It's Monday again! As usual on Mondays, we run "FREEDOMtravel NEWS". In other words, we present short extracts from the week's press releases in the field of travel, camping and tourism. Stay tuned!
Table of contents
Viking Line is now doubling its traffic to Helsinki.
As of 8 March, it will once again be possible to travel every day with Viking Line between Stockholm and Helsinki. Helsinki. The shipping company then uses Viking Cinderella as a partner to the vessel Gabriella, which doubles the capacity of the line compared to before.
New fine dining restaurant at Arlanda Airport
Swedavia continues to develop its offering at Stockholm Arlanda Airport. Now the restaurant has finally The Giraffe by Pontus Frithiof opened at the airport. Based in multicultural Paris, the restaurant offers a cosy atmosphere in two sections, the Bistro and the Food & Bar, which has the largest bar in the airport and many dishes on the menu.
K-beauty has attracted Swedes to South Korea.
Over the past year, the viral K-beauty trend has made Swedes curious to explore South Korea, especially the country's capital Seoul. According to data from Hotels.com, searches for South Korea and Seoul have increased by 20 per cent and 15 per cent respectively compared to last year. Here, Hotels.com presents some of the best spa hotels in Seoul:
- Conrad Seoul, Seoul - Award-winning spa with hydrotherapy
- Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, Seoul - Stylish hotel with urban spa
- Lotte Hotel Seoul, Seoul - Luxury hotel with unique Sulwhasoo Spa
- Andaz Seoul Gangnam, Seoul - With The Summer House Spa
- Grand Hyatt Seoul, Seoul - Tranquil oasis, with Korean treatments
Summer news from TUI
Glamorous Mykonos in the Greek islands, foodie mecca San Sebastian in northern Spain and the historic seaside resort of Sopot on the Polish Riviera. These are some of the many exciting new features that travel company TUI is presenting for summer 2024. Here are some of TUI's news this summer, which are either completely new destinations or destinations with a new and expanded range:
- Greece: Mykonos, Santorini, Halkidiki, Thessaloniki, Pelopennesos
- Croatia: Zadar
- Albania: Vlora
- Italy: Lake Garda, Naples and Amalfi Coast, Positano
- Cityresor: Gdansk and Sopot, San Sebastian, Stockholm, Copenhagen
- Conceptual novelties: Seven new Blue Star hotels in summer 2024
Lower new registrations of motorhomes and caravans.
The number of newly registered motorhomes and caravans is down compared to the same period a year ago. However, interest in both caravans and motorhomes remains high and the vehicles are used more throughout the year. This is reported by the National Association of the Caravan and Motorhome Industry.
- Caravan registrations for February 2024: 44 caravans (compared to 62 in the same month last year).
- Motorhome registrations for February 2024: 83 mobile homes (compared to 134 in the same month last year).
Visit Sweden achieves record results and ranks high in the world
With more than 8,100 published articles in over 40 countries on all continents, over 8 million engaged visitors and followers on websites and social media, and nearly 100,000 subscribers to the company's newsletter, the reach of Visit Sweden's marketing was a record 2.7 billion people in 2023. Visit Sweden is now ranked as the 13th best marketing company in the world by WARC Media 100.
Reflection of the week
In TUI's list of novelties, we can say that there are some favourites, such as Gdansk/Sopot in Poland and Zadar in Croatia. Also on our bucket list are San Sebastian and various Greek destinations.
Did you miss the last travel news? Read the Brand new cruise, hotel trends and tower games
Ditte says:
San Sebastian and the surrounding area is definitely worth a visit or more - Fun Travel News.
But it's easy to get to S.S. on your own, so I think the charter feels a bit unnecessary. But if people go, that's good. And it's not as if SS lacks visitors directly. It is Europe's food mecca, not least when it comes to expensive restaurants with stars in the Michelin Guide.
Mykonos has been around for a long time. I took a boat trip there in the early 70s and then Mykonos was very "in". Then it has probably gone in waves. But I know that many cruise ships also come here and stay for the day and then it is almost as if the island sinks.
04 March 2024 - 11:46
Helena says:
San Sebastian sounds exciting! A part of Spain that we haven't had time to see ...
05 March 2024 - 15:41
Katarina Considerations says:
I have done South Korea on two occasions and it is definitely one of the places I can imagine travelling back to. Then there is the mention of San Sebastian, yes yes yes... It really is a perfect weekend getaway with its proximity to Rioja, Bilabo and Biarritz. Swimming and excursions during the day and food and wine bars in the evenings in the different neighbourhoods. Exciting
06 March 2024 - 9:13
Lena - good for the soul says:
Hmmm, the K-beauty trend is something I missed.
How frustrating it must be for the suppliers that they can't get motorhomes and caravans out if the interest is still high!
And how great for Visit Sweden and Sweden that they have succeeded so well!
Hug Lena
04 March 2024 - 12:33
Helena says:
I don't keep up with beauty trends either ... I'm a bit more aware of travel trends! 😉
05 March 2024 - 15:41
Yossu says:
This year, some nationalities, including Swedish citizens, do not need to apply for an entry permit when travelling to South Korea. This has probably also contributed to increased interest. I am travelling to the capital at the end of April and have high expectations.
TUI had a lot of interesting news. San Sebastian attracts me a little extra.
04 March 2024 - 13:18
Helena says:
Ah, interesting! That makes it easier, of course! How exciting that you are soon on your way to South Korea! Have a nice trip!
05 March 2024 - 15:42
Anna Nilsson Spets says:
Yes, nothing on the list that attracts me more than Copenhagen, which always keeps the measure. South Korea, oh I've missed that trend completely. I'm too old.
04 March 2024 - 16:44
Helena says:
Copenhagen is a wonderful city! 🙂
05 March 2024 - 15:43