I was looking forward to my first visit to Scandinavia in December 2004. I've always wanted to visit in Sweden was, but the impression that it is really expensive, and the desire for a better time than at home, if you set a break. Ryan Air has started flying from Glasgow Prestwick to Oslo, Stockholm and Gothenburg, so I decided now was the time. I decided I wanted to Gothenburg, since the use of Ryan Air is the closest airport to the city. I think the choice of destination, which is slightlyaccessible from Scotland is a very important factor when planning a short break.
Gothenburg is situated on the southwestern coast of Sweden at the mouth of the Gota River. As the plane rose over Gothenburg City Airport I had my first taste of Sweden. There was no sign of snow, but lots of pine trees and a stunning coastal views. Since I do not like the noise heard from the plane, I experienced a rather rapid acclimation as the end of the queue stretched for passport controloutside in the cold. I pulled the ', turtlenecks hat, gloves, before discovering the bus into town, there were few people around, but no sign of a bus. I asked a young Swedish couple, and told the bus to be there about an hour. They asked if we wanted to share a taxi into town with them. They came from Carlisle, the place where they study for the holidays. Another young man approached and asked us to share the taxi, and hewas a Swedish student from Edinburgh. The bus would cost 4 pounds, but he was 6 pounds for the taxi. I was happy to reach the city quickly, while it was still light.
I would so much that I visit the park Liseberg my first night, he decided to listen. Walking through the park made me even more festive, but in a typical Swedish understatement. It 'was breathtaking. All 3 million promised lights were white and most of them draped around each branchthe trees from which they appear surreal. And 'good taste was mercantilism. The park was full of families, children excitiedly queue for a ride in a sleigh pulled by reindeer and small children to practice their moves to ski the gentle nursery. There were braziers scattered in the park, if you need to heat quickly heard or had to roast some nuts. The log house with arts and crafts are sold all the types of food, drinks, gifts and household items. It was very cold and windy, it makes me glad I grabbed myThermal underwear.
I was interested to come down to the coast to Salt Homen, a half-hour tram ride from the city center. I had 48 hours from Gothenburg Pass (cost about £ 24 for 48 hours), all public transport, including ferries to the islands covered and free admission to most museums and attractions. From dawn on Tuesday (9 o'clock) bright and sunny, I decided I should go. Instead of organizing and testing the first time the ferries for the islands, I wentto scan and has some small rocks and some pictures. There were many boats tied up and walk along walkways. When I finally got the ferry, I discovered that the ferry service had a 2 hour lunch break. It 'was abandoned shortly before the ferry to the neighboring island Branno, but I had to be either on the ferry and come straight back to Homen salt or stay on the island for 2 hours and 20 minutes. If I was not willing to, so long on the island, as has beenvery cold and I was not sure what to open bars and restaurants have been on a weeekday in low season. I myself damn, that at any other time of the day I could spend an hour on the island.
Upon his arrival back in the city center, I decided that a buffet lunch Swedish Scandic Hotel Europa try. It 'been a wonderful spreads, soups, salads, meats, breads, hot entrees and three desserts to choose, for 98 kroner (about £ 8). I must say that I find in Swedenare not more expensive than in Britain. I believe that alcohol is more expensive than in Britain, but as I do not drink alcohol, had no effect on me.
Then he went to the Opera House and the new pier sunset from the top of Goteborgsutkiken: see (Lipstick nickname). However, the coffee-term lipstick / is only open during the summer months. However, I was eager to visit the City Museum, which closed at 17:00. The museum houses the most part, the wreck of a Viking ship. This is amodern replica of the boat hanging above, providing a better idea of the size. One of my favorite movies as a child was a romantic adventure film of the Vikings, starring Kirk Douglas. There have been some Electrolux cylinder cleaner on the screen and see the things you remember, such as household items like a kid in a museum a bit 'strange! It was a room with an anniversary exhibition in Gothenburg in the twenties. One of the reasons the show wasshow industrial power in Sweden. It 'also seemed there was a lot of fun, and there was even a nursery where they could leave their children for the day.
The plan for tonight is to visit the Design Museum, was closed because it was late. Made sense to do outdoor activities during daylight hours, and museums in the evening. I went back to the hotel for a cup of tea (very thoughfully bottled in the foyer for guests). I already had a cold when I leftScotland, and after being out in the cold I could not face going out again. I lay on the bed and then next thing I 5.15 known, was 7.30 clock. The Design Museum is open until 21:00, but I had a bath, went back to bed and slept until 8 clock Thursday morning. Although initially quite annoyed with myself, I felt much better the next morning, I consoled myself by rationalizing that it was better to have a dinner than lose a chance to feel terrible all the next day.
After breakfastwent to the fish market. It's called "Fish Church", as the building in which it looks like a church. There was a lot smaller than I expected. Then it was up to Tradgardsforenignen Park, visit the Palm House and Butterfly House. I had visions, and read these butterflies flutter tropical. It should not be since it was closed for renovations. I was not sure which museum to visit that afternoon, but was advised to go to science UniverseumDiscovery Center. imaginatlively was designed long, with a new multi-level rain forest and a replica of the Swedish countryside and mountains to the coast below. There were also several floors of hands on activities. You can drive Volvo trucks, the design of a model to get into nuclear physics (if so inclined). I could not even managed to start two car models with binary code! There are many young enthusiastic multilingual guides to explain the obviousThings.
I enjoyed just walking through the city center and along the banks of the narrow streets and avenues. Gothenburg is a great city, architecturally speaking, very spacious. I have heard called the Swedish Amsterdam. I think this is a slight Gothenburg, marketed in my opinion, very attractive and much less than in Amsterdam. As a woman alone, I felt relatively safe walking around in the evening. There was very little trash around, do notBeggars and prostitutes, police presence and a quite noticeable, but unobtrusive. As soon as he approached a pedestrian crossing, the cars stopped. All the clubs that I was good or very good knowledge of English, spoke and answered was very polite and helpful. I would like to be a very civilized city, low key, sophisticated unpretenious in a sense, far from soulless, and regimented, yet clean and relaxing.
Offer Gothenburg someting for every taste and budget. Families are well catered forfor most of the hotels have rooms for families, there is the amusement park Liseberg and Universeum (intended for 5 to 19). Children under 17 eat free at participating restaurant with the Göteborg Pass. Culture vultures should visit a wealth of museums and galleries. Gourmets can be different Michelin star restaurants and a selection of seafood. Nature lovers are the botanical gardens and the nearby coast and islands. Shoppers are the largest indoor shopping center inScandinavia. One of my sons told me that there is a trendy club scene.
Göteborg has everything. With the availability of Ryanair flights (less than 2 hours from Glasgow Prestwick) is a nice break destination that will not break the case, contrary to popular belief, the bank. Many residents have told me that I visit in the summer because it is beautiful then. I enjoyed myself there in winter. There was a silence of death was illuminated at museums and eveningbeautiful. There is plenty to do in your visit is not particularly affected by atmospheric conditions. I was lucky on my visit it was dry all 4 days, even if only for a sun. Although public transportation is very good, I removed my front door in the center of the city. It was too cold are waiting for buses and trams, and I felt it sees more, when you walk around. Overall a very short break destination.
