Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Unmissable Swedish Summer Experiences
Get sensationally close to Olivia and her ten moose friends
By Sara Wenkel | Photos: Tobbe Lektell
Have you ever wanted to touch, feed and hang out with moose in their natural environment? This is exactly what you can do at Gårdsjö Älgpark. Close to several Swedish airports, it is the perfect summer experience. “As long as you stay on the carriage, the moose will come and greet you – on their conditions of course,” says Leif Lindh, also known as Leffe, who runs Gårdsjö Älgpark. The park, a fenced 25-hectare area, celebrates ten years this summer and is the home to 11 moose. Twice daily, Leffe takes groups inside the area to meet his giant friends. Most of them he has known since they were born and he often sleeps in the forest, which is why they have such a unique relationship. “Our guests can also experience sleeping in the moose park, but they get to enjoy our cosy cottage,” Leffe enthuses. Experiencing Gårdsjö Älgpark is a family affair, not only for your own family but also for Leffe and loved ones, whose
picturesque Swedish farm you visit. Even 82-year-old grandma Gull is involved and does most of the baking for the café, which is situated in a charming old wooden barn where Leffe used to play as a child. Most visitors take a break here after meeting Olivia, Holger and their other moose friends. If you go, do not miss the farm’s Santa Claus museum with more than 2,000 gnomes!
For more information, please visit: www.gardsjoalgpark.se/en
A summer dream worthy of royals For generations, Solliden Palace has been the Swedish Royal Family’s summer paradise. It is not hard to see why, as the surrounding park is an oasis of lush greenery, winding pathways and exciting stories from the past.
his sisters played as children. For hungry visitors, the picturesque Coffee Cottage offers home-cooked food and delicacies from its own bakery and crêpe shop.
By Malin Norman | Photos: Sollidens Slott
Solliden Palace was built on the island of Öland by Queen Victoria in 1906. Today, the stunning estate is owned by King Carl XVI Gustaf and is a favourite amongst members of the royal family, who regularly come to stay in the palace and its private guest houses. The surrounding park is open to the public and is a popular summer destination. “Solliden is amazing with its lush greenery and blossoms,” explains marketing manager Susanna Stenborg. “And we are fortunate to mostly have fantastic weather here!” The main attraction is the annual celebration of Crown Princess Victoria’s birthday, which has this year been moved a day to 15 July. “The Crown Princess turns 40, and we expect even more 64 | Issue 100 | May 2017
visitors than usual to come and celebrate with the royal family,” says Stenborg. Not to miss is the exhibition Idea Gardens, which opens on 1 July, with four nominated entries to be showcased in the old cricket field. One of the competing teams this year consists of renowned florist Gunnar Kaj and garden designer Kristina Björk. Other highlights include the harvest festivity Öland Spirar on 1214 May, the garden weekend on 27-28 May, and the exhibition The Royal Table, with table settings from the 1800s to the latest royal wedding in 2015. Solliden has a special children’s map for exploring hidden areas in the park, and the old playhouse will also be open to show where King Carl XVI Gustaf and
For more information, please visit: www.sollidensslott.se