A Swedish Christmas in Gothenburg and West Sweden

The Lane of Light
Combining contemporary Swedish design and a warm sense of tradition, Gothenburg lights the way to Christmas – literally. From 12 November to 9 January, walk the unique 3km Lane of Light through the city, beginning at the new Wheel of Gothenburg by the harbour and taking in shimmering outdoor light displays and the main boulevard's Winter Wonderland. The magical journey ends at Liseberg Amusement Park, famous as the home of Scandinavia's biggest Christmas market.

Liseberg Christmas market
Decorated with five million twinkling lights and 700 Christmas trees, Liseberg Amusement Park's Christmas market is Scandinavia's grandest. It features 80 rustic market stalls selling arts and crafts, as well as festive foods, such as traditional Swedish marinated herring, roasted reindeer meat served by indigenous people from Lapland (the Sami), marzipan pigs and traditional mulled and spiced wine, known as glögg. There's also a bar made entirely of blue ice and an ice skating rink. Open from 18 to 27 November on weekends (Friday to Sunday) and then daily from 30 November to 23 December, entry into Liseberg Christmas Market costs 90 SEK (£8) pp.

Other Christmas markets in the city
As well as at Liseberg Amusement Park, Gothenburg boosts many more Christmas markets, including one in the historic Haga district, where outdoor market stalls stand alongside the vintage boutiques and fika (coffee and a cinnamon bun) hotspots that line the main street, Haga Nygatan. Open from 26 November to 18 December at weekends.

The tradition of St Lucia
Witness a wonderful Swedish national tradition. Every year (this year on 11 and 13 December), Gothenburg chooses its Lucia 'Queen of Light', marking her coronation with a poignant concert held in candlelit churches across the city, including the incredibly atmospheric Vasa Church. Choral pieces sung by the Lucia troupe of seven girls bring divine enchantment to the packed church.

Dazzling festive light display
Witness a gigantic visual display of colour at Götaplatsen culture square (from 9 to 30 December), where a specially-produced Christmas film is projected on to the side of Gothenburg's Art Museum. Be warned, once you start watching this, you won't be able to stop; it's truly a treat for the eyes.

Sniff a Swedish Christmas at the Botanical Gardens
Enjoy a sensory festive experience at The Botanical Gardens Christmas Exhibition (from 26 November to 6 January), with visitors able to encounter and learn all about the smells of Christmas - everything from different kinds of trees and cinnamon, to incense, myrrh and frankincense. During the fascinating walk, staff will explain what the scents are and what their function is in nature.

Gothenburg hotels
Gothenburg offers the cosiest hotels to keep visitors snug during winter. There's Hotel Flora, oozing with kitsch Swedish design and incredibly comfy beds, from £82 pp per night or the trendy Avalon Hotel, with design exhibits throughout and a slick, atmospheric bar, from £72 pp per night (both based on two sharing and including breakfast). Families will love the four-star Hotell Liseberg Heden at Liseberg Amusement Park, from £56 pp per night (based on four sharing a family room), including breakfast and free entry into Liseberg Christmas market.
 
For further information about Gothenburg the Christmas city, visit: www.goteborg.com/en/Christmas-City/start/

The winter archipelago at Väderöarnas Värdshus
Experience a unique Swedish winter getaway, with a stay at Väderöarnas Värdshus hotel, set on one of the remote islands in Väderöarna (a 30-minute boat ride from the dreamy fishing village, Fjällbacka, which is a 1.5 hour drive north of Gothenburg). Guests are guaranteed relaxation, thanks to its idyllic coastal surroundings. Warm up in its outdoor hot tubs and sauna before feasting on a divine five-course Christmas menu of cuisine inspired by the surrounding seas. There's a variety of winter packages, including a one-night week day stay costing from 1150 SEK (£110) pp, including return boat transfer from Fjällbacka, access to sauna and hot tubs, five-course Christmas menu and breakfast.

Taste of West Sweden cuisine at Villa Sjötorp
Toast the new year at the splendid guesthouse, Villa Sjötorp, in Ljungskile on Sweden's west coast (less than an hour's drive north of Gothenburg). Tuck into a special dinner and breakfast at the guesthouse's Taste of West Sweden accredited candle-lit restaurant, where you can admire the greatest view - a jaw-dropping vista through lush, snow covered trees to the sea beyond, islands scattered in the distance. The New Year's Eve package costs 2,398 SEK (£237) pp, including one night's accommodation (based on two sharing) and the 'Sylvester Supper' New Year's Eve dinner plus breakfast.

Spa relaxation, champagne and fireworks at Nösunds Värdshus
Spend New Year's Eve at the coastal heaven Nösunds Värdshus, found on Orust Island on the west coast (an hour's drive north of Gothenburg). Breathe in the invigorating sea breezes from your balcony and enjoy the hotel's special New Year's Eve package, which includes one night's accommodation, entry to Havsbad Spa – complete with hot saltwater bath and sun and light therapy - a snack buffet, three-course dinner, live music, champagne, fireworks and breakfast, costing from 2,450 SEK (£234) pp.

Gothenburg's newest hotel – Clarion Hotel Post
The building of Gothenburg's exciting new Clarion Hotel Post is well underway, with its doors officially set to open on 26 January 2012. The listed former Post Office from the 1920s is being beautifully restored and extended into a sleek 500-bedroom hotel. Designed by the international architects Magnus Månsson of Semrén and Månsson and Erik Nissen Johansen of Stylt Trampoli, the hotel will retain its original awe-inspiring grand hall and high ceilings. It will also boast a trendy rooftop pool and the top-class 'Norda Grill & Bar' restaurant, to be managed by the famous Gothenburg-born chef Marcus Samuelsson. A standard double room will cost 610 SEK (£58) per person (based on two sharing).

The passion for food festival in Gothenburg
Taste West Sweden in many ways at 'The passion for food festival' in Gothenburg, held 24 - 26 February 2012 at Eriksbergshallen. Reaffirming the city's growing reputation as the 'foodie' capital of northern Europe, this annual event will showcase the region's best food producers and restaurants. Buy and taste top notch cuisine and pick up insider tips from Gothenburg's star chefs.

Indulge your Swedish crime-fiction addiction
Fjällbacka has to be seen to be believed. It is the dreamiest of fishing villages, set on the west coast about 90 minutes' drive north of Gothenburg. Boats sway gently in the harbour by lines of red wooden houses, with wind chimes singing in the sea breeze. Fjällbacka also happens to be the childhood home and setting of the crime novels written by the number-one selling Swedish writer Camilla Lackberg. At the moment her books are being turned into a TV series, with the filming of The Fjällbacka Murders currently taking place (think Midsummer Murders and Murder, She Wrote).
  
For an insider's guide to events and experiences in West Sweden, follow the latest blogs at www.explorewestsweden.com.
 
West Sweden Tourist Board is on Facebook and Twitter too, so be sure to 'like' or follow to keep up-to-date with more exciting news and events from the region.
 
Holidays to West Sweden are available through numerous tour operators, including Sunvil Discovery, Simply Sweden, Best Served Scandinavia, Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, Nature Travels, Discover the World and Taber Holidays.
 
For more information on Tour Operators >>
      
West Sweden can be reached with a short two hour direct flight to Gothenburg with British Airways (Heathrow), easyJet (Gatwick and Manchester), Ryanair (Stansted and Edinburgh), SAS (Heathrow) and City Airline (Manchester and Birmingham).
 
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