Sweden

The island of Gotland is an unhurried, quiet counterpoint to modern Sweden, home to prehistoric mysteries, Viking treasures and a rich medieval heritage as well as outdoors activities. Visby is the lone town, surrounded by 13^th-century defenses of walls, towers and moats, all easy to explore by foot. Warehouses, guild houses, and merchant homes reflect Visby’s heyday as the center of Hanseatic trade. Flower-bedecked cottages, quaint shops and charming cafes, along with some rose-covered ruins, add to ambience.

Military-maritime heritage, friendly ambience and easy access to outdoor adventures are all part of the urban fabric in Karlskrona. In 1680, King Karl XI chose Sweden’s most southern archipelago for a new base for his Royal Navy. The 17^th-century grid design on the island of Trossö remains the Baroque heart of the city, which today covers 33 islands. On Trossö's highest point, the elegant and expansive town square is a civic and cultural hub, with such landmarks as the Town Hall, an old water tower-turned-exhibition space, and Fredrik's Church.

Gothenburg, located on Sweden’s west coast, is the country’s second largest city and an important trading center. Start your explorations with a stroll down the cobblestone streets of the Haga district. The main street, Haga Nygata, is for pedestrians only and is lined with cafés and artisan shops. A must-see is the Feskekorka fish market. Meaning “Fish Church,” Feskekorka was built in 1874 to resemble a church and is a mecca for seafood lovers. For car buffs, there’s the Volvo Museum, and for thrill-seekers, the Liseberg amusement park.

Just across the strait from Denmark, the coastal Swedish city of Helsingborg has earned a reputation as the friendliest city in Sweden. The city’s most prominent landmark is Kärnan Castle, built by the Danes in the 1300s and destroyed in 1679. All that remains is a defensive tower that looms over the city. Also worth visiting is Sofiero Castle, which lies in one of Europe’s most beautiful parks and was once the summer getaway for Swedish royalty. There are handsome Gothic churches, a Neo-Gothic Town Hall and even impressive contemporary buildings, all easy to see on foot.

Lysekil, just north of Gothenburg and at the mouth of the Gullmar Fjord, started life as a small fishing village but became famous as a spa town. Today it is a popular holiday destination for Swedes in the summer months. Don’t miss the Havets Hus aquarium, where hundreds of species of fish are displayed in saltwater tanks. Then visit Lysekil Church, which was built in 1901 from the local granite. Its 300-foot spire has long been a navigation aid to local sailors.

The approach to Sweden’s capital city of Stockholm, through the untouched nature of the archipelago, is breathtaking. Spread over 14 islands, Stockholm is called “The City That Floats on Water.” Not surprisingly, 57 bridges traverse the city. Start your tour at Djurgården, an island that was once the hunting grounds of the king and is now home to the fascinating Vasa Museum, housing the world’s only preserved 17th-century warship. Stockholm has 70 museums, including the world’s oldest open-air museum, the Skansen.