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Sweden

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stockholm, sweden, city
stockholm, sweden
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Introducing Sweden

Sweden is the third largest country in Western Europe yet has just 9 million inhabitants so one thing you can be assured of is space.

Over half the country is covered by forests and together with some beautiful lakes, they draw in the summer activity-loving crowds. There are also a large number of lovely beaches on the south and west coasts. In winter there is snow, reindeer, skiing, and a variety of Nordic pastimes.

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and a city that boasts fine architecture, museums, great shopping, and the best nightlife and culture anywhere in the country. Gothenburg features a network of canals and spacious avenues while Malmo has a busy nightlife around its medieval centre.

In the north of Sweden and inside the Arctic Circle, there is the Swedish Lapland home to the Sami, Sweden’s indigenous people. Sweden’s northernmost town, Kiruna makes an excellent base for exploring the region’s national parks and you could even stay at the world-famous Icehotel in nearby Jukkasjarvi.

Key Information

Continent Europe
CapitalStockholm
CurrencyEuro
LanguageSwedish
VisaFCO Advice
VaccinationsVaccination Advice
Tourist OfficeVisit Sweden

Getting Around

Train travel is considered the best way of travelling long distances in Sweden with good service at reasonable prices.

Although bus travel is a little less expensive than going by train, it takes considerably longer and schedules are not so regular

SAS, Norwegian Airlines and Nextjet are the key airlines in Sweden with a network of regional and international flights. As always the sooner you book the better the deals. which starts at around 450 krona.

Ferry services are popular, especially in the summer between Visby and Nynashamn, near Stockholm. Do check the schedules especially as some are seasonal.

Driving in Sweden is excellent with the roads good and due to the low population, they are often empty, especially the further north that you travel. The only issues can be reindeer or elk getting in your way so keep those eyes peeled.

Cycling is popular in some of the larger towns and cities, especially Stockholm and bikes can be hired reasonably. There are cycling lanes in Stockholm making the experience even more enjoyable.

Top Things To See & Do

Abisko National Park, Lapland
This is a great place to try to witness the Northern lights as well as for those interested in the great outdoors to see some of Sweden’s winter wildlife and scenery.

Drottningholm
Eleven kilometres west of Stockholm is Fairytale Drottningholm Palace on the island of Lovo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Gamla Stan, Stockholm
Stockholm’s medieval Old Town is known as Gamla Stan. The architecture here is stunning with narrow lanes around pretty squares. There are many points of cultural interest here and a must-visit when coming to Stockholm.

Gota Canal
190kms in length is the Gota Canal connecting with lakes Vanern and Vattern and the Trollhatte Canal, it forms part of a water link from Stockholm, in the northeast, to Gothenburg, in the southwest

Kiruna Church
Sweden’s most northern town Kiruna offers visitors the opportunity to experience the midnight sun between May and July. Outside of Kiruna is the world-famous Ice Hotel.

Liseberg Theme Park, Gothenburg
For a family day out a visit to this theme park will ensure the kids sleep well. With many attractions including a Ferris wheel and a Christmas market, Liseberg is a fun day out.

Oresund Bridge, Malmo
Linking Sweden to Denmark this amazing feat of engineering allows you to combine a visit to Malmo with the Danish city of Copenhagen.

Skansen and Djurgarden
Skansen is located in Djurgarden Park and is the world’s oldest open-air museum showcasing a historic village made up of amongst other things a Sami camp with reindeer. The park is popular not only for those wanting to step back in time but also to relax in the traditional cafés and restaurants. The area also attracts music lovers as this is also home to the Abba museum.  

Stockholm Archipelago, Stromma Boat Tours
Over 30,000 islands lie in the archipelago around Stockholm. Head off on organized trips which can include lunch or dinner and you can also jump on and off as you please allowing you to explore.

Stockholm City Hall
One of Sweden’s most famous buildings, and on any tour of the city you will have a chance to marvel at this incredible piece of architecture.

Vasa Battleship
The Vasa Museum in Stockholm is Sweden’s most popular museum and showcases the Vasa battleship from 1628 which sank on its maiden voyage.

Visby, Gotland
Visby is a Swedish town steeped in medieval history. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site a tour of the walls, towers, and remains is a must for history seekers.

Pre-bookable Excursions in Sweden

More Information

Contact Visit Sweden or your local travel agent for more information on holidays to Sweden.

Transun Holidays – The Northern Lights

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Northern Lights Transun Holidays
Northern Lights Transun Holidays
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Arctic Experiences

If you have ever wanted to witness the captivating Northern Lights on a holiday deep within the magnificent Arctic Circle then look no further than the Lapland travel specialists Transun Holidays.

The Northern Lights or the famous Aurora Borealis – are a magical, eerie, silent yet inspiringly dramatic sight – a vast, multi-coloured, fiery curtain in the sky.

Transun Holidays has been providing holidays to Lapland for many years. With their specialist knowledge to assist you at every step of the way, there is no need for you to handle all the organization. This is a good thing as due to the unpredictability of the lights and weather patterns, it is a complicated job at the best of times.

Lapland Adventures with specialist tour operator Transun Holidays are to Karesuando, a village bordering the Lapland regions of both Finland and Sweden in the far north of Europe. These holidays include the magical Northern Lights excursions.

When is the best time to go?

Well, that is Transun’s job to figure out where they are most likely to appear, and your job is simply to enjoy them.

The Northern Lights are notoriously difficult to predict when they can happen. Anything more than a couple of hours in advance is generally considered guesswork, although your Transun Holidays staff will do everything they can to catch them at the perfect time.

If you’re in the right place at the right time, the solar winds are strong and the sun’s good and active, you could even catch one of the really big shows, the kind of Aurora that can be seen by people across the entire night sky.

Picture Stop, Northern Lights, Lapland, Transun Travel

Tips for seeing the Aurora Borealis​

There is no reliable scientific research about the best times of the year when the lights are most likely to occur.

Auroras happen throughout the year but they are impossible to see against the super-light late-night northern summer skies. As a result, the Transun Holidays trips tend to take place when the night skies are at their darkest.

January to August

Given that it is easier to see the lights against a dark, clear sky as clouds hide the Aurora it would suggest that September to April might be the best time to plan your trip. The aurora’s intensity depends on the sun’s Solar Cycle, an eleven-year cycle that swings from maximum to minimum. A Solar Maximum stage brings a brightly coloured Aurora and regular appearances. A Solar Minimum however tends to make the aurora happen less frequently.

January to March is the most popular time to travel for aurora spotting, because of the very long and dark nights. Some say the Aurora is more likely to appear on colder nights but there is no real proof of that. It’s also possible that because most of the winter snow has already fallen, we are left with clearer skies and some fantastic Aurora views.

Traveling from April to August sadly means that the skies are too light and it is too late to see the show which is happening invisibly in the skies. However, the only way to view it at this time is with special equipment.

Lapland Wilderness, Transun Travel

September to December

September and October are perfect months for Aurora watchers who are not keen on experiencing the full-blown Arctic winter, which is excruciatingly cold.

You might even be lucky enough to experience a very special Northern Lights display so vivid that it reflects in the mirror-like, ice-free rivers and lakes to deliver something truly mind-blowing.

November and December see the first deep snows arriving as the frozen north descends into winter. The cloud cover can obscure the lights but at the same time, the shorter days and darker skies mean there’s more chance of seeing them.

Our conclusion? The best time to travel will usually be from November to March.

Lapland Wilderness, Transun Holidays

How long do the Northern Lights last?

Once they appear the Northern Lights can, if you are lucky, last for an entire night or just for ten minutes if you are less fortunate.

Having said that, just ten minutes of this extraordinary natural phenomenon is enough to make memories that will last a lifetime.

What to Expect On A Transun Holiday

The Transun Northern Lights holidays are arranged so that you can make the most of your time in Lapland and enjoy this extraordinary part of the world.

Your 3 or 4-night holiday starts with a morning flight to Enontekio Airport from one of 14 UK airports, on a direct charter flight, exclusive to Transun Holidays.

Enontekio is a very small airport and your flight is likely the only flight that day. From there, you travel the one-hour transfer to Karesuando, a remote border village that straddles both Swedish and Finnish Lapland.

Located some 300km inside the Arctic Circle, Karesuando is located perfectly on the Northern Lights Route and offers the choice of two hotels: the Davvi Arctic Star in Swedish Karesuando, or the more rustic Davvi Arctic Lodge, in Finnish Karesuando, both on a full board basis.

As well as the hotels, there are cabins and you even have the chance to spend the night in an igloo although this is only for the very brave as conditions are, as you would expect, somewhat cold!

The location of the Jeris cabins is Lapland’s finest – second to none! The deep forest surrounds Lake Jeris and snow stretches to the horizon. Peace and tranquillity abound! This is True Lapland, just as you imagined it: uncommercial, authentic, and picture-perfect.

Travel Activities With Transun Holidays

There is a wide choice of once-in-a-lifetime travel excursions included in Transun Northern Lights Holidays:

Northern Lights Snowmobile Safari – Duration: 2 hours – An evening excursion when, with the crisp Arctic sky overhead, you head to a viewing point to see the incredible Northern lights

Northern Lights Forest Trek – Duration: 1 hour – A guided walk through the forest for views overlooking the village of Karesuando.

Call of the Wild Husky Safari – Duration: 1 hour – How about a mush of a team of excited huskies through spectacular Lapland scenery

Reindeer Camp – Duration: 2 hours – Travel to a traditional Kota and herding corral and learn about the importance of the Reindeer. Then, enjoy a reindeer sleigh ride.

Snowshoe Introduction – Duration: 2 hours – This guided snowshoe tour teaches you the basics of this simple yet challenging activity.

Time to make your plans!

Now that you know what to expect from a Transun Northern Lights Holiday and the best time for the Aurora Borealis, you can start planning your holiday around a potential sighting.

However, even if the Northern Lights don’t play ball, you will, with Transun Holidays, have the most incredible time exploring an extraordinary landscape, a remarkable culture, and a winter holiday travel destination that offers something unique.

Contact Information

Transun Holidays
Open Monday to Saturday 9 am to 5:30 pm
T: 01865 265200
www.transun.co.uk

View or order the latest Transun Holidays, and travel brochures which include the countries of Sweden and Finnish Lapland.

Alternatively, contact your local travel agent and ask for holidays with Transun Holidays

The Somali Sengi – Alive & Well

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The Somali Sengi
The Somali Sengi - Elephant Shrew

Home » News » The Somali Sengi



A Rodent Reborn

My attention was drawn this week to the story of the Somali Sengi – no I had not heard of it either!

The Somali Sengi or Elephant shrew is neither an elephant nor a shrew but is related to aardvarks, elephants and manatees. This little mammal has not been officially spotted on planet Earth since 1968 …..until now! That was the year I was born making this story to me even more incredible to fathom!

Feasting on insects using their trunk-like noses the Somali Sengi was previously only known to come from Somalia hence its name. During a recent scientific expedition in the little-known country of Djibouti, this little fella or lady was caught in a trap containing peanut butter bait. Now I have never got the fascination some people have for peanut butter however I am now a fan as it seems to have snared one of the Global Wildlife Conservation Group 25 Top Lost Species!

The Somali Sengi on Film

During the expedition, they discovered 12 Sengis and managed to take a short video of live Somali elephant shrews. The really good news is that the future looks bright for them as the area they were found in was pretty inaccessible and far from any developments or farms.

I find it incredible that in 2020 there are 1,200 species of animals or plants on this list of “Lost Species” although there are 25 that this charity desperately wants to find as a priority. As you will see they are having success. Five have now been rediscovered. Jackson’s Climbing Salamander, Silver Backed Chevrotain, Wallace Giant Bee, the Velvet Pitcher plant and now the little Somali Sengi!

There are plenty more species to find so if you happen to see a pink-headed duck or a long-beaked echidna, then please let me know and we can start ticking off a few more!

Sustainability Partner

Be sure to check out our World Sustainability Partner, Trees 4 Travel and ensure that as we travel we plant trees.

Mauritius Oil Spill

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Sunset Cruise, Mauritius
Sunset Cruise, Mauritius

Home » News » Mauritius Oil Spill

Biodiversity Hotspot At Risk

Few news stories have saddened me more in recent days than the horrendous oil spill from a Japanese-owned ship, the MV Wakashio which ran aground at Pointe d’Esny in late July in southeast Mauritius.

Mauritius is a country that I have visited many times over the past few years and this area is a biodiversity hotspot with a high concentration of plants and animals unique to the region.

Although ultimately the amount of oil spilt is relatively low compared to some of the larger worldwide spills in recent years sadly the impact and destruction this could have on two environmentally protected marine ecosystems and the beautiful Blue Bay Marine Park reserve is of major concern.

The stunning turquoise waters of the blue lagoon outside the coastal village of Mahébourg in Mauritius, are now stained and the area of Pointe D’ Esny and the island of Ile-aux-Aigrettes has been seriously affected.



Pink Pigeon, Mauritius
Pink Pigeon, Mauritius

Marine Life Threatened

The Mauritian marine environment is home to 1,700 species including almost 800 types of fish, 17 kinds of marine mammals and two species of turtles. As well as this, the coral reefs, seagrasses and mangroves ensure that the Mauritian waters are incredibly rich in biodiversity. The Ile Aux Aigrettes, which I visited a couple of years ago, is also home to the critically endangered Pink Pigeon (pictured) and this will surely put this beautiful bird in greater jeopardy.

A huge clean-up operation has been launched from the shore with many local people volunteering to help with booms made from straw and even human hair. Thankfully in recent days much of the remaining oil on board has been pumped away averting an even greater crisis however there are now reports of dead fish, and sea birds unable to take flight due to being covered in oil and there are reports of people breathing in oil vapour.

As if the impact of Covid 19 on tourism to the island was not enough sadly the Mauritius oil spill has brought another huge challenge for the island to overcome. The people of Mauritius and this Indian Ocean island will recover but it will take time, even years for the marine system to return to normal.

Environmental Issues Must Come First

For this reason and so many others around the world, we need accountability and these events must surely demand strong penalties as these spills are no longer isolated incidents and are part of a pattern of unacceptable behaviour from an industry that routinely puts commercial considerations ahead of safety and the environment.

Visas

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Rupert, Duni Bulgaria 2010, Travel Blogger Directory
Rupert, Duni Bulgaria 2010, Travel Blogger Directory
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Important Documentation​

You won’t be able to get into any country without a valid passport and in many cases, you will also require a visa specific to you and that country.

In this instance, the importance of planning is never more crucial to save you time, money and unnecessary stress.

ESTA – Electronic System for Travel Authorisation

You will need to get a visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver to enter or transit to the USA as a visitor.

You should consult the US State Department website to understand which of these options you will require.

ETIAS

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

New European Entry Rules for British Nationals come into effect in November.

Britons will be required to apply online for an Etias for €7 (about £6.20) with a biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) also expected to be in place by the end of 2023.

As the date looms keep an eye out for more details on how and when to apply for the ETIAS.

UK Passport Renewal

The Passport Renewal process can be tedious so we have teamed up with I-Visas.com to take you through the renewal step process to refresh this important document so it’s all good to go for your next holiday.

Start the UK Passport Renewal application here.

Visas

Any worldwide traveller knows that when it comes to understanding and applying for visas, it can be a complex and and confusing process.

Increasingly there are a host of ever-changing rules and complicated forms. Add to this passport photos and now more than ever, health declarations.

To make our lives easier I have teamed up with Ivisa.com who are dedicated to making this process simple, fast and reliable. Their online application process makes ordering all of these items straightforward and all from the comfort of your own home.

Simply Apply for Your Visa here

Airport Extras

Once you have your passport up to date and the necessary visas in place you are nearly good to go.

You may however still need to arrange your travel insurance, organise Money Abroad, car hire or treat yourself to a wide variety of Airport Extras. Here are some suggestions and a checklist of things to consider.

Sustainability Partner

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Snowdonia, free trees Wales
Snowdonia, free trees Wales
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Trees4Travel

Introducing the Just One For The Road sustainability partner Trees4Travel.

It is widely known that forest restoration is overwhelmingly more powerful than all other climate change solutions. As you travel, Trees4Travel plants trees for you so that you can then travel more mindfully, enabling sustainable travel, all for the price of a coffee.

For every journey you make, use their CO2 calculator to work out the emissions that your trip has omitted thus allowing you to then donate a sum that goes towards a tree planting project around the world.

What’s more, you can then watch as our combined efforts recreate forest after forest around the world – Trees4Travel offers something tangible, understandable and affordable that we can all see, be proud of and watch grow.

Why not calculate the potential emissions on your next journey with this CO2 calculator.

Ljubljana Castle View, Slovenia
Ljubljana, Slovenia

Tree Gift E-Card

Hot on the heels of COP26 and the progress that was made in particular to the commitments to reduce the destruction of the planet’s rainforests, I was delighted to see this initiative for a Tree Gift E-Card from our sustainability partner Trees 4 Travel.

Quite simply instead of buying a card why not spend the money sending those friends and family a Tree Gift E-Card from as little as £3.50? This way your money goes towards the planting of a tree to help absorb CO2, restore biodiversity and support local communities. What’s more every tree planted comes with a VERRA or United Nations certified investment in renewable energy.

Contact Information

Do get in touch with Trees4Travel and find out how you can play a part in helping to restore the world’s trees. It’s a great cause and we all need to do our bit.