Sweden: Fogelvik, Valdemarsvik

Fågelvik Manor (Swedish: Fågelviks herrgård) is a manor house in Valdemarsvik Municipality, Sweden. Once a castle building, the remains of the first building on the site date to the 1300s.The estate is mentioned in written sources for the first time in the late 14th century. At one point it belonged to Karl Ulfsson, Lord High Constable of Sweden. In 1429 it became the property of King Charles VIII of Sweden. After his death it passed to his daughter and through her marriage to the Gyllenstierna family. It stayed in the Gyllenstierna family for almost 250 years, until in 1720 it passed by marriage to Count Arvid Horn. For three generations it stayed within the Horn family. During the 19th century, it belonged to the families Thott and Posse but was sold in 1852 to the Crown Prince, the future King Charles XV of Sweden. The prince, however, sold the estate in 1855 and we had the privilege of being invited by the lovely Manfalks who now own the properties.The manor is located on a small island in an inlet of the Baltic Sea. The medieval estate included a castle surrounded by a moat located approximately 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) south of the present manor. The ruins of the castle, destroyed during the Dacke War in 1542, are still partially visible. The presently visible main building of the manor was built during the 18th century. Designs were made already during the 1730s by architect Carl Hårleman but construction did not commence until the 1770s. The designs were then probably somewhat altered by architect Jean Eric Rehn. The main building is a four-story building with an extension protruding from the middle of the facade towards the garden. There are two wings, built at the same time as the main building, as well as several outbuildings and annexes.

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Sweden: Jukkasjäarvi – Reindeer, Dog Sledding, Log Cabins and Northern lights

A wonderful day starting with a visit to the oldest church in Lapland and feeding reindeer. Then the excitement commenced - driving our own dog sleds - truly magical experience - just you, the wilderness and your dogs...all the way to remote wooden log cabins surrounded by a frozen lake for a delicious meal. Sauna and snow rolling under the simply spectacular Northern Lights in -30C...AMAZING.

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Sweden: Jukkasjäarvi – Ice Hotel

Bucket List dream come true! Ever since I read about the Arctic Ice Hotel being hand sculpted out of massive blocks of ice taken from the adjacent Torne Tiver in 1989 it has been a dream to visit Jukkasjäarvi to experience this famous Swedish landmark. It did not disappoint! We were also treated to the magnificent Northern Lights in their full glory whilst overnighting in a log cabin in -30C during our self drive dog sledding adventure. Other activities on offer that we took advantage of was the skidoo adventure and a wildlife photography trip where we spotted moose and reindeer - Amazing! MUST DO!

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Sweden: Gothenburg

Gothenburg, a major city in Sweden, is situated off the Göta älv river on the country's west coast. An important seaport, it's known for its Dutch-style canals and leafy boulevards like the Avenyn, the city's main thoroughfare, lined with many cafes and shops. Liseberg is a popular amusement park with themed rides, performance venues and a landscaped sculpture garden.

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Sweden: Stockholm Tour – 2014

Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, encompasses 14 islands and more than 50 bridges on an extensive Baltic Sea archipelago. The cobblestone streets and ochre-colored buildings of Gamla Stan (the old town) are home to the 13th-century Storkyrkan Cathedral, the Kungliga Slottet Royal Palace and the Nobel Museum, which focuses on the Nobel Prize. Ferries and sightseeing boats shuttle passengers between the islands.

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Sweden: FALSTERBO HORSE SHOW

At Falsterbo Horse Show it is always as much Horse as Show. With almost a thousand horses and riders, fifty different disciplines and over six hundred people working in the Falsterbo Horse Show crew, you soon realize Falsterbo Horse Show is not just an ordinary event. It is a lifestyle, a venue and above all, the week of the summer everyone is waiting for.

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