Travel to Sweden (Europe)

While the recent global financial crisis has seem to taper off, perhaps it is hopefully that by 2010, more companies will be hiring either on a part time or full time basis as their confidence gains momentum in the markets. The need for job opportunities is a grave priority for the whole world to go back to a sense of normalcy. Enabling people the opportunity to seek gainful employment restores their sense of confidence and normalcy in their spending on goods and consumables. This expenditure is necessary for companies to remain solvent, aside from being operationally efficient.

Countries have also done their part in moving the jobs market through increase in infrastructure spending. The repair of roads, bridges and the construction of buildings and schoolhouses create a demand for jobs. These are the necessary stimuli to keep the economy going and ensure that any recession may be thwarted. At any rate, there are still jobs available, albeit temporary jobs for those interested to earn some money. For some places like Sweden here are some things you should know about:

The country of lakes and forests, meadows and mountains known for its warm summers and fairly cold winters. Not rich in whole soil and rocky terrain have led Sweden to the mining, steel production and forestry development, which greatly improve the level of the economy.

The Sweden people are famous for their reverent love for nature. And while winter residents often leave the country to avoid the cold weather, they remain the most active tourists to the country during the summer. In Sweden, there is something that is not always find in other European countries - this is a huge free open uninhabited spaces. They are characteristic of the vast forests, mountains and national parks. Sometimes one can go long distances without seeing a soul.

Many tourists running after attractions, such as those that are located in France or Italy, Sweden, mistakenly believe that a poor in this regard. Far from it: in Sweden there are 1400 historical forts, 2500 runic monuments in the open air, 25000 protected Iron Age graves, and in only one of Stockholm and the surrounding area has 10 royal castles.

Stockholm, of course - the main goal of most visitors to Sweden. City with history of more than seven centuries, is filled with twisting cobbled streets in the medieval streets, and marble, glass and granite skyscrapers in downtown. It is a city of tranquility, beautiful buildings, countless opportunities for shopping and an abundance of attractions. No other European capital can boast such spectacular scenery as Stockholm, with its 24 thousand islands and reefs of various sizes. This city was created to give pleasure. While other world capitals grow old and lose their former glory, Stockholm over the years, it only gets better. More recently, he wore the spirit of provincialism, but now it is alive, vibrant and active city with a rich nightlife, fine dining, with a refined and educated population and high, by world standards, standards of living. But in Stockholm, Sweden is just beginning. Another, at least two cities are more attention - Gothenburg and Malmo. Gothenburg, Sweden's main seaport, located on the rocky west coast, notable for its picturesque scenery. Boulevard beautifully lined with trees, there are many elegant buildings, restaurants, museums, nightclubs, and endless line of shops. To the north of Gothenburg you will find a quiet fishing harbor, surrounded by cliffs and offshore islands, where the city's population comes to rest in the summer.

Remote and isolated areas of Europe, Lapland, - the territory of truly impressive proportions. Birch groves and vast coniferous forests turn into waterfalls, roaring rapids, mountain plateaus and swamps, overgrown with moss. Numerous rivers in this region of the jet from the mountains and flow into the Gulf of Bothnia. Untouched nature is not touching under the summer sun - a compelling reason for the attraction of Lapland.

And finally, the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea, belonging to the territory of Sweden, it flourished in the times of the Vikings. This land of beaches, spa and yachting has a warmer climate than in the rest of Sweden. About a hundred churches and chapels are still on the island, and the main city of Visby (Visby), one of the oldest cities in Sweden. The wall around the old town stretches for 3 kilometers, her crown 44 of the tower. Gear turrets and high narrow windows in the form of arches take us back to the Middle Ages.

Sweden - a country where you can enjoy the history and urban entertainment, but the heart and soul of the nation you feel right in its endless landscapes. From riot of colors and scents of summer meadows with orchids, where to go deer before dark winter landscape dotted sled dogs in the snow - in any season of Sweden provides every opportunity for the amazing holiday.

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Stockholm, the capital of Sweden and part of the Stockholm Municipality, is located on Swedens East Coast where Lake Malaren meets the Baltic Sea. There are numerous high-tech companies headquartered here. In spite of a full four season climate that includes substantial rain, tourism has doubled since 1991. So, there must be something about its people and places to attract so many visitors. Heres a look at Stockholms luxury hotels, best restaurants, and what to see and do while visiting. The progressive city is on the rise and definitely a worthy destination for world travelers to notch on their boards.

Luxury Hotels in Stockholm

The First Hotel Reisen has been a center of refined hospitality since the 1700s. Aside from offering the best view of Old Town Stockholm from its waterfront location, there is the sauna, the swimming pool, and the sensational restaurant all set beneath 17th century vaults. The Victory Hotel is part of the Bengtsson familys hotel chain. It is named after the English naval hero Lord Nelsons flagship the HMS Victory. Adjacent to Victory Hotel is the renowned restaurant, Leijontornet (the Lion Tower), which is named after a 14th century fortification wall that is on display in the main dining room. The decor of each room has a little captain in it with a portrait of Lord Nelson. Good Lord! The Hilton Stockholm Slussen is located in the center of Stockholm.

It, too, offers incredible views of Old Town Stockholm. The hotel was noted for being the best business hotel in 2003. The gym and sauna are world class facilities. Additionally, the hotel is a civic leader for its commitment to environmental safety issues.

Best Restaurants in Stockholm

Den Gyldene Freden is an 18th century establishment of great historic and epicurean proportions. The esteemed Swedish Academy holds its meetings here for members to enjoy the restaurants well made local dishes. Lux Stockholm is annually commended in the highly valued Michelin Guide for its excellent seasonal offerings and service. Renowned architect Peter Hallen designed crystal lamps to lighten up our tables and color changing walls. Wardshuset Ulla Winbladh is an open air restaurant that serves gourmet lunches and dinners of Swedish fare. Due to the eaterys enormous popularity, making reservations in advance is strongly advised. The owners have five additional restaurants in Stockholm.

To Do in Stockholm

Checking out the Kulturhuset Cultural Centre is a good way to get better acquainted with the citys cultural offerings. There are exhibitions, theatre, dance, music, and other types of performing arts. Additionally, there is a library with a reading lounge and several restaurants in the vicinity. Skansen Open Air Museum is an open air museum that presents 150 historical buildings of Sweden. The museum was founded in 1891. There also is a zoo with wild and tame Nordic animals onsite. The Skansen hosts many annual festivities and events. Here is a place where kids of all ages remain young and foolish forever. The Tivoli Grona Lund is among the favorite amusement parks with its adrenaline pumping roller coasters. The entertainment center proudly proclaims that it has the highest free fall ride in all of Europe. It is a big on fun boutique amusement park with approximately 30 compelling attractions.

Notes on Stockholm

What has six stories and 100 separate departments under one roof? It is the Nordiska Kompaniet. Many call this the greatest shopping center in the world. Products by Hermes, Mulberry, Prada, and YSL are represented as well as an array of well known Swedish brands, such as J Lindeberg and Flippa K. The majestic food market is fit to be graced by royalty with a variety of pubs, bars, cafes, and restaurants. This is a favorite destination of the locals.

Gotland, the largest island in the Baltic, lies almost equidistant from the Swedish east coast and the Baltic state of Latvia. This beautiful island, surprisingly unknown to foreigners, is a favorite vacation destination among Swedes. First-time Swedish visitors often comment that it feels like being abroad, perhaps somewhere in the Mediterranean. Having grown up on Gotland, I am perhaps biased, but from the medieval, walled-in cobble-stoned city of Visby to the stark, windblown, sheep-studded landscape of Faro, Gotland truly is a spectacular and fascinating place. From Sandhamn in the Stockholm archipelago, it is about a 24-hour sail to reach Gotland. There are no luxury yachts available for charter on Gotland, but many in Stockholm, so this is the way to go.

Visby, the only city on the island, gets quite crowded in the summer, and if you like an intense nightlife, you definitely want to check it out. "Everybody" in Sweden shows up in Visby at some point in July: celebrities, politicians and royalty alike. After mid-August, however, most of the tourists are gone, so if you have your heart set on Visby but don't want to fight the crowds, that's a great time to visit. September can also be beautiful, with summer warmth lingering well into the month. To the surprise of many, the water around Gotland gets quite warm in the summer - it can reach 80F and above in August and sometimes way into September as well. It is a lovely experience to go swimming when the water is warmer than the air and then treat yourself to a hot chocolate or a vin chaud afterwards.

But you can find quiet spots with very few visitors all over the island even in July (with varying degrees, or lack, of nightlife). There are several other ports around the island well worth a stop:  Lickershamn (about 13 miles north of Visby), a small fishing village with a few beaches, restaurants and shops, and the highest rock formation (of which there are many) on Gotland called "Jungfrun". Lauterhorn on Faro (a small island just north of Gotland, which Ingmar Bergman used to call home) has a large area of rock formations, an old viking harbor, bike rentals, and one restaurant, bar, cafe and shop. Farosund, the northernmost village on Gotland, is a tad more lively with a few restaurants and shops.

Slite, on the east coast, is often overlooked by tourists since it's mainly known for its cement factory, but the town (the second largest on the island after Visby) also has a nice, sandy beach, tennis club, and a few stores and restaurants, although not much in the way of nightlife. Katthammarsvik, further down on the east coast, is an old fishing village with a locally famous seafood smoke house (try the smoked shrimp), several restaurants, cafes, shops and sandy beaches. A bit further down the coast lies Ljugarn, one of the most popular vacation spots, and the one with the most active nightlife, on this coast. Ljugarn has a beautiful white sandy beach, a few museums and several restaurants, pubs and cafes.

If you go all the way down the coast and head back up on the west coast, you arrive in Burgsvik, the southernmost village on the island. Burgsvik has a nice, sandy beach, a few shops and restaurants, a farmer's market every Saturday in the summer, and several artisans with shops. A bit south of Burgsvik is one of the most well known rock formations on Gotland, Hoburgsgubben (The Hoburg Man), who, according to one American friend, looks like Richard Nixon. Gotland is also a popular biking destination, and most towns have bike rentals (in Visby you can also rent cars, scooters and motorcycles) so if you want to see more than the coastal areas, that's a fun way to do it. There are of course many more harbors and beautiful places to visit on Gotland, but these are some places to start with, and I hope I have inspired you to explore this unique island on your next yacht charter vacation.

Betsy (my domestic partner) and I were just talking about the difference between how things feel when you're in the "gold zone" and how they feel when you're not. Julia Cameron calls it the "Vein of Gold," and wrote a great book about it. Athletes call it "the zone." Let's call it the "Gold Zone."

She was reminding me of the months right before I got serious about internet marketing. I had been a working musician since I was 15. I went "on the road" the first time when I was 17. I was gone for three months, and it was hard on me and hard on my family when I had to come back from being "on the road" to finish high-school. I took several detours, but for the most part, I was a musician for over thirty years.

In spite of some success, I never really "made it" as a musician. I got really, really close a few times... but something would always go wrong. For example- in 2003, I played an extended tour of Europe. We went to Sweden, Holland, France, and England. I played from Bogner Regis in the far south of England all the way up to the Isle of Aaron in Northern Scotland. It was a wonderful tour, and the people seemed to like my music.

The scenery was breathtaking- from Moose in Sweden to the Holy Isle in Scotland to the coffee shops in Amsterdam to the street performers in London... Everything was wonderful except... things kept going wrong. My band-mates made the decision to stay completely amphibious for the whole tour. Blame it on Amsterdam. The big festival in Sweden got no promotion, and nobody came. That's a long way to drive to play for twenty people.

And then I got robbed at Waverley Abbey, outside of London. Lost both guitars and all the money. And my passport. I was clearly not in the "gold zone." After I finally got home- and believe me, with no money and no passport, getting home was tricky- I took some time off to think things through.  I had started researching the internet marketing game, and met some of the players. It was interesting... but there were a lot of unknowns. There were also some very steep (but relatively short) learning curves involved. So, while I was thinking, my agents booked another tour- this time to Germany.

That was the tour when all hell broke loose.  Betsy was alone with the boys, both of whom woke up one morning and decided to start acting like the teenagers they were. It was like fishing at the old pond, where the most dangerous thing you'd had to deal with was a catfish, and suddenly a fifty-foot alligator jumps in the boat. And I was over 3,000 miles away. After that tour, I really did some thinking.  I either had to move to Europe and play music, or do something else. Moving to Europe, at that time, just wasn't going to work... and, more importantly, it just didn't feel right. Betsy and the boys also had strong opinions about that.

Worse, every time I strapped on my guitar, I felt like the "rock-star police" were going to arrest me. For impersonating a musician. I never once felt authentic as a musician. This is odd- I was an award-winning songwriter, with a recording contract, zealous agents, and a publishing deal. I was a fraud. I know some "real" musicians. I have a guitar-player friend who has several gold records on his wall. He tours with a band that has had #1 singles. When he's home, he sits in his studio and plays guitar. For fun. I once heard an interview with YoYo Ma, and it really touched me. He talked about the most wonderful moments of his life. Those moments are when he takes his million dollar+ cello out of its case and sits alone, just loving the sound and touch of his instrument.

My guitars stay in their cases between tours. That was a clue. Ever since I discovered internet marketing, I've been in the "Gold Zone." It was like finally seeing the "Pull" sign on a door I had been trying to push open for decades. Duh. It was crystal-clear to me. I "got it" at the first internet marketing seminar I attended. The people who were successful were the ones who made products and sold them. The people who were not successful were the ones who did something else- or did nothing. I had a lot of help. I've immersed myself in internet marketing, read scores of books, and sought out the company of successful internet marketers. I threw myself at learning curves, and bounded right up them. I had a blast. I quickly made a pile of money. I found my "Gold Zone."

Have you found your "Gold Zone," yet? It's easy- especially in the internet marketing world. You can make a good, even a GREAT, living by solving other people's problems. It pays well, and it's karmically good for you. You can pick almost any subject- cooking, driving, relationships, ebook authoring, etc... anything but how to get rich online (please- unless you have become rich online), and build a portable empire by solving problems in that niche. I have a saying, which will eventually be turned into a book- "Every problem is a product." So, I make money and I help others. Perfect niche. How can you tell if you're in your "Gold Zone?" Things get real easy. One of the things I stress to my coaching clients is, "if this is hard for you, you're doing it wrong." If you find yourself getting bogged down and disinterested in your topic- you've picked the wrong topic. 

Quickly choose another one. If your subscribers consistently choose to not buy your products, quickly change your strategy. In the online world, you can make dramatic changes instantly. Life is too short to bang your head against the door marked "pull." You can push and push and bang and hit and throw bombs and cry and just generally exhaust yourself... and the door will stay closed. I would say that the most important thing you can do to improve your life is find your "Gold Zone." Find your passion, and then find people to pay you for doing what you love.  Quit banging on the door and just open it.

Freelance illustrator and artist Hanna Melin brings wit to her drawings often featured in The Guardian, The Independent and The Financial Times. Her scribblings have been animated for the pop star Just Jack's video and a Halifax Home Insurance ad. Melin talks exclusively to mydeco about vinyl stickers and sarcasm. I live in... East London. I like it because it's a normal street and it's a really mixed area. My boyfriend, William, and I like to walk around Victoria Park and London Fields.

William and I bought our flat... and we've been doing it up for three years. It's nearly finished, finally! Today I put down the carpet in the stairwell. The best room in my home is... the hallway which has white walls, wood floors and nice old wooden banisters. They're the only original thing in the house which we left in. There is a big velux window in the hallway so wer can see the sky. My interior style is... definitely modern. We have white walls, high ceilings and white bookshelves. There isn't much colour.

A home is defined by... the things you choose to put in your home, especially on the walls. In the beginning I had photos from Sweden on the wall, but now I have things from exhibitions and posters. It's the choices you make and the things you buy. At weekends... we renovate or go to galleries, walk around Hackney and go for pub lunches near Victoria park. My artistic style is... quite humorous... not in a comedy way - a more sarcastic, hidden humour. You might have to look twice before you see what it is. My plates and mugs are more commercial. With illustrations I like to capture people's faces and expressions with really simple lines. My boyfriend is a furniture designer - he showed me a machine and how to cut things out. It helps because I have someone to talk to.

I am inspired by... a Swedish artist called Jockum Nordstrom who embroiders plates. I like his playful humour and the way he uses materials. Jockum uses hard materials and soft embroideries. With my ceramics I like the contrast effect of soft drawings with pen or graphite on the hard ceramics. My most sentimental possession is... a white Hella Jongerius bowl with a bird in the middle. It cost £600. If my flat burnt down I'd definitely save that.

The biggest interior trend right now is... wall decorations. Vinyl stickers are everywhere. I've always been drawing... with my mum and sister back in Sweden. My mum definitely inspired me - she always had us making things - she bought play figure toys for Christmas which you had to decorate and build yourself. I studied illustration at... Brighton University and did an MA in Communication at the Royal College of Art in London. The greatest thing in my life is... to survive and be able to pay the mortgage - to have fun, go out for meals and still do what I love to do. I'm grateful for that.

At the moment... I'm doing online sales mostly and I'm exhibiting at the Red Door gallery in Edinburgh. My next project is... hot spot stands - for pans to put on the table. My boyfriend just got a laser cutter so I want to see what I can do with that. In five years time... I will still be in London because my boyfriend says we have to wait for the Olympics now we've done the flat. I'd be happy if I was doing the same thing. If I'm still doing this in five years time, I'll be happy. Hanna Melin designs are sold through mydeco's design boutique.

Sweden is a beautiful country with a lot of attractions and historical events that will fascinate you. They do their best to preserve the historical landmarks they have and they take pride in the natural set up they possess. With the tourists and surge of immigrants in this country, many hotels of its hotels are known for the excellence they provide, in terms of accommodations and services. Sweden is known as a country amongst the Nordic region situated along the northern part of Europe, right inn the peninsula of Scandinavia. Finland and Norway are Sweden’s land borders. It is attached to Denmark through the connecting Oresund Bridge. Since 1995, this country has been part of the European Union. Stockholm is its capital city.

Considered as the third biggest country due to its vast area of 449.964 km², it is currently inhabited by a population of 9 million people. Given this statistics, Sweden has a low population density of around 20 inhabitants per square meters. About 84 percent of these people reside in the urban areas. The lifestyle of the people in Sweden is of high standards, and the country is perceived to be quite liberal and modern. In addition, its corporate culture is organizational and non-hierarchical unlike those of the Anglo-Saxons. Swedish communities also prioritize the conservation of their nature and the protection of their environment. This is along with their dedication to energy production and efficiency.

1.The Grand Hotel Intercontinental Stockholm

Address: Sodra Blasieholmshamnen 8
Stockholm, AB 10327 Sweden

This hotel is situated near the Royal Palace, a few steps away from the museums, theatres and galleries. It is also situated right in the central part of the government and business district of Stockholm. With its dedication to utterly please the sophisticated international traveller, it has been proven that The Grand Hotel International Stockholm has provided its guests with the most excellent personalized service. This has been proven by many for more than a hundred years now. Each room is individually designed and furnished with the intricate blending of modern and antique décor. Such specialty is brought by the Grand Hotel, making you feel the past eloquence that is combined with the comforts and luxury of modern day technology.

Air Conditioning
Free Newspaper
Telephone
Television (Satellite or Cable)
Non-Smoking Rooms
Television
DVD/VCR
Daily Maid Service
In Room Broadband Internet Access
Safe (Inside Room)
Telephone and Voicemail
Balcony
Terrace
Mini-Bar

Built in 1874
Number of Floors - 7
Number of Rooms - 376
Car Rental Desk
Family Rooms
Fitness Facility
Golf
Wheel Chair Access
Tennis Court
Business Centre
Dining
Meeting Room
Luxury
Conventions
Health Club
Health Spa
Massage
Boating
Sailing
Fishing

Address: Brunkebergstorg 9
Stockholm 10327 Sweden

Scandic Sergel Plaza is situated only 25 miles away from the Stockholm Arlanda Airport and six miles away from the beautiful beach of Stockholm. This hotel is also near the Royal Palace, Old Town, Culture House, Royal Opera as well as other interesting attractions such as restaurants and museums. Aside from this, Scandic Sergel Plaza also has a superb bar and restaurant called Mowitz which serves delightful Swedish as well as international cuisines. Thus, complimentary breakfast is also served for guests daily.

Air Conditioning (Inside Room)
Free Newspaper
Refrigerator
Telephone
Television (Satellite or Cable)
Non-Smoking Rooms
Television
Daily Maid Service
Kitchen/Kitchenette
Mini-Bar
Hairdryers Available

Built in the year 1980
Number of Floors - 7
Number of Rooms - 403
Family Rooms
Meals
Free Breakfast
Fitness Facility
Tennis Court
Dining
Dry Cleaning
Beach
First Class
Health Club
Health Spa
Massage
Hot Tub

Address: Tegelbacken 6
Stockholm, AB 10123 Sweden

The Sheraton Stockholm Hotel is located right in the centre of Stockholm’s business district. With such great location, guests are given the privilege to explore the beautiful city and its many interesting attractions. Attractions include shopping areas, the city’s old town and hall, where in, the Nobel Prize awarding is usually held. Plus, you will also find here stunning views of the famous Lake Malaren. Hence, a great place to also visit is the museum of Skansen, the Royal Castle, as well as taking a romantic stroll along the Cobblestone Alleys during sunset. The Sheraton Hotel provides its guests with the Scandinavian appeal through its design and warm atmosphere. With such pleasurable expectations, this hotel will surely make you feel special.

Air Conditioning (Inside Room)
Free Newspaper
Refrigerator
Telephone
Television (Satellite or Cable)
Non-Smoking Rooms
Television
Daily Maid Service
In Room Broadband Internet Access
Coffee Maker
Telephone and Voicemail
Balcony/Terrace
Mini-Bar

Built in Year 1971
Number of Floors - 8
Number of Rooms - 465
Car Rental Desk
Family Rooms
Fitness Facility
Game Room
Golf
Wheel Chair Access
Business Centre
Dining
Meeting Room
Luxury
Casino
Health Club
Health Spa
Massage

Address: Storkyrkobrinken 5
Stockholm 111 28 Sweden

The Lady Hamilton Hotel is located right on the old town of Stockholm. It also situated nearby the Royal Palace. This hotel has been named after Lord Nelson’s mistress, Emma Hamilton. Each hotel room is named after beautiful Swedish flowers. It is also fully furnished and designed with intricate antiques of the Swedish folklore. Plus, this hotel has an exquisite restaurant called Bistro Emma which serves all kinds of meals.

Air Conditioning (Inside Room)
Free Newspaper
Telephone
Television (Satellite or Cable)
Non-Smoking Rooms
Television
Daily Maid Service
Mini-Bar
Hairdryer Available
Modem Lines
Safe Inside Room
Laundry and Ironing Service

Built in Year 1630
Number of Floors - 4
Number of Rooms - 34
Car Rental Desk
Family Rooms
Meals
Free Breakfast
Game Room
Golf
First Class

Address: Riddarholmen
Stockholm 11128 Sweden

The Malardrottningen Hotel will surely pique the interest of everyone. This is with its unique and one of a kind location. This is due to the fact that this hotel is situated within a luxurious yacht.

It was once owned by the famous Barbara Hutton. Hence, this hotel is considered as one of the worlds finest, featuring cabins as its rooms, water view restaurants, a Captain’s bar, as well as conference facilities. It is situated peacefully along the beautiful Lake Malaren, assuring guests and locals that it truly belongs to the heart of Stockholm. Thus, each cabin is designed with a unique marine interior, along with comfortable bunk beds. Guests will surely love this luxurious and splendid abode of Malardrottningen Hotel.

Air Conditioning (Inside Room)
Television (Satellite or Cable)
Non-Smoking Rooms
Daily Maid Service
Telephone and Voicemail

Built in Year 1924
Number of Floors - 3
Number of Rooms - 60
Car Rental Desk
Family Rooms
Meals
Free Breakfast
Business Centre
Dining
Meeting Room
Free Local Calls
Dry Cleaning
First Class
Conventions

6.First Hotel Reisen
Address: Skeppsbron 12 14
Stockholm 111 30 Sweden

The First Hotel Reisen is an antique building that dates back to the 17th century. Located right in the heart of Old Town in Stockholm, it provides its guests with numerous interesting activities. It hosts a restaurant called the Ciao Ciao which serves delicious international cuisines as well as Italian favourites. Another interesting place in the hotel is called the Clipper Club, a restaurant that serves delicious grilled meals. The hotel’s Clipper Club Piano Bar and Library Bar provide guests with live entertainment from Mondays up to Saturdays. Catering and room service are also available.

Moreover, the First Hotel Reisin is near the following attractions: the Royal Palace, Far Eastern Museum, and Kungliga Opera, City Hall, Skansen, Tivoli Park, World Trade Centre and the National Museum. The Wasa Museum is also just two miles from the hotel while the Arlanda International Airport is located twenty-five miles away. Other means of transportation such as buses and trains are within two miles from this hotel.

Refrigerator
Iron
Telephone
Television (Satellite or Cable)
Non-Smoking Rooms
Television
Daily Maid Service
In Room Broadband Internet Access
Coffee Maker
Whirlpool
Telephone (Voicemail)
Balcony/Terrace
Mini-Bar
Parking

Built in the Year 1600
Number of Floors - 7
Number of Rooms - 144
Fitness Facility
Swimming Pool
Wheel Chair Access
Dining
Meeting Room
Free High Speed Internet
Dry Cleaning
Hot Tub
Luxury
Pool (Indoor)

The Aland archipelago, also called Finnish Ahvenanmaa locally, is situated between Finland and Sweden in the south end of the Gulf of Bothnia. It is an autonomous Swedish-speaking province of Finland which has its own administration, flag and stamps. Aland Sea lies in the west of the Aland Islands, which extends between the island and Sweden. Some 40km across to the east is the arm of the sea known as Skiftet. This group consists of around 6,554 islands and stacks, but you can find habitation in only around 80 of these islands. Aland Islands has an area of around 1, 505sq.km with a population of just 24,000 only.

Their main language spoken here is Swedish, even though it has autonomy, they are still a province in Finland. Aland Islands is a part of the crown of Sweden for hundreds of years, just in the same with Finland. Russia got possession of the Aland islands in 1809.  Finland has always accepted the autonomous status of the island and has always extended support, as now they can issue their own stamps. You will notice that the islanders have pride in their land and independence and do not want to be called Finns. The economy of Aland Islands is mainly based on shipping, agriculture and tourism. It is a very popular holiday destination especially with the Swedes.

In case you are planning to travel from Sweden, it's very simple; you just have to the ferry of your choice as there are many ferry departures. You can take it from Grisslehamn, Kapellskar or Stockholm. It is just a two hour ferry ride. In other words going to Aland is pretty speedy and convenient. Because of its location the movement to and fro the island is excellent, that means you can come here from the main cities in Sweden, Finland or Estonia. You have a choice between relaxed sea voyages, a quick flight, or you can even think of coming here on your own boat.

It is the best place for people who want to relax and rewind, but may not find it very suitable if you are looking forward to a very active holiday. Here you can enjoy all kinds of winter sports, boating, fishing, hiking, cycling, art shows and some more like just walking. You can find what you want from romance and relaxation to adventure and activities. This is a city where you can holiday first-class food, shopping and relaxed accommodation, in a hotel or you can even rent a cottage in the serene natural surroundings. It's up to you how you want to have a unique experience holidaying in Aland islands.

Spring is when the nature at the best. You can enjoy one or many of the activities available on the island. The popular activities associated with spring are; visiting museums or art galleries, fishing, paddling, shipwreck diving, cycling and many more. Any one who is a golf buff then he can really take pleasure and enjoy playing at the golf courses, the season begins by May 1st.If you choose to go in winter then skating is a great experience and you can also experience other winter sports here. Working too hard, forget the workdays! Enjoy life; treat yourself to a breathtaking holiday in the Aland archipelago staying in a luxurious holiday villa.

In the fight for prostate health, current research is showing that Swedish flower pollen has a number of health benefits to the male prostate and similar systems in the body. Swedish flower pollen generally comes in an extract, and undergoes a special fermentation process which opens the pollen to reveal its nutrients and make them useful to the body. Before undergoing this process, these nutrients are encased in indigestible plant matter and unable to be processed by the body. These nutrients promote healthy urine flow and healthy prostate function. According to some studies, the nutrients in Swedish flower pollen also help to vitalize the body by boosting the metabolism and white blood count in the body.

So what exactly is pollen anyway? Pollen is the chemical that is produces when a plant grows flowers. It's the male germ seed that's involved in fertilization or pollination. For this reason, pollen in general is said to be very nutritious. Some studies even claim that it's a sort of superfood, containing all of the vital nutrients required for life. But the problem that comes with any kind of pollen is in utilizing and digesting its nutrients, as we talked about above. Each tiny pollen shell is nearly impenetrable and unusable in its natural state. But Swedish flower pollen makers have come up with a system to very purely harvest the nutrients of the pollen without using bees or harsh chemicals.

Swedish Flower pollen is not the same as pollen gathered from bees. The main reason why flower pollen is referred to as Swedish flower pollen is because the usage of flower pollen first originated in Sweden, and currently is still highly utilized. Flower pollen is not gathered by bees, but rather is gathered directly from the plants in the field using a specific method. Bees gather pollen in a different method, and often gather a variety of different kinds. 

Bee pollen is also a useful supplement sold in many health food stores, but is different from flower pollen. Pollen gathered from bees has been shown to be a very nourishing and contain many vitamins and minerals. Some proponents of bee pollen even claim that it contains all the nutrients needed for life and vitality. Some people claim that there isn't really a very big difference between flower pollen and bee pollen, but the producers of Swedish flower problem claim that the special process that's used to gather and process the flower pollen, it has different, more powerful health benefits.

The human digestive system can't directly process flower pollen. Makers of Swedish flower pollen claim that their system of gathering pollen creates a specific kind of pollen, and I believe them. Another great way of getting pollen however is through eating honey, especially raw organic honey. Raw organic honey contains many of the pollens gathered by bees in a form that allows the body to process it. This has far reaching benefits. 

 

Eating locally produced honey is a major asset in the fight against allergies. Because locally produced honey has the same pollens and allergens in it that cause allergies to flare up, eating a steady diet of locally produced honey helps the body to get adapt to the pollens and allergens in the environment, reducing the effects of allergies, and in some cases, eliminating them altogether. This is only somewhat useful in the realm of Swedish flower pollen. 

 

Unless a person wants to order local honey special from Sweden, they really can't get the same kind of flower pollen in their honey. That's okay though. Eating raw, organic honey as a sugar substitute is still a great idea. Using honey in things like coffee and tea, and in recipes that allow for it will help you get a steady flow of healthy sugars and good pollens. It may not be Swedish flower pollen, but it will still have great health benefits.

Travellers to Sweden would have no trouble finding things to do. It is a culturally rich and progressive nation that boasts of a very high standard of living. There are some great holiday chalets and self catering holiday apartments available to rent direct from their owners in Sweden.

Many tourists go on vacation to Stockholm and stay in self catering apartments. When there they can visit the Vasa museum. This museum in Stockholm houses the fruits of some ground breaking labour, the 17th century warship Vasa. The ship sunk during its maiden voyage in 1628, and was recovered in 1961. The resurrected skeletons and relics remain the only existing example of ship architecture from the period.

Stockholm, Sweden's capital city houses numerous museums, aside from the Vasa museum, you can check out the Nordic Museum, Museum of Natural History and Museum of Modern Art. The city is peppered with examples of historical architecture, like Riddarholmskyrkan, which is the oldest building in Stockholm, pretty much every district and neighbourhood in the city has its own unique charm and character. Families on vacation can rent self catering accommodation in Stockholm.

Gothenburg is the largest port in Scandinavia; about a million people live here and there is a plethora of attractions to keep the tourists busy. Take a leisurely saunter in the scenic Castle Wood Park, listen to a wide genre of music from Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, art enthusiasts can head over to the Museum of Art. Sweden features a stunning expanse of rugged beauty which is yet to be tarnished by commercialism, these makes for perfect hiking spots.

Lovers of the outdoors may rent a holiday cottage or log cabin and use them as a base to explore the beautiful countryside. The law provides rights of access for anyone, provided they respect the local culture and nature. Sweden comprises of over 24,000 islands and 100,000 lakes, so it's not much of a surprise that boating is an integral part of Swedish life. Most tours take you on a sightseeing trip around the Swedish archipelago. The Gota Canal is a favourite tourist haunt but there are loads of other places that interest the water-craft bound traveller.

Stop by the Linkoping Cathedral in Ostergotland to treat yourself to some splendid Gothic architecture. This massive cathedral is the burial site of a 15th century bishop, and is embellished with some priceless paintings which were gifted by King John III. Skiing enthusiasts would find no dearth for fun as Sweden offers some of the finest locales for the sport. There are some great ski chalets available to rent and many families rent them while on vacation. 

Hemavan, in Lapland is a great ski precinct with its vast open areas and mountains. Arefjallen resort is said to be the world's largest with a ski run of more than a hundred kilometers, the ski race in April draws hundreds every year. Riksgransen in the extreme north is famed for its snowboarding championships and non-stop skiing during the spring. During the spring it seems the sun never goes below the horizon, perfectly symbolizing the spirit of this country where the fun never seems to end.

Many families take a family holiday to Sweden and stay in self catering holiday accommodation. Sweden has a great selection of self catering holiday apartments in the city areas. There are also some beautiful log cabins and ski chalets available to rent in the mountainous areas of Sweden. Many families come back to Sweden year after year to spend there vacations and stay in a holiday home.