The most idyllic cities in Sweden

Sweden is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, yet it’s often overseen for more popular places such as France or Italy. Most people skip Sweden because it’s expensive (which, to be honest, it is), it’s not as accessible as many other countries in Europe and because not many people know what exactly Sweden has to offer.

But for those who gives Sweden a chance, they will soon find themselves rewarded with magnificent nature, idyllic towns, a beautiful culture which involves a lot of “fika” (when you meet up with a friend for a coffee and something sweet) and lots and lots of castles. So if you’ve decided to give it a chance, make sure to visit some of the most idyllic cities in Sweden. Not sure which one it might be? Then read on!

Kalmar

Kalmar is often dubbed as Sweden’s best summer city. It’s located in the southeast coast and is one of the most idyllic cities you can find in Sweden. In the city, you can also find Kalmar Castle, which has been dubbed as one of the most beautiful castles in the world.

Sundsvall

Further up north, you’ll find Sundsvall, a city that’s been burnt down twice but that’s still standing its ground. Many people in Sweden has dubbed Sundsvall as the most beautiful city. If that’s true or not is up to you to decide, but one thing’s for sure – the city sure has a lot to offer. The city centre is filled with stunning architectural buildings that will take you back in time. But don’t linger too long in the centre, instead, rent a car and go to the outskirts of the city such as Alnö or Skatan. It’s there where you’ll find the true charm of Sundsvall. The city is well located along the coast and you can find plenty of beaches here. If the weather allows it during summer time, you should go for a midnight swim. It’s in the north where the sun never fully goes down in summer. If you come during winter, you can ski or snowboard here.

Stockholm

There’s no doubt that the capital city of Sweden is breathtaking. With its lakes, parks and historic charm, it’s difficult to not get swept away by Stockholm. Take a stroll in the Old Town and discover some of the most photogenic sides of Stockholm.

Helsingborg

The city of Helsingborg is often overlooked by its big brother Malmö. But that doesn’t mean that it should be. Helsingborg has everything you could wish for – castles, gardens, stunning nature, great restaurants, plenty of cafés and good connections to the rest of southern Sweden and even Denmark. You could hop on a quick ferry ride and be in Denmark for a few hours before heading back. Sounds pretty great, right?

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Reasons why you should visit Sweden in winter

Most people who hear about the Swedish winter fears it. But it’s not as bad as you might think it is. It’s by no means warm, but if you just bring the proper clothes, Swedish winters can be magical and enjoyable. There’s so much you can do in Sweden during winter time and that’s why you shouldn’t skip this season in Sweden. Here’s why!

First of all, flights are really cheap

Since nobody seems to want to visit Sweden during winter, you’ll find that flight tickets can get really cheap. It’s off-season too so you will also find accommodation to be a bit cheaper, as long as it’s not during Christmas or New Years Eve.

You can catch the Northern lights

One of the must-do’s in Sweden is to see the Northern lights. Most people head all the way to Kiruna in order to catch a glimpse of the famous Aurora lights. You don’t need a guide for this. All you need is to head a few kilometres away from the city centre and you’ll have a good chance of seeing some activity. While in Kiruna, you can also go on sami tours, where you will see reindeers, learn more about the sami traditions and culture, and perhaps even dress you up in traditional clothings. You can also join a dogsled tour, which is one of the most popular activities to do in Kiruna.

Swedes love their winter activities

If you also love winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding or dog-sledding (see above), you’ll love visiting Sweden during winter. There’s numerous ski resorts where you can ski and snowboard all day long before heading into a cabin with a cup of hot cocoa.

Sweden is beautiful during winter

There’s no doubt that Sweden is incredibly beautiful during winter. The white snow makes the cities brighter, there’s light decoration everywhere, the mountains are snow capped and the air is crisp. During winter, Sweden gets very cozy and there’s a whole other atmosphere here than during summer. There’s so many excellent museums to visit in Stockholm for example, cozy coffee shops to escape into, top class restaurants and bars.

You’ll never “fika” as much as during winter

Fika is the expression Swedes use for when they sit down with a friend to socialize over a coffee and pastry. It might not sound like anything special, but Swedes take this very seriously. And you can tell by how crowded the cafés usually are. There’s nothing better than to enter a warm café after strolling around outside during winter and embrace a warm cup of coffee with some kanelbullar (Swedish cinnamon bun). Swedes love their sweets so you’ll find tons of pastries in the cafés that goes very well a cup of hot coffee.

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Bali: An Island of Unique Experiences

Bali is a paradise that avid travelers must visit on a long weekend or a week-long paid leave from work.

It can also be a good settling place for remote workers who seek relaxation and wellness after hours.

The best thing about this famous island in Indonesia is that it doesn’t cost that much to enjoy such beauty.

For as low as $20 a night, you can experience Bali for less even in peak seasons.

Glamping and beach activities are common but there are actually a lot of other unique things to do in Bali.

Go deep inside the heart of the island and enjoy Bali like no other with these unique experiences..

1.      Meatless meat?

Food might be on the top 3 reasons people travel. In that case, let’s go to the town of Ubud, where they have the best vegan food for meat eaters.

There are literally thousands of options to choose from as restaurants have an alternative for literally every known meat dish.

Hardcore meat eaters don’t even see the difference and find these vegan alternatives very delicious. It is time for you try them as well.

2.      The best place for yoga

Yoga in Bali might make you ditch the yoga studios you go to at home.

The calming views in Bali are nothing without  some body cleansing through meditation and yoga.

If the pictures and brochures lure you to this paradise, then it might be wise to cap it off with a meditation retreat.

Bali is an often go-to spot for people who look to recharge before throwing themselves for the new challenges that will come their way.

Enjoy a choice of either meditating along the beaches or in the middle of farms and forestation. Either way, you still will find peace.

3.      The farm that looks like stairs

Rice plantations are commonly found in tropical countries. Southeast Asia alone have lots of them.

In Indonesia however, there is the Tegalalang Rice Terraces which should be a world wonder candidate.

Want something beautiful to post on Instagram? Having the Tegalalang Rice Terraces on your background will surely make your friends envy.

It has a magnificent view of the valley and the tropical feel of the coconut trees that surround them.

The farmers have started to get wise through the years as some property owners charge a fee just to use their farm as a background.

4.      The delicious poo?

Don’t let the word “poo” fool you. The Kopi Luwak is one of the most expensive cups of coffee you will ever drink.

The Asian Palm Civet Cat feeds on coffee seeds, which is why it is purely what they expel. Cycling tours in Bali often have a Luwak coffee tasting session in the itinerary.

It might be cheaper however to travel to Bali and drink it there rather than spending around $50 at home for just a cup. In Bali, the Kopi Luwak only costs $5 in their own currency.

5.      Shop till you drop at Ubud Market

Expect sellers to mark up their prices exponentially when in Bali. If you know that actual worth of each item however, you won’t get scammed.

The good finds can be bought at the Ubud Market, where there are a number of authentic jewelry, handcrafted clothes and bags that you can only find in Bali.

The face that you can take home something unique back to your homeland will make you splurge on the items there.

Just be sure to go deep into the smaller alleys instead of just the main streets. Sometimes the best kept items can be found there.

6.      Do you want to be forever young?

The Goa Gajah or the Elephant Cave is a sanctuary built in the 9^th century but instead of seeing elephants, you will find six statues of women holding a pot at their bellies.

There, water is streaming out of those pots and are safe to drink. Some even believe that drinking water from the fountain provides eternal youth.

The reason they call it the elephant cave is because the elephant is a symbol of education and the place used to be a school centuries ago.

7.      Tropical royalty

If you are researching for tour packages to Bali, chances are that visiting the Ubud Palace is part of the itinerary. It is one of the most prominent places in the area, and a focal attraction to some.

The Palace was built in the 1800s, which means it houses more than two centuries of well-preserved intricate architecture. The Palace’s pristine condition is a true mark of how Asian people value sentimentality.

Whether it is walking the Balinese gardens or going there to watch the evening performances, the Ubud Palace is a must-see for fans of the folk arts.

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