My husband and I will be in Sweden in mid-May. We are planning to spend about a week in Stockholm before moving on to the countryside. Any suggestions for the best area to see the sites and do some relaxing would be appreciated. Right now, I'm leaning towards Dalarna.

holley: A fast ferry from Stockholm takes about two and a half hours to get to the medieval walled village of Visby on Gotland Island. This would be a great place to relax; the medieval buildings on narrow cobblestoned lanes, the very interesting walls, great shops and cafes/restaurants and a fun harbor scene make this a wonderful vacation destination. Biking the island to see the little villages and ancient churches and other spots with almost constant views of the sea is a great way to relax. Visby was one of our most memorable locations on our tour of Scandinavia.
If you decide to venture farther South, take a fast ferry to Kalmar (about an hour and a half) to tour one of the The village of Kalmar is interesting as well.
Down the coast into Southern Sweden you can visit the glass works in the vicinity of Vaxjo (Kosta is the best), a 300 year old paper factory at Leesebo, the wonderful little village of Shimrishamn with its 12 century church and wonderful little pastel colored houses on narrow cobblestoned lanes (good stop for lunch).
If you venture father south, you arrive at the old fishing village of Kaseberga where you can visit the Alestones on a bluff overlooking the Baltic Sea. A more beautiful spot you cannot find. The Alestones are an ancient arrangement of stones in the shape of a Viking Ship. Nobody knows where they came from or who arranged them.
Southern Sweden is low rolling hills, forests, beautiful farms, quaint villages and almost constant views of the sea. We found this area very relaxing and not heavily touristed.
I don't know Dalama, so I can't help you there. But, we loved the area of Sweden described. Have a great trip.

Hi

Dalarna is on the West Coast, about 350 kms from Stockholm.

Its worth visiting the islands of the Western archipelago ... Orust, Tjorn, Karingon, etc.

Be careful of the full on Swedish countryside - no shops, restaurants or hotels !

I lived there for 5 years: you can email me through my website.


Peter
http://tlp.netfirms.com

holley: In my response above, the attraction at Kalmar is the castle, one of the most beautiful in Europe. This statement dropped off somehow.

topping for holley.

Just a correction. Dalarna is not on the west coast of Sweden. It is actually in the middle of the middle. Dalarna is mostly known for Dalahästen, The Dala horse. a wooden horse painted in red and the traditional Kurbits-pattern. Sounds cheesy but it is really cute and fascinating hand craft.
http://www.dalarna.se/upload/dalarna/hast.jpg
more about dalarna http://www.dalarna.se/template/categ...e____3868.aspx

The island of Gotland is a good visit.. in the summer months of June - August. Mid-May might be a bit too early. I'm afraid that some places will still be shut.
http://www.gotland.info/eng/index.htm

Holley,
If you do go to the Dalarna region, a "must see/must experience" is Dalhalla, an outdoor concert venue that is in the bottom of an old limestone rock quarry, 7 mi. north of Rattvik. We heard a concert of a 400 voice choir with a symphony orchestra last summer. The acoustics are incredible. I don't know if the summer concert season has started in mid-May, however. Check the web site: www.dalhalla.se
If you go north from Stockholm, Uppsala is a nice stop.
You may want to consider fewer days in Stockholm (3 or 4)because you can cover the main tourist sites in 3 days. Be sure to go to the Vasa museum. Have a great trip.
Jon

Try Uppsalla, a short ride north of Stockholm.

I travelled to the Darlana area last spring and it was absoltuely beautiful(very peaceful and breathtaking). Its a great place to "calm down". We stayed in this great little town called Tallberg which is right on Lake Siljan. We stayed there for 3 days and toured all around the lake and visited the bear park in Orsa (north of the lake).You shouldnt miss it. Enjoy..its very nice.

I suppose I am too late with this but:

in Dalarna is Sweden's most-visited attraction, the house of Carl Larsson, Sweden's best-known (I think) artist. This house, created by him and his wife for their large family, is I think responsible for what we think of as modern Scandinavian style - full of color, light, and decoration by the Larssons using folk ideas etc.

I think it is one of the most beautiufl places I have ever been (though also think I am spelling name wrong).

In the same area as I recall is the house of Anders Zorn, another Swedish artist, more traditional and also wonderful to visit.

Then there are places called gammelgords, where there are collections of Sweidsh dwelling-places form various centuries and regions, which are also terrific to visit.