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Car driving, best architecture and vaccine passport rules

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It was time for the very last edition of this year's travel news here at FREEDOMtravel. This week's news includes driving, architecture and vaccine passports. Stay tuned!

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How Swedes drive at Christmas compared to drivers in other countries 

Nextbase, the Swedish market leader in dashcams, together with YouGov, conducted a survey on winter driving behaviour in 10 countries. The survey found that:

  • Czechs spend the most time behind the wheel - 14% of Swedes (and 24% of Czechs) spend more than 8 hours in the car during the Christmas holidays.
  • Poor road conditions cause concern - 66 per cent of Swedes think that changing road conditions with snow and ice are the biggest problem.
  • Biggest fear of drunk drivers - 45% of Swedes (and 66% of French people) think that drunk drivers are the biggest behavioural problem.
  • Few Swedes drive after a few drinks - 1.6% of Swedes (and 26% of French people) say they drive at Christmas after drinking alcohol.

Liseberg presents Luna Park for the park's 100th anniversary.

In 2023, Liseberg celebrates 100 years. This will be marked by Liseberg's Jubilee Project, which includes Grand Curiosa Hotel (2023) and Oceana Water World (2024). But already in 2022, the new Luna Park area will open, as well as two new family attractions: Turbo and Tempus. For the 100th anniversary, another attraction will be added as the crowning glory, the Luna family roller coaster.

The Wood Hotel by Elite named best architecture of the year by The Guardian

In October 2021, The Wood Hotel by Elite opened the doors to Norrland's latest international hotel destination. An ambitious wooden building that has now been named the best architecture of the year by The Guardian's architecture and design critic, Oliver Wainwright. The building, designed by White Arkitekter, stretches 20 floors and 75 metres above the ground, and includes restaurants, a rooftop spa, 205 designer hotel rooms, a rooftop bar and a spectacular panoramic view of the surrounding area. Skellefteå and the forests of Norrland.

Photo: Visit Skellefteå / Sven Burman

Vaccine passport valid for 9 months in the EU

The EU vaccine passport, which is used when travelling, should be valid for 9 months after the second dose. This is reported by several media outlets. The decision was taken by the European Commission just before Christmas. The validity period will be extended after a booster vaccination, which means that the validity period of the vaccine passport will be the same in all member states.

SJ invests in the fast trains of the future

To meet the increased interest in climate-smart, comfortable and efficient train journeys, SJ has decided to purchase 25 new high-speed trains. The trains will be the fastest in Sweden with a top speed of 250 kilometres per hour. They will be used for long-distance train services between major cities in Sweden. Sweden but also for cross-border traffic to Denmark and Norway. The new trains are expected to enter service in 2026.

Record number of ski centres and slopes open by Christmas

The season is underway for Sweden's ski resorts, according to a press release from SLAO (Svenska Skidanläggningars Organisation). Thanks to a cold start to the winter, more than a hundred resorts across the country were able to welcome visitors already at Christmas, which is more than usual. For example, Flottsbro in Stockholm has not opened so early in nine years. Hammarbybacken in Stockholm has also opened. Vallåsen on Hallandsåsen opens on 28 December.

Reflection of the week

It's really important to keep track of entry and exit rules in different countries in the age of coronavirus. At the moment, it looks like it will be important to take the third vaccine dose when it is due, if you want to be able to move easily between countries in Europe.

Did you miss the last travel news? Read the Charters, sustainable theme park and asteroid hunting

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