Top international names at this year’s Island of Light Smögen festival
The 7-10 September sees the return of this popular international light festival on the island of Smögen, in northern Bohuslän. Smögen is transformed into nature's own art gallery, which this year features many internationally renowned artists, including Tamar Frank, Jacob Felländer, and Aleksandra Stratimirovic. The Swedish artist Aleksandra Stratimirovic has created a light installation using ghost nets and plastic waste from the sea, to raise our awareness of environmental issues. Her work has been seen in festivals and exhibitions all over the world.
Autumn is a great time to visit Smögen, when the shellfish taste their best, nature bursts into colour and there aren’t as many visitors as during the summer months.
Inspired by the owners’ own traditional 19th century cottage, a third tree house has been created at Islanna, situated just 10 minutes from Lake Hornborga. Recycled and eco-friendly are the guiding principles when it comes to choice of building materials and furnishings. A basket full of breakfast goodies is winched up to the tree house after a night among the tree tops.
As well as being close to Lake Hornborga, Islanna is a 15 minute drive from Mösseberg table mountain, one of the fifteen included in Platåbergens Geopark, Sweden’s first UNESCO Global Geopark.
Easier payment methods on public transport in Gothenburg
You can now pay for an adult ticket on trams, buses and boats in Gothenburg (Zone A) by blipping your card on the card reader aboard the vehicle. You can also use payment cards on mobile devices via Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay, providing the card is issued by Visa or Mastercard.
The Swedish lobster fishing premiere always starts at 7am on the first Monday after 20 September (this year it’s the 25 September). In Bohuslän, this magical Monday is as important a tradition as the annual elk hunt, or midsummer. Several West Swedish businesses have come up with convenient packages including a trip out with a local fisherman to learn all about lobster fishing, combined with cosy accommodation and the delicious cuisine synonymous with the lobster season.
There have been lots of press visits to West Sweden over the summer. The first journalist to arrive was Jane Mulkerrins from The Times, who wrote about her visit to the Gothenburg archipelago in early summer. She went to the classic archipelago islands of Donsö, Styrsö and Vrångö, all close to the city centre, and stayed at Isbolaget on Donsö, of which she wrote: ‘No naff paintings of ships or herrings here, just elegant Scandi design.’
Dixe Wills from British newspaper The Guardian hiked part of the Biosphere Trail over the summer. The trail flanks the southern shores of Lake Vänern (Sweden’s largest lake). In his article he writes, among other things, about one of the tastiest breakfasts he’s ever eaten, the benefits of the Swedish right to roam laws, and describes his surprise at meeting so few other walkers along the trail.
Simon Parker from The Times cycles the new Vänerleden
The article Simon Parker wrote for The Times at the end of July includes restaurant and accommodation tips along the new national cycle route, the Vänerleden. Simon also mentions the excellent signposting along the trail and the new GPX map app created for it, designed in consultation with local communities and businesses keen to make the most of cycle tourism in the area.
Journalist Siân Lewis walks the Kuststigen Coastal Path
The Tourist Board’s collaboration with tour operators continues to grow after the pandemic. Alongside walking and cycling holiday specialists Macs Adventures and journalist Siân Lewis, a visit to West Sweden was arranged to provide, among other things, material for a post on Siân’s blog (The Girl Outdoors) about this Macs Adventures walking product. In her blog post Siân talks both about the city of Gothenburg, and her experience along the Kustigen in Bohuslän, from a sustainability perspective.
New collaboration with the British tour operator Where The Wild Is
Over the summer the British tour operator Where The Wild Is ran a prize competition offering one winner a trip to West Sweden. The competition was shared on social media by both the Tourist Board and the company, and attracted 6592 entrants. The lucky winner was announced this week and will enjoy a holiday in West Sweden from 4-10 September. Where The Wild Is has a choice of 3 different package tours to West Sweden in its holiday offer.
