Gotland – a wild and wooly island
Holiday on the gorgeous island of Gotland for a romantic Viking adventure in the Baltic Sea. Gotland is 90km from the Swedish mainland, but it will feel like you are stepping in time. The entire island is scattered with long barrows, ruins, 12th and 13th-century churches. Today instead of Vikings, you’ll find golfers and sun-seekers mixing with the locals.
Visby – a UNESCO World Heritage City – is a medieval walled town full of twisty cobblestone streets, towers, turrets and spires. Cafe culture abounds here, so you can soak up your surroundings as you enjoy coffee and saffranspannkaka, a delicious local delicacy consisting of a saffron pancake with red berries and cream.
Summer is the busiest time to visit Gotland. Medeltidsveckan (Medieval week) takes place in August and, during this popular festival, the streets come alive with markets, concerts, street theatre, fire shows and medieval reenactments.
Head to the coast to see the island’s unusual sea-stack rock formations and enjoy the beaches stretching out from the fishing villages.
In this island that looks like it has stepped out of a storybook, the resort of Kneippbyn, near Vibble, more than lives up to its billing. Here, fans of Pippi Longstocking stories are able to visit her fictional home – Villa Villekulla.