2_9_ScanMag_72_Jan_2015_Text_Q10_Scan Magazine 1 09/01/2015 22:46 Page 61
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Sweden 2015: Our Top Destinations
Closeness to nature, especially water, is what makes Trollhättan and Vänersborg so special; they lie side by side next to Lake Vänern, Sweden’s largest lake and the third biggest in Europe. Photo: Atelje Clas.
ular among fans of camping and tranquil barbeques, alongside Nordkroken at Vargön and Gardesanna at Vänersnäs, where you will find the child-friendly adventure water park Vattenpalatset (the Water Palace). All these places are great for swimming, with the added value of crisp and clean fresh water.
experienced. Trollhättan has long been the innovative centre of the car manufacturer, and here everything from the first Darth Vader-resembling prototype to the last, Pheonix, can be admired, all alongside the legendary rally cars and the famous sports version of Saab, Sonnett.
There are various ways to go about exploring: rent a bike or kayak and slowly explore the peninsula. Lake Vänern has 22,000 islands you can hop on and off. Fishing in the area is easily accessible: pike, perch and zander are all found in the waters. Trolling for salmon and trout is also immensely popular. For people wanting to explore even more of Sweden, the great city of Gothenburg is only a short train ride away. “This makes everything so much easier for our guests,” says Engström-Weber. “Gothenburg has so much to offer anyone who’s in the mood for the city-life, and with its airport, rich infrastructure and well-working means of public transportation it is both easy and quick to get the best of both city and nature.” Heaven for petrolheads and movie fanatics A must-see for many petrolheads, the Saab Car Museum is where the rise and fall of a true Swedish giant can be fully
Photo: Roland Johansson
Incredible nature is also one of the reasons why Trollhättan is the film centre of Sweden, aptly nicknamed Trollywood. Favoured by Dogme 95’s famous screenwriter Lars von Trier in particular, the spot has been used for many Scandinavian productions.
has been royal hunting grounds since 1351, and HM King Carl XVI Gustav himself comes here with his entourage to control the amount of wildlife,” Engström-Weber explains. The homestead Fagerhult at Hunneberg is famous: this is where the king meets the press during the royal hunt, and autographs, carved in stone by some very prominent hunters, can be seen on the surrounding rocks. Wildlife safaris by bus are hugely popular, and no less than 85 per cent of the passengers saw moose last year – not bad for this nature reserve, where no enclosures are permitted, leading to some comical situations, especially during autumn. “There is a good chance to spot moose when they leave their grounds, tempted by the irresistible smell of fruit in autumn, and make their way into people’s gardens to filch apples,” laughs Engström-Weber.
Moose encounters as an attraction For many, meeting moose at the unique plateau mountains Halleberg and Hunneberg is the most exciting part of a visit to this part of Sweden. A big forest area with plenty of untouched nature makes it possible to encounter wildlife. “The area
Photo: Roger Lärk
For more information, please visit: www.vastsverige.com/en/visittrollhattan-vanersborg
Issue 72 | January 2015 | 61