It's time for the last edition of travel news before Christmas Eve. As such, this week's travel news is, of course, a lot about the Swedes' travelling before and during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Stay tuned!
Table of contents
First Camp predicts continued high interest in winter camping
The trend to "homestay" with a caravan or motorhome during the winter continues. The number of camping nights has remained constant in recent years, but the camping chain First Camp sees an improvement and expects an increase. "Things are looking good given the continued high level of interest! We are optimistic and there are many exciting investments left to make camping even more accessible to everyone", says Ingela Lundkvist, commercial manager at First Camp.
Record numbers take the bus this Christmas
Ticket sales for the Christmas and New Year period have broken records for the express bus company FlixBus. The number of booked journeys has exceeded last year by almost twice as many travellers. Friday 22nd will be the big Christmas travel day.
"Be early," says FlixBus. Top 5 Christmas and New Year destinations with FlixBus:
1. Stockholm
2. Gothenburg
3. Jönköping
4. Oslo
5. Copenhagen
More air travellers around Christmas - Swedavia's advice
Before and during the Christmas and New Year holidays, the number of air travellers increases. Swedavia's ten airports have made preparations and are now also providing tips to travellers for a smoother flight around Christmas and New Year:
- Arrive at the airport when check-in or baggage claim opens.
- If you bring Christmas food containing liquids, make sure to pack it well. Pack food and wrapped presents in your checked baggage.
- Check in digitally at home or at the vending machines at the airport where you also print the baggage tag. Then leave your baggage at the counter for Bag Drop.
- Bringing skis, a pram or other specialised baggage? Go first to your check-in desk for labelling and then to Special Baggage.
- Prepare for your security role. You can find all the information you need on each airport's website.
More people are travelling abroad this winter - here are the trending destinations
At TUI, bookings for winter travel have increased by four per cent compared to the same period last year. This year, like last year, the Canary Islands are the most booked destination. Among the destinations that have increased the most in percentage terms compared to last year, the top destinations are instead Sri Lanka, Turkish Istanbul and Agadir in the Morocco list. Sweden's most booked holiday destination in winter 2023:
- Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
- Tenerife, Canary Islands
- Phuket, Thailand
- Lanzarote, Canary Islands
- Krabi, Thailand
- Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
- Hurghada, Egypt
- Sal, Cape Verde
- Boavista, Cape Verde
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Stockholm hands over to Madrid as the gastronomic capital of the world
The year as European Capital of Gastronomy 2023 ended in Stockholm with two innovative events: the industry summit. Taste of the Future in Slakthusområdet and the research conference Stockholm Gastronomy Conference In 2023, Stockholm has been recognised as a gastronomic destination in a variety of ways. Best of luck to Madrid as the gastronomic capital of 2024!
Astrid Lindgren's World invests 30 million in Mattisskogen forest
In 2024, the new blockbuster about Ronja Rövardotter will premiere on Netflix. In Astrid Lindgren's World in Vimmerby, the management is convinced that Ronja Rövardotter's popularity will increase even more, and therefore Mattisskogen and the castle area are now being developed for the coming season. As much as 30 million will be spent to improve the experience, and the number of seats will be increased from 650 to 1200. On 17 May 2024, Astrid Lindgren's World in Vimmerby will open its doors for the season.
New baking book for travellers
This weekend we attended the book release for a new delicious baking book for travellers. "What does a destination taste like?" That's what travel blogger and author Christine Ericson asks herself. The book "Sweet Trips" takes you to Bali, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Nicaragua, Thailand and Sri Lanka, and offers about 100 recipes for baked goods with exotic flavours such as passion fruit, coconut, pineapple and mango. Very tasty baked goods, we can promise! You can find the book on the travel blog 29grader.se..
Reflection of the week
Wonderfully inspiring photos in Christine's baking book "Sweet Trips"! Even though we do not bake ourselves, we were very curious about several of the destinations!
Are you planning to travel over Christmas or New Year? Be early and be careful on the roads!
Did you miss the last travel news? Read the Christmas destinations and the Baltic Sea's new pleasure cruisers
Ditte says:
Since a week back on lovely Tenerife. Perfect with sun and +25, palm trees and beautiful nature.
A tip at Arlanda is to choose the "fast track". The new security check is really fast and you don't have to unpack a lot unnecessarily. But if there are many departures, fast track can still be time-saving. Some flight tickets include this, but otherwise it is easy to buy.
18 December 2023 - 15:40
Helena says:
Tenerife sounds lovely this time of year! And many thanks for the great tips!
19 December 2023 - 12:29