Sweden

Stockholm spreads across 14 islands, anchored by the medieval lanes of Gamla Stan, the Royal Palace, and standout museums like the Vasa (housing a salvaged 17th-century warship), the ABBA Museum and Skansen open-air museum. Its vast archipelago of some 30,000 islands is perfect for boat excursions.

On the west coast, Gothenburg charms with canals, the Liseberg amusement park, a lively food scene and access to the rocky Bohuslän coast. The university city of Uppsala holds a soaring cathedral and Viking-era history, while the walled town of Visby on Gotland is a UNESCO gem. Far north, Swedish Lapland around Kiruna and Abisko offers the aurora, the Icehotel and Sámi culture. Swedish tables feature köttbullar (meatballs), gravlax, pickled herring, cinnamon buns (kanelbullar) and the ritual of fika, coffee and pastry with friends.

Expect friendly, English-speaking guides, punctual transport and a strong outdoors ethos. Popular experiences include:

• Boat tours through the Stockholm archipelago
• Guided walks in Gamla Stan and visits to the Vasa Museum
• Northern lights and dog-sledding trips in Lapland
• Fika and food tours sampling Swedish classics
• Design and photography walks in Stockholm and Gothenburg

Summer (June–August) is peak season, with long daylight, the midnight sun in the north, warm archipelago swims and the Midsummer festival. Late spring and early autumn bring mild weather and fewer crowds, with golden foliage in September. Winter (December–March) is the season for the northern lights, dog-sledding and the Icehotel in Lapland, though days are short and cold in the far north.