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In sauna veritas
Sauna, or bastu in Swedish, is something as natural to people in the north as the midnight sun and the northern lights. It used to be something of a prerequisite for life in the Arctic, and now it is a rich part of the culture itself. Sauna is the essence of life up here.
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The gold of the Bothnian Bay
Kalix Löjrom, Kalix vendace roe, became Sweden's first food product to receive a protected designation of origin ten years ago. We tag along on a vendace roe safari to learn how this delicacy becomes one of the best dining experiences Swedish restaurants have to offer. We also get the opportunity to make our own roe. But first: a visit to the pub.
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When to see the northern lights in Swedish Lapland
Shimmery and magical. The dance of the northern lights is a spectacular sight that we frequently enjoy in Swedish Lapland. Viewing the Aurora Borealis is both a jaw-dropping and mystical experience. But when is the best time to see the northern lights in Swedish Lapland?
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The Arctic light
You might think that in the Arctic, we have darkness or daylight. In the winter, the sun never rises above the horizon, and in the summer, the sun never sets. But in fact, we have light all year round. Just different kinds of light. Some darker, some brighter, and some very colourful.
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The food story
Eating well is part of every journey. Well, it could be the whole reason for the trip. This is the food story.
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Photograph the northern lights
So you've gone to Swedish Lapland, Sweden's Arctic destination, to experience the magical northern lights. Here are seven tips on how to get some good pictures of the beautiful light phenomenon to take back home.
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Shooting autumn colours
Many think autumn is the most beautiful time of year in Swedish Lapland. It's as if Earth itself grants a generous firework display of colour before the winter sleep settles over the Arctic landscape. And it's easy to capture the show with a camera on standby. These are five simple tips for capturing autumn in a photo.
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Midsummer
When the sun never sets, and the kids are on summer holiday. When holidays are waiting around the corner and meadows explode with wood cranesbill. That's when long lines of cars queue up to get out of the cities. It's time to go find tranquillity with friends and family in summer houses and holidays homes, away from the hustle and bustle. It's time to celebrate the most important holiday of the summer. It's midsummer.
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Archipelago days
What happens when a father and son decide to spend a couple of days in the Gulf of Bothnia archipelago? Well, first, you have to promise that there will be mobile phone coverage and then keep your fingers crossed that you’re right. Then you can safely assume there’ll be no trace of the kid during the entire trip.
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The not-so-big five
Scouting out the 'Big Five' on the African savannah is the big dream of many. They include leopard, lion, elephant, rhino and African buffalo and is a group of large, majestic and fairly dangerous animals. Here in the Arctic part of Sweden, we don't have animals the size of an elephant or with the speed of a leopard, but we have a fair few animals that are pretty cool in their own way. Below we have listed five animals that are both unique and fascinating, definitely worth putting on a list of must-see animals.
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The labyrinths on the islands
When you visit the islands of Swedish Lapland, you might stumble upon stones laid out in a formation. Maybe it's actually an old labyrinth that you’ve found? The phenomena are tens of thousands years old, and the pattern can be found in different places across Europe.
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The midnight light
If it's your first time visiting Swedish Lapland during the summer, you'll notice that it never gets dark. You have entered the world of the midnight sun, and if you're not used to it, it's an extraordinary experience. But beware, it might affect your sleep quality.
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The forest is yours
Is it really true that anyone can walk around the forests and beaches of Swedish Lapland? Pick berries and pitch a tent anywhere? Yup, that's exactly what it's like in the democratic forest.
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Outdoor fika
That Swedes have their fika (coffee and a snack), and that they drink lots of coffee, are well-known facts. But what's the thing about having it outdoors? What's the deal with coffee boiled over an open fire?
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Beach life in the Arctic
Perhaps summer and swimming aren't what first springs to mind when you think of Swedish Lapland. But, in fact, there are plenty of cool beaches and places to go for a swim – thanks to the inland ice.
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The taste of Swedish Lapland
When you visit Swedish Lapland, you will notice that our food culture is closely intertwined with our lifestyle. There is a strong tradition that testifies to how we have lived from what nature has generously provided us with for many millennia. Join us on a guided tour of our natural resources, taking the shortest possible route to the plate.
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The way we eat
When in Swedish Lapland, exploring the nature of the Arctic, chasing the northern lights or just soaking up the sun 24/7, make sure you don’t miss out on the food. Some of the food we eat might sound a bit strange, but we highly recommend you try and get a taste of Swedish Lapland.
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A place to preserve
Just outside Luleå, you'll find the church village Gammelstad. This used to be where Luleå city centre was located right up to the 17th century, with red log cabins in a kind of organised chaos around one of Sweden's most beautiful churches. It's a unique place and something to preserve for future generations.
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Muohta
Snow is something more than frozen water to the Sámi people. It's a way of expressing the foundation of their existence – the migration of the reindeer. To a skier, snow is also more than snow. It's the way you experience life.
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The eight seasons
In Swedish Lapland, nature plays an intrinsic role in our life and work, and the people here are highly sensitive to the small details of the changing seasons. Therefore, it seems only natural that the Sámi people describe eight seasons instead of four.
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Christmas
It is December and the landscape is covered in a white blanket; trees are heavy with snow and the roads are white. The dense mid-winter darkness creates a blue light during a few hours, and windows are lit up by advent stars and candlesticks. Christmas is here.
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Towns in Swedish Lapland
Swedish Lapland is Sweden’s Arctic destination, spanning from Skellefteå in the south to Kiruna in the north. The free-flowing rivers have been a connector for all the towns and villages within the de...
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Fly here
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Go by train
In Swedish Lapland, nature is always the focal point. The vast, untamed nature that is. Like the deep forests, the highest peaks and the most furiously flowing rivers. We have it all. Besides, it's no...
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Visit a museum
All our museums have their own character. From our main museum for Sámi culture via 13 different saunas to one of Sweden's largest art galleries. All of them an exciting journey...
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18 prICEless reasons
The importance of ice in Swedish Lapland extends far beyond the hype of Icehotel. At the beginning of time, after the inland ice retracted, the ice on lakes and running water was already an important ...
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10 cool places to see the northern lights
Great spots where the chances of seeing the northern lights are good, and also, awesome places to stay...
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No car needed view points
Swedish Lapland is huge and of course, travelling by car is the easiest option. But not to worry, there are some lovely places you can get to using alternative means of transport. We have listed five ...
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10 islands to visit
Did you know that just the archipelago outside Luleå is made up of 1,312 islands? We've listed 10 islands to visit in Swedish Lapland in the summer. Many of them can be reached by scheduled boat tours...
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Souvenir tips
Take a little piece of Swedish Lapland home with you. Are you en route to Swedish Lapland, wondering what souvenirs to shop for? We've listed some helpful tips for you...
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10 fish to catch
Here are ten fish to hook up with in Swedish Lapland...
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Camp like a northerner
People up north, both young and old, has a thing for long, sandy beaches, sunshine and compact living. At least for some weeks every summer. Wanna camp like a northerner? Here are eight, great campsit...
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Top 5 scenic routes
There are plenty of scenic routes, or simply beautiful roads, in Swedish Lapland. We have listed five of them that will make a journey from a to b something more than just transport. Perhaps the road ...
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13 ways of loving the midnight light
The season with midnight light in Swedish Lapland is around 100 days long. You play golf in the middle of the night, you take a swim when you feel like it and those who have never experienced the midn...
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