Travel to Sweden (Europe)

With a modern and highly industrialized economy, enjoying a developed distribution system as well as excellent internal and external communications, Sweden economy is one of the most prosperous in the world. Based on the income and region, in 2005, the World Bank has made a classification, according to which the country has a total surface area of 390.8 thousand square kilometers, with a total forest area of 191.1 thousand square kilometers.

The natural resources include timber, hydropower, and iron ore, which all constitute the foundations of a solid economy focused on foreign trade. Among major industries, Sweden takes pride in its motor vehicles, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and forestry. Dominating peace as well as neutrality for the most part of the 20th century, have only helped Sweden in its goal to achieve excellent standard of living, despite its system of high-tech capitalism.

However, Sweden is quite famous due to its high taxes and large public sector, as it has the second highest total tax revenue, after Denmark, as a share of the country's income. Starting with 2007, the Sweden total tax revenue was 47.8% of GDP, decreasing from 49.1%, only one year before.

The Industrial as well as the agricultural sectors both play a significant role in the high economic level and performance of the country, both contributing a lot to the country's Gross Domestic Product. The major industries in the country are iron, steel, wood pulp, paper products, and motor vehicles. The important agricultural products in the country are wheat, barley, sugar and milk.

Sweden exports cotton, tobacco, gold, ferroalloys and clothing, mainly to US, Germany, Denmark, UK and Netherlands and imports commodities in the country, such as clothing, iron, steel, as well as chemicals, from countries such as UK, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark and Finland. Over the past years Sweden has experienced a trade as well as account surplus, the current surplus as registered in 2005 is estimated at $23 billions.

Recently Sweden has had very good results in the economic scenario, and more than that both at a domestic level, as well as at an international level, the country also enjoys a progressively better stability. The country’s economy has also been targeted towards a better and more attentive control of the fear, installed nationwide by the rising price level.

Traveling is all about going to new places and experiencing new things. It is a chance to find out about other cultures: what type of food they eat, what they wear, what kind of things they like to do. It is also a chance to see some of the natural and man made attractions the place has to offer: seeing the cascading rice terraces in the Philippines, viewing the Pyramids and the Sphinx in Egypt, visiting Angel Falls in South America are just a small iota of what the world has to offer. Advances in transportation and communication technology have made it more affordable for people these days to travel. 

Airline rates offer great packages for people wanting to travel. One can now travel transatlantic at 20% of what the retail price of a ticket cost if one is resourceful. Comparing to prices in the 60's and the 70's, air travel is perhaps 40% less of what it cost then. The internet has also made it possible for information to be available at your fingertips and in the convenience of your computer. Sourcing out great deals can be done in your home and you can even pay for reservations and tickets online. 

More importantly, you can get first hand information from other travelers on the places you would like to visit through visiting internet blog sites which give you perhaps data about the places that interest you that cannot be found on most travel books. You may even get to email and correspond with such bloggers who may accommodate your inquiries.

Accommodation also becomes a priority when it comes to traveling. If you are on a budget, you can find great packages on youth hostels and inns all over the world. If you are a discerning customer, there are posh hotels that meet your standard and whims. If you are an adventurous, there are specialized places that do cater to your taste. One country that offers a variety of hotels and places that meet most consumers' taste is found in Sweden. 

Hotels in Sweden are diverse and complete. First and foremost, the high standard of living in Sweden ensures that the type of hotels you are looking for meet if not go beyond your expectation. The Swedish Hotel and Restaurant Association or SHR are strict in assessing hotels based on a 130 criteria. And there are two types of categories set by the SHR: Hotel which refers to hotel establishments that have restaurant facilities serving more than just breakfast and Hotel Garni which refers to hotels serving only breakfasts. 

Hotels are rated from one to five stars and their classifications are done on a yearly basis. There are also other places where one can stay, one of the most interesting one for adventurous tourists is the ICE Hotel which is constructed during the winter months in Northern Sweden. This hotel in itself has become a popular tourist attraction in recent years.