Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Winter Wonderland
A breath of fresh air Looking for a break out of the ordinary? Head to Piteå and experience its many remarkable attractions. For starters, this destination offers clear-blue skies, a startling snowy landscape and a night sky lit by the dancing northern lights. Oh, and for urbanites worried about air pollution: the air here is among the freshest and cleanest on the planet. By Pia Petersson | Photos: Destination Piteå
This gem of a town in northern Sweden boasts a great variety of the most incredible scenes nature has to offer, right on its doorstep. With an archipelago consisting of more than 500 islands, almost 24 hours of sunshine each day in the summer, and masses of sparkling white snow covering the landscape during winter, the region presents some truly fairy tale-like qualities. “I think people are drawn here because they’re eager to experience and explore the surrounding nature. This, coupled with a friendly and picturesque town and the fact that the infrastructure is well-developed so that everything is easily accessible, naturally appeals to many people,” says Per Hallqvist, CEO at Destination Piteå of Swedish Lapland. 48 | Issue 107 | December 2017
There are many fascinating ways in which visitors can experience the area during the winter. Why not explore the landscape from the back of a dogsled? Or maybe discover it on board an icebreaker? Indeed, it is fascinating to hear the ice breaking against the hull of the boat until the icebreaker halts for a stop, during which visitors are offered to take a walk on the ice. Particularly brave passengers can make a hole in the thick ice and jump in for an exceptionally refreshing dip in the sea. As regards the northern lights, there are no guarantees; consequently, the experience is even more special for those lucky enough to see this extraordinary natural phenomenon. The chances do increase vastly, however, during the dark months of the year. “There are very good condi-
tions to see the northern lights during the winter. Going out towards the coast to see them is spectacular. It’s actually possible to see them all year round, but the contrasts of the dark sky and the colourful lights in the winter make it magnificent,” says Hallqvist. For nature lovers everywhere, Piteå is a visual spectacle that has to be experienced.
Web: www.destinationpitea.se