VISIT SWEDEN ANOTHER PROSPEROUS SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRY

The modern interior of The East Cape Hotel at Haparanda right at the top of the Gulf of Bothnia just across the river from Tornio in Finland.  This Spa complex hosts the largest Sauna in the world as well as a range of pools, hot tubs etc.  You can sit on the roof in a hot tub and look across the river to Finland.

Picture taken near the centre of Stockholm.  This is a very clean and green city.  It is well worth a visit.  Don't buy a City pass on a Monday though, the main museum closes on that day so you won't get to see everything.

View over Brunnsviken in Stockholm's Haga Royal Park taken the garden of the Stallmastaregarden hotel about 4 km,. North of Stockholm city centre.  This was the very first inn to be built in Sweden.  We stayed here in the Summer of 2012.  It is not easy to find by car since it is near where they are constructing a new major road.  The hotel itself is nice and quiet and in a superb location.  Stockholm centre is about 10 minutes by bus.  The bus from town stops outside the hotel but to get to town you must walk over the pedestrian flyover..

Modern trams operate in parts of the delightful city of Stockholm.  The city is built on 14 islands connected by 57 bridges.  It is clean and a delight to explore.  Take one of the boat excursions from the city centre to get a good overview.  You can also hire a bike and use the extensive network of cycleways to explore the city.  There is a holiday island oasis of greenery just over a bridge from the city centre.

Tip::  Are you seeking a holiday cottage to rent.  Novasol have a huge selection in many countries but not in the U.K. that is why British people just don't know about them.   This banner is in German but if you click on it then go to the top where it says Deutsch or German and click on that it will open up a language selection and you can click on English.  Novasol are probably Europe's best holiday cottage company.  Try them.

Driving North from Stockholm on a typical uncrowded Swedish Road.  There is traffic for about 20 miles North of Stockholm but then it peters out.  Where the road has a cenrtal crash barrier like this one the speed limit is 110 kph.  Where there is no barrier it is 90 kph. There are regular speed cameras which are of a prettier design than either the English or the Norwegian ones but they can still catch you out.

Outside the East Cape Hotel in Haparanda.  It looks better when the sun is shining.  Just on the other side of the river is Finland.  Tourists come from all over the world to visit this spa.  Summer temperatures around here can get quite warm, hence the outdoor pools. but in the winter it can go down to minus 25-30 and the gulf of Bothnia freezes over.  A summer bonus is the long hours of daylight.