Winter 2010 - A Christmas tingle in West Sweden

From mid-November, Gothenburg becomes the self-proclaimed 'Christmas City' as preparations for the big day get under way. Located on the west coast of Sweden and less than two hours from Britain, Gothenburg is a magical destination for a pre-Christmas city break offering Scandinavia's largest Christmas market, stunning light displays and glorious seasonal food. Festive travellers are recommended to combine the city with time in the picturesque West Sweden region to visit traditional manor houses steeped in Christmas traditions.

Experience a day filled with yuletide tradition and warmth, the bustle of a Christmas market brimming with handicrafts, plenty of glögg and the extravagant julbord - a genuine Swedish Christmas smörgåsbord – at beautiful Tofta Manor House in the countryside north of Gothenburg. The six-hour 'Christmas Special' tour costs 1,175 SEK (£110) per adult and from 500 SEK (£47) per child. Available on 28 November and 4, 5, 11 and 12 December.
  
Visitors could also try a day of city sightseeing taking in Gothenburg's highlights and soaking up the atmosphere of the Christmas City. Included is a visit to Gunnebo House and Gardens, the neo-classical estate on the edge of Gothenburg, where guests will enjoy an organic lunch in its coffeehouse and restaurant. The four-hour 'Premium City Sightseeing' tour costs 1,050 SEK (£100) pp and from 500 SEK (£47) per child. Available 4-8 November.
   
Both of these special Swedish Christmas experiences are available through Got Tours. The price includes hotel pick-up and limited places are available. Book at www.westsweden.com.

This market, blending a traditional and contemporary Christmas, opens in the attractive Liseberg Amusement Park on 12 November with five million twinkling lights, 700 Christmas trees, stalls brimming with Nordic handicrafts, plenty of seasonal Swedish fare, an ice rink, a children's winter wonderland, ice sculptures and an ice bar. Entrance to Liseberg is included in the Gothenburg Pass, giving access to top city attractions and free public transport. Priced 24 hours: 245 SEK (£23) per adult and 170 SEK (£16) per child; 48 hours: 390 SEK (£36) per adult and 270 SEK (£25) per child, it can be booked at www.goteborg.com.

Visit a traditional Christmas market with Swedish crafts and foods at Gunnebo House and Gardens, one of Sweden's finest 18th century estates, beautifully located between lakes Stensjön and Rådasjön outside Gothenburg. Break from browsing the stalls for coffee or lunch in the coffeehouse and restaurant. Daily guided tours of the house are available. For more information go to www.westsweden.com.

For an exquisite taste of West Sweden at Christmas, sit down for a nine-course December menu amid beautiful surroundings at Villa Sjötorp, a Gothic villa overlooking a seascape of islands and peninsulas at Ljungskile, 45 minutes north of Gothenburg. The perfectly-balanced meal uses regional ingredients, such Munkedal Forest venison, Håverud salmon and the last pears of the season, and is enjoyed in the hotel's Taste of West Sweden-accredited restaurant. Priced 848 SEK (£80) pp. For more information go to www.villasjotorp.se.

...check into the Marstrands Havshotell (Marstrands Sea Hotel). Opening on the mainland opposite Marstrand island in mid January, it's a scenic getaway beside the water just 50 minutes from Gothenburg. The 98-room hotel includes a spa with traditional treatments from the Bohuslän coast, incorporating the likes of seaweed, salts and hot baths; two restaurants, an outdoor terrace with seating for 150 people, views to sea and across Marstrand, which can be reached by car over a connecting bridge from the mainland.

West Sweden and Gothenburg are becoming even more accessible with the launch of new routes to Sweden's west coast city. New flights are being introduced from London, Manchester and Edinburgh through easyJet, British Airways and Ryanair.
 
easyJet
London Gatwick – Gothenburg Landvetter Airport started flights on 6 September 2010.
Manchester – Gothenburg Landvetter Airport starts on 10 December 2010.
www.easyJet.com
   
British Airways
London Heathrow – Gothenburg Landvetter Airport starts on 28 November 2010.
www.britishairways.com
  
Ryanair
Edinburgh – Gothenburg City Airport starts on 5 November 2010. www.ryanair.com
  
Direct flights to Gothenburg are also available with Ryanair from Stansted, SAS from Heathrow and City Airline from Manchester and Birmingham.
 
The West Sweden Tourist Board will be attending World Travel Market, London (November 8-11). For more information about Christmas in West Sweden and the region's news visit Ann-Charlotte Carlsson, Head of Marketing & Press UK, at stand number XXXX.
  
Further information about visiting West Sweden and Gothenburg is available at www.westsweden.com and www.goteborg.com.
 
Ends – 4 November 2010
 
Press: For more information contact Rob Looker at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 (r.looker@travelpr.co.uk).