Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Hidden Gems and Romantic Getaway Experiences
Fairytale vibes in charming Trosa Only an hour from Stockholm, Trosa is perfect for a day trip. A visit here is like finding oneself in a story by children’s book author Astrid Lindgren, as this small town is bursting with picturesque scenery, friendly locals and delicious food. By Malin Norman | Photo: Trosa Tourist Center
Trosa is known for its charming streets and wooden houses with glass-enclosed porches. “It is a bit like a fairy tale,” tourism director Malin Karlsson smiles. “Our visitors appreciate the small-town atmosphere, idyllic scenery and friendly locals. It’s like being in a story by Astrid Lindgren.” Unsurprisingly, Trosa features in productions such as the film about fictional character Kalle Blomkvist and the popular German TV series Inga Lindström. But this charming town has more to offer than delightful décor. One of the summer highlights is Trosa Vintage Weekend, an antiques market and auction with expert valuation of jewellery, crockery, watches and the like, taking place on 16-17 June. Anoth-
er not-to-miss event is the traditional Trosa Harvest and Crafts Market on 26 August. Visitors can also explore the historic sites in the town centre on a self-guided tour, take a boat trip to the archipelago, hike along Sörmlandsleden, enjoy other outdoor activities such as kayaking, or perhaps visit one of the royal summer palaces, the beautiful Tullgarn Palace. Discovering the local restaurants is also a must. For instance, Fina Fisken serves rustic specialities such as herring, and Karlsson recommends Marsipan- gården’s marzipan factory and café. Easily accessible by train or bus from Stockholm, Trosa is ideal for a day trip. There are plenty of options for those who want to stay the night too, including the classic
Trosa Stadshotell & Spa, with genuine character and a restaurant dining room from the 1800s; the charming Bomans Hotell, with unique interiors and new things to discover every time; and Ågården, or Tre Små Rum, both of which boast beautiful courtyards.
Web: www.trosa.com Facebook: VisitTrosa Instagram: @visittrosa
Stay at Hotel S:t Clemens, with a clean conscience When visiting Visby, undoubtedly the friendliest place to stay is Hotel S:t Clemens. Close to the hustle and bustle as well as the tranquillity of the seaside, this is also the first environmentally friendly hotel in Gotland.
Schulman suggests: “When visiting Visby, come here and stay with us – and do so with a clean conscience!”
By Malin Norman | Photos: Hotel S:t Clemens
Hotel S:t Clemens is a family-run hotel in the heart of Visby in Gotland. Its historical buildings, dating back to the 1600s, form a miniature version of the small houses and narrow alleys of the old town centre. The hotel has two charming gardens, popular among the guests, as well as access to the ruins of the medieval church of S:t Clemens. There are 30 cosy rooms, individually decorated in retro style with floral wallpaper. “It’s a mix of old and new, exactly like at home,” laughs owner Anna-Britta von Schulman. “We are located near Visby Cathedral, and outside the windows is the greenery of the Botanical Garden. A few minutes away is the busy main city square with its nightlife as well as the peaceful beach, where guests can enjoy the beautiful 60 | Issue 113 | June 2018
sunset. Coming here, you can really experience all that Visby has to offer.” The von Schulman family of two generations took over the hotel in 2007 and makes sure to protect its great heritage and, of course, its reputation for offering fantastic customer service. Hotel S:t Clemens has even been named one of Sweden’s top-ten best service hotels by TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice for an impressive seven years in a row. Moreover, the team is actively working to reduce the hotel’s impact on the climate. For instance, no bottled water is sold at the hotel, and only organic cleaning products are used. In 2009, Hotel S:t Clemens became Gotland’s first environmentally friendly accommodation option, and it offers breakfast with fairtrade and organic products. As von
Web: clemenshotell.se Facebook: clemenshotell Instagram: @clemenshotell