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Red chalets, cycle trails, woods, lakes and canals...
Smaland consist of three different
regions: Blekinge in the south, the island of Öland to the east
and Smaland itself. The region is full of many lakes and marshlands.
Karlskrona is the best-known town in Blekinge. The entire city was
named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 1998 because of its
17th and 18th century naval architecture. Situated on an archipelago,
Karlskrona has been described as a miniature Stockholm. Although a fire
destroyed much of the town centre in the late 18th century, many baroque
buildings still survive. A visit to Karlskrona should include a boat
trip to Kungsholms Fort with its remarkable sally port and the island of
Aspö with the Drottingerkärs kastell tower.
Sandy beaches, secluded bays and ancient
fortresses...
The island of Öland is reputed to have
once had more windmills than the Netherlands! You should not miss out
on the chance of visiting this beautiful island, which has the longest
summer in Sweden. There are long sandy beaches and secluded bays in
which to swim. Head to the southern part of the island for a truly
magical nature experience. The Swedish government has applied to have
the whole of South Öland listed as a World Heritage Site because of its
unspoiled natural habitat and its many cultural sites. Walk toward the
middle of the island and discover the unique steppe-like landscape of the
“alvaret” with its unique flora and fauna. Otherwise, explore some of
the amazing fortresses and graveyards that date back as far as the Iron
Age and Stone Age. The spectacular Eketorp ring fort is a must. Dating
from the 13th century, the fort has been partially reconstructed as a
museum to illustrate how fortified villages worked. If you like
windsurfing, visit the Hagapark beach, which is a veritable surfer’s delight.
In Smaland, Jönköping is situated at the southern edge of the
largest lake, the Vättern, and is an extremely popular resort.
Visit the Matchstick Museum and the nearby Factory Museum of Huskvarna
with its collection of antique sewing machines and classic motorcycles.
Next, head to Kalmar Län, known as “The Kingdom of Crystal” because of
its many glass factories. Because of its forests and quaint red houses,
this is a very popular tourist area. If you have children – or are a
Pippy Longstocking fan yourself - head to Astrid Lindgren’s Värld at
Vimmerby. If not, the region has many national parks and good spots for
canoeing, cycling or hiking.
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