This summer, swimming holidays have been on everyone's mind. Swedes have been holidaying around the country and sharing inspiring photos of our own country on their social channels. But what will happen in the future, will Swedes continue to love Sweden, or is the phenomenon just a parenthesis in their lives?
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Year of the Swordmaster
At the beginning of the year, many people had booked trips abroad, which they later had to cancel. Perhaps they felt sad when they had planned a wonderful or exciting trip. Perhaps it also felt a bit nice when the fear of infection started to creep in. Suddenly there were other things that felt more important in life. As you know, security and health come before self-realisation and adventure in Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
Slowly, they began to adjust to holidaying in Sweden. Could it be good after all? Then even that became unclear. Would you only be allowed to travel a maximum of two hours by car? When this latter restriction was lifted, it almost felt a bit luxurious. Think about it, we can travel throughout Sweden. As you know, everything is relative!
A new approach to swimming holidays
"We have to say that the Swedes have been great at having a positive attitude towards swimming. We have heard very little complaining and a lot of "Sweden is fantastic". The Instagram feed has been flooded with picturesque views of Stekenjokk, the High Coast and the Göta Canal, Smögen and Båstad. Never before has Sweden seemed so "dreamy"!
What about us, have we changed our minds?
We can both say we've changed our minds and we haven't. Our motorhome journey along the Göta Canal, Trollhätte canal and Dalsland canal was surprisingly good and offered fantastic beautiful and interesting places. Yes, we can definitely imagine travelling more and experiencing more of Sweden.
However, we can't nod in agreement when we hear "Sweden is so beautiful, so why travel anywhere else?". That's like saying "salmon is good so why eat anything else?". We like variety and we know that there are many beautiful and interesting things to discover in Europe and the world. When it feels good, we will want to travel outside the borders again.
What happens to travelling in the future
Will Swedes continue to love swimming holidays, or will many revert to their previous travel behaviour whenever possible? Has this forced change perhaps made us look at travelling and our local area in a different way?
We have discovered more of Sweden than we otherwise would have done, and it has been very positive (although a bit crowded at times). We are probably more open to Sweden again than we were before. Eventually, however, we want to diversify with other destinations, but we're not in too much of a hurry. What are your thoughts?
You can also read reflections on the theme at the travel blogger 4000 miles.
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Ama de casa says:
We have spammed this summer, four weekly trips have been made. Now we have travelled around a lot in this country even before we were limited by the corona and we do not mind at all. Agree that it felt luxurious to go from quarantine to actually being able to travel around. However, we stick to areas where there are no major outbreaks, for example, northern Spain is not relevant at present. But you don't know where that shitty virus is anyway ...
We had plans for the USA and a cruise again (but nothing booked), although it will be a while before it becomes something of that... But as I said, it feels luxurious to travel around on home turf so it's not a bit of a pity for us 🙂 .
19 August 2020 - 9:20
Helena says:
After all, the perspective on what is "luxurious" is changing 😉 Spamestra is not bad while waiting for something else! 🙂
19 August 2020 - 17:11
Ditte says:
We are usually also in Sweden in the summer and because we want to be. But we are happy to travel at other times of the year. We own our time and when it feels ok to travel again, we do it. Because travelling is a way of life.
19 August 2020 - 10:00
Helena says:
The summer in Sweden has been (and is!) nice. In due time, you can certainly start travelling a little more too!
19 August 2020 - 17:12
bmlarstravellingblog says:
Of course we are keen to travel outside Sweden, but it must feel reasonably safe. Then there will probably be more motorhome trips and fewer with flights + hotels, as long as we stay in Europe.
19 August 2020 - 15:53
Helena says:
Yes, we also think that a motorhome feels better right now. I am also not very keen on flying with a mask and without food and drink. Then I can wait a little longer.
19 August 2020 - 17:14
TravelAnna says:
Interesting thoughts! I think like you. When it is possible to travel abroad again more "as usual", I will definitely do it. However, I will perhaps distribute the trips a little more during the time of year when it is not the most beautiful and warmest in Sweden. I / we can also do that to a greater extent now that our children are no longer in primary or secondary school. But then there is the weather ... I want a sun-safe week every summer! 😉
19 August 2020 - 16:52
Helena says:
Yes, the weather does matter! Sweden becomes more "fantastic" when the sun is out! 🙂
19 August 2020 - 17:15
Daniel on FlyingDryden says:
Summer and Sweden are no strangers. I rarely go abroad between June and August, with some exceptions of course, albeit few. So, honestly. I don't really understand the hype. Is it only in 2020 that everyone suddenly discovered how nice we have it at home? Sounds as strange as people in 2018 suddenly finding out that aeroplanes emit exhaust gases. 😉
19 August 2020 - 17:40
Helena says:
Interesting thoughts, Daniel! We often travel abroad in the summer. It's a bit related to the fact that that's when I have my long holiday, and that's how it is for more people I guess. And as I said, not because Sweden is not good, but because there are more places that are also good 😉.
19 August 2020 - 18:59
BP says:
This year the weather has been perfect for swimming. But a rainy summer or during a grey autumn and a cold winter, you long for the warmth of more southern latitudes. If the weather hadn't been so well timed during this corona summer, we would have also longed for the south.
19 August 2020 - 20:01
Susjos says:
Of course it's nice in Sweden in the summer, especially if the sun and heat are here! Unfortunately, you can't control the weather! My holiday rained away some.... except for the fantastic week after midsummer, and happy we who share a summer cottage with the sister-in-law, but of course it pulls in the travel arm, And the dark season, then I really want to travel to the light and heat! That's just the way it is!
19 August 2020 - 23:18
Lena - good for the soul says:
Totally agree. Sweden is fantastic. But I also, like you, want to see the rest of the world as well. The world is amazing!
Hug Lena
24 August 2020 - 5:40