YEAR VISITED: 2005

EXPERIENCES: Following our guided tour experience in Italy, we flew to Sweden where we connected with Jill’s high school exchange student.

Annika and Anders picked us up from the airport and we stayed the first couple nights with them in their condo in Kristianstad.

Their home was located in the beautiful downtown of roughly 40,000 people. In 2005 I would, at best, be described as an “irregular jogger” (meaning I enjoyed jogging but never did it regularly enough to really get in good shape). At any rate our first night in Kristianstad I didn’t sleep very well as I was so excited to explore and see the country of Sweden. Therefore, I made the decision to go for a quick 30-minute jog and explore what the downtown area had to offer. For roughly two miles I had a fantastic jog (still to this day one of the best of my life). I remember thinking how lucky I was to be traveling this far from home, how beautiful the country was as a whole, and all the upcoming fun activities we had planned. As I was daydreaming I decided this was far enough and that I should start making my way back to the condo. It was roughly then that I felt like I was hit by lightening as I realized I didn’t know how to get back. Trying not to panic I first attempted to retrace my steps. Unfortunately many of the homes and neighborhoods looked exactly the same, which didn’t help me in retrace my steps. Then I thought I would simply ask for directions. However, before I could find someone to ask I realized I didn’t know Annika’s or Ander’s last name and asking for “Annika’s house” in Sweden wasn’t going to narrow down the search. After 15 minutes, panic began to set in. Here I was visiting another country, lost in a city that I barely new the name of, and staying with friends I had just met and didn’t know their last name. I tried to act cool, but truthfully I was panicked. By this time my slow jog had evolved into a full on walk as I examined house after house. Finally I stumbled upon the correct house and bounded up the stairs trying to act cool, calm, and collected. In reality I was pretty shaken but certainly didn’t want to tell anyone my embarrassing story. So I just enjoyed my Swedish breakfast with our fantastic hosts and tried to not let on just how panicked I was. Later that afternoon we went to a family fun plex, enjoyed Annika and Anders’ company, and had a blast bowling. My morning’s misadventure was firmly in the rear view mirror.

HOTEL / RESORT: After two nights in Kristianstad we headed to the island of Oland. Annika’s family has a beach house there and her parents, Ann and Goran, joined us. We stayed an additional three nights on the island for a combined five total nights in Sweden.

ADVENTURE(S) AND OR NOTEABLE DESTINATIONS: We loved exploring the touristy downtown on the island. There were boutique stores, restaurants, and bikes everywhere. The Baltic Sea was absolutely beautiful and the weather, which averaged 75 degrees, was perfect.

Also on the island of Oland is Borgholm Castle. The Swedish word for ‘castle’ is ‘slott’ which was one of the first places we toured.

Borgholm Slott was built in the mid 13th century but unfortunately suffered major damage from a fire in 1806. However, you can still walk through the ruins where you definitely get a sense of the grandeur of the estate.

Back on the mainland, but merely across the bridge from Oland, we visited the city of Kalmar. There we toured Kalmar Slott, which is even older than the first castle.

It was constructed in the 12th century. It was here that the Kalmar Union was signed in 1397. This document effectively brought Sweden, Norway, and Denmark under one monarchy. The facility is stunning, in beautiful condition, and this was our favorite castle.

The last castle we visited was the Backaskog Castle and Grounds. This facility had immaculate flowers and landscaping. However, it looked the least like a traditional castle and out of the three was our least favorite.

Our only other place we visited in Sweden was the city of Malmo. We ate lunch in the city and then boarded the train to Denmark.

RESTAURANTS: An overwhelming majority of our meals were eaten at home. However, we did enjoy taste testing deserts & beverages around Oland. Our favorite establishment was a place called Pubben.

STADIUMS AND/OR SPORTING EVENTS: Located on the island of Oland, Anders, Goran, and I golfed the Gronhogen Golf Links.

It is one of the few true links style courses in all of Sweden and at least in the early 2000’s was the top ranked golf course in the region. There were views of the Baltic Sea from every hole.

While I considered myself lucky to play such a beautiful course, I unfortunately hacked it up; truly one of my worst performances on the links.

• OUR LIST TO VISIT OR RETURN TO:
• Stockholm
• Experience the Aurora Borealis
• Abisko National Park