Roadtrips, heta city-resmål och platser som definierar Sverige

It's Monday again! We're on the road with the motorhome in Sweden, but of course we're working as usual, which means you can always expect a post here every morning at 06:00. And on Mondays, yes, we do travel news - short extracts from the week's press releases!

Table of contents

Interest in roadtrips on the rise

Swedes seem to be keen on car holidays this summer and searches for rental cars have increased both for domestic (15%) and European (20%) trips compared to last year. According to a survey by momondo, almost 20% of Swedish travellers say they are planning a road trip this summer - and of those, it is most popular with Generation Z, aged 18-24. At the same time, momondo sees that the price of car hire is falling in Europe. Here, momondo's travel expert, Per Christiansen, lists his top tips for car holidays:

Plan your route ... (roughly)
... but also leave room for spontaneity
Check your car (spare parts, green card if applicable, etc.)
Set up a plan for both money and fuel
Pack smart (light and efficient, don't forget entertainment for children!)

Train travel is increasing among Swedes

According to a Hotels.com survey, more than a third of Swedes (36 per cent) are more interested in travelling by train now than a year ago. The main reasons for this change are that it is better for the environment (20 per cent), followed by the financial benefits (16 per cent) and that it makes travelling an experience in itself (15 per cent). One in ten also say they get to see more places than they would have otherwise. Hotels.com now lists hotels near some of Europe's top railway hubs:

MOOONS, Vienna, Austria
Avalon Cosy Hotel Paris Gare du Nord, Paris, France
Excelsior Hotel Gallia, Milan, Italy
Villa Viva, Hamburg, Germany
Hotel Schweizerhof, Zurich, Switzerland

SJ releases 200,000 extra train tickets

As the Swedish high summer approaches, the demand for sustainable travel options increases. SJ is now releasing over 200,000 extra tickets to enable more people to travel sustainably this summer. In total, the offer is expanded with over 700 departures to destinations throughout the country. The extra trains will operate on popular routes such as Stockholm - Gothenburg, Stockholm - Malmö/Copenhagen and Stockholm - Copenhagen. Umeå. Tickets are already on sale at SJ.se and via the SJ app.

Summer's hottest city destinations

With the summer holidays just around the corner, travel demand is high. Bookings to major cities between June and August have increased by 9 per cent compared to the same period in 2023, with destinations that offer both big city pulse and beach life topping the list. This according to recent statistics from the travel agency Ticket. This summer's most popular city destinations:

Barcelona
Nice
Rome
Paris
London
Prague
Berlin
Amsterdam
Athens
Milan

Norwegian Cruise Line has kicked off the European season

According to a new report from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), more and more people are choosing to cruise in Europe, with half a million more people cruising in Europe in 2023 compared to 2019. This is what Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) writes in a press release. The shipping company has now kicked off its European season with more than 140 different destinations in northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Greek islands and the Atlantic coast. Highlights of NCL's 2024 European season:

Open jaw holidays to Iceland, Greenland and Canada with Norwegian Star
Greek island hopping on board Norwegian Getaway
Norwegian Viva in the Mediterranean
Almost no days at sea on Norwegian Escapes Mediterranean holidays

Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Cruise Line

New direct route from Stockholm to Tromso

Starting 31 October, Norwegian will expand its services at Stockholm Arlanda Airport with a new direct route to Tromso. The new service will operate twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays, and will significantly increase accessibility between the Swedish capital and northern Norway.

These Swedish places define Sweden

Forsbergs Fritidscenter, which specialises in motorhomes and caravans, has teamed up with Kantar Sifo to vote for the places and symbols that best characterise Sweden. The results show a mix of historic buildings, magnificent nature and cultural treasures. Here is the top 10 list:

IKEA stores
Stockholm Castle and Old Town
Dalarna and Siljan
Swedish mountains
Stockholm archipelago
The Dala horse in Nusnäs
Stockholm City Hall
Vasa Museum in Stockholm
The ice hotel in Jukkasjärvi
Göta Canal

Reflection of the week

It's interesting to see which places Swedes think "define" Sweden! It feels right that this summer we are heading for Dalarna, among others, which is so high up on the list.

Did you miss the last travel news? Read the Popular summer holidays, cheap holiday week and free for kids