Cycling holidays, cruising habits and Egyptian mummies

The weeks just fly by, don't they? We're well into February now and it's Monday again. Here at FREEDOMtravel, we're running travel news as usual - with the latest news in travel, camping and tourism.

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Increased new registration of caravans and motorhomes

More motorhomes and caravans were registered in January than in the same month a year ago. A stronger belief in the future, lower interest rates and the removal of the malus tax on motorhomes are factors in favour of the industry. The industry is also preparing for the spring fair, Stockholm Husvagn Husbil, which will take place 13-16 March 2025.

• Caravan registrations for January 2025: 28 caravans (corresponding month last year: 15)
• Motorhome registrations for January 2025: 61 motorhomes (corresponding month last year: 48)

The cheapest ski holidays

The FOREX Ski Index compares the cost of a week's ski holiday at 36 ski resorts around the world, including lift passes and rental equipment. This year's cheapest ski resort is Popova Shapka in North Macedonia, where a week of skiing costs around 60 per cent less than a week in Sälen, Sweden. Other affordable options in Central Europe include Gudauri in Georgia and Erciyes in
Turkey.

1. Popova Shapka, North Macedonia (41)
2. Kapaonik, Serbia (43)
3. Brezovica, Bosnia (44)
4. Bansko, Bulgaria (49
5. Zakopane, Poland (49)
6. Gudauri, Georgia (61)
7. Spinleruv Mlyn, Czech Republic (64)
8. Kranjska Gora, Slovenia (66)
9. Parnassos, Greece (73)
10. Erciyes, Turkey (75)

SJ's double-deckers are modernised

Train passengers can now travel on SJ's first of several refurbished and modernised double-decker trains. For travellers, this means more comfortable seating, more legroom, better mobile coverage and renovated toilets. This year it is 20 years since SJ put the first X40 double-deckers into service and just in time for the 20th anniversary, these are being refurbished. Among other things, the improvements have resulted in :

• More comfortable seating with new upholstery
• Lowered tables, better adapted to computer work
• More legroom
• Radio-transparent windows for better mobile coverage
• Renovated toilets
• New lighting better luminous flux
• More electrical outlets
• Bicycle parking spaces

Sweden's oldest channel gets new owner

AB Göta kanalbolag has now formally taken over Hjälmare Canal from Sveaskog AB. The acquisition means that AB Göta kanalbolag is now responsible for the operation, maintenance and development of Hjälmare Canal. Hjälmare Canal is one of Sweden's oldest man-made waterways and a popular visitor destination during the summer season. The canal has nine hand-operated locks and stretches for a total of 13,700 metres, of which 8,500 metres is a dug canal.

This is how we travelled in 2024 - according to Norwegian

In addition to 22.6 million passengers flying with Norwegian last year, more than 1.5 million cups of coffee and 600 000 litres of water were consumed. In addition, over 55 000 pairs of skis were transported. New destinations like Hurghada, Dubai and Agadir were popular alternatives to the more expensive Eurozone countries, but despite this, it was the traditional favourites that topped the lists from the main Nordic airports. The 3 most popular destinations from the Nordics in 2024:

• From Stockholm: London, Malaga, Alicante
• From Copenhagen: London, Malaga, Barcelona
• From Oslo: London, Alicante, Malaga
• From Helsinki: Malaga, Alicante, London

TUI invests in cycling holidays to Mallorca

TUIv is launching three new cycling holidays to Mallorca this spring. The trips offer something for everyone - from intense training camps and prestigious races to leisurely e-bike rides with a food focus. This is part of TUI's focus on active holidays for travellers who want to combine exercise and relaxation. Three cycling holidays with different focuses:

1. Training camp in Mallorca with Team Faster
2. Bike weeks and the Mallorca 312 race
3. SmakOhoj - pleasure cycling on an electric bike

Cruise Barometer 2025 - Swedes' cruise habits

A new report from MSC Cruises shows that cruise travel is becoming increasingly popular among Swedish travellers. This year's Cruise Barometer identifies five clear travel trends for 2025:

1. Cool-Cations: The search for cooler destinations such as Iceland, Alaska and Northern Europe is increasing.
2. Set-Jetting: Inspiration from popular culture, such as TV shows and films, guides travellers' choice of destinations.
3. Culinary Cravings: Culinary tourism is growing, with local food cultures and cookery workshops.
4. Radical Sabbatical: More people are choosing to take longer leave to travel.
5. The Caribbean and the Mediterranean: These two sunny destinations remain Swedish favourites all year round.

Egyptian mummies at Kalmar Castle this spring

Preparations are in full swing for the next major exhibition at Kalmar Castle. On 18 April, "Egyptian Mummies - A Journey to Immortality" opens, featuring objects from the Egyptian collection of the Florence Archaeological Museum. Some of the artefacts are 4,000 years old and this is the first time they have been shown in Sweden.

Reflection of the week

The fact that cruises are hotter than ever has been confirmed several times recently, as have the trends of 'coolcation' and 'set-jetting' - travelling to locations from the world of movies and TV shows. If you don't want to travel that far, you can check out these Swedish film and TV series shooting locations.

Did you miss the last travel news? Read the The world's most welcoming holiday destination - and hotel with dog spa

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