Anthony Norman

  Stockholm offers a smorgasbord of art and culture, from world-class museums and historically fascinating royal palaces to niche galleries and intimate artist houses. Nationalmuseum  showcases an impressive art collection spanning sculpture, painting and objects dating back to the 16th century. The imposing building, completed in 1866 and counting  the Royal Palace  as its neighbour, is a must-see in itself. Nevertheless, you’ll want to venture inside to view the newly restored interior, which took five years to complete and was unveiled in 2018. On a more intimate scale,  Hallwylska museet  (Hallwyl Museum) enjoys an equally central location in the former 19th century home of Count and Countess von Hallwyl. The museum is Countess Wilhelmina’s legacy, a testament to her extensive and slightly eccentric collection of art, furnishings, jewellery and more.  The extraordinary maritime  Vasa Museum  is one of Stockholm’s most popular attractions....

  PEOPLE are being warned about a group of men offering tree cutting services in Wantage . The men are allegedly going by the name “Oaklands Tree Care” and have been knocking on doors offering services.  However, in a post on Facebook group Wantage and Grove Community, residents have warned others that the service is a scam to “prey on the old and vulnerable”.  One resident commented: “I had a knock on my door yesterday saying they were cutting trees down for a neighbour and did I want mine done, I said no and the guy got a bit huffy.   “Then he walked off and noticed he was with someone else, they definitely looked a bit dodgy.”Another added: “They have lied and coerced their way in – do not allow this to happen to your family.”  SOURCE

 Happy children mean happy parents, and food plays a large part in this. From giant cinnamon buns to exciting street food, Gothenburg has a number of specialties that will tickle the taste buds of children and adults alike. 1. Food trucks on Magasinsgatan Traditional food is great, but the people of Gothenburg haven’t been slow to pick up on the latest trends and combine what they have to offer with their own larder. Street food from around the world can now be acquired in many locations throughout the city, and it’s all down to food trucks rolling around the streets offering tasty food from every corner of the globe. From Jamaican soul food to Mexican burritos, or Peruvian ceviche to herring prepared in the Swedish style – anything and everything is available. Not only do they serve excellent food, an added benefit is that the whole family can enjoy their favourite dish at an affordable price. But can we agree on ice-cream for dessert? Very good, and very Gothenburg....

  Småland has a diverse design scene, to say the least. Why not create your own glass art in the Kingdom of Crystal? Learn all about the story of IKEA in Älmhult. Or visit the childhood home of a world-renowned Swedish furniture designer. You’ll also find a rural museum and four barns filled with contemporary art.   Bruno Mathsson Center, Värnamo Curious about one of the most prominent Swedish furniture designers of all times? Learn more about Bruno Mathsson’s furniture at the Bruno Mathsson Center, and visit the studio and office where he created many of his designs. Bruno Mathsson presented a new type of furniture design in the 20th century and soon became one of Sweden’s most prominent furniture designers of all times. The chairs he designed became immensely popular and have become icons for Scandinavian design. It is said that his aim was to provide a new way of sitting, suitable for modern times. In the 1940’s Mathsson paid a longer visit to the USA, where he ...

 Sweden’s right of public access allows anyone to light a fire out in the nature. But there are restrictions to safeguard Sweden’s beautiful but timber-rich countryside.   Arrive in the natural wonderland that is Sweden and you’ll enjoy the right of public access – giving you freedom to roam the countryside across land and water. Go for a relaxing walk and stop to pick berries along the way or take a swim in a lake. Pitching a tent for a night or two in the wilderness is part of the freedom to roam, too. To complete the experience, what could be cosier than sitting by a campfire as night falls ? Making fires is allowed in the Swedish countryside – but only when conditions are safe. Campfires make some landowners nervous – and understandably so. Many forest fires are unintentionally caused by campfires every year – and with dire consequences. Sweden has suffered significant fires in recent years due to the unusually dry, hot summers Scandinavia has experienced. Fir...

  Looking for places to explore Swedish design, arts and crafts on your holiday in Sweden? Svensk Form (the Swedish Society of Crafts and Design) has put together this list of the top design places to visit in northern Sweden. Svensk Form aims to demonstrate the benefits of good design to social development, to stimulate the development of design in Sweden, to increase respect for the value of design work and to expand and deepen attitudes towards issues of form and design. 1. Frösö Handtryck Hand printing textiles is truly an art, requiring precision and patience. Learn more about the printing process and stock up on unique, hand-printed fabrics at this factory shop in Jämtland. Founded in 1946, Frösö Handtryck is both one of Sweden’s few remaining hand screen printers and one of the country’s oldest hand printers. The printing process and craftsmanship are largely the same now as then and can be viewed in action in the combined factory and store in Frösön, Östersu...

 Experience Sweden from the waterside in a kayak or canoe, gliding along mighty lakes, clean rivers and through Swedish archipelagos that spread across the idyllic coastlines and into the sea.   Few experiences are as peaceful as paddling in a kayak or canoe. Moving silently across the waters, you’re at one with nature. Aside from the sea surrounding it, Sweden has a vast number of lakes, rivers and archipelagos – often within easy reach of quaint towns and other urban environments. Set off with paddle in hand wherever you might be in the country – from Gothenburg on the west coast to Luleå in Swedish Lapland in the north. There’s no end to the variety of adventures to embark on, either independently or as part of a guided tour, with or without accommodation. Often, you can also combine the excursions with indulging in local food and beverages. Discover the diversity on offer for kayakers and canoeists, beginners and experienced paddlers alike. City kayaking Gothe...