A great addition to any trip to Sweden, assuming Stockholm is your first stop, is Western Sweden and the happening area of Gothenburg. Ruth and I spent a few days in the area a couple years ago, rented a Volvo and just explored the area. The Swedes are beautiful and friendly and easier to talk to. The Tourism Board of Sweden, www.visitsweden.com, has just released the upcoming events for that area in the months ahead. Read on for all the fun stuff: Highlights in the 2010 calendar include:
Mid March - April - Crane Dance: witness the spectacle of the dance as 10,000 cranes fly into the Lake Hornborga Nature Reserve from Spain to bow, hop and flap, to one another at their spring breeding grounds.
May 1 - Nordic Oyster Opening Championships, Grebbestad: see chefs from across Scandinavia battle it out to become the speediest opener, and enjoy a host of other tasty oyster activities.
May 28-30 - Gothenburg Jazz Festival, a parade along the main boulevard Avenyn kicks off the annual celebration of jazz that attracts more than 30 bands.
June 25 - Midsummer: celebrate the height of summer the traditional Swedish way with events at Gunnebo House and Gardens in Mölndal, Nääs Castle and some of Gothenburg's finest parks.
July 26-31 - Lysekil Women's Match, Lysekil: watch world championship sailing action at this women's match racing event on the stunning Bohuslän coast.
August 10-15 - Gothenburg Culture Festival: a free event taking place across the city for all ages offering live music, open air dance floors, great food, arts and crafts market and entertainment.
August 12-14- Way Out West music festival, Gothenburg: listen to a top line-up of international and Swedish acts at the laid-back, eco-friendly festival in the city's main park.
August 14 - Dalsland Canoe Marathon, Bengtsfors: tackle the 55km (34 mile) course through the lakes and waterways of the wilderness with 1,000 competitors.
September 20 - Lobster season begins along the Bohuslän coast. Partake in a culinary adventure: harvest, help cook and savor second-to-none lobster, the black gold of Sweden.
Mid November - late December - Gothenburg Christmas City: experience the magic of a Swedish yuletide when the festive markets open and Gothenburg transforms into a Christmas city with thousands of lights and Christmas trees, mulled wine to enjoy and gifts to buy.
For more information about Sweden and other travel options visit www.visitsweden.com
Check out the International Travel Insights Examiner home page for more on Sweden, Western Sweden, Gothenburg from the travel team of Rich and Ruth Carlson.
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