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BLEKINGE Adventure for the whole family

World-cla ss fishing

WONDERFUL

WATERS

Activities • Art & Culture • Music & Entertainment Nature & Wilderness • Food & Drink #BLEKINGEWONDERFULWATER | 1

The mediterranean resort in Blekinge

Ronneby Brunn est.

1705

Spend your best summer at Ronneby Brunn hotel and resort. The surrounding area is as a health cure itself with the award winning and beautiful park �Brunnsparken�. On the terrace under the swaying palms, Brunnens big barbecue buffet is served while bands and artists entertain from the stage. There is an All-inclusive concept for children up to 15 years. The pool area next to the hotel is a paradise for kids of all ages. Here you could easily spend the whole day in the water slides, pools, or in a comfortable deck chair. Our SPA with a warm indoor pool is a cozy option during rainy days. Take the opportunity to relax in one of the whirlpools in the Japanese SPA garden. Only a hefty drive from the hotel reception is the nearest golf course and several others at an appropriate distance. The holiday is saved!

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info@ronnebybrunn.se www.ronnebybrunn.se Tel: 0457-75 000

Welcome to Blekinge – wonderful waters!

O

UR SMALL SIZE IS ONE of the things that makes Blekinge great. People are close here and Blekinge’s picturesque towns, with historical sites from the time of the Danes as well as from the period of the Swedish empire, adorn the 80 kilometre coastline. It starts in the east with the World Heritage and naval town of Karlskrona, and ends with Olofström in the west, home of the authors Harry Martinson and Sven Edvin Salje, whose childhoods here were the inspiration for literary masterpieces.

IT IS ONLY 40 KILOMETRES from north to south and about 110 kilometres wide. This area that boasts an archipelago, plains and forests is home to nearly 1,000 lakes and 12 babbling brooks, of which Mörrumsån (the Mörrum River) stands out with its abundant salmon.

In the archipelago, 800 islands and islets await, mostly uninhabited, with a rock or a beach just for you. If you want to go out into the archipelago from a nearby town, then Ronneby and its archipelago is ideal and is just one of many delights on offer. Whether you have your own boat or use the island boat tours, you can easily go island hopping to find your favourite spots. Ronneby archipelago has places to suit every taste.

FURTHER UP TOWARDS Småland, the forest predominates, with berries and mushrooms as well as glittering, enchanting lakes between the trees. Along the small winding roads, farms and red cottages dot the landscape. These routes are ideal for those who want to cycle or slowly cruise along on a motorcycle.

IF YOU WANT TO FIND solitude and tranquillity, the

province offers plenty of space: Blekinge’s over 100 nature reserves offer everything from charming archipelagic vistas to mighty primeval forests. The biosphere area, as well as other parts of the coast and some of the thousand lakes, can be experienced from a canoe or the regular boat services. There are canoe centres throughout Blekinge, where you can rent a canoe and paddle through the archipelago and lakes. There are nice places to spend the night in both the forests and on the islands including camping sites where you can pitch a tent, unless of course you prefer to choose your own camp site.

BLEKINGE IS also known for having a wide range of cultural experiences and events. Perhaps the most famous is Sweden Rock, with its 33,000 visitors. Blekinge also offers smaller town festivals, jazz evenings, evenings of folk song and chamber music. Beautiful buildings such as the courthouse in Sölvesborg and Väggaskolan in Karlshamn, which were designed by renowned architect Gunnar Asplund, are well worth a visit. If you would like to find out more, they are mentioned in the towns’ apps that you can download and take a digital walking tour of the town.

NATURALLY, YOUR PALATE SHOULD also have its share of paradise. Locally produced goats cheese, beer, wine and of course game is on the menu at some of Blekinge’s restaurants and farm shops. You will find some of this in the magazine.

WELCOME TO BLEKINGE – a well-kept secret amidst wonderful waters.

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BLEKINGE CONTENTS 2017 06 Small province – great experiences 08 The Baltic Festival, Östersjöfestivalen 09 Music festivals & art 11 Museum treasures 12 Family adventures 14 Ronneby Brunn 15 Children's favourites 20 Fishing paradise 22 World-class salmon fishing 23 Gems in the countryside and on the water 27 Finding your way around our municipalities 32 Active Blekinge 34 Sydostleden 35 Golf coast & encounters with nature 36 Running fixtures & events 37 Swimming, hunting & snorkelling 38 The southernmost wilderness 40 Island hopping 41 Rock carvings, canoeing & safari 42 The culinary landscape 44 Blekinge Matakademi 45 Tasteful gems 46 Farm shops 47 Frothy brews 48 200 words for love 50 Accommodation tips

Senior editor: Visit Blekinge AB svv Editor: Pål Johansson Original: Love Eneroth Advertising sales: Emma Duan, Leif Wictorén Writers: Fridah Jönsson, Karolina Arenhäll, Pål Johansson, Linnea Lindblad & Marcela Elofsson. Repro: Bosse Blom Photographer: Lars Nyman, Pelle Ohlsson, Marie Pettersson, Tony Forsberg, Per-Åke Persson, Jonas Gustafsson, Mats Lind, Joakim Lenell, Roger Karlsson, Anders Olsson, Percy Christiansson, the Baltic Festival, Kustjagaren, etc.

About Blekinge 2017: Blekinge 2017 is produced by Glory Days Media AB as commissioned by Visit Blekinge AB svv.

The editorial staff are not liable for submitted, non-commissioned material. Feel free to quote us, but cite the source.

Do you have any questions or comments?

Email: info@visitblekinge.se Subject to misprints and programme changes.

VISIT KARLSHAMN Tourist Information Centre, Karlshamn Pirgatan 2 378 81 Karlshamn +46 (0)454-812 03 visitkarlshamn.se

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VISIT KARLSKRONA Tourist Information Centre, Karlskrona Stortorget 2 371 34 Karlskrona +46 (0)455-30 34 90 visitkarlskrona.se

VISIT OLOFSTRÖM Tourist Information Centre, Olofström Östra Storgatan 24 293 34 Olofström +46 (0)454-931 00 visitolofstrom.se

VISIT RONNEBY Tourist Information Centre, Ronneby Kungsgatan 35 373 37 Ronneby +46 (0)457-61 75 70 visitronneby.se

VISIT SÖLVESBORG Tourist Information Centre, Sölvesborg Stadshuset 294 34 Sölvesborg +46 (0)456-81 61 81 visitsolvesborg.se

NAVAL MUSEUM

nO

ON LAND ON WATER FOR REAL!

An exciting attraction for the whole family!

Experience a real submarine from the Cold War, a unique collection of figureheads from Sweden’s top warships, and our model chamber with a history dating back to 1752.

There’s also a naval-themed children’s play area. Combine your visit with lunch at Restaurant Skeppsgossen.

Museum of the Year in Sweden 2015.

Free of charge.

w w w. m a r i n m u s e u m . s e PA R T O F N AT I O N A L M A RI T IM E M US EU MS

Photography: Gerry Johansson

Vång – Photography, archaeology, landscape 17/6 - 3/9 Kulturcentrum FOR RESIDENTS OF BLEKINGE, Johannishusåsen is a familiar destination. Not only does it have a distinctive landscape, it is also one of the areas in Sweden that is most replete with ancient monuments. And the interesting archaeology in Western Vång has truly put the area on the map.

THE VÅNG EXHIBITION shows photographic works that originate from the interplay between the archaeology, landscape and people of the area.

GERRY JOHANSSON, one of our greatest landscape photographers, contributes with a completely new photographic study of the area. The Italian photographers and architects Stefano Graziani and Allegra Martin approach life in Blekinge and the landscape from a different perspective. They exhibit together with some of their students, who specifically chose Johannishusåsen as the subject of their final exams.

THE EXHIBITION ALSO HOUSES a section where Blekinge Museum displays some of the latest findings of the archaeological project. In addition, students from Malmö University (the Architecture, Visualisation and Communication programme) present their own visions of Vång and Ronneby town. Blekinge Museum organises walks that are linked to the places and themes that form part of the photographic exhibition.

Welcome to Åsen, whether you think you are familiar with it, or want to find out more!

THE EXHIBITION IS A collaboration between Kulturcentrum Ronneby, Blekinge Museum, Lund University, Malmö University, NABA Milano and IUAV Venice with support from Region Blekinge.

Find out more at: ronneby.se

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A figurehead at the Naval Museum.

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GREAT EXPERIENCES in a small province

Jazz, hard rock and pop music. Musical and summer theatre, museum and art exhibitions.

The cultural year in Blekinge offers a rich variety of artistic creativity, theatre, music and dance. Welcome to a creative province.

TEXT: Pål Johansson PHOTOGRAPHY: Lars Nyman

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OR SOME, Blekinge is synonymous with the Sweden Rock Festival, the event of the year for fans of rock of the harder variety. For others, it is predominately the Hällevik Trad Jazz Festival or the colourful Baltic Festival that prove most appealing. When it comes to concerts, theatre and art, some people prefer to discover their own gems once they arrive. No matter which of these groups you belong to, we can promise you a cornucopia of cultural events all year round.

FOR MANY FAMILIES a visit to Karlshamn’s old fortification, the Citadel, as well as the popular summer theatre, are must-do excursions during the holidays. This has been a popular summer resort for both locals and tourists since 1989. This year, Teatersmedjan's production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” will run from July 1 to August 5.

More theatre, musicals and shows will be on offer in a number of places around the county. Take a look at the current stage productions at the following venues: Konsthallen, Musikens Hus and Konserthusteatern in Karlskrona; Lokstallarna and Stadsteatern in Karlshamn, as well as Ronneby Folkteater and Blekinge Convention Center in Ronneby.

INTERESTING MUSEUMS and cultural sites are plentiful in our municipalities. A good first stop is Blekinge Museum in the World Heritage town of Karlskrona, where you will learn more about the county's history, roots and rich coastal culture. In summer, the beautiful museum courtyard is the venue for a variety of concerts and events.

If you are interested in the history of the Swedish navy, and are staying in Karlskrona, you should head out to the island of Stumholmen. Here, the award-winning Maritime Museum awaits with authentic warships, centuries old figureheads, unique models and an underwater tunnel with a real shipwreck. You can even experience life as a submariner during the Cold War on board the submarine HMS Neptun. You will find more suggestions for museums worth visiting further on in the magazine.

Interesting museums and cultural sites abound.

THOSE interested in arts and crafts should not miss the opportunity to explore the extensive range of creativity on offer in Blekinge’s many art studios, galleries and exhibition venues. A selection of the county's talented artists, sculptors and ceramic artists can be seen up close during Konstrundan (the Art Tour) in May, when 50 artists open their studios to visitors. The Kulturcentrum in Ronneby has one of southern Sweden's largest art galleries, with exhibitions, lectures and all sorts of entertainment. If you are in Karlshamn, Konsthallen is well worth a visit. Konsthallen is located in the genial cultural quarter, whose charming environs and buildings are themselves an experience.

FESTIVAL CHECKLIST Blekinge Konstrunda (Art Tour) May 6-7, across the entire county – Visit around 50 artists in their own studios.

Sweden Rock Festival June 7-10, Norje – Classic rock festival over four days.

Nässelfrossa June 25 - July 2, Olofström – Culture Festival with the theme “The World's Climate – Our Environment”.

Killebom The Sölvesborg Festival (July 5-9, Sölvesborg) – Including entertainment, crafts and markets.

Tosia Bonnada’n July 7-9, Ronneby centre – One of Sweden's largest markets. Start of the Family Festival on July 6.

The Hasslö Festival July 13-15, Hasslö, Karlskrona – Unique music festival in the middle of the archipelago.

The Baltic Festival July 19-22, Karlshamn – a festival in a larger-than-life format.

Diggiloo July 28 in Ronneby Brunnspark.

Karlskrona Skärgårdsfest (Archipelago Festival) August 1-6, Karlskrona – the history of this World Heritage town meets music, pulse and street life.

Hällevik Trad Jazz Festival August 10-13, Hällevik – The event of the year for jazz aficionados.

The Culture Night October 7, Karlshamn – The town centre is filled with theatre, music and culture.

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Festival

– in a larger-than-life format

For about 50 years, the third week in July has been a sacred date for Blekinge residents and visitors who are looking for entertainment. This is when one of the country's largest free festivals takes place in Karlshamn – the Baltic Festival. Get ready for four days of public celebration!

TEXT: Pål Johansson

K

ARLSHAMN BALTIC Festival, in Swedish Östersjöfestivalen, has grown to become one of the country's largest free festivals, which in recent years has had almost a quarter of a million visitors. During the four days of the festival, the town's streets and squares are filled with music and food from around the world, cultural events and thousands of revellers of all ages.

IT ALL BEGAN AS a small, modest summer event down in Vägga fishing port at the end of the 1960s. However, over the years as interest in the event grew, it moved into the centre of town where the festivities had the opportunity to really blossom. The name, the Baltic Festival, came into being in 1967 and since then, the small summer event has slowly and steadily grown into a genuine festival. A visit to Karlshamn during this week in July has become a true holiday tradition for people from both near and far.

THE MAIN INGREDIENT in this festive smorgasbord is the music. Everything from cool jazz, blues and folk music to catchy pop, rock and house flows from small and large stages. You can experience local acts as well as world-famous artists and bands. The artists performing on the Wednesday evening at this year's festival include Magnus Uggla, Faråker and De Vet Du. A NEW ADDITION to this year's festival is Smakfesten (the Taste Festival), a meetingplace for food lovers. Here you can taste, enjoy, experience and buy a bit of the amazing, small-scale cuisine available in Blekinge, as well as delicacies from the region as a whole and the neighbouring Baltic countries. The Taste Festival will offer taste experiences, culinary inspiration, chefs’ duels and entertainment to enjoy with the food. A taste festival for both producers and

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The main ingredient in this festive smorgasbord is the music. consumers, which is imbued with quality, authenticity and love of food and the environment.

SOMETHING YOU SHOULD NOT miss during the course of the week is the colourful and vibrant festival parade that proceeds along the town's charming streets on the Thursday evening, transforming Karlshamn into a miniature version of Rio de Janeiro.

Visitors should expect plenty of carnival atmosphere, samba music and dance.

As if that was not enough, the Baltic Festival offers lots of other fun activities for young and old. In the festival area, you can try one of the cool amusement park attractions, try your luck in the tombola or munch on candy floss and popcorn. A slightly calmer, but oh so thrilling festival tradition is Ärtsoppeseg-

lingen (the Pea Soup Yacht Race) where twenty prospective sea dogs compete in different disciplines with classic Blekinge rowing boats. If shiny vintage cars are your passion, you should head down to Östra Piren (the East Pier) where the Carlshamn Classic Car exhibition will be held for the seventeenth time. Stroll around and enjoy about 200 cars from the 1920s and onwards.

If, on top of all that, you add the market, flea market and the Cultural quarter's rich programme of theatre, dance and arts and crafts, you have a glimpse of everything that the Baltic Festival has to offer.

Find out more about this year's programme and events at ostersjofestivalen.se or at the festival’s Facebook page.

Photography: Pelle Ohlsson

August 10-13

Hällevik Trad Jazz Festival OVER THREE DAYS, the old fishing village of Hällevik transforms into a world-class jazz festival.

Every year, thousands of music lovers gather at the outermost point of Listerlandet to visit the Hällevik Trad Jazz Festival. Over 20 bands play during the three-day festival, where particular attention is given to young musicians. As in previous years, both Swedish and international jazz will be on offer. With the open sea as a backdrop, it makes for an extraordinary musical experience.

Photography: Anders Olsson

THE OLD water tower in Nättraby’s oak grove is now the only glass works in the area. In the spectacular Glastornet (the Glass tower), you will be amazed by Malin Mena’s passionate art, which ranges from delicate practical objects to beautiful decorative pieces. If you would like to experience more than the well-stocked shop and verdant garden, you are welcome to join us in the workshop and see the creative process up close. Try your hand at glass blowing over a weekend, on your birthday or put together a tailor-made experience together with friends.

Photography: Marie Pettersson

Crystal clear works of art

The Nordic region’s number 1 rock festival FOR THE 26TH TIME Blekinge will be taken over by Scandinavia’s largest hard rock festival – Sweden Rock. Over a period of four days, the festival offers 80 world-class bands and a wonderful sense of community. Which is one of the major reasons why so many of the 33,000 visitors come back year after year.

– People have a great time here, it is the highlight of the year for many of our visitors.

We have become one big, hard rock family, says Sofia Lindqvist Lacinai, press officer at Sweden Rock.

In addition to a magical atmosphere, this year's line-up includes In Flames, Aerosmith, Alter Bridge and Sator.

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Shellback

Horses & art

– Karlshamn’s new ambassador

IN 2002, KARLSHAMN’S first ambassador was appointed.

Back then, world swimming champion Emma Igelström was appointed to promote the municipality. Last year, it was none other than the Karlshamn prodigy Johan “Shellback” Schuster who received the distinction. The now world famous music producer and songwriter's musical journey began in

Karlshamn’s orchestra, where as a 13-year-old, he took his first steps towards achieving his many prestigious Billboard number ones. Johan often returns to his childhood town, which he has been extensively involved with over the years.

This involvement has included preventing the non-profit organisation Musikforum from being closed down.

THE OLD SCHOOL building in Edestad was given a new lease of life when the artist Susanne Demåne found it. In her studio and workshop, you can view colourful paintings, enamel rings, and not least the many wooden sculptures she creates with a chainsaw. She organises inspiration days, tailor-made experiences, as well as painting and sculpting courses. If it is a nice day, you can also take a walk in the garden’s sculpture park, enjoy a coffee in Drömcaféet (the Dream Café) or book your party to watch Susanne and her horses perform freedom dressage.

Photography: Magdalena Caris

Photography: Magdalena Caris

An artistic road trip

Photography: Marie Petersson

GOING OUT ON the road to visit the county's artists has grown to become a fine spring time tradition that attracts thousands of curious visitors every year. During Blekinge’s Konstrunda (Art Tour), in the first weekend of May, painters, graphic artists, cartoonists, ceramic artists, blacksmiths, sculptors, as well as glass and textile artists all over the county, open their studios to the public. You can browse through a variety of exciting styles and designs and find your favourites among the 50 participants. Furthermore, the Kulturcentrum in Ronneby holds a collective exhibition with works from all the artists. Keep an eye out for Konstrundan's green and red pennants by the roadside.

Find out more about this year’s exhibitors at konstrundaniblekinge.se.

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Museums in Blekinge

Museums in Ronneby Möllebackagården, Risanäs Skolmuseum (Risanäs School Museum), Ekholm’s Photo studio in Kallinge & Massmanska kvarnen (the Massman mill).

These are just a few of the many museums in Blekinge!

Find more at: museumiblekinge.se.

Olofström’s Museum

Karlshamn’s Museum

Blekinge Sjöfartsmuseum

Blekinge Museum

Saxemara Båtvarv

Vinkelgatan 8, Karlshamn karlshamnsmuseum.se

Borgmästaregatan 21, Karlskrona blekingemuseum.se

Pukaviksvägen 187, Olofström Hembygd.se/olofstrom

Drottninggatan 7, Karlshamn sjofartsmuseum.se

373 20 Ronneby nyströms.se

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Childishly funny

FAMILY ADVENTURES TEXT: Pål Johansson

In many ways Blekinge is like a gigantic playground with something for both young and older children. Welcome to a world full of fast-paced water games, educational museum tours, exciting excursions and friendly animals.

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OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE, before your stay in Blekinge, is probably how to choose from all the fun activities and excursions on offer – unless you are planning to work your way through all of them. You can find everything from quiet family activities to breathtaking action adventures. All whet the appetite and become memories to cherish.

A GOOD FIRST stop is Kreativum in Karlshamn – a place for creative journey's of discovery and thrilling, educational challenges that stimulate all your senses. A fun way to learn more about everything from animals and nature to the solar system and your own reflexes. You can also explore Kreapark in Mieån (the Mie River), an outdoor park where you can go rafting or crawling through tunnels.

NEXT DOOR, IN Blekinge Exotiska Värld (Blekinge Exotic World), you have the opportunity to meet relatives of Timon the meerkat, from the Lion King, and about 80 other exotic species. Here you will find the world's smallest monkey, the pygmy marmoset, and some scary snakes and reptiles as well as some that are not quite so scary.

There are even more wild animals at Eriksberg Vilt & Natur, where you can go out on a safari in the beautiful deciduous forests. Take the opportunity to go for a ride in the cable car or see who can handle the climbing wall before it is time to round off the day's adventures.

WHETHER YOU PREFER to bounce around in a gigantic bouncy castle, swing on climbing frames or go wild in the Vattenlandet waterpark, then Barnens Gård (the Children’s

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Farm) in Karlskrona is the destination for you. You can also ride a hay cart, pet the farm animals or challenge mum and dad to a game of toss the ball in the privy. Great fun for everyone who is still young at heart!

Another excursion for those with a spring in their step is Storlekplatsen in Olofström – a playground that is chock-ablock with advanced play equipment for children of all ages.

In May, the municipality's largest playground will open at Snäckebacken in Ronneby, where plenty of fun is guaranteed. So pack a picnic basket and head there.

When the sun is blazing down from a cloudless sky, there is really only one option – refreshing dips in the sea and water games. Pick and choose and find your own favourite beach along the coast, or amongst all the lakes, or head to the old spa town of Ronneby Brunn and its action-packed water park and relaxing spa treatments.

THE INQUIRING HISTORY buff will have a lot of interesting things to explore. Travel back in time and learn more about the county’s history at Blekinge Museum and board old warships and the impressive submarine HMS Neptun at the Naval Museum. In 2015, the museum was awarded “Museum of the Year” and is a treasure trove for all who are interested in the eventful history of the Swedish Navy.

More fascinating museums and places of interest can be found in all the county's municipalities. Just check out what’s on offer and see what takes your fancy.

Find your favourites at visitblekinge.se.

Everything from quiet family activities to breathtaking action adventures.

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Health & Well-being Since 1705

TEXT: Pål Johansson

Ronneby Brunn is one of the country's most prestigious health resorts with, suffice it to say, a rich history. Join us on a salubrious journey from the early 1700s to today's versatile facility.

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E START THE JOURNEY by going back over 300 years in time. In 1705, spring waters were discovered that would soon attract people from both Sweden and the neighbouring countries to drink and to enjoy its mineral-rich, health-giving properties. These spring waters with their high carbon dioxide and iron content, were believed to cure most ailments and illnesses and to be beneficial for both body and soul.

THE TREND OF DRINKING the waters persisted for over 200 years and high society loved the spa. In fact, during the late 1870s, Ronneby Brunn was the country's most visited spa. It was also during this same period that the beautiful Brunnsparken and Brunnskogen (the Brunn forest) was laid out and the resort’s houses, restaurants and swimming baths were built. Twenty years later, the grand spa hotel, northern Europe's largest wooden building, was ready to receive its first guests. The hotel witnessed both the resort's heyday around the turn of the century and its eventual decline in the 1920s. In 1959, it tragically burned to the ground and was replaced by an ultramodern conference and recreation centre.

Over the years, the buildings as well as the park have undergone extensive restoration and renovation. In the early 2000s, as a result of the resurgence in the popularity of spas, the modern spa facilities were opened, like an oasis at the centre of the hotel. A new era for the spa resort had begun.

RONNEBY BRUNNSPARK HAS received a long list of awards, including Sweden's most beautiful and inspiring park as well as Europe's fourth most beautiful park.

And you do not need to be a botanist to appreciate the park's five diverse gardens: Doftträdgården (the Fragrance garden), the Japanska trädgården (the Japanese garden),

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Rosträdgården (the Rose garden) and Vårträdgården (the Spring garden). Besides a huge floral display, the lush surroundings and the ponds also provide abundant bird life and much needed respite from a stressful day.

RONNEBY BRUNN IS currently one of South-East Sweden's largest resorts offering entertainment, conference facilities as well as relaxation. In addition to relaxing spa treatments, the resort also includes six tennis courts, mini golf and a restaurant, where delicious dinners are complemented by performances, music and dance. Golf enthusiasts can choose from 11 golf courses within a 45-minute radius, the nearest of which is only 500 metres away. Adjacent to Ronneby Brunn, you will also find the water park Brunnsbadet, offering everything from fun

water slides and a lagoon to water massage and a jet stream current.

However, Brunnsparken is not only a popular destination during the summer months.

Even at other times during the year, the park is well worth a visit for jogging or walking with its beautiful old buildings and extensive green parkland as a backdrop. If you are eager to find vintage bargains, then you should head to the park during the spring, summer and autumn when several popular flea markets are held. Furthermore, several events and exhibitions are held in the park throughout the year, including a dog show and the Nostalgia Festival, a Mecca for classic car enthusiasts.

Find out more at ronnebybrunn.se, visitronneby.se and visitblekinge.se.

Welcome to an exotic world There is a whole jungle of animals and plants to discover in Blekinge Exotiska Värld (Blekinge Exotic World). Get answers to questions like: what do meerkats eat and which is biggest, the African spurred tortoise or the Egyptian tortoise?

THE 500 SQUARE-METRE tropicarium is divided into five continents, each one filled with animals and plants that are typical of the biotope. The African section is home to animals such as Egyptian tortoises and the curious meerkats. In Oceania, you can see Australian water monitors and the amethystine python.

In South America, you can wander around among primates that leap between branches, while

turtles crawl along the ground.

In the Asian section, there is a 3.5 metre Indian python and in North America, there are reptiles such as the diamondback rattlesnake and beaded lizard. If you are lucky, you will arrive at snack time, when the keepers feed the animals.

Blekinge Exotiska Värld is located right beside Kreativum Science Center and it is possible to buy a combi ticket.

Creative journey of discovery When the Swedish summer has nothing but rain to offer for the fifth day running, the Kreativum Science Center provides a welcome lifeline. With over 170 hands-on stations spread over 2,000 square metres, there is plenty for a whole day of discovery.

THE CENTRE IS divided into several discovery zones: Kreaficum offers something to delight your taste buds and Kreaffären is filled with clever things.

If the weather improves, there is Kreapark – a world of exploration spread over an island and a peninsula in Mieån (the Mie River). Play with fountains, have a go in the resonance swing and try to get through the no-touching-the-ground obstacle course.

Or compete to see who can blow the biggest soap bubble.

Directly outside Kreativum is a Viggen aircraft, which you are welcome to sit in, and next to it are the energy stations where you can experiment with solar power and hydropower.

If you are still eager for more, Blekinge Exotiska Värld (Blekinge Exotic World), which is a small tropicarium, is right next to the Kreativum Science Center.

Fun for th whole fam e ily

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Take on our ingenious challenges

HOLIDAYS NEED NOT only mean lazy days on the beach. Put your senses, your body, and your ability to work as a team to the test at Boda Borg in Karlskrona.

At Boda Borg, cooperation means everything in order to overcome the many challenges you and your team will face in this demanding environment. Together you will make your way through world after world with various obstacles and degrees of difficulty, not knowing what is waiting around the next corner. The challenges are timed and will require just as much muscle as brain power. Do you dare to take on the challenge?

Not your usual playground IF YOU AND your children are passing OlofstrĂśm in the summer, the popular Storlekplatsen playground is well worth a visit. There is much to discover at Storlekplatsen, for both very young and slightly older children. Furthermore, large sections of the playground area have been adapted for the disabled.

Climb the popular spider’s web, swing high into the sky on one of the swings, or take a walk along the exciting Trollstigen (the Troll Trail). When it is time to replenish your energy, you can set the table and have a snack in the colourful Pavilion, which can also be booked for children's parties.

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Ahoy boat lovers!

Barnens Gård

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AST OF KARLSKRONA is Barnens Gård (the Children's Farm), where children can go wild in the water and on land. Barnens Gård has goats, chickens, rabbits and pigs to pet, and after you have walked around, you can rest your legs while on a pony-ride around the farm. For visitors who love swimming, there is Vattenlandet, a waterpark where there are lots of activities to choose from in the heated pools. How about taking a ride on an inflatable ring down Tjurfallet, a 120-metre water slide, bob along on the current in Poolfloden or bounce around on Bubblan, an inflatable island?

ONCE UP ON dry land again, children can go wild in Leklandet that offers modern classics like Klätterbanan and Hopphagen, which is filled with trampolines, as well as local favourites such as drängakamp, a battle of strength, and hay-cart riding. If you are hungry, the restaurant is ready and waiting.

You can munch on everything from traditional fare to classic fast food, or take the opportunity to make your own pizza.

BARNENS GÅRD (the Children's Farm) has – despite its name – something for both young and old with the best that animals, play and water have to offer!

Find out more at barnensgard.se

IN 1752, THE model chamber in Karlskrona was founded, where models of ship designs were tested.

Over 250 years later, they form the basis for the Naval Museum located on Stumholmen, which was awarded Museum of the Year in 2015.

THERE ARE PLENTY OFactivities that will suit people of all ages at the Naval Museum. Anyone who does not have a problem with claustrophobia, can explore the submarine HMS Neptun from the inside and experience, with all their senses, what life in a constant state of warreadiness might have felt like.

If you prefer to feel the wind in your hair, you can test the ship simulator. Try to captain large or small ships in all types of weather, from storms to glaring sunshine in daytime and night-time conditions.

When you have both captained ships and experienced life in a submarine, it can feel good to just be a passenger. So why not take a look at the missile boat, Västervik, which has been completely preserved since her final voyage in 1997. Admire the T38, a super-fast motor torpedo boat and feel the breathtaking sweep of history that Bremön, the Second World War minesweeper, evokes. Ship ahoy!

#BLEKINGEWONDERFULWATER | 17

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Discover B Summercard SEK 625!

The Summercard gives you unlimited travel by bus, train and certain boats between 15 June and 15 August.

You can buy the card at blekingetrafiken.se, or from our ticket stops at the stations, Hemmakväll in Karlskrona and Direkten Nöje in Olofström.

The Summercard is also sold at our retailers in Rödeby and Nättraby.

18 | VISITBLEKINGE.SE

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#BLEKINGEWONDERFULWATER | 19

A fisherman’s paradise Bleking e

Regardless of whether you are looking to catch big pike, want to take on the world's largest salmon and sea trout, or spend a few lazy days with your fishing rod during the holidays, our province is perfect for you. Fisherman's luck, or break a leg as they say!

Text: PĂĽl Johansson

20 | VISITBLEKINGE.SE

O

pportunities abound to fish to your heart's content at any of Blekinge’s many fishing grounds. In magnificent settings, a well-stocked mix of watercourses to suit most preferences awaits. There is the coast with its high-class pike fishing, tranquil lakes and rivers offering a variety of fishing and of course, the crowning glory, Mörrumsån’s world famous trout and salmon fishing.

IT DOES NOT matter if you are a curious novice or a dogged veteran. If you need a helping hand, useful tips on equipment, techniques or where and when to fish, there is a plethora of knowledgeable instructors who offer guided tours. A perfect way to develop your fishing skills and increase the chance of getting a bite.

Maybe you want to try the noble art of fly fishing or experience the excitement of kayak fishing for the first time. The latter is a fishing experience that is hard to top, where you are right at the heart of the action, often equipped with a fly fishing rod and a few

carefully chosen pike or sea trout flies.

THE KARLSKRONA ARCHIPELAGO is a paradise for pike enthusiasts. If you have ever hooked a “Blekinge crocodile” exceeding the magic 10-kilogram limit, then you will probably understand why. There is an abundant pike population and from spring to autumn, anglers flock around the mid and outer archipelago’s reefs, islands and steep banks. The season ends with the popular Blekinge Pike Festival in October, where some of the country's most skilful fishing teams compete for the coveted trophy. Last year's results, which included 25 catches over one metre, give you an idea of what is hidden beneath the surface.

THERE ARE NUMEROUS companies that offer a variety of affordable fishing packages.

Combine fishing with good accommodation, unrivalled food and diverse activities to suit your specific wishes and requirements. Welcome to a well laid smorgasbord with fish as its focus.

#BLEKINGEWONDERFULWATER | 21

Absolutely worldclass salmon fishing Mention Mörrumsån to any angler and they get a dreamy look in their eyes. It is no coincidence that the 180 kilometre river is classified as one of the world's best and most well-known waters for salmon fishing. Welcome to Mörrumsån’s salmon fishing!

Text: Pål Johansson

T

HE TRADITION OF SALMON and sea trout fishing in Mörrum stretches back to the 1200s and these coveted, game fish have been caught over the years with everything from spears to yarn and nets. Since 1941, only angling with flies and spinning rods is permitted. From the last Friday in March until the last day of September each year, Mörrum’s salmon fishing attracts thousands of expectant anglers from practically all over the world.

IT DOES NOT really matter if you are an inveterate and experienced fisherman or if you are holding a rod for the first time. The chances of having an unbeatable fishing experience are very good indeed. There is a variety of fishing challenges, depending on the season and the weather conditions – from springtime’s “simple” fishing with plenty of fish that are willing to bite, through to tougher fishing for Atlantic salmon in May, and challenging summer fishing when the fish are more difficult to catch, right through to the beautiful and varied autumn fishing.

THE FISHING EXPERIENCE also varies depending on the stretch of water you choose from pool 1-32 in the south, to Vittskövle, Knaggalid and the Härnäs area

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MÖRRUM’S SALMON FISHING IN FIGURES 250,000 visitors annually make Mörrumsån one of the county's biggest tourist destinations.

26.72 kg was the weight of the largest rod caught salmon in Mörrumsån.

85% of the fish caught are released.

121 salmon were caught during a June weekend in 1991.

50 cm is the minimum length for salmon and sea trout.

further north. Areas of great natural beauty, magnificent oak and beech forests, open farmland and turbulent rapids. Fishing permits are compulsory throughout the year and considerate fishing, including compliance with the established rules, is a given. You will find the applicable rules and minimum measurements at: morrum.com AS MÖRRUMSÅN HAS some of the world's largest salmon and sea trout, using the right equipment is paramount. Water flow, weather and temperature are other criteria that you should keep in mind when choosing a rod, line and fly, or lure. If you need more assistance, there are experienced guides on location, who can be booked for a few hours or up to several days. Of course, you can also rent or update your equipment if you wish.

HOWEVER, MÖRRUM’S SALMON fishing can be a memorable experience even for those who are not anglers. Beautifully situated at Kungsforsen in central Mörrum, is Laxens Hus (the House of Salmon), where, apart from the angling office and the well-stocked fishing shop, you will find a restaurant and an exhibition about the life of salmon and the history of fishing. Or why not just take a walk around the area and watch the action up close, as anglers battle with the giants of the water?

Photography: Joakim Lenell

Walk along Mörrumsån MÖRRUMSÅN CAN BE experienced in other ways than with waders and a fishing rod. You could, for instance, complete your own walking tour of this salmon fishing ground. The 30 kilometre Laxaleden (the Salmon Trail) extends from Elleholm in the south to Hovmansbygd in the north.

The trail follows Mörrumsån’s turbulent progress through the beautiful landscape of Blekinge, among lush woodland and

verdant green fields. Follow the trail that is marked in blue, watch the expectant anglers and take a look at the 101 information boards that inform you about the history and culture that shaped the lives of the people along the river.

Download the app ”Vandra i Karlshamn” (Hiking in Karlshamn) for more information about the trail.

Fishing camp for future fishermen IN THE LAST week of October, when you can really feel the chilly autumn winds against your cheeks, it is time for ABU Garcia’s Pike Camp which is celebrating its tenth anniversary. Fishing enthusiasts and 13 to 17-year-olds on their autumn break come from all over the country to accompany experienced guides on a mission to outwit the archipelago's large, wily old pikes. During the camp, participants learn

about and try out different fishing techniques and methods, as well as everything that might be useful to know about boats and seamanship. No previous knowledge is needed, all that is required is that you are a member of Sportfiskarna or Unga Sportfiskare. Educational and wonderfully fun days, full of laughter and lots of fish.

Find out more at sportfiskarna.se

See the years roll by SVÄNGSTA, JUST NORTH of Karlshamn, was known for its pocket watches in the late 1800s. Halda Fickursfabrik (Halda Watch Factory) manufactured world famous and award-winning small watches and taxi metres until 1921, when the company's equipment and inventory was taken over by AB Urfabriken (ABU).

In 1941 “Record”, the first spinning reel was launched.

Twenty years later, the business took a new direction, which made the factory in Svängsta just as wellknown – angling equipment. In 1941, “Record”, the first spinning reel was launched and since then, numerous classical reel models have been launched, including Ambassadeur and Cardinal. All this plus plenty more exciting items of interest are on display at the ABU Museum, which is ranked as one of the country's best industrial museums.

#BLEKINGEWONDERFULWATER | 23

This year's hottest fishing competitions

Catch the wily old pike!

ON THE ISLAND of Senoren in the Karlskrona archipelago, right next to Möcklösundsbron (the Möcklösund bridge), is the multi-faceted fishing camp PikeStrike Sweden. Here in the middle of Europe's best pike waters, the company offers a wide range of angling packages and guided tours, as well as the rental of boats and kayaks.

You can combine accommodation in comfortable boathouses or archipelago houses with exciting fishing in fully equipped motor boats. Or why not try kayak fishing – an unbeatable fishing experience in the archipelago's shallow and rocky waters? A good option for the disabled or for summer parties and events is the company's 26-squaremetre, motorised aluminium raft.

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Photography: Tony Forsberg

Pike hunts in the Karlskrona archipelago

IS IT TIME to take your fishing to a new level and compete with some of the best anglers? The 2017 fishing year offers a number of really high-class competitions in the waters of Blekinge.

Winter's ice fishing competitions are followed by the start of spring and Blekinge's Sea Trout Festival, which takes place along the entire coastline on April 9. Events in May include Kanalmete (Canal Fishing) in Norje Canal (May 1) and the first of two Pike hunts in Halen (May 6 & October 14). For anyone who is looking for the voracious monsters of the sea, autumn is a smorgasbord of excellent competitions, including the Blekinge Pike Festival, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Karlskrona Pike Tournament and qualifying event for the Sportfish Masters (Swedish Pike Championship).

One of our favourite spots in Blekinge!

Say Mörrum’s Kronolaxfiske and anglers all over the world think about big salmon and sea trout.

Not surprising, since huge fish has been caught here since 1231. Now it is also possible to join courses and have guidance in fishing technique and fly binding.

At the Salmon’s house you can experience the life of the salmon and the sea trout, the history of Mörrum and a large aquarium with many of the species of fish that you can find in the Mörrum river. An excursion also for those who don’t angle. Conference room for rent.

Open: 1/3 – 30/9 Monday-Saturday 9–17 Sunday 10–15

Mörrums Kronolaxfiske

www.morrum.com or +46 (0)454-501 23

Great fishing stories since 1231

Photography: Per-Åke Persson

Kungsforsen Lunchrestaurang • Catering • Pub Välkommen Welcome to our beautiful lunch restaurant at the heart of Mörrum in the immediate vicinity of the rushing river and The Salmon’s House.

In the heart of Blekinge We serve lunch buffet and á la carte all days during the season.

Reservation: +46 (0)454-513 31, +46 (0)708-171 891

www.kungsforsen.se

Olofströms Kanotcentral

Visit Blekinge’s beautiful archipelago We offer several different types of accommodation, conference facilities and outdoor activities, such as fishing, kayaking, horse trekking, boat tours, bird watching, as well as biking and hiking trails.

Järnaviks Camping

Camping site, cabins, restaurant, shop, mini golf, direct booking www.jarnavikscamping.se

All Fly Mörrum AB Pensionat Järnavik

Accommodation,Laxens conference facilities, Hus events, café and bicycles

WOULD YOU LIKE to discover Blekinge from the water? Come www.pensionatjarnavik.se 375 30 Mörrum Facebook pensionat järnavik and visit Olofströms Kanotcentral! Rent a canoe and experience Phone: +46 723 640228 what they call southern Sweden's last wilderness. Start the journey +46(0)4980 (0)454 507 10 Butiken för alla biggest sportfiskare – The ultimate shop for all anglers in Olofström and Blekinge's lake Halen and discover gems Paddelkompaniet Butiken för alla sportfiskare – The ultimate shop for all anglers Webshop Kayaks, canoes, courses, packages Kunskap & and fiskegrejor – Knowledge & fishing tackle like Halen’s Nature Reserve the Raslången eco-park. KanotKunskap & fiskegejor – Knowledge & fishing tackle www.paddelkompaniet.se www.fiskeshopen.com centralen (the Canoe Centre), has everything you need for the trip, Garnanäs Sportfiskecamp Öppet året om – Open all year round Fishing, boats, cabins, hunting, Svalemåla including canoes, kayaks, paddles, shovels, tents, maps and ground apartments, conference facilities Cottages, fishing, boats, bicycles sheets. Obviously, safety is paramount to us – we have life jackets www.fishingcamp.se www.svalemala.se for both people and dogs! www.jarnavik.se Find out more at halenkanot.com

#BLEKINGEWONDERFULWATER | 25

Riksväg/National trunk road Länsväg/Other main road Allmän väg/Public highway

F Nominated for the 2016 Stora Turismpriset (The Grand Tourism Award)

Brokamåla Gård

OR THOSE IN search of tranquillity and the outdoor life, Brokamåla is the place for you.

Brokamåla is a popular conference destination and unique in what it offers, all in an amazing location characterised by forest and water. With 30 different lakes within a 10-kilometre radius, Brokamåla is the obvious place for anyone wanting to experience outdoor adventures or just enjoy the tranquillity.

FOR EXAMPLE, YOU can take your colleagues on an unforgettable activity-packed conference, where you end the day with a delicious three-course dinner and a wood-fired sauna. It is possible to take your hunting exam here, both the theory and the practical, making Brokamåla’s intensive course the perfect team-building experience.

Or why not gather a group of friends and try clay pigeon shooting or the adventure course?

BROKAMÅLA GÅRD, IS the perfect place for those who do not want to have to travel long distances to have fun and relax at the same time. Or as the owner Lars Sällström puts it: – You get the feeling that you are in the middle of nowhere, even though you are not far enough away from civilisation for your pizza to get cold. brokamala.se

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T O U R i S T

M A P

blekinge

#BLEKINGEWONDERFULWATER | 27

OlOFSTRÖM CiTY

kARlSHAMn CiTY

SÖlveSbORg CiTY

ROnnebY CiTY

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kARlSkROnA CiTY

newSleTTeR Subscribe to our newsletter and get access to the latest news! You can do this easily further down at visitblekinge.se

COnTACT US On SOCiAl MediA

COnTACT US Visit Blekinge Christopher Schrรถdersgatan 9 374 36 Karlshamn info@visitblekinge.se visitblekinge.se

STAY. eAT. SleeP.

bOOk YOUR viSiT AT:

#BLEKINGEWONDERFULWATER | 29

Sjukhus/Vårdcentral/ Hospital/Health centre Turistbyrå/Tourist information

Sevärdhet/Site of interest

Busstation/Bus station

Bad/Bathing

Kyrka/Church

Hotell/Hotel

Båttrafik/Boat traffic

Teater/Theatre

Världsarvsområde/ World heritage area Polis/Police office

Vandrarhem/Youth hostel

Färja/Ferry

Badplats tempererat/ Bathing temperate Motionsspår/Jogging track

Stugby/Holiday village/cottage

Vandringsled/Walking track

Golfbana/Golf course

Post/Post office

Camping/Camping site

Cykelled/Biking rout

Fiske/Fishing

Apotek/Pharmacy

Flygplats/Airport

Rastplats/Layby

Systembolag/Liquor store

Museum/Museum

Småbåtshamn/Marina

Naturreservat/Nature reserve

Parkering/Parking

Bibliotek/Library

Järnvägsstation/Railway station

Sportanläggning/Sports ground

Ishall/Ice rink

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Ridanläggning/ Riding ground Skidspår/Ski track Travbana/ Racetrack

viSiTblekinge.Se

Vandringsled/ Walking track Blekingeleden/ The Blekinge track

Riksväg/National trunk road Länsväg/Other main road

Cykelled/Biking rout

Allmän väg/Public highway

Utvandrarleden/ The Emigrate track Färja/Båttrafik/ Ferry/Boat traffic Naturreservatsgräns/ Nature reserve Europaväg/ European highway

Järnväg/Railway Länsgräns/ County border Industriområde/ Industrial area Tätort/Locality

A Science Center that awakens the joy of discovery Play and explore more than 170 exciting discovery stations.

Visit our outdoor oasis, the Kreapark, ideal for a picnic.

Stop for refreshments in our café, Kreaficum, or browse among fascinating objects in our shop, Kreaffären.

Combine more!

Visit Blekinge Exotic World which is located nearby. Buy a combined ticket at Kreativum.

Welcome to Kreativum – discoveries for the whole family!

Strömmavägen 28, Karlshamn www.kreativum.se • Tel. +46 0454 303360

Environment At Swedavia, we decided early on to be really good at environmental issues in our operational area, that is, running airports. Today we are an international role model in developing climate-smart airports, while at the same time we look to collaborate on environmental matters beyond our operations, for instance, with the aviation sector.

#BLEKINGEWONDERFULWATER | 31

Active Blekinge

An active lifestyle requires an active holiday. While some seek relaxation at the beach or in a hammock, other people are attracted to physical challenges on a bicycle, in a kayak or on foot.

If you like to be active, then the following pages are packed with tips.

TEXT: PĂĽl Johansson

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F

OR MANY PEOPLE, running shoes, hiking boots, bicycles and golf bags are just as much a part of holiday packing as swimwear, sunscreen and fishing rods. If your destination is Blekinge, we promise there is a good chance that you will put all this packing to a good use, if you so desire.

THE PERFECT WAY to experience our beautiful province is by bike or on foot. A cycling or hiking holiday in Sweden's southernmost wilderness along the Sydostleden (the South-East Trail) or Blekingeleden (the Blekinge Trail) will make for fond memories for life. You will make your way at a comfortable pace through lush, deciduous forests, rolling cornfields and a richly varied coastal landscape. Stretch your legs or take a break to do a spot of fishing beside an idyllic stretch of water before sauntering on towards your destination for the day or your overnight accommodation. The perfect way to garner exciting experiences while also getting some exercise and lots of fresh air into the bargain.

We guarantee that we will satisfy even the most discerning golf lovers.

REGARDLESS OF WHETHER it is fresh air, social interaction or the thrill of the game that attracts you, we guarantee that we will satisfy even the most discerning golf lovers. Here on Sweden's Golf Coast, it is never very far to the lush fairways and manicured greens. There are eight courses to choose from, so pick the one that takes your fancy. Do you feel like a hilly or open course, or perhaps a parkland course in a beautiful rural setting? The choices are manifold and the challenges varied.

IN A COASTAL LANDSCAPE such as Blekinge, a leisurely ride in a kayak or canoe is practically compulsory. Well, that is if you want to experience our beautiful archipelago in the best way possible. From the cockpit of the kayak, you glide along at a leisurely pace between islets and skerries, and perhaps go ashore at some charming island for a swim or a picnic.

If you are the kind of person who is hooked on running and swimrunning, Blekinge will not disappoint. We have races that are trials of strength for the uninitiated as well as the hardcore elite runner.

But make sure to register in time once you have made your mind up – races fill up quickly.

#BLEKINGEWONDERFULWATER | 33

Photography: Mats Svensson, www.utvecklingoaventyr.se

Magical bicycle tours Imagine a road almost completely free of traffic for over 270 kilometres, from Växjö in the north, through Blekinge, to Simrishamn in the south. An absolute dream for the bicycle tourist. We will guide you through over 60 kilometres of Sydostleden (the South-East Trail) that winds through our province. Have a pleasant tour!

S

TEXT: Pål Johansson

YDOSTLEDEN (THE SOUTH-EAST TRAIL) was opened in June 2016 and is classed as one of the country's best trails for bicycle tourists. On roads that are approximately 80 percent asphalt, you will travel from Växjö in Småland, through Karlshamn and Sölvesborg, down to Simrishamn in Österlen. The trail is divided into seven stages of between 30 to 50 kilometres, but obviously you choose where you want to start and how far you want to cycle.

Regardless of where you start and how far you cycle, you can prepare yourself for an amazing journey, through a varied and exciting landscape and with unforgettable adventures along the way.

luck in the world famous Mörrumsån (the Mörrum River), where, if you are lucky, you might hook the tastiest meal of your entire holiday.

Euphoric, full and contented you cycle onwards towards the south west. After 10 kilometres you reach Norje – the midpoint of Sydostleden (the South-East Trail). Here you can take a detour onto the 45 km long Listerleden (the Lister Trail), where you cycle through the beautiful countryside of Listerlandet with its lush, beech forests, fertile fields and panoramic views. Turn off to visit a quaint fish smokery or harbour restaurant, enjoy a refreshing swim at one of the beaches, or cycle down to Listerhuvud, one of Sweden's biggest nature reserves.

SYDOSTLEDEN

IF YOU DECIDE to cycle along the entire trail AS YOU APPROACH this leg's destination, Find out more about the trail and see the through Blekinge, a good place to start is in you will cross Europe’s longest pedestrian and different stages on a Fridafors, on the other side of the border with bicycle bridge that connects Listerlandet with map at: sydostleden.se the province of Småland. From here, you cycle Sölvesborg town centre. Last year, the beautior contact the tourist the entire 31 kilometre leg of the journey, passful, 760-metre long Sölvesborg Bridge was desoffice in Karlshamn or ing woodland in the north, through the counignated one of the most spectacular bridges in Sölvesborg. tryside around Svängsta, towards the coastal the world by CNN television, and it is also a region and your destination in the seaport of popular haunt for lovers. So if the mood takes Karlshamn. Here you can choose to take a well deserved you, a short break to exchange a kiss may be in order. break and enjoy a nice swim, a spot of shopping and the Once in Sölvesborg, you can replenish your energy at town's cultural life before continuing. This leg of the journey one of the restaurants or cafés, stock up on supplies and is relatively easy and can be completed in two to four hours, choose from a range of different types of accommodation depending on the pace and on how many stops you plan to – if it is time to end the current leg of the journey. A nearby make along the way. attraction is the colourful Fyra Årstiders Park (the Four Seasons Park) down in the harbour. The park was created by WHEN IT IS TIME to cycle onwards, the next destination the Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf and has glorious flois Sölvesborg, 32.5 kilometres away. This stage is also easy ral displays regardless of the season. and can be completed in two to four hours. Since this part Then it is up to you if you want to continue the journey of the trail takes you past Mörrum, it might be a good idea onwards into Skåne, or complete it when you reach the borto pack your fishing tackle. Buy a fishing permit and try your der in Valje, just west of Sölvesborg.

34 | VISITBLEKINGE.SE

A paradise for golfers

Adventurous nature tours IF YOU ARE looking for a little more excitement during your stay with us, then Utveckling o Äventyr (Development & Adventure) may be your cup of tea. Businesses as well as private groups are guided through the company's various team-building activities and adventures by knowledgeable instructors in the beautiful Blekinge countryside and archipelago. You can enjoy wonderful encounters with nature on a bike, kayak or on foot, climb up or rappel down high cliffs, try surf skiing and then just relax with some grilled sausages by the camp fire after an exciting day.

IN THE HEART of the “Garden of Sweden”, beautifully situated among lush, oak forests, rolling fields and glittering seas and lakes are eight golf clubs that constitute what is known as Sweden's Golf Coast. Here, in the middle of the verdant countryside, you are never far from a varied and challenging game of golf. The courses are located, if not at the distance of a couple of well-aimed drives, at least a short car journey away.

The favourable and mild climate means that on a number of courses you can practice your putts and bunker shots all year round.

from all over the country. You can pick and choose from beautiful parkland courses, with stunning views of the forests and the archipelago, both narrow and tricky courses or wide and less challenging ones. Furthermore, you will also find some of the country's most classic golf clubs, which ensures fantastic golf experiences that you are sure to cherish. Sweden's Golf Coast comprises the following courses, Boa Olofström Golf Club, Carlskrona Golf Club, Karlshamn Golf Club, Leråkra Golf Club, Nicklastorp Golf Club, Ronneby Golf Club, Sölvesborg Golf Club and Trummenäs Golf Club.

THEREFORE, IT IS not surprising that Blekinge’s manicured golf courses attract a large number of golf enthusiasts

Find out more about the golf courses, golf passes and packages at: sverigesgolfkust.se.

Then all you have to do is tee up!

Excellent hiking AN EXCELLENT WAY to experience Blekinge is on foot. The distances between various locations are short and the encounters with nature are plentiful. Blekingeleden (the Blekinge Trail) is a 258 kilometre hiking trail through the province's changing countryside, from Sölvesborg in the west to the Bröms in the east. Hike through deep, deciduous forests and open farmland with grazing animals, and rest your legs beside a tranquil lake, or in any of the trail shelters and picnic areas that are located along the trail.

You decide if you have the stamina to complete all 12 stages of the orangemarked trail, or if you are satisfied with completing just one or two.

OTHER HIKING TRAILS Hobyleden 18 km Karlsnäsleden 15 km Sölvesborgsleden 8 km Vildmarksleden 60 km

#BLEKINGEWONDERFULWATER | 35

Kustjagaren IF YOU ARE an amateur or an elite athlete who is looking for the ultimate challenge, then you should book Saturday July 1 in your calendar. That is when Kustjagaren will be held for the fifth year, a good 30 km long trial over land and sea, which last year was rated Sweden's second best swimrun competition. The race is completed in pairs and involves using a map and a marked route to find the fastest route between Torhamnsudde to Karlskrona's main square. You swim between the islands and headlands and run along the roads and in the forest. So put on your running shoes and your wetsuit and let's do it! If you have not already registered, then unfortunately you will have to wait until next year, as this year's race was fully booked after just 12 days.

Running events for the whole family EVERYONE WITH ANTS in their pants and a spring in their step should mark Saturday, July 8th in their calendar. That is when the running fixtures Kustmaran and Kristianopel runt (Tour de Kristianopel) will be decided. The races range from 900 metres for the very youngest competitors, through to 2.5, 5 and 10 km for amateur and elite runners, all the way up to the half marathon and marathon (42.2 km) for the most energetic.

Find out more at visitblekinge.se.

Photography: Jonas Gustafsson

Two-person swimrun team THOSE WHO HAVE embraced the swimrun concept have two real treats to look forward to this summer. The first race is the 2XU Island Challenge on July 22. The 23 km route stretches from Erikberg’s Vilt-och Naturreservat (Eriksberg's Wildlife & Nature Reserve) in the east and then crosses water and terrain to the finish line in Karlshamn Harbour.

A few weeks later, on August 12, it is time for Karlskrona Swimrun which takes place in and around this World Heritage town. The route will be presented this spring, but the overall distance will probably be the same as previous years, i.e., an 11 kilometre run and a 1,500 metre swim. Both the races involve teams consisting of two people.

36 | VISITBLEKINGE.SE

Photography: Roger Karlsson

Blekinge’s best beaches and bathing areas Refreshing dips and beautiful beaches are never far away.

We have listed some gems below.

SANDVIKEN • SÖLVESBORG Family friendly, white sandy beach.

SALTÖ • KARLSKRONA A few years ago it was designated Sweden's second best beach in the magazine, Allt om Resor.

VÄGGA – KOLLEVIK • KARLSHAMN Here, you have the luxury of choosing between the beach and the cliffs.

HALLARUM’S BEACH • JÄMJÖ Popular beach that attracts lots of families with children and adolescents.

PIREN • KRISTIANOPEL Two lovely beaches in this charming little village.

HALEN • OLOFSTRÖM Popular bathing area that has been adapted to accommodate the disabled.

Kallbadhuset in Karlshamn.

Welcome to the forest's pantry LATE SUMMER AND AUTUMN is a magical time in many ways. Not only is nature adorned in colourful attire, but the enchanting forest also opens its well-stocked larder of mushrooms and berries. So don your boots and take a basket and head out into the wilderness of Blekinge.

Café Mandeltårtan WHEN YOU FEEL your tummy rumbling and it is time for coffee and a snack, then a visit to the cosy Café Mandeltårtan in Ronneby is the perfect choice. Enjoy freshly baked pastries and cakes, as well as filling sandwiches in this beautiful setting, right next to the Ronneby River by Brunnsparken. The hallmark of the café is obviously their almond cake (mandeltårta), but there are plenty of other delights on offer.

Do not miss these gems either.

Saxemara beach, Ronneby Millegarne, Listerby Tredenborg, Sölvesborg Almö, Nättraby Citybad and Kallbadhuset, Karlshamn Varmbadhuset, Karlskrona

New hunting grounds?

FOR THOSE WHO are interested in hunting, Sweden’s southernmost wilderness offers a diverse selection of game. Two of the companies that offer organised hunting are Brokamåla Gård outside Olofström and Eriksberg Vilt & Natur. You can accompany seasoned guides to hunt for wild boar, deer and elk.

Sweden's first snorkelling trail ARE YOU ALSO FASCINATED by all the amazing things that are hidden underwater? Then you should definitely take the opportunity to experience it up close. At Sweden's first snorkelling trail in Kollevik outside Karlshamn, you can learn more about the plants and animals along the Blekinge coastline. Equipped with a mask, snorkel and flippers, you swim along the "underwater trail” through the marine landscape and can stop to take a look at the different information plates on the sea floor.

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Adventure in the southernmost wilderness TEXT: PĂĽl Johansson

Calling Blekinge Sweden's southernmost wilderness is no exaggeration. The landscape is truly a wonderland for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. There are the wild forests, the open landscapes, the rivers teeming with fish and the breathtaking archipelago.

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MAGINE A CANOE trip on the glassy waters of a lake early in the morning before the fog has dissipated and the day has begun. Enjoy the silence and let the serenity embrace you. Go ashore and try to catch a fish for lunch or wander through the still slightly dewy, enchanted forest and fill a basket with berries and the first chantarelles of the summer.

THE BLEKINGE COUNTRYSIDE has something to appeal to most tastes, all within a convenient distance. Along our extensive coastline, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the beautiful archipelago in your own boat or a rented kayak. A kayak is perhaps the best way, as it makes it easier to navigate the reefs and shallow bays. Enjoy the relaxing surroundings and dramatic scenery on and around such gems of the archipelago as Hanö and Tjärö.

When the summer heat comes calling and the urge to take a dip is hard to resist, you will find some of the country's best beaches here. Choose between family-friendly, sandy beaches with shallow water and scenic cliffs, unless of course you prefer to drive inland for a swim in one of the many lakes.

If you are interested in finding out what is going on under the water, you should take the opportunity to try one of the country's first snorkelling trails in Kollevik just outside

Karlshamn. Experience the marine landscape along the “underwater trail” and find out more about the plants and animals of the Baltic Sea .

BETWEEN KARLSHAMN AND Ronneby, you will also find the Nordic regions largest safari park, Eriksberg Vilt & Natur. In the 915 hectare wildlife enclosure you can observe hundreds of European bison, wild boar, mouflon and different kinds of deer that roam freely in the lush, noble, deciduous forests and the fascinating rocky landscape.

Furthermore, Blekinge is an El Dorado for hunters, with many different types of game.

Brokamåla Gård and Eriksberg are two of the companies that offer organised hunts for wild boar and deer, under the supervision of experienced hunting guides. At Brokamåla you can also take your hunting exam over a weekend, all inclusive.

The Blekinge countryside has something that appeals to every taste.

REGARDLESS OF WHETHER you choose to explore Blekinge on foot, by car, bike or kayak, you will be greeted by stunning surroundings, enchanting forests and a magical archipelago. The perfect place to charge your batteries and replenish your energy.

And with a little luck, you might even come across the animal that has come to symbolise our province, the characteristic and beautiful stag beetle.

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Island hopping in the archipelago TEXT: Fridah Jönsson

Dragons, cliffs, deer ... In the Blekinge archipelago, you will find experiences to suit the young as well as the old, the placid as well as the adventurous, and the sun-worshipper as well as the history buff.

TJÄRÖ “Death Rock” may not sound like an obvious holiday idyll, but the twelve-metrehigh cliff at Korpaberget is a matter of course for the brave swimmer – and perhaps also for the dedicated photographer. For those who prefer to enjoy Tjärö’s waters in a more relaxing manner, there is the kayak safari in Järnavik, where you collect your kayak and then paddle out to Tjärö. You can buy lunch in the restaurant on Tjärö or enjoy a summery picnic with such delights as grilled chicken and strawberries.

FIVE SUGGESTION FOR ISLAND HOPPERS DO YOUR RESEARCH A great deal of the charm of travelling is that you do not need to write a meticulous to-do-list.

However, to be certain you do not miss the best bits when you get there, it is a good idea to have some information about the island you intend to visit. Google, read a free magazine or ask a well-travelled friend in order to find out about the nicest beaches and bathing areas, best restaurants and coolest attractions.

WOULD YOU AND your party like to make your holiday a little more luxurious? Rent a floating sauna! The wood-fired sauna, which can be rented for SEK 800, is located next to a buoy close to the jetty at Lerhallsbryggan and is sure to bring a little luxury into your life.

HANÖ A flying dragon that is startled by a lighthouse and crashes into a rock face. This is not a scene from a Harry Potter book, but the legend of the origins of the so-called dragon mark on the rock face below the lighthouse on Hanö. Go there and feel the sweep of history, or legend as the case may be.

CONTINUING on this historic track, you can set course towards the English Cemetery, which dates from the Napoleonic wars, when Hanö was a naval base for the English fleet in the Baltic Sea. The cemetery, located between the lighthouse and Bönsäcken, contains the graves of 15 British sailors.

THE ANIMAL enthusiasts among you should not miss the fallow deer. Hanö is inhabited by up to 200 fallow deer, and in June and July you can see does and fawns grazing together all around the island.

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CHOOSE YOUR COMPANIONS WELL A week with your in-laws can be really enjoyable, but may also lead to friction. Travel with people who want the same things from the trip as you do. If you want to hike in the mountains and your travelling companions want to lie on the beach for a week, it might be worth considering how much you really complement one another.

TRAVEL LIGHT...

Download the interactive Hanö app and get a guided tour of the island.

You probably do not need ten guidebooks regardless of how many islands you plan to visit.

Start packing in good time and only take what you know you will need. There are no pressing demands to be stylish when island hopping and during the course of the trip you will be glad that your bag is easy to carry around. ...AND RIGHT Take a quick glance at your weather app before you take off on your travels. If the forecast gives rain for the next eight days, a bikini, sun hat and coconut oil will not be very useful.

ENJOY! The Blekinge archipelago is a wonderful place, so be sure to see as much of the beautiful scenery as possible, while the beaches, water and cliffs are at your feet!

Canoe trips in the wilderness

Travel back in time to the Bronze Age FEEL THE SWEEP OF HISTORY at Torhamnslandet.

This is where Blekinge’s largest rock carvings have been preserved. Over 140 figures were carved into the circular rock, among them over 80 carvings of ships.

If you are driving along the coastal route, the rock carvings are located in between Möckleryd and Kristianopel and they are well worth a visit. The carvings were created during the Bronze Age and it has been established that they were of religious significance. In addition to the carvings of ships, there are several figures that are linked to fertility, as well as small hollows carved out in the rock. It is believed they were used for grinding grain that was then offered to the gods.

pelago and Ronneby River's 70 km canoe route is Paddelkompaniet. For more than 20 years, the owners have served adventurous visitors, rented canoes and kayaks and organised a variety of courses.

Find out more about the company's activities at Karlsnäsgården and in Järnavik at: paddelkompaniet.se.

Photography: Percy Christiansson

IMAGINE GLIDING ALONG the surface of a glassy sea or a winding river in the middle of the wilderness, far from the nearest settlement. Feeling the calmness spread through your body and becoming one with the beautiful surroundings – the leafy forests, lush islands and abundant wildlife.

One company that is extremely knowledgeable about Sweden's southernmost archi-

Nordic safari

Adventures on the water ”EVERYONE CAN PADDLE” is the motto of kayak enthusiasts Niklas Månsson and Jonas Hillerbratt, who run Karlskrona Kajak, which is based in the old naval town. The company rents and sells kayaks and organises guided tours of Blekinge's lakes and rivers as well as the Baltic Sea. The perfect way to explore the natural landscape and find your own favourite spots, while also getting a healthy dose of exercise into the bargain. If you are a beginner or need to refine your technique, they also provide a variety of canoeing and kayaking courses, as well as other courses.

EXPERIENCE A SWEDISH safari at Eriksberg Vilt & Natur. In the Nordic region's biggest safari park, wildlife, including red deer, European bison and wild boar roam, around in the open, so you can meet them on their terms.

You can make your way around the 900-hectare safari park, which is also a nature reserve, either by car or in the Nordic region's first real safari vehicle. Eriksberg Vilt & Natur houses some of the rarest species in Sweden, including mouflon and the big European bison.

When you have had your fill of encounters with nature, you can satisfy your hunger in the Visenten (Bison) restaurant, which has received several awards from the White Guide.

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province The culinary

Surely a holiday without really good food and drink would feel quite meagre? Blekinge is a sumptuous smorgasbord when it comes to culinary experiences. Join us on a tour of quaint farm shops, locally produced delicacies and frothy beer.

TEXT: Pål Johansson

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HERE ARE AS MANY classic Blekinge dishes as there are residents of the province. Each municipality and region has its own specialities, but it is still possible to discern some recurring ingredients and dishes. As with all coastal regions such as Blekinge, fish obviously plays a prominent role. Besides potato dumplings, fish soup, freshly fried herring, salmon and eel in all its forms are staples of Blekinge's cuisine.

Now that stocks of both eel and the official fish of the province, cod, are on the decline and the species are endangered, it is advisable to replace them with other delicious fish. And that is not difficult in the fishing province of Blekinge. Along the coast and in the famous Mörrumsån (the Mörrum River) some of the country's largest salmon, sea trout and pike are caught every year.

THUS THE FOOD ENTHUSIAST visiting Blekinge has an abundance of culinary delights to look forward to. As you travel around Blekinge, you will come across a wide range of local producers of food and drink. Many of them have farm shops, where you can experience production up close and buy the delicious produce without the need for intermediaries. You can choose from a selection of tasty herbs, vegetables, fruits and berries, honey produced by their own bees, all kinds of dairy products, meat, char-

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cuterie, as well as fresh and smoked fish.

WHILE YOU are here, you should take the opportunity to enjoy some of the locally produced drinks that are made in the county. As the interest in beer has taken off, more and more small artisanal and micro breweries have started production around the county, in several cases in traditional beer brewing territory. You can find their beverages at wellstocked grocery stores, pubs and restaurants, as well as at the local Systembolaget (staterun Off Licences). Keep an eye out for drinks from our traditional apple juice as well as cider breweries and swing by Stora Boråkra Gård outside Karlskrona, where you will find something as exotic as a Swedish vineyard.

Two organisations that are working actively for the promotion of local food culture and entrepreneurship are Smakupplevelse Blekinge and Blekinge Matakademi (Blekinge Food Academy). Find out more about their nourishing culinary endeavours further on in this magazine.

WHEN THOSE HUNGER PANGS set in, we have just one piece of advice: Head out and explore and find your own favourite eatery from the extensive range that are on offer, from small, cosy, local bistros and cafés, to restaurants and inns that have entries in the culinary bible, White Guide. Welcome and bon appétit!

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Blekinge Matakademi In March 2016, Blekinge Matakademi was founded with the aim of preserving Blekinge’s food traditions. Now they are up and running and are actively working to promote local food culture.

TEXT: Fridah Jönsson

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HRISTEL HAMMAR MALMGREN is the chairwoman of Blekinge Matakademi. Along with about ten other people who come from the food industry, or who “just” have a keen interest in Blekinge’s culinary traditions, she is working to reward good initiatives within the culinary arts.

– Through my work with food artisans in Smakupplevelse Blekinge, I got to see what opportunities they have for bringing their products to market. You can make really great things, but if no one buys the product, well then it’s not been very beneficial! So I felt that we should gather people with different skills and direct our efforts towards a broader group, working with food in the public arena as well as with ordinary consumers. I talked to the county governor and the regional council who were very enthusiastic, and pretty quickly I got together 13 members, ranging from restaurant and catering teachers to a specialist in food culture from a museum, says Christel.

ONE OF MATAKADEMIEN’S goals is to preserve culinary traditions in Blekinge, which according to Christel means making the most of nature and the climate.

– Culinary tradition for me means being aware of the people who have shaped our culinary history and the conditions that prevail for growing and processing. From a climate perspective, Blekinge is a cross section of Sweden as a whole. In the forest there is game, in the agricultural areas there are vegetables and along the coast there are fish. We have so much to draw from and that is what we preserve.

Why is it so important for you to preserve it?

– I am a food artisan myself and the more I learn about

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food, the more I realise that it is vital that the food is good.

It means that the food you eat should be good regardless of whether you are a meat eater or a vegetarian. We must make people understand that it is better to buy good meat from your neighbour for a few pence more than to buy cheap meat from Brazil. It is not about any one particular item of food, but rather the overall perception of food.

ONE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, which Christel has noticed among consumers, is that more of them have actually started to cook.

– People have long been incredibly interested in food, but now they have also started to COOK. My American sister-in-law said she felt unique when she used her kitchen, because while people were renovating their kitchens for huge sums of money, they were ordering all their food from takeaway restaurants, but now people are actually cooking themselves. The more aware you become, the more control you want to have of what you do. It is also about health. If you want to be healthy, you have to eat good food. A lot of this goes hand in hand, the trend of wanting to live till we are 140 contributes to making us more aware of what we eat.

What is happening during the summer at Blekinge Matakademi?

– We are having a couple of major events in 2017, where we will be basing everything we do on knowledge and facts, and we will be bringing in people who work professionally with food. We had an evening about food waste during the winter, where I had a number of aha-moments. You never stop learning.

Orranäs Gårdsmejeri ARE YOU LONGING to taste some pressed hard cheese, soured fresh cheese or goat salami? Then visit Orranäs Gårdsmejeri! On the farm, which is run by Boel and Lars Dahlberg, cheese is produced from goat's and cow's milk. Their delicious cheeses have won a number of awards and distinctions. They won gold at the Swedish Artisanal Food Championships in 2016 and were winners of the “Tastiest blue cheese” at Ostfestivalen (the Cheese Festival) in 2014. Orranäs also has stables and a riding arena, so cheese, milk and animal lovers are sure to find a trip to the farm an uplifting experience. It is located along the coast road between Kristianopel and Torhamn.

SMAKUPPLEVELSE BLEKINGE is an umbrella organisation for food and tourism entrepreneurs in the county. Its aim is to strengthen the food market and entrepreneurship, arrange courses and seminars, and to help entrepreneurs establish contacts with one another and with customers. The association's members include companies as diverse as Bredängs Ciderbryggeri to Kanotcentralen in Olofström. The chairwoman of Smakupplevelse Blekinge is Anja Oscarsson from the café Chocolatte, who produces handmade pralines and organises chocolate tastings.

Find all the experiences at smakupplevelseblekinge.se.

Photography: Mats Lind

Restaurant Visenten at Eriksberg Vilt & Natur.

Culinary gems

LIFE IS TOO SHORT to eat bad food, someone once said. How fortunate then that in Blekinge you never have to go very far to experience culinary delights and pleasurable coffee moments. The prestigious White Guide lists ten restaurants and cafés in its latest edition. The list includes Visenten at Eriksberg Vilt & Natur, Gourmet Grön, Restaurang & Vin in Karlshamn, Landbron Mat & Dryck and Sjörök in Karlskrona. Anyone who fancies a cup of freshly brewed coffee and something sweet should not miss the irresistible trio, Ritz Conditori (Sölvesborg), Café Sött & Salt (Kristianopel) and Mandeltårtan (Ronneby).

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The farm shops that make Blekinge tastier In the summer, Blekinge is brimming with small, authentic farm shops where you can find everything from sheepskin rugs to honey mustard.

Bring some money, double check that the farm is open and find yourself a bargain!

TEXT: Fridah Jönsson

SPJUTBYGDS GÅRD Twenty kilometres north of Karlskrona you will find Spjutsbygds Gård, which offers bed and breakfast and sells products from its own farm. Sheepskin, lamb and cured meats are just a small selection of the things you can put on your shopping list before a visit to Lennarth and Ulla, who own the farm.

Askunga Dovvilt

ASKUNGA DOVVILT Charming farm shop and café that also offers catering and conference facilities in a rural setting. Here you can browse among the spices, coffee and other products with flavours from all over Sweden. Askunga Dovvilt’s speciality is fallow deer meat, but you will also find beef from their own animals, free-range eggs, elk, pheasant and a wide variety of other delicacies in the farm shop.

BJÖRKETORPS GÅRD An award-winning farm, where organic milk production and ice cream are the focus. The glass kiosk, which is open all year round, serves home-made ice cream made with milk from their own dairy, eggs from a neighbouring farm and honey from beehives on the farm. You can also see American Quarter Horses, the breed that was ridden by cowboys in the “Wild West”. Björketorps Gård is the perfect destination for those who want to visit a working farm in beautiful surroundings.

STURKÖ RÖKERI At Sturkö Rökeri (Sturkö Smokery) out in the Blekinge archipelago, fish is smoked in old stone ovens in accordance with traditional methods dating from the 1400s. In the summer, you can visit the smokery’s summer café and enjoy cold delicacies such as different types of salads and “smörgåstårtor” (savoury cakes made of bread with generous fillings and garnishes).

Sturkö Rökeri also offers catering and guided tours with information about traditional smoking methods.

ÄGGABODEN In Gärestad village outside Ronneby, you will find Äggaboden, a restaurant and shop that sells eggs from Ble-

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Sturkö Rökeri

Äggaboden

kinge, Småland, Öland and Skåne. If you are lucky, you will find the owner Anna-Lena Fransson's home-made mayonnaise on the shelves. It was praised by Carl-Jan Granqvist, who described it as “An ardent summer kiss”. Äggaboden has won Guldklövern (the Gold Clover) from the Centre Party, as well as receiving the growers award from BLT and Hushållningssällskapet.

BREDAVIKS ÖRTAGÅRD At Bredaviks Örtagård (Bredavik’s Herb Garden) it is still the Middle Ages. The farm is based on a model of the old monastery herb garden and has a medieval marketplace. The staff wear period costumes and for anyone feeling a bit hot and sweaty, there is a communal bathtub where you can have your weekly bath. The shop sells everything from herbs, spices and herbal teas to medieval mustard, lavender vinegar, mouth harps and wooden swords.

Craft beer – for connoisseurs TEXT: Pål Johansson

Hops, malt, yeast and water – that is all you need to brew a good beer.

And of course, it also requires a hefty dose of craftsmanship and love for the ingredients. The master brewers at Brygghus 19, Carlskrona Bryggeri and Bryggeri Skeppsgossen in Blekinge possess all these qualities.

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HERE IS evidence that people enjoyed brews that were similar to beer in the Middle East as early as 7,000 years ago. Beer found its way up to Northern Europe via monks in the 1100s, and since then this frothy drink has been enjoyed on every occasion.

AS MORE people discover the fascinating world of beer and are increasingly interested in what they are pouring into their glasses, the number of small local microbreweries is growing. One of the breweries that has preserved the traditional craft heritage is Carlskrona Bryggeri. It was established in 2013, but breathed new life into original recipes from the mid-1800s. The brewery is run by Göran Jephson, a third generation brewer, and is appropriately located in Tyska Bryggargården’s well-maintained premises in Karlskrona.

There is another interesting brewery located in Karlshamn – Brygghus 19. Among the brewery’s vessels and fermenting vats we find beer enthusiasts, Dan-Magnus Svensson and Magnus Karlsson, who began by experimenting at home before starting the business in earnest in 2013. Beer devotees can enjoy guided tours or attend training courses that are centred on this golden beverage.

We return to Karlskrona to visit the avid group of beer aficionados at Bryggeri Skeppsgossen. Since the brewery was established in 2015, master brewer Joakim Bengtsson and his staff have developed 16 exciting varieties, each with its own distinctive, local character.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE BREWERIES brygghus19.se carlskronabryggeri.se bryggeriskeppsgossen.se

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Discover Blekinge’s 200 words for love!

IN NORTHERN SWEDEN the Sami have 200 words for snow. Here in Blekinge, we have collected 200 words for love. Words that have led us to broaden our concept of what love is and what it can be, words that describe things that have hitherto been indescribable.

We have collected new words throughout the whole of Blekinge by talking to children and adults, the elderly and new Swedes – both those who have lived here a long time and those who have just arrived.

DURING THE SUMMER, these words will be secreted around the province of Blekinge, awaiting discovery. The artist Susanne Demåne has created 200 small artistic pieces or “ordgömmor” (word caches) that have been hidden in forests, by country roads, near the sea and right beside the towns cobbled streets. You can reach all the word caches using Blekinge’s public transport system and you can locate them using the Geocaching app. Download the app now and go in search of Blekinge’s 200 words for love.

ABOUT THE PROJECT: Blekinge’s 200 words for love is run by the Pinamackorna theatre group.

Find out more about the project here: www.200ordförkärlek.se

Tjärö

The pearl of the archipelago

Video contest! #blekingewonderfulwater

Post your best Blekinge video clip on Instagram, the video clip can be maximum 15 seconds. Write a comment describing where in Blekinge the video was recorded and tag it with @visitblekinge and #blekingewonderfulwater. Ensure your Instagram profile is public to make it possible for us to see your contribution. Done! Now you have entered the contest!

The contest is open until 31st of August 2017.

The winner will be announced on Instagram.

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ON TJÄRÖ, the Blekinge archipelago can be seen at its best.

Glassy smooth waters and high cliffs welcome you to the island, which has a restaurant, accommodation, café and marina.

Hike on one of the island's trails, dive from the rocks, canoe or rent a floating sauna – Tjärö has something for both the intrepid as well as the more subdued nature lover.

YOU CAN STAY in a hotel, hostel or rented cottage, or pitch your own tent, and fill your days with activities that are ideal for the Swedish countryside.

tjaro.com +46 (0) 454 60063 info@tjaro.com

café mandel tårtan BED & BREAKFAST

www.visitblekinge.se Härligt café och Bed&Breakfast i Ronneby Brunnspark.

Stora familjerum och bekväma dubbelrum. Öppet vardagar 10-18 lördag & söndag 10-17 Hjärtligt välkomna!

Fridhemsvägen 2 372 38 Ronneby Tel: 0457-628200 www.mandelartan.se

Besök en ekologisk gård!

Kor, westernhästar & socialt engagemang

Annons Björketorps gård

Teater, konserter, event och studiebesök

Vi tillverkar en unikt äkta och oförfalskad glass av gårdens KRAV mjölk

I vår mjölkbutik kan Du handla dagsfärsk mjölk, ägg, potatis och vår glass

I glasshuset serverar vi kulglass och kaffe hela sommaren Björketorps Gård • 372 95 Johannishus • 0705-313 828 • www.bjorketorpsgard.se

Alkohol är skadligt för din hälsa

Susanne Demåne

Art-Garden-Cafe-Experiences www.demone.se

Hunnng, fishing and golf combined with conference/training faciliies.

Allaround Tours organises bespoke trips to Blekinge and the rest of the world. www.allaround.se

On the animal’s terms experienc

Go on safari at one of northern Europe’s largest protected areas for wildlife. Also hotel, conference, restaurants and café.

Barbeque evenings and à la carte during the summer. Welcome!

E22 exit 54 Åryd eriksberg.se #BLEKINGEWONDERFULWATER | 49

Göholm Bed & Breakfast Göholm’s B & B is the perfect accommodation for nature lovers.

Hike in the Gö peninsula nature reserve or rent an electric bike and enjoy the surroundings on two wheels. Tips for your cycling excursion: Order sandwiches with eggs straight from the farm’s chickens and pack your picnic basket as you cycle away! aggaboden.se

Äggaboden Halens Vandrarhem A scenic hostel that provides comfortable and affordable accommodation in single and double rooms, as well as rooms with four beds. The hostel, which is located next to the camp site, has all the standard amenities as well as the Von Halen restaurant. It has wheelchair access and the car park is located right next to the rooms. +46 (0)454 402 30 | halenscamping.se

In Gärestad village outside Ronneby, you will find Äggaboden which has Bed & Breakfast, a farm shop and a restaurant, all in the one location. At the award-winning Äggaboden, you can buy everything from beef from cattle that grazed in the Blekinge archipelago to home-produced eggs directly from the farm. Äggaboden’s own mayonnaise has been praised by Carl-Jan Granqvist, who described it as “An ardent summer kiss” and in the restaurant you can enjoy storytelling evenings, live music as well as theatre. aggaboden.se

Hallandsboda Bed & Breakfast Anyone who wants to try their luck fishing would be wise to check in at Hallandsboda B&B right beside Mörrumsån (the Mörrum River), and dog owners can take their pets on one of the farm's dog training courses. This year we also have sites for motorhomes and caravans, so bring your camping chair and enjoy the peace and quiet! hallandsboda.se

Swedish Championships 2018 Blekinge www.sm2018.se

FABRIKSFÖRSÄLJNING FACTORY OUTLET FABRIKSVERKAUF Öppet/Open/Geöffnet: Mån/Mon/Mont - Fre/Fri/Freit: 09-17 Lörd/Sat/Samst 1/7 - 19/8: 10-14 VÄLKOMMEN / WELCOME / WILLKOMMEN! Järnbruksvägen 5, Kallinge Företagscenter Tel: 0457-240 00 www.ronnebybruk.se 50 | VISITBLEKINGE.SE

Lätt Gjutjärn och mycket annat!

Lightweight cast iron and a lot more!

Leichtes Gußeisen und vieles mehr!

Camping in Blekinge UniqUe experiences in norThern eUrope’s nearesT archipelago – all year roUnd

Together, we help our camping guests to find the best holiday here with us in ”Blekinge – wonderful water.”

Book online

w w w . b l e ki ngec ampi ng. c om

Foto: Visitkarlskrona/digitalFilm

#BLEKINGEWONDERFULWATER | 51

Blekinge – wonderful water Imagine an 800 kilometer archipelago with over 800 green islands to discover. Imagine calm lakes and rippling rivers, full of fish. In Blekinge our wonderful water is constantly present and never more than a short drive away. Welcome!

Follow us on social media. @visitblekinge

VisitBlekinge AB (svb), Christopher SchrĂśdersgatan 9, 374 36 Karlshamn Published with support from Region Blekinge and County Administrative Board of Blekinge