Askersund

2021 Highlights

There is always something going on in Askersund, and having fun here is both easy and safe. For up-to-date information, please see our EVENT CALENDAR: www.visitaskersund.se/evenemang

A selection:

w. 26–31 Kids’ Summer. Let your inner child out and come for a summer packed with family friendly activities! Most activities are free.

Tuesdays Art in the Neighbourhood w. 25–33 (“Konst i Kvarteret”).

Vernissage in the art gallery and a pleasant tour with visits to the studios of local artists and artisans.

JULY

3 july Lerbäcksmarken/Knallesvängen

This year, Knallesvängen replaces Lerbäcksmarken, a quality market with crafts and artisan foods. During Knallesvängen Market, you can visit the local participants.

www.lerbacksmarken.se

SEPTEMBER

4-5/ sep Journey of Food (“Matresan”).

Visit local food artisans, restaurateurs, and entrepreneurs around the county during an open weekend.

www.matresanorebrolan.se

Subject to changes and cancellations.

VisitAskersund Tourist information

Visit address summer: Askersund harbour. Contact all year round: Tel. 0583-810 88 info@visitaskersund.se www.visitaskersund.se Följ oss gärna på Facebook och Instagram

VisitAskersund Infopoints

• Best Western Hotel Norra Vättern • Garvaregården Hotel B&B Café • Kulturhuset Sjöängen • Olshammarsgården • Butiken Stjernsund • Hotel PerOlofGården

Memorable moments in Askersund

What would your memorable moments look like? A fancy dinner in creative settings or an enjoyable lunch on the shore? Comfortable accommodation in a spacious room or a nice spot to pitch your tent? The quaint streets and shops of a small town or a journey into authentic encounters and unique art? Do you like nature experiences and awesome events? Welcome to Askersund – where you find memorable moments where you least expect them!

Smaken i fokus

Artisanal foods have a special place in our hearts. An exploration into Askersund’s gourmet world offers as many surprises as it does enjoyment. Handcrafted chocolate pralines at Venus Choklad, delectable French cheeses at Madame Nature, and exciting beers from Askersunds Bryggeri – or a colourful assortment of organic sun-drenched tomatoes from Karintorp. Askersund boasts a wide selection of restaurants and cafés – centrally, in the harbour, or in the nearby heritage centre – that

offer fine dining as well as lighter lunch menus. Or how about a moment of sophistication at Stjernsund Castle Café, a classic menu at historic Olshammarsgården, good food and snacks at the cosy Rönne Kapell, or a spontaneous visit to the restaurant Krogensomintefinns?

Comfortable living

Press pause and give yourself time to discover our hidden gems. Looking for comfortable accommodation at a lakeside hotel or Bed & Breakfast with the picturesque town just around the corner? Some of our hottest tips include Vätternterassen, Hotel PerOlofGården, and Bastedalens Herrgård – all in exquisite scenic surroundings. Maybe you prefer to stay close to town – at Hotel Norra Vättern or Garvaregården Hotel B&B Café? Or why not bring the family to luxury accommodation in a manor setting at Aspa Herrgård? You can also enjoy nature around the corner at family friendly campsites in both Harge and Husabergsudde just outside Askersund.

If you bring your own accommodation, you can easily roll into our pleasant RV parks located around Askersund, each with its own character and charm. Obviously, you’re also welcome at our new, scenic overnight areas – an easy and safe way to treat yourself to some of our loveliest spots.

Pack your backpack and venture out for shorter or longer hikes in forests, rocky landscapes, meadows, or bogs. In Askersund, you are always close to wonderful nature experiences. As many as 32 nature reserves with varied nature and challenges can be found in the area. Stay close to town or choose among remote, well-visited, or hidden gems.

You can also take in the landscape from the saddle, on anything from challenging mountain bike trails to easy and comfortable cycle routes. One of our newest routes is “Gruvrundan” by the archipelago. Perfect if you like gravel road cycling and want to enjoy the landscape and discover the area and its history in combination with great service along the way. Our loveliest moments are often found near water. Sit down on a rock in the archipelago or spread out your blanket in the well-kept swim areas by our small or large lakes and enjoy a dip in the refreshing water. Do you like being on the water? Aboard the excursion boat M/S Wettervik, you can relax in the safe hands of the crew. The kayak or canoe trip, however, gives you the chance to test your own limits while enjoying the feeling of being one with the water.

A personal recommendation or a tip or two are often worth their weight in gold when it comes to finding moments to remember. Contact VisitAskersund Turistinformation – we love making your day a little better!

Welcome to Askersund!

The tourist ambassadors

Johan’s unique toy shop

Name: Johan Högberg Age: 60 years Lives: In Askersund, in the same house as the toy shop Family: Katarina, three adult children, and grandchildren Works: Runs Johans Leksaksbod, Från 0 till 100 since 2017, before that, an after-school educator for 30 years Excursion tips in the immediate area: The city park is beautiful, with old houses and animals, such as rabbits, sheep, and goats. Entering Johans Leksaksbod is a bit like stepping into a different world. Fun and tricky toys, beautiful games, musical instruments, and gift items for all ages. The atmosphere is permeated by Johan’s own favourite hobbies, and if you're lucky, you’ll find him playing his bass behind the counter. – You must have fun at work. When I worked as an after-school educator, I often found that when I had fun, the kids had fun. That’s my approach to my shop. I only have things I like myself, Johan says enthusiastically. What's special about Johan’s shop is the unexpected mix and the timelessness. – I have the subheading “from 0 to 100 years” on the sign. My shop is based on memories from my own upbringing. You can find an item that, in any other shop would be aimed at adults but that, in my shop, is aimed at kids as well – and vice versa, he says. Having played in bands for 45 years, Johan’s deep passion for music is evident in the many musical instruments found in the shop, including guitars, ukuleles, and musical books about building your own instruments. – I like having good music playing in the shop, like Frank Zappa. Sometimes, people who have bought their ukulele here take me up on my offer to stop by and jam with me for a while, Johan says happily. Since the Swedish television programme “Tjuv & Polis” (“Thieves & Cops”) aired, the robbery loot of one million Swedish kronor is displayed on the counter. – I was one of the thieves. Ten people would secretly break in and steal 50 million Swedish kronor and then stay away from the cops. My thief buddy was my mother! Once the programme aired, so many people came here! Almost 5,000 people visited my shop in July 2020.

Delicacies from France and Italy. Table cloths and ceramics from Provence.

Norströmsg. 1 Hamnmagasinet, Askersund

Opening hours at www.madamenature.se · Telephone 0046 70 231 99 59

SS

STOCKSHAMMAR

kitchen design and interiors

Design products of the season in one of the country’s prettiest shops. – Café –

Stockshammar Gård 2 km south of Askersund www.stockshammar.se

Experience nature from the saddle

Cycling tips

1. Find a route

Following a marked route is much easier than having to check your map

2. Pick a route according to ability

There are many awesome routes around Lake Vättern, but if you have never cycled in nature, you will have more fun on an easier route than on a highly challenging one.

3. Take breaks

While cycling is an experience in itself, it's also a great way to get between exciting places. Don’t forget to hop off the bike from time to time – have a coffee or go swimming, for example. More information: Visit bergslagencycling.se

The nature around Lake Vättern offers magical experiences. Those who like cycling in nature have lots to choose from – Mount Omberg and its surroundings, the beautiful island of Visingsö, Grännaberget Mountain, and much, much more.

A new initiative this year is Cycling in Tiveden with over 150 kilometres of cycle routes. The routes are part of Bergslagen Cycling, Sweden’s largest cycling area with thousands of kilometres of nature cycling and more than 60 marked mountain bike trails. – Tiveden attracts lots of visitors, but most of them discover only a fraction of the area. By bike, you can discover so much more. Also, parking can be difficult to find during peak season. As a cyclist, you can park further away and cycle around the magical surroundings, Lisa Szanto says. Lisa has designed most of the new routes.

Try something new

If you want to try a new type of bicycle, you can rent an MTB or try a fatbike. Several businesses in the area have chosen to focus extra on cycling for the 2021 summer and will be offering both bicycle packages and rental bikes. ■