All the Swede Things

Say Sweden and the first thing that comes to mind is frigid winters. For a few months every year, though, the snow melts and the frost evaporates, the greys and the blacks metamorphose into striking colours, trees begin to bear leaves again, and the sun remains a constant on the horizon. A remarkable transformation takes place each spring and summer in Sweden. Short-lived, albeit playful, summer hatches an escapist mood, and is much yearned for by the Swedes. Tourists travelling to Sweden between June and August will find packed outdoor cafs, streets throbbing with performers, and stately parks interspersed with picnicking families.

First-time visitors usually gravitate towards Stockholm and its idyllic archipelago. With its cobblestoned Gamla Stan, royal palace, museums (the Nobel Museum and ABBA The Museum, for instance) and an abundance of blue waters surrounding its city islands, Stockholm is a safe bet to experience the allure of Sweden. However, it is the less visited, low-profile, southernmost part of countrythe Skne regionthat offers a wider spread of Nordic charms.

SkneScania in Englishis Sweden at its most continental, a gentle reminder of whats to come further south in Central Europe. It covers 3 per cent of Swedens area but is home to 13 per cent of the countrys population. Its counties are separated by sweeping stretches of land full of blooming yellow rapeseed flowers in the summer. Elsewhere, there are untarnished white sandy coastlines and numerous trails that snake through the forests. Skne provides alternating, at times contrasting, views of Sweden compared to the capital. It is not a weekend destination to be browsed in a rush, but meant to be savoured piecemeal over at least a few days, if not a few weeks.

Skne has a substantial number of museums, art galleries, nightlife options and other cultural spots. Its most important city is the capital Malm, which, together with the rest of Skne, was once a part of Denmark. That was before it was ceded to Sweden in a war in 167579. Today, Malm is better known as the home of one of the best football clubs in Sweden, Malm FF, which was home to Swedens megastar Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Coupled with the Danish capital Copenhagen through the partially underwater resund Bridge, Malm has seen an economic boom that led to its transformation from an old industrial town into a knowledge-driven economy.

Malm is popular for its cosmopolitan nightlife, daytime cafs serving artisanal brews, and the Turning Torso that dominates its skyline. One of the best ways to study Malm is to walk across it, something that could take up to half a day while giving perspectives into the layered society that Malm has become with the parallel, albeit contrasting diffusion of new wealth and influx of poor immigrants. A suitable place to start such a walking tour is Malms Western Harbour, which overlooks the resund Bridge, while yachts shilly-shally in the cold waters of the Baltic Sea touching it. The rich of Malm live here, evident in the expensive residential buildings that span its promenade alongside the 190-feet-tall Turning Torso, the tallest building in Scandinavia.

From Western Harbour, walk alongside the moat-ringed Renaissance castle of Malmhus, into the elegant spread-out parks, Slottsparken and Kungsparken, before heading to the medieval centre of the city, Gamla Vster, which houses several art boutiques and is a fine place to experience the aesthetic side of Malm. The gingerbread houses of Gamla Vster are home to the middle-class of Sweden. A 10-minute walk further towards the outer periphery of the city leads to the poorer immigrant quarters. Sweden has an open immigration policy, but the huge intake has resulted in the ghettoisation of some parts of its cities despite considerable efforts towards integration. Malm, in many ways, is like a vast open-air museum, offering glimpses into its many societies coexisting alongside one another.

Lund, another important location in Skne, the second oldest city of Sweden, is marked by an impressive cathedral called Domkyrkan. Domkyrkan was constructed in 1100 AD and saw a visit by the Pope in 2016 when Catholics and Lutherans together commemorated the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Lund in also a university town. Its university is not only the oldest in Sweden, but also a churning pot of innovations, including the first artificial kidney, ultrasound and Bluetooth. No wonder that some of the worlds leading technology companies, including Sony and Ericsson, have set up offices within walking distance of the prestigious university. With its old buildings, photogenic cobblestone streets and youthful vibe thanks to a huge student population, Lund is an excellent base for a couple of days in Skne.

While both Malm and Lund have a mix of history and city life, Skne is scattered with several smaller towns that offer a peek into the Swedish countryside. Standout mentions are Bstad and Torekov, further north of Malm along the west coast. In terms of architecture, there may not be much to see in these towns, except rustic halcyon villas with unobstructed views of the ocean. Life moves at a calm pace, and a day or two here is a fantastic opportunity to slow down, eat lengthy meals with a glass of locally made gin, and go for a dip in the ocean. Perhaps that is why famous Hollywood actors and football players also find their way here during the summer months.

For nature lovers, Skne has plenty of activitieshiking, kayaking, diving, fishing, camping, biking and even horseback riding. Thick deciduous forests carpet the whole region, while several lakes punctuate it, opening opportunities for both day trips and longer hikes. To top it, the Swedish law of Allemansrtten (the freedom to roam) allows anyone to camp in an open area, including a private farmland, for a night, making it easier for trekkers to access nature in its most raw form.

While paddling in the canals of Malm is popular with the locals, the county of Blekinge on the east coast of Skne provides an ideal platform for planning a kayaking trip across its archipelago. Blekinge comes from the Swedish word bleke, which roughly translates into calm. Sprinkled with pine trees, some of its islands are uninhabited, while others have few rustic wooden cottages painted in the Swedish flags yellow and blue, or more commonly red and white. The waters are calm and ideal for long cruises between the islands. Some of the islands have stunted rocks, pre-fitted with nuts and bolts to practise basic rock climbing.

For a more intensive experience of rock climbing and trekking, the Kullaberg Nature Reserve on the eastern peninsula in Hgans county is ideal. Climbers prefer its bony, rugged cliffs and steep precipices, and there are several opportunities for first timers to take some lessons here. Recently, Kullaberg got a bicycle trailthe Kattegattledena route of roughly 370 kilometres. Kullaberg is also ideal for spotting some wildlife, including foxes and the elusive red deer. The trails are well-marked, and the staff at the visitor centre can suggest good hiking routes in the region.

The most interesting highlight of Skne is its Skneleden Trail. At 1,000 kilometres long, it burrows into beech forests, curves alongside lakes, circumvents towns, and runs parallel to the rapeseed fields and the coasts of this region. This trail has a cult status among walkers and hikers in Sweden. It is rarely covered in one summer rather, it is best taken in in smaller bits over several years. Skneleden consists of five separate trails, which are further divided into 89 sections. The entire trail is clearly marked, and there is little chance of getting lost. For those interested in doing only one section of Skneleden, the 70-kilometre-long Kullaleden trail is recommended. It has been certified by the European Ramblers Association as one of the best hiking trails in Europe. The route has campsite options, and access to these facilities is free.

Skne also has 400 kilometres of coastline, dotted with some untouched beaches. The bathing season is not long, usually between May and July. The temperature in these months could be in the high twenties. The popular city beaches include the unspoiled one at Ribersborg in Malm and the beach in the city of Helsingborg. In Ribersborg is a kallbadhus (cold bath house), which is a traditional Swedish sauna with open-air swimming in the waters of the Baltic. In Helsingborg, the beach overlooks the Danish coastline. On the east coast, the town of Ystad has a white sand beach and a luxurious spa hotel to complement it. The shallow waters of Lomma beach in Bjrred county on the west coast make it a favourite for families with young children.

Then there is the delightful little island of Ven, which, like the rest of Skne, comes with a split personality, given the shared history with Denmark. Ven is called Hven by the Danes, and people come to this island off the west coast to indulge in its good food and rich wines, ride around on tandem bikes and do kitesurfing. During summer, regular ferries run from the city of Landskrona to Ven. Though less than 500 people live on the island, it is a top draw when it comes to owning a summer house. A solitary trail curves around the island, running parallel to the coast, along which the sea-facing villas queue up like chocolate squares lined next to one another. Far off in the blue water, expensive yachts of all shapes and sizes lie scattered in relaxed informality, like pieces of broken china littered on the floor. Complaints vanish in Ven, and life seems all right, at least while you are here.

The food landscape in Skne is carved out of locally produced and sustainably sourced ingredients. Lately, Nordic cuisine has gained fame, thanks to the world-famous Danish restaurant, Noma. This cuisine, also central to Skne, is defined by slow food, prepared fresh, and simple. While there are many fine-dining restaurants, some of the best places to taste local fare are the food marketscalled saluhallsof Malm, Hgans and Lund. Malms saluhall is converted from an old warehouse, and is lined with farm shops selling fresh juices, jams and ciders, along with organic cheese, fish and vegetables, while Lunds is perfect for trying some local cheese. Its difficult to go wrong with food in Skne, even for vegetarians.

There is a considerable immigrant population in Skne and its influences are visible in the food as well. Malm arguably is the falafel capital of Europe and several kiosks serve this beloved snack. Its an affordable meal, easily available on the streets, and perhaps that explains its popularity. Swedes love their coffee, and Skne is also home to some of the best artisanal cafs in Sweden. Thats a good reason to take a Swedish coffee break, called fika. Some of these popular cafs are Lilla Kafferosteriet and Solde in Malm, Java and St Jakobs in Lund, and Flickorna Lundgren in Kullaberg.

While Skne is the birthplace of Absolut Vodka (from the small village of hus in the east) and Spirit of Hven Gin (organic gin, distilled in the island of Ven), and Akvavit has long history here, it is now gaining fame for its microbreweries also. Popular ones include Helsingborgs Bryggeri and Stockeboda Grdsbryggeri, located in the sterlen region on the east coast. Many of the breweries arrange guided tours and beer tastings on a regular basis.

What makes Skne notable for visitors are the short distances between places. This not only makes the region accessible (more so given its proximity to Copenhagens airport) but also allows one to accumulate multiple experiences even in short stays. Skne is slowly being discovered. Its sights and landscape, art and culture, food and drinks all fuse together into an education into the Swedish way of lifeone defined by gentle pace, slow food and deep history.

The Information

Getting There
Air India runs daily direct flights from Delhi to Copenhagen and Stockholm, from where Skne is easily accessible. From Copenhagen, take the train (800one way). From Stockholm, take either a train or a flight to Malm. The fares are comparable (5,0008,000 one way). The towns and villages in Skne are connected via trains and buses from both Malm and Lund.

Where to Stay
It is worth experiencing at least one night each in both city and village settings. Speak to the friendly local tourist information staff for tips. Airbnb is the cheapest and easiest option. Scandic (from 5,000 doubles scandichotels.com) is a hotel chain present in all major locations across Skne. In the countryside, there are excellent B&ampB options. In Kullaberg, the locals prefer Rusthllargrden (from approx. 16,000 doubles rusthallargarden.se) in the village of Arild. In Bstad, Skansen (from 15,000 doubles hotelskansen.se/en) is where most celebrities end up. In the town of Torekov, Torekov Hotell (torekovhotell.se/en) is in the secluded countryside and regularly organises training and spa weekends. In Ystad, dont miss out on the luxurious Ystad Saltsjbad Spa (spa packages from approx. 14,000 per person ysb.se), which, in addition to stay options, also has excellent food and rejuvenating spa treatments.

What to Eat & Drink
For vegetarians, Skne has multiple options. Saluhalls (food markets) in Malm (malmosaluhall.se), Lund (lundssaluhall.se) and Hgans (hoganassaluhall.se) are the best and cheapest options to sample local fare. Lunch options in Malm include Spoonery (try their vegetarian hotpot, 600per dish), while for fine dining, the hip Bastard Restaurant (bastardrestaurant.se) is the place to go. In Lund, Govindas (veganistan.se/lund/govindas) is a vegetarian-only option, and is always crowded with students.

Swedes love their coffee, and Lilla Kafferorsteriet, Hollandia and Solde in Malm are some of the popular coffee shops. In Lund, Java and St Jakobs are popular cafs.