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Romantic Getaways and Hidden Gems in Sweden
Photo: Dahlbergs café
Photo: Camilla Lövgren, Fotoateljén Gamla Linköping
Photo: Hilma Winblads Bed and Breakfast.
Indulge in a romantic night at the museum Travel back in time to a place smelling of roses and fresh cinnamon buns, full of magic and romance. Enjoy a restful sleep and wake up to the sound of footsteps on the old cobblestone street outside. Staying at this unique B&B in a leafy open-air museum, you can enjoy it all. By Ulrika Kuoppa-Jones
The idyllic town of Linköping lies an hour’s drive away from Stockholm Skavsta’s airport hub. Its old town, Gamla Linköping, is a tranquil oasis with beautiful old wooden buildings. Hilma Winblads Bed and Breakfast is one of them. The listed early 19th century house has been carefully renovated back to its former glory, to a modern standard with comfortable beds and bespoke furniture. The rooms at this quirky B&B are all different, named after charismatic local celebrities like Elsa, the nurse who helped World War II refugees, and Viola, the talk of the town who sold ‘snuff’ tobacco alongside cakes in the 1930s and drove a shiny American car. 74 |
Issue 101
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June 2017
The hotel itself got its name from the colourful local vicar’s wife who raised her family here. B&B managers Sofia Thunholm and Jessica Ericsson had a clear idea of what they wanted to offer when they created their haven four years ago. “Yes, but with hindsight we were a bit too excited and ambitious at the beginning,” laughs Ericsson. “We had this idea that we would source furniture from flea markets and antique shops and buy fantastic vintage wrought-iron beds. You get the picture. Luckily, we soon realised that we needed professional help in order to pull it off. We are very happy with the result; this really is a unique place, quite unlike anything else.”
Old Linköping is the perfect getaway for unwinding. Dahlberg’s café and bakery, where the B&B guests will also enjoy breakfast, is described by many guests as the best in the area. As for a romantic mini break, what better place to enjoy a picnic than in one of the surrounding open gardens? When the evening closes in, you can wander over to the outdoor vintage dancehall and indulge in ballroom dancing to a live orchestra. The ambitious owners are currently expanding their business to include another listed building in the neighbourhood, something Ericsson is very excited about. “This will make it possible for us to host a whole party of wedding guests. We can even help with finding a horse and carriage – all for a real fairy tale wedding!” For more information, please visit: www.hilmawinblads.se