Crisp and clean, the tranquil Scandinavian country of Sweden offers a variety of experiences within its elegent and sophisticated cities, its picturesque medieval villages, coastal island archipelagos, peaceful lakes and forests and the icy tundra of northern Lapland.

The capital city, Stockholm, encompasses 14 islands on the shores of the Baltic Sea. It is a high-tech city with a small-town feel, filled with top class restaurants, pulsating nightclubs, cosy pubs and a full array of performing arts. Best of all, nearly everyone you meet is fluent in English. Few visitors to Stockholm can resist an excursion to discover the offshore islands: the Stockholm archipelago offers some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in Europe, and can be enjoyed from the city on a day cruise.

The west coast and its fishing villages is the place for gourmets, especially seafood lovers, while those digging for history will be fascinated with Uppsala, the ancient Viking city where the newest buildings date from the 18th century. A really novel excursion is a visit up north to the Ice Hotel, sculpted from ice every winter in Lapland where the Sami people enjoy showing visitors their way of life, based on their reindeer herds. Meanwhile, way down south Smaland has been christened ‘the Crystal Kingdom’ in honour of the famous glassworks that exist there in places like Orrefors and Kosta.

Sweden is an enchanting country, not as cold as one might imagine situated as it is in the high latitudes, and is well worth exploring whether along the meticulously maintained roads or on the extensive high-speed train system.

STOCKHOLM:
The Swedish capital, Stockholm, is not only Scandinavia’s largest city but also its most enchanting, with its centuries-old alleyways and squares being spread across an archipelago of 14 islands. Locals are extremely proud of the fact that here one can go ocean-fishing in the heart of the city.

This historic metropolis with a small town heart also boasts a multitude of museums, an abundance of restaurants, a plethora of parks, fun fairs, a never-ending nightlife (licensing hours extend until 5am) and a rich cultural life. It all adds up to ‘never a dull moment’, particularly in the summer when the sun virtually never sets because of its being positioned in the far northern latitudes.

Most tourists are initially drawn to the quaint Gamla Stan (old town), a warren of narrow cobbled-stone streets overshadowed by historic houses, radiating out from the sumptuous Royal Castle where Swedish royalty has resided since the 13th century. Despite the medieval heritage, Stockholm is no staid, old-fashioned enclave. Citizens have developed a reputation for being trendy, daring and innovative, especially in the global realms of IT and fashion, often setting the pace in the design and technology fields.

Stockholmers are also immensely concerned with the environment, and the city-scape is made up of one-third water, one-third green space, one-third buildings and the cleanest air of any city in the world. Take a deep breath, pack a picnic, hop aboard a ferry, and make for one of the parks where you will undoubtedly be treated to a free concert; or head for the legendary shopping districts of Biblioteksgatan (exclusive European boutiques), Odengatan (antique treasures), Drottningsgatan, Harrngatan, Hotorget or Stureplan. There is culture to be soaked up too, with more than 150 museums to visit, art festivals galore, architecture to be admired (including the City Hall where the Nobel Prize banquet takes place), and a world-renowned Opera to attend.

It may be old, but Stockholm is a destination for the young and energetic, as yet not over-run with tourists like many other European capitals.

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Time:
GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).

Electricity:
230 volts, 50Hz. Standard European two-pin plugs are used.

Language:
Swedish is the main language, with Lapp being spoken by the Sami population in the north. Most Swedes speak and understand English. Many also speak German and French.

Health:
There are no health risks associated with travel to Sweden. Medical care in the country is excellent, and reciprocal health agreements exist with other European Union countries, including the United Kingdom. UK citizens in possession of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will be entitled to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Swedish nationals.

Tipping:
Service charge is included in restaurant bills, but an additional tip of 7 to 10% is expected for evening meals. Generally customers round off the fare when using a taxi. Tips are welcome for exceptionally good service in hotels, but are not expected.

Safety:
Sweden is an extremely safe country to visit. There is some petty crime during the summer months in the cities where tourists congregate, but crime is at much lower levels than elsewhere in Europe. Most visits to Sweden are trouble free.

Communications:
The country code for Sweden is +46, and the outgoing code is 00. Sweden also has area codes (Stockholm code is 8). Public telephones are available and there is good coverage across the country for mobile telephones, which use three different GSM 900 and 1800 networks. Internet cafes can be found in all the cities and towns.

Airports: Stockholm-Arlanda International Airport (STO)
Location: The airport is situated 28 miles (45kms) north of Stockholm. Time: GMT +1 Contacts: Tel: +46 8 797 6000 or 797 6100 Transfer to the city: The Arlanda Express trains to Stockholm Central station run every 15 minutes between 5.35am and 11.35pm daily. Buses run to the city every ten minutes between 6.40am and 11.05pm each day, taking 40 minutes to make the journey. Taxis are available at a fixed rate of SEK435 for the trip to the city centre.

The airport is well-supplied with banks, bureaux de change, ATMs, restaurants, bars and shops. The SkyCity centre inside the airport complex provides every conceivable amenity for travellers, including a luxury hotel and health club. All the terminals have lounge areas with power points for recharging mobile phones and laptop computers.

Parking: There are several parking areas adjoining each terminal with different price categories, whether it be short term, long term, indoor in multi-storey parkades, or outdoors. Website: www.lfv.se

Currency:
Money:The Swedish monetary unit is the Kronor (Crown), abbreviated to SEK. One Krona equals 100 öre. Banks exchange money during business hours from Monday to Friday. At other times money can be changed at airports, ferry terminals, post offices and Forex exchange offices, which are open daily. There are numerous ATMs throughout the country, most of which accept MasterCard and Visa. Travellers cheques and most major credit cards are widely accepted for payment throughout Sweden.

Visa & Passport Requirements:
Entry requirements for Americans: To enter Sweden, US citizens require a passport valid at least three months beyond their intended stay, and tickets or documentation for return or onward travel. No visa is required for stays of up to three months in any six-month period.

Entry requirements for UK nationals: British nationals may enter Sweden with a valid passport, and no visa is necessary for passport-holders endorsed British Citizen, for a stay of up to three months in any six-month period. Other British passports require a visa.

Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians require a passport, valid for at least three months beyond the intended stay, to enter Sweden. No visa is required for stays of up to three months in any six-month period.

Entry requirements for Australians: For entry to Sweden, Australian citizens require a passport valid for at least three months beyond the intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to three months in any six-month period.

Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans may enter Sweden with a passport valid for at least three months beyond the intended stay. A visa is required.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals require a valid passport, but no visa is necessary for stays of up to three months in any six-month period. All documents for further or onward travel are required.

Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a valid passport, but no visa is necessary for a stay of up to three months in any six-month period.

Passport/Visa Note: The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. All visitors are required to have visible means of support.

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

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