Gothenburg Botanical Garden
Gothenburg botanical gardens, yet another place I like to visit from time to time.
Category: Sweden
Tjolöholms castle
If I’m ever getting married it’s going to be in a castle! On Sofia’s birthday I took her to Tjolöholm slott to scout out the possibility to have our wedding there. Somehow she missed the signs on the way to the castle and she was very surprised when she finally realized where we were. The castle area is very nice for walks, and for weddings. <3
Karlsborg (again)
This time around we spent more time in town, walking around looking at the harbor for example. We also visited the famous café, Nymans Bed & Breakfastwhere they exhibit art that you can buy. We also went to the beach and we also tried our luck at gold panning in Granvik.
Gunnebo castle
Gunnebo castle is just a stones throw away from central Gothenburg. We’ve never been inside the castle but me and Sofia has visited a couple of times. It’s always a nice place for a stroll and the café serves refreshments if needed. There’s also a small store that sells handcrafted stuff and some candy/bread that’s been produced at the castle.
Varberg
We went to Varberg to visit Varbers Kurort, one of two famous spa’s in the town. On our way home we also visited the old fortress that was built in 1287-1300 by Count Jacob Nielsen to protect against the Danish. It has changed hands multiple times but has remained as Swedish since the Treaty of Brömsebro in 1645. It was in use up until 1931 when it served as a prison.
Stjernsunds castle
A stop during a roadtrip in Västra and Östra Götalands län. Not so sure about the history of the place, but a nice stroll for an hour or two, plus the café made for a nice refreshment too.
Vadstena abbey
Small town, maybe not so much to do except looking at Vadstena abbey and the massive church.
Varnhem abbey
Yet another place of historic significance. We’ve passed by this place many times on our way to/from Karlsborg but never stopped to visit before. Doing so with a small child who rather do other tings than looking at an old church/ruin could have been easier, but we managed.
Visingsö
We visited Visingsö one week after the season had ended, which turned out to be a bad decision. More or less everything was closed except for what would categorize as “open air”. Some notable places we visited was Näs borgruin, Visingsborgs slottsruin, Sverkerseken (where king Karl Sverkersson was slain in 1167) and Brahekyrkan. We also made a stop in Gränna and visited one of the peppermint candy rock factories.
Anten – Gräfsnäs (open air rail museum)
This open air railway museum I’ve visited as a child, but did not remember much from it. So we went there again. It’s a short train ride between Anten and Gräfsnäs and while you wait for the train to turn around you can take a walk in the area and visit the castle ruin, which according to legend is cursed, and that’s why it has burned down.
Ryaskogen
This small forest crammed in between the bustling city life of Gothenburg and the heavy industrialized port of Gothenburg is a hidden treasure. The forest is almost magical, specially in the spring. I’ve been hare many times, but only a few times with a camera and this time I managed to catch some of the magic on pictures.
Karlsborg
Over the years I’ve come to visit this small Swedish town couple of times per year. But never really explored it much. One day we decided to go to the garrison/fortress and check it out. We took a guided tour and the we could free roam for a while before we decided to visit the café.
Övralid
Övralid was the home of one of Swedens great poets, Verner von Heidenstam (1859-1940). A wonderful location to visit, sadly not very well promoted. We stopped by here during a road trip in Västra/Östra Götaland 2019.
Läckö Castle
The drive north to Läckö castle from central Lidköping took about 30 minutes. We took the guided tour, walked around the surroundings, saw the viking ship Sigrid Storråda and almost stepped on a viper.
Pre 2000 / Other
My travel experience before 2000 (or other almost not notable event) I would say consist of travelling with my family (father, mother and brothers) and that would be the following destinations, in alphabetical order:
Austria On our way to Italy. Did stop for a while in Innsbruck I think.
Belgium Went there on family vacation, went to places like Gent and the castle Gravensteen, Brussels and caverns around Namur.
Denmark I think Legoland and Skagen was the main attractions in Denmark as a child. Also been a transit country on the way to the continent.
Finland A cruise from Stockholm to Helsinki, I think I spent about 2-3 hours in Helsinki before the cruise vessel departed again. At least I can say that I’ve been there.
France Paris of course, with the Louvre, Notre Dame, Sacré-Cœur, the Eiffel Tower and Champs Elysés. Also went to a place called Berck and then also Bretagne. Also more to the east, area around Strasbourg.
Germany as a transit country. Although, I remember spending some time at a place called Heide Park (amusement park).
Italy I don’t remember the particular order, but Lake Garda, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Moneglia and Albenga being places we went to and stayed at.
Monaco A day trip from the campsite in Italy. Did see the casino and the marina.
Netherlands Amsterdam is what I can remember. Might have visited the place where Anne Frank hid. Probably went on a boat in the channels.
Norway At some point, does not remember much except for fjords and stave churches.
Sweden Since it’s my country of residence and place of birth, we’ve been doing a fair bit of vacationing around in Sweden too. (Logs from Sweden are separated from the Europe tags.)