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Though on the outskirts of Europe, Sweden was never a culturally outpost. The reigning royalty often invited foreign artists to their courts and also stimulated the development of local artists. Furthermore the Swedish developed their own traditions in design, painting and architecture. Gothenburg City hall was a widely followed example of traditionalistic architecture.
The three greatest cities Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo display three different characters. The capital Stockholm is beautiful, hi-tech oriented and full of history. This presentday capital is surrounded by its predeccesors Uppsala , Birka , Nykoping and Sigtuna . Famous is the trip by steaming-boat across the Gota Kanal (the Blue Ribbon of Sweden) that connects Gothenburg with Stockholm.
Sweden's great and vastly unspoiled nature is very diverse and offers you new and unexpected beautiful views every time you visit it again. The south has warm and sandy beaches, an open rural landscape with beautiful manors and patches of woods. In the central part, the coast is dominated by thousands of small islands, the skerries, consisting of more or less bare rocks carved and polished by the latest glaciation. The landscape becomes more and more dominated by the woods, spotted with many lakes and smaller agricultural areas. The further to the north you move, the more the woods take over. Skerries give you the impression of travelling through a chain of lakes all the way to the Finnish border, as you move along the coast. The rivers become greater, the forests darker, the people fewer in the north. Close to the Norwegian border, the mountains get higher and rougher. Lappland in the northwest, north of the polar circle, lets you experience the emptiness of polar tundra in alpine environment.
Every country has its stereotypes, but who wouldn't want to live up to the image Sweden has in the outside world? A nation of tall, blonde, attractive types, famously open-minded and non-aggressive. Wholesome outdoorsy folk at the cutting edge of technology, well cared-for by the state and living very comfortable lives: Volvos in the garage; houses full of stylish, cleverly designed furniture; a population who spends their long summer days eating meatballs and listening to ABBA. But when you dig below the glossy surface you'll find even more to impressed you.
Swedes tuck into fish, which is usually poached or fried in lard. Pickled herring is especially popular and the potato is basically indispensable. As well as being the vegetable of ubiquity, spuds are critically important in the production of excellent Swedish aquavit.