Hjo

Eating ice cream is a must when you visit Hjo. This one is enjoyed at Moster Elins in Hjo Harbour. Photo Jesper Anhede.

Vacation in Hjo – the wooden town by Lake Vättern

Do you plan on discovering more of Sweden this summer? Then let us give you tips on 9 things to experience in Hjo, the little wooden town on the western shore of Lake Vättern.

1. Hjoån River Valley – a nature reserve in the middle of town

Hjoån River Valley is a town centre oasis offering wonderful nature experiences all year round. Follow the nature trail along the river, from the harbour area all the way up to the small Lake Mullsjön just west of Hjo. On your way, you can stop for a snack at Stampens Kvarn, or bring your own picnic to enjoy “al fresco”.

2. Refreshing swim

In Hjo, a swim in the lake is always within easy reach, and on hot summer days, there's nothing better than a dip or two in the cool waters. Visit Guldkroksbadet, in Hjo Harbour, a free outdoor facility with heated pools for both young and old. Sandstranden Beach by Lake Vättern has beautiful old beach huts that you can rent for the day. Other central swim areas include the south pier in the harbour with convenient steps into the water, or the jetties on the beach promenade south of the town square. If you want shallow waters, Lake Mullsjön is the place to go.

3. Discover Swedish design in the Estrid Ericson exhibition

Founder of Firma Svenskt Tenn, Estrid Ericson is one of our design icons of the 20th century. She grew up here in Hjo but moved to Stockholm in 1924, at the age of 30, to use her inheritance from her father to create what has now become an internationally recognised interior design brand. The reopening of an exhibition about Estrid Ericson and Firma Svenskt Tenn is scheduled for 2021. Several new objects will be displayed. Admission is free.

2021 Highlights

Hjo hosts numerous events every year, anything from a crafts fair, accordion meet, art tour, steamboat tours, and a health week to this year's news: Almnäs Gourmetlopp Race and Slåtterdag (Mowing Day). However, due to COVID-19, 2021 may turn out to be yet another year when many events need to be postponed or cancelled. For up-to-date information about our highlights, please visit www.visithjo.se or scan the QR code to get directly to the website:

TOURIST

CENTER

VISIT HJO, Hjo Tourist information Bangatan 1B, 544 30 Hjo

Tel 0503-352 55 visithjo@hjo.se www.visithjo.se

On warm summer days, we all want that cold gold – ice cream! Here in Hjo, we are fortunate enough to have three ice cream parlours to choose from. Moster Elins Glass in the harbour has more than 40 different flavours on the menu and is pure heaven for those who want loads of ice cream. By Hjoån River, you will find Gula Paviljongen, which makes its own ice cream and wafers. Hjo's third place is the ice cream producer Österhagen. You can buy their ice cream in the deli shop Gusto Classico, located on Hamngatan.

5. Sightseeing with the Lok-Hjo-Motive

If you want to experience Hjo comfortably seated, we recommend you hop aboard the Lok-Hjo-Motivet Train. During the 20-minute ride, you get tips on where to shop and eat, you see the award-winning wooden town and the city park, the historic environment of Hantverksgatan, and the harbour area. Sightseeing made easy!

6. History of Hjo – on your own or with a guide

You can easily experience the history of Hjo on your own, by scanning our QR codes on buildings around the wooden town. You can also take a guided tour. During the tour, you get to hear about monks stepping ashore, devastating fires, steamboats, travelling merchants, cattle paths, and outbuildings. An exciting journey into the history of the idyllic small town.

The guided tours are offered in summer, several days a week, and can be booked via Hjo Tourism Office. Experience Hjo from the seaside. This summer, you can rent kayaks and SUPs via the restaurant Biergarten. An incredible way to experience Lake Vättern.

8. Bison safari

We suggest a visit to the Bison Farm, where you can expect a unique and exciting nature experience. On your bison safari, you see the animals up close and can get to know Bamse and his friends. A popular adventure for young and old alike.

9. Steamboat tour on Lake Vättern

Join the steamer Trafik on a trip on Lake Vättern. Trafik was built in 1892 and is one of Sweden's best-preserved steamboats. During the summer months, it can take you to Visingsö Island, Vadstena, and Hästholmen. You can also take shorter day cruises or evening jazz tours. We wish you a pleasant trip and a lovely experience on Lake Vättern.

Take the Lok-Hjo-Motive on a sightseeing through Hjo. Photo: Jesper Anhede Enjoy the water at one of Hjo’s many swim areas. Photo: Jesper Anhede

Take your own guided tour through the wooden town. Photo: Jesper Anhede

The tourist ambassadors

Bison are their passion!

Name: Simon Alphaus and Jenny Johansson Age: 33 and 34 Live: On the Mobolet Farm south of Hjo Family: Many animals. 200 of them. Bison, Highland cattle, Shetland Ponies, and small animals Works: They both work full-time with the Bison Farm. Excursion tips in the immediate area: The Hökensås forest has wonderful nature and fishing lakes. Lake Vättern is only four kilometres away.

Jenny and Simon, who run the Bison Farm in Gate, found each other at the pub in Hjo. They both love a nimals. Bison are definitely their favourite. – They still have the wild in them; they're moody and fast. They’re a bit more challenging to deal with, and you must go easy on them, they say enthusiastically. It was Simon's grandfather and Simon who started breeding bison. – He was interested in animals and had seen bison in the United States. Many people of grandpa's generation grew up reading books about Native Americans. It was probably somewhat of a cowboy dream that came true, Simon says. So, they started out breeding bison and regular cows. Since then, the tourism aspect has grown significantly. Visitors come to the farm to go on bison safari. Last summer was a record year. They did 13 safari tours a day! – We go out into the pasture and meet, feed, and talk about the bison. Adults are particularly interested. The kids really enjoy riding the tractor or truck. It's hilly, so it’s kind of like a roller coaster. You can also rent all-terrain vehicles and ride in the forest, Simon explains. New this year is a service building for the RV park. The RV park has been nominated to one of Sweden's top five. If you ask Jenny and Simon, they believe the popularity is due to the fact that people enjoy living the farm life, with beautiful views and the bison walking around. – We also have a Saloon and a restaurant. Everyone wants the Bison Burger! In the Farm Shop, you can buy meats and various souvenirs. We will try to serve waffles this summer, although you are more than welcome to come for just an ice cream, Jenny and Simon says invitingly.

Röda Stallet Bed & Breakfast

Nice accommodation just south of Hjo 300 m from the lake Vättern. 11 rooms with shower / wc and direct exit to the patio. Röda Stallet B & B, Spakås, SE-544 94 Hjo Phone: +46 503 121 12 Mobile: +46 702 05 86 60 Email: rodastallet@gmail.com

Bisonfarmen i Gate

18 km south of the city of Hjo

Experience the farm & all the animals.

Bison safari - Restaurant Farm shop -RV camping

www.gatebison.se

STORE AND SERVING OF FISH AND SEAFOOD

2021 Highlights

Checklist for your visit to Karlsborg:

✔ Discover the adventure at Karlsborg

Fortress – take the guided tour!

✔ Visit one of our lovely sandy beaches

and take a dip in Lake Vättern.

✔ Jump from the cliffs at Djäknesundet. ✔ Watch the beautiful boats move

through Göta Canal’s oldest lock in Forsvik.

✔ Rent a canoe/SUP and paddle in

Lake Bottensjön.

✔ Enjoy a snack in an industrial setting

in Forsvik.

✔ Visit one of our 13 beautiful nature

reserves.

✔ Book a fishing guide and try your

luck fishing in Lake Vättern.

✔ Play miniature golf and enjoy an

ice cream right by Göta Canal.

✔ Walk around the ”Karlsborg Jetty”

with restaurants, night life, and nice spots to just hang out.

✔ Go hiking on one of our 26 hiking

trails.

✔ Visit the ancient forest in Tiveden

National Park. Watch out for the trolls!

✔ Golf in beautiful surroundings at

Brevikens Golf.

For up-to-date information on all events, please visit:

www.visitkarlsborg.se

TOURIST

CENTER

Visit Karlsborg AB Storgatan 65 (by Göta Canal)

Tel 0505-173 50

info@karlsborg.se www.visitkarlsborg.se Photo: Three Piece

The golden town of Karlsborg, shining on the shores of Lake Vättern!

“Of all the favourites in my summer basket, I pick Karlsborg”, a visitor said last summer. And that’s easy to understand, since Karlsborg has just about everything – whether you’re in search of life’s pleasures or life’s adventures. Long beaches, delicious food, relaxing boat rides, paddling, horseback riding, a high-altitude course, and hiking are just a few examples of what Karlsborg has to offer.

Ombo Islands and Göta Canal

For water enthusiasts, Karlsborg is a paradise. In fact, it's difficult not to be close to the water here. Among Lake Vättern’s great offerings are the wonderful archipelago of Ombo Islands, Göta Canal with its fishing and boating, and the quiet little lakes in Tiveden that provide tranquillity amidst the wilderness. With its mill and Göta Canal's oldest lock, Forsvik offers plenty of exciting history.

Karlsborg Fortress

Inside the impressive walls of Karlsborg Fortress, an adventure awaits all visitors, regardless of age. During the action-packed guided adventure tour for the whole family, you will learn more about the captivating history of the fortress.

Construction of the mighty fortress began in 1819 on the peninsula Vanäs Udde in Lake Vättern. The location hadbeen proposed by the initiator of the Göta Canal project, General and Vice Admiral Baltzar von Platen. The idea was to move the government, the Riksdag, the royal family, as well as the central bank gold reserve here in the event of war. During the Second World War, 140 tonnes of gold were kept in the fortress. Even during modern times, the gold reserve has been housed in one of the fortress’ cellars.

Today, Karlsborg Fortress is one of Sweden’s largest and best-preserved fortresses, with its own museum, guided tours, exciting activities, shops, and restaurants.

Photo: Visit Karlsborg

Tiveden is Sweden’s nearest wilderness

Tiveden National Park spans across 20 km² of untouched forest interspersed by lakes, caves, and large boulders. The forest here has been deliberately preserved in a way that is rare in Sweden these days. In Tiveden, magical wilderness and magnificent nature await. And so do incredible opportunities for hiking, cycling, horseback riding, paddling, fishing, or venturing out on the high-altitude course. Perfect regardless of whether you're an experienced outdoors enthusiast or want to try real outdoor life for the first time!

Forsvik

An idyllic village with picturesque mill buildings. Göta Canal's oldest single lock can be found here. Enjoy the glittering water, the smell of coffee from the cafés, the local selection of the small shops, or a tasty ice cream while watching the boats move through the lock. Built in 1813 and with a drop of 3.5 metres, the lock is not only Göta Canal’s oldest but also the tallest.

The industrial history of Forsvik Mill is incredible! This is where the Swedish engineer Jan Ericsson once invented the propeller. There are still ongoing activities at the mill. At Bruksmuséet, you can trace the history of the mill from its very first steps all the way to the present. Together, all this makes for a true gem with authentic charm!

We invite you to experience the Golden Town of Karlsborg – the town with something for everyone!

Photo: Pavel Koubek

Photo: Tuana Aziz

The tourist ambassadors

Always close to water!

Name: Lotta Hederstedt Age: 46 Lives: In Karlsborg Family: Partner, two kids, and a dog Works: CEO of the company that runs Hotell Rödesund, and operations manager together with her sister Malin Excursion tips in the immediate area: Walk up to the fortress. Take a walk to the peninsula Vanäs Udde and the Vanäs Lighthouse, regardless of season.

Many are those who can testify to the fact that the pandemic has allowed us to think new. One of them is Lotta Hederstedt, who runs Hotell Rödesund in Karlsborg. – We took over the hotel in November 2020 and have poured our hearts and souls into renovating and giving the old building some love and affection. The building is from 1938, and we expect the 25 rooms to be ready in the spring. This is meant to be a small, intimate hotel. Hostesship is truly the most important thing for us! We want it to be clean, with a wonderful atmosphere and comfortable beds. The pandemic will change the world, but we are creative and full of ideas, and we have a great deal of courage, Lotta says calmly. Lotta is from Stockholm and never intended to stay, but after having spent her parental leave in Karlsborg, she changed her mind. – There is a different calm and closeness to nature here. You are always close to the water and can easily go swimming. Karlsborg is located between two lakes, and we also have the canal. There is Brevik, with a long sandy beach called Hammarn, and the quaint village of Forsvik, Lotta says. As a Karlsborg local, she wants to ensure that what they do is good for Karlsborg. It's important to attract tourists – and to make sure they want to come back. She goes on saying that she tries to network with other stakeholders in Karlsborg. – This summer, we will offer package stays with bike rides and excursions to Tiveden. There are also plenty of things happening around the canal, like SUP and canoe rentals. We want to collaborate with existing entrepreneurs. We expect a lot of staycationing this summer and will offer “safe stays” here at the hotel. And maybe we’ll even offer a picnic basket for your excursion, Lotta says. There is certainly no shortage of ideas here at Hotell Rödesund. Photo: Heidi Bötefür

Karlsborgs soldathem celebrates 100 years this year since it was completed in 1921 at Karlsborg Fortress. The house came to be called ”Queen Victoria’s Soldier Home at Karlsborg” after our Swedish queen during that time. We welcome both military and civilian customers to our café. We are open every day during the period May-August, except for the midsummer weekend. Welcome to us at Karlsborgs Soldathem, beautifully situated next to the square at Karlsborg Fortress!

Med ett fantastiskt läge i hjärtat av Karlsborg With a fantastic location in the heart of Karlsborg mellan Vättern och Bottensjön, bara ett stenkast between Vättern and Bottensjön, just a stone’s throw från Göta Kanal och en kortare promenad till from Göta Canal and a short walk to Karlsborg Karlsborgs Fästning, hittar ni vårt nyöppnade och Fortress, you will find our newly opened and personliga hotell. Hotellet har 25 nyrenoverade personal hotel. The hotel has 25 newly renovated hotellrum och öppnade 1 februari 2021. hotel rooms and opened February 1, 2021. Storgatan 41, Karlsborg Storgatan 41, Karlsborg 0505-61010 ·0505-61010 www.hotellrodesund.se

Camping pitches round Vättern

New camping pitches for motor caravans are being introduced in line with the very strong increase in interest in motor caravans and motorhomes. We don't claim that we can give a complete list of camping pitches round Vättern, but below we have a summary of what we have been able to find in catalogues and on various websites.

We decided to limit ourselves to camping pitches which offer firstly, electricity and secondly also water, disposal facilities, showers and WC.

Abbreviations used in the list SP: Ställplats [camping pitch] C: Camping with room for motorhomes RP: Halting place

ASKERSUND

Askersunds Citycamp & Gästhamn, Askersund SP Askersunds Ställplats Marinan, Askersund SP Aspa Båtklubb, Ställplats & Gästhamn, Olshammar SP Lönns Kurva, Zinkgruvan SP Askersunds Golfklubb, Åmmeberg SP Harge Bad & Camping, Hammar C Husabergsuddes Camping, Askersunds Kommun C Mariedamms Ställplats, Mariedamm SP Stora Hammarsundet, Trafikverkets Rastplats RP Tivedsporten Eco Camp, Askersund C

KARLSBORG / TIVEDEN / WESTERN GÖTA CANAL

Breviks Camping & Ställplats, Karlsborg Camp Skagern, Finnerödja Camping Tiveden, Tived Carlsborgs Segelsällskap, Karlsborg

C C C SP Forsviks sluss, Göta kanal, Forsvik SP Hajstorps Slusscafé & Vandrarhem, Töreboda SP Jonsboda Café & Camping, Töreboda C Karlsborgs Camping, Karlsborg C Lyrestad Gästhamn Göta kanal, Lyrestad SP Norrqvarn Hotell och Konferens, Lyrestad SP Revelbadets Camping, Laxå C Stenkällegårdens Camping Tiveden, Karlsborg C Strömsnäs Naturcamping, Forsvik C

HJO

Bisonfarmen i Gate Stellplatz, Hjo SP Hjo Camping, Hjo C Hökensås Golfklubb, Hjo C Stampens kvarn Stellplatz, Hjo SP

HABO / MULLSJÖ / TIDAHOLM

Habo Camping & Stugby, Habo Ryfors Golfklubb, Mullsjö

C SP Camp Fjället ,Tidaholm C Hökensås Camping & Stugby, Tidaholm C Kyrkekvarn Sörgården, Sandhem SP Ljungbacken, Tidaholm SP Mullsjö Camping, Mullsjö C Tidaholms Camping, Tidaholm C Kohagens badplats, Sandhem SP

JÖNKÖPING / HUSKVARNA

Axamostrand Camping, Jönköping C Hyltena Nattcamp/Quickstop, Jönköping SP Lovsjöbadens Camping, Jönköping C Skinnarebo Hobby Caravan Golf, Jönköping SP Villa Björkhagen, Jönköping C RC Hotel, Jönköping SP

The number of pitches with service in the form of electricity, shower, WC, water and taps only increases and increases. The Stampens Kvarn Stellplatz is located along road 195 about 1.5 km outside Hjo. The Stampens Kvarn is a mill from the 17th century that has served as a restaurant and banquet hall for over ten years now.

MOTALA

Borenshults slussområde, Motala SP DHR Motala, Vättersol Stugor och Camping, Motala C Furulid, Motala C Kaffeteriet vid Göta kanal, Borensberg SP Mallbodens Cafe och vandrarhem/ Motala Verkstad, Motala SP Småängens Camping, Tjällmo C STF Vandrarhem Glasbruket, Borensberg SP Strandbadets Camping, Borensberg C Södra Hamnen, Motala SP Z-Parkens Camping, Motala C

MJÖLBY / SKÄNNINGE

Gripenbergs Gårdsbutik, Skänninge SP Väderkvarnsbacken, Skänninge SP Skogssjöbadens Camping, Mjölby C Östad golf, Väderstad SP VADSTENA Rastplats Albacken, Mjölby SP Vadstena Camping, Vadstena C Vadstena Gästhamn och Ställplats, Vadstena SP Vadstena Golfklubb SP

ÖDESHÖG

Hästholmen Västergårds Ställplats SP Röks lanthandel, Rök Hejla SP Naturum, Tåkern SP Östgötaporten, Trafikverkets rastplats RP, SP

GRÄNNA / VISINGSÖ

Bauergården Gästgiveri & Konferens SP Getingaryds Familjecamping Gränna C Grenna Hamn Gränna SP Grännastrandens Familjecamping Gränna C Gyllene Uttern, Trafikverkets Rastplats RP, SP Svensgården, Visingsö SP Visingsö Ställplats SP Camping Vättersmålen, Gränna C Visingsö natur ställplats SP Näs ställplats, Visingsö SP