Tågluffarkort, Star Wars och kokbok för det mobila köket

Welcome to Monday's travel news here at FREEDOMtravel! This week it's all about train travel, Star Wars and a new cookbook for anyone travelling with a motorhome or caravan.

Table of contents

Economic turmoil affects motorhome and caravan registration

Consumer concerns about personal finances are currently affecting new registrations of both caravans and motorhomes. "There is a general concern about further interest rate increases, higher energy prices, a weak krona and higher costs that affect consumers," says Per Nilsson, Chairman of the Swedish Caravan and Motorhome Association. "We also notice continued delivery delays for motorhomes as the logistics chains of components have not yet fully recovered from the pandemic."

Caravan registrations for April 2023: 325 caravans (corresponding month last year: 569)
Motorhome registrations for April 2023: 374 camper vans (corresponding month last year: 513 camper vans)

SJ's new train traveller card gives more travel days

SJ is now launching an upgraded version of the SJ Tågluffarkort. Following requests from travellers, the SJ Tågluffarkort has been further developed and is now valid for 10, 20 and 30 days respectively. Last year, the card was valid for 7, 15 or 30 days. Sales of the card started on 3 May and the travel period is 17 June-20 August 2023. The card is valid for travel in 2nd class and in a sleeping car on all SJ and Tåg i Bergslagen departures. The card is also valid for travel to Copenhagen and Oslo.

MTRX launches direct trains from Stockholm to the West Coast

MTRX is now the only train company to release summer tickets (19 June - 20 August) from Stockholm to the summer pearls of the West Coast. Varberg, Falkenberg, Halmstad, Laholm and Båstad. This makes the company the only one offering direct trains between the capital and some of Sweden's most popular holiday destinations. The trains will not go via Gothenburg as before but, due to planned railway works, will go via the city centre. Borås and Kinna. MTRX regular departures between Stockholm-Gothenburg will continue throughout the summer as usual.

Star Wars film adaptation returns to the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands have hosted several Hollywood productions over the years. In June 2017, the filming of Han Solo: A Star Wars Story in the Pecenesca Valley on Fuerteventura. It has now been confirmed that the new Star Wars film adaptation will return to Fuerteventura. The filming of the second season of Star Wars will soon begin. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power started. The series has chosen the island of Tenerife as one of the filming locations, and filming will take place in the Teide National Park.

Mirador de Sicasumbre on Fuerteventura, photo: Canary Islands Tourism

MATRESAN - new cookbook for the mobile kitchen

A cookbook with over 90 recipes and useful tips for cooking on the move. Written by food creator and food stylist Sanna, and with stunning photos by photographer Torbjörn, "Matresan" is the ultimate guide to creating great meals, despite a limited kitchen. This book is perfect for anyone who loves travelling with a motorhome, caravan or other mobile kitchen and wants to discover new flavours during their trip. The food journey includes recipes for everything from hearty breakfasts to delicious dinners and desserts.

Coming up in Spring and Summer Sweden

Looking for nice destinations in Sweden this spring and summer? Here are some seasonal openings and events taking place in May and June:

4 May: Göta Canal opened its doors and this year's season began.
12-14 May: Overland Adventure Expo, Solbacka in Sörmland.
13-14 May: Stockholm is visited by the Polish sailing ship Dar Młodzieży, which is moored and can be visited at Fotografiska.
18 May: Summer at Julita farm starts with weekend opening and is open daily from 17 June to 13 August.
27 May: Tyresö Castle and Svindersvik Sommarnöje open for guided tours on weekends until 3 September.
27 May: The exhibition Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition premieres in Linköping, info on titanicexhibition.se
6 June: Herring Day on Klädesholmen on Tjörn in Bohuslän.
25 June - 2 July: Östersund Cycling Festival with cycling activities for all ages.