Located in the eastern part of the Scandinavian peninsula, Sweden is the largest of the Northern European countries. It is bordered to the north and west by Norway, to the northeast by Finland and to the east by the Baltic Sea. This country which extends over 1600 kilometres in length has 96000 lakes, numerous fjords and the forest covers 59% of the territory: it is a paradise for nature lovers and wide open spaces.

Sweden enjoys a semi-continental climate tempered by the Gulf Stream to the south. Of the 15% of the territory beyond the Arctic Circle, it is an arctic climate, with a strong contrast between winter when the nights are very long and summer when the sun does not set for a few weeks. The summer period from May to September is the best time to book a flight to Sweden.

. It is in the southern part of the country that 80% of Swedes live. At its end is Malmö, one of the major cities in the region. The old industrial port has been reconverted with the help of architects and a new ecological and modern district has been created, pleasant to live in with its pontoons overlooking the water. For art lovers, Malmö has several museums: modern art, an art gallery and a municipal fine arts museum.

Near Malmö is the medieval fortress Malmöhus, founded in the 15th century by King Eric of Pomerania. The whole region is full of galleries, exhibitions and cultural events. Lund has the same modernity, but has retained a 13th century cathedral and a medieval historic centre with half-timbered houses. Further west, Goteborg is another port city with a strong cultural activity. Stroll through the old part of Haga with its old buildings and narrow streets, antique shops, thrift shops, design shops and cafés, bars and restaurants. Then go to Slottsskogen Park, to the south-east, which offers a superb panorama of the city. Gothenburg has a large botanical garden in the northern part of the city, with 20,000 plant species on 175 hectares.

Several museums devoted to crafts and design, world cultures (Världskulturmuseet) and fine arts (Göteborg Konstmuseum). Relax at Gunnebo Castle (18th century) and its gardens and plan an excursion to the coastal archipelago and its thousands of rocky islands. The Swedish coasts and archipelagos offer a wide range of water sports such as sailing, canoeing and sea kayaking, windsurfing and water skiing. You can taste delicious seafood there. The area north of Gothenburg is called the Bohuslän at the border with Norway. It shelters approximately 10 000 rock engravings classified with the world inheritance. Go to Tanum and Vitlycke, to admire the immense frescos engraved on the granite slabs, rich in images and symbols.

The region has many prehistoric remains and funerary monuments (dolmens, menhirs). There are also many castles and manor houses, such as Läckö Castle (13/16th century) on Sweden's largest lake, the Vänern. On the east coast is the capital, Stockholm where you can see the old town, the royal palace and several museums including the Historiska Museet, with a collection on Vikings. Nearby, pass Skansen's open-air museum, where 150 traditional Swedish houses have been transported and rebuilt to preserve the customs and traditions of yesteryear.

Don't miss Drottningholm's royal residence (18th century), with its castle, theatre, Chinese pavilion and gardens, on Lake Mälar. Nearby are the Viking sites of Birka and Hovgården. On Sweden's east coast, 90 kilometres off the coast, the island of Gotland is worth a detour to the medieval UNESCO World Heritage city of Visby. To see: the fortifications (Ringmuren) with its 27 towers still standing, the cathedral, the church of Saint Catherine in ruins and the buildings of the Middle Ages. The whole island is full of Romanesque and Gothic churches. Another curiosity: the cliffs along rocks sculpted by the sea and the wind, called raukars.

Get a passport as the national identity card is not always recognised in Sweden by bank or post office employees. Vaccination against Central European tick encephalitis is recommended in forest areas. The disease is transmitted by tick bites. The national licence is recognised and is sufficient to rent a car in Sweden.

Art and culture in Sweden
Medieval week in Visby where the whole town disguises itself in period costume with traditional music. Gothenburg hosts many festivals, starting with the Film Festival. The Way Out West music festival in June is dedicated to Swedish rock music and is dedicated to the Swedish music scene.