World records, travel trends and space-inspired ice cream parlours

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It's Monday again! We're gearing up for the Elmia Husvagn Husbil trade fair, which opens this Wednesday, 11 September. In the meantime, we'll be presenting travel news here at FREEDOMtravel, as usual.

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Sharp increase in new motorhome registrations

August figures show a sharp increase in newly registered motorhomes, up 38.43 per cent compared to August a year ago, according to the National Association of the Caravan and Motorhome Industry (HRF). New caravan registrations fell by 18.75 per cent in the same month. Over the first eight months of the year, new registrations of motorhomes have increased by 4.01%, while new registrations of caravans have decreased by 19.68%.

• Caravan registrations for August 2024 - 156 caravans, compared to 192 in August last year.
• Motorhome registrations for August 2024 - 355 motorhomes, compared to 242 in August last year.

World record at Liseberg: highest average age on a roller coaster

On 3 September, a new world record was set at Liseberg for the highest average age in a roller coaster ride: 80.1 years! One of the 18 seniors in the record-breaking ride, with a top speed of 105 km/h, was Lars Cederberg, 84 years old from Falköping: "It was a terrifying experience. I've had so many joyful days in this amusement park, it was fun to give back a little by coming here and breaking the world record," he said after the ride. The previous record was set in Blackpool in 2003, with an average age of 75.25 years.

Jousting at Kalmar Castle

13-15 September is the premiere of Tornerspel at Kalmar Castle, hosted by Sweden's oldest and most recognised knightly society. For three days, visitors will be able to step right into history. Inside the castle, visitors who buy admission can listen to the presentation "From War to Carousels", about the history of jousting. A medieval market is held in the outer courtyard, with free admission on both Saturday and Sunday. There will be historical crafts and taster activities for all the family.

Champagne and wine fair at Birka Gotland

In recent years, Swedes have become increasingly interested in wine and champagne. For anyone who wants to learn more - or just enjoy good food and drink at sea - the new ship Birka Gotland will offer a champagne and wine fair in September with both world-leading champagne houses and local producers. On 13 and 14 September, it's time for the fair, master classes and tastings.

Autumn travel trends - luxury and Tokyo

Swedes' travel habits are constantly changing, and autumn 2024 suggests both new trends and returning favourites. momondo has analysed Swedes' travel patterns and identified four trends that set the tone for autumn travel.

• North America loses ground - Flight searches to New York have decreased by 20 per cent compared to 2023.
• Luxury travel on the rise - Searches for premium and first class tickets have increased by 14 and 13 per cent respectively.
• Big favourite Tokyo continues to grow - A 34 per cent increase in flight searches compared to last year.
• Classic sun destinations remain, despite declining interest - Spanish sunshine favourites such as Malaga, Alicante and Palma continue to attract.

New liquid rules at Arlanda

After Arlanda introduced new security checks in 2023, travellers have been able to bring almost unlimited drinks in their hand luggage. However, from 1 September, liquid restrictions will be reintroduced, with a maximum of 100 ml, due to temporary changes in EU rules. More people will now be buying drinks at the airport and Zmarta has investigated the prices. The average price for 50 cl of mineral water at Arlanda, after security checks, is SEK 34 for supermarkets and SEK 38 for restaurants. The cheapest is the Tax Free shop with a price of SEK 25.

Fuglesang shapes space-inspired Icebar at Icehotel

The world-famous Icehotel is celebrating its 35th anniversary this winter with a brand new Icebar in Jukkasjärvi. Here you will be able to warm yourself in the crystal clear cold with a drink and at the same time experience an unforgettable space journey! The new Icebar "In Orbit" is created by the design studio PinPin Studio in collaboration with astronaut Christer Fuglesang, the first Swede in space. Icebar "In Orbit" will be inaugurated on 8 November, with Fuglesang as a special guest. On 13 December, the seasonal part of the Icehotel will be opened.

Most booked winter destinations

Winter is approaching and many Swedes are looking forward to booking a trip to warmer latitudes. According to Ticket's booking statistics, the Canary Islands and Thailand are most popular. The travel experts at Ticket offer three tips to keep costs down when booking winter travel: 1) Book well in advance, 2) Be flexible when it comes to departure dates and departure locations and 3) Dare to explore new destinations such as Cape Verde, Cyprus, Rhodes or Malta. Most booked winter destinations right now:

1. Bangkok, Thailand
2. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
3. Phuket, Thailand
4. Tenerife, Canary Islands
5. Krabi, Thailand

Study shows: where to find the cheapest cappuccino

Ah, cappuccino! The wonderful combination of espresso, steamed milk and a perfect layer of foam. Who doesn't love this drink? But a cappuccino is not free. The price varies greatly depending on where in Europe you are. I Bosnia Coffee lovers will be pleased to know that a cappuccino costs only SEK 15.60 on average, while in Sweden you have to pay an average of SEK 43.28. This is the result of an analysis of the cost of living index carried out by the language platform Preply.

Reflection of the week

It's a bit sad that the liquid restriction is back at Arlanda, but you just have to accept it. Our absolute budget tip is to pack an empty water bottle, which you can then refill where it suits ...

Did you miss last week's travel news? Read the Autumn events and the most popular destinations for the autumn holidays

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