11 reasons to visit Gothenburg and West Sweden

City breaks don't come more perfect than this – Gothenburg is small but beautiful. Discover quaint canals, the cobbled streets of historical Haga and countless green open spaces, including Sweden's biggest botanical gardens, boasting over 16,000 species. Immerse yourself in the Swedish lifestyle, soaking up the buzzing outdoor café culture with 'fika' (a break for coffee and a sweet bun) or indulge in the intriguing food markets, impressive museums and multitude of enticing restaurants - five with Michelin stars, including the most recent addition to the list, Thörnströms Kök. What's more, there's the city archipelago right on Gothenburg's doorstep - easy to reach via a half-hour tram ride and a short passenger ferry trip.

With its never-ending summer days and cosy, candle-lit winters, it's no wonder that Swedes feel a close affinity with their seasons, and they certainly know how to celebrate seasonal changes in style! There's the Midsummer Festival, where you can join the Swedes as they head into the country for a day of ribbon-flinging and maypole-dancing, as well as generous helpings of fresh strawberries, seafood and schnapps. Then December sees the illumination of the darkest month of the year, with towns and villages filled with processions of singing children, each one led by a local girl crowned with candles, in honour of St Lucia (the Queen of Light).

Sweden's first marine National Park, Kosterhavet, is centred around the car-free Koster Islands, only a two-hour drive up the lovely coast from Gothenburg. Once on the Kosters, you'll see small fishing villages surrounded by an amazingly beautiful landscape, with many different plants and flowers. The appeal focuses on the unique seaside location, with beaches, rocky islands and the enchanting 'Koster light', which has inspired many artists on the island. You can rent bikes and enjoy a guided tour or a boat trip to see this marine wonderland. It's the perfect environment for a unique seal safari, diving and sea kayaking too.

A renowned event along the West coast of Sweden, taking place from 26 September to 6 November, and is set to be bigger than ever in 2011. Extended from two weeks to a month and a half, there'll now be a greater choice of mouth-watering (and educational) seafood safaris available along the spectacular coast. One of the seafood highlights, the lobster safari, 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 relaxing drink in the outdoor hot tub.

Families can have a wonderful holiday together in the region. Partake in outdoor activity at the tranquil Koster Islands, including seal safaris with Selin Charter, combined with a stay in Gothenburg, where kids will love the new freefall ride at Scandinavia's biggest amusement park, Liseberg. Or enjoy a unique tipi adventure in Dalsland, picking blueberries in the forest to make into jam or exploring the lakes on a rowing boat. There's also the Vitlycke museum, with fascinating rock carvings created during the Bronze Age period and the reconstructed bronze age farm, all set in yet another naturally-beautiful green landscape. The museum offers archaeology classes for children and entrance is free! Norden's Ark is definitely worth a visit too, home to endangered species from all over the world, including old native Scandinavian breeds.

West Sweden is fast gaining an international reputation as the 'foodie' capital of northern Europe because of its growing number of imaginative chefs, plus the wealth and quality of its natural produce. The West coast's shellfish are among the best in the world, inland forests provide a variety of game, while other districts produce fine cheeses. And the fertile agricultural land is ideal for growing grain and raising animals in the best organic traditions. Visitors can experience some of the most taste-bud-tantalising produce at A Taste of West Sweden-accredited restaurants, a network of 25 gastronomic eateries that make the most of West Sweden's first-class produce. And of course, there are five Michelin-starred restaurants in Gothenburg to sample, too.

The Swedes are renowned for neutrality and pacifism, but perhaps that's because defence is often better than attack. It has some stunning castles and manor houses, some of which can be booked for overnight stays. Examples worth visiting include Bjertorp Manor on Vara plain and Thorskog Manor in Bohuslän. Overlooking the historic island of Marstrand, there's the massive and somewhat stark Carlsten's Fortress, which was started in 1658 and took 202 years to complete. Or, sitting on its promontory on Vanern, Sweden´s largest lake, Lack Slott vies for the title of the country´s most fairytale edifice, with its 17th-century Baroque towers, cupolas and mouldings built on the site of a 13th-century castle. There's also the 18th century Gunnebo House and Garden, with its lavish formal garden and landscaped park, complete with organic kitchen garden which supplies Gunnebo's restaurant.

If you thought Ikea was the pinnacle of Swedish creativity, a wander around the fin-de-siècle Art Nouveau architecture of Gothenburg will make you think again. While you´re there, head to the Röhsska Museum for displays of Scandinavian design classics or visit the super-cool, independent shops, admiring innovative local brands such as Acne and Velour. There's also the eclectic 'Sculpture at Pilane 2011' exhibition, set on Tjörn island at one of the most beautifully-situated historical sites and showcasing the work of the renowned American sculptor, Keith Edmier, famous for his collaboration with Farrah Fawcett. Swedes have shown their class on canvas, too, notably the modern watercolours at the nearby Nordic Watercolour Museum.

Adrenalin junkies will adore West Sweden, with its rocky coastline of thousands of islands, as well as lakes and forests providing the most wonderful landscape for adventurers. Visitors can partake in all types of activity, including sea kayaking, canoeing, horse riding and mountain biking with a GPS. One day you can be by the coast in a kayak and the next day, deep in the forest, surrounded by wild animals such as moose and beaver as you stay in a tipi by the lake. Spend the night in a tipi by the lake, sleeping beneath the stars on a bed of fir twigs covered with warm and comfortable reindeer skins. The region's activity offerings are increasing, too - for example the adventure specialist, Nautopp, now offers more sea kayaking opportunities along the West coast.

So many companies in Gothenburg and West Sweden work in a sustainable and environmental way, supported by the West Sweden Tourist Board's delivery of a national Swedish pilot project, focusing on quality and sustainable tourism. There's a great range of eco-friendly sites and Nature's Best accredited activities - a national stamp of approval awarded to the best eco-tourism in the area - such as rock climbing and kayak trips with Upplevelsebolaget, Selin charter's seal safaris around the Koster islands, oyster safaris from Grebbestad and Wauglen Vildmark walking tours. All are in harmony with nature.

Journey between Sweden's greatest two cities, Gothenburg and Stockholm, on the Göta Canal Steamship Company's coast-to-coast cruises - first launched in 1869 and still running today! Step back in time on board these historic vessels and feel utterly relaxed as you glide along the iconic Göta Canal, rivers and great lakes. The boats offer traditional cabin accommodation, fine wine and dining, with historic stops en route, including the dreamy, fairytale-like Läckö castle. There are many reasons why the cruises recently won the "best experience in Sweden" TRIP Global Award and they just have to be sampled personally...

For an insider's guide to events and experiences in West Sweden follow the latest blogs at www.explorewestsweden.com.
 
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