg: http://www.goteborg.com/en/Events/s/Events/

West Sweden can be reached with direct flights to Gothenburg with British Airways (Heathrow), easyJet (Gatwick and Manchester), Ryanair (Stansted and Edinburgh), SAS (Heathrow) and City Airline (Manchester and Birmingham). (länka varje flygbolag till respective sedan)
 
If you travel from other countries, here you will find more connections to Gothenburg and West Sweden: http://www.vastsverige.com/en/West-Sweden/Travel/
    
For an insider's guide to events and experiences in West Sweden follow the latest blogs at www.explorewestsweden.com.