Our editorial teams’ jewels in Scandinavia

Bornholm

Anna-Lena Ahlberg, Editor-in-chief: Bornholm is an island I plan to rediscover. For me, it’s synonymous with not-so-fun class trips in primary school, so I plan to give it a second chance and explore more than just the old Hammerhus ruin. After all, The New York Times and The Guardian can’t be wrong when they named it a culinary destination for Nordic food. You can, of course, go with a safe bet and visit the (only) Michelin-starred restaurant here, Kadeau, but on my list is a stay at Melsted Bade­hotel, where every meal comes with a complimentary beachside view, or combine a Nordic-style stay at Nordlandet with a four-course dinner at Pony X Nordlandet.

Bornholm

Malmö saluhall och Spritfabriken

Anna-Lena Ahlberg, Editor-in-chief:I have a soft spot for old factories and industrial buildings reborn into something new – Malmö Saluhall is a good example. The food hall opened 2.5 years ago in a refurbished freight depot in the city center, and with its many vendors and restaurants, it’s become a popular hangout. Another more ­recent addition is Spritfabriken in Ödåkra, just outside ­Helsingborg – a distillery for aquavit dating back to 1897. It’s now being transformed into a creative space for art, fashion and food. Don’t miss the events being held here this summer.

Malmö saluhall

Gotland

Niklas Wallenberg, Editorial Director: Going to Gotland is like going abroad. The island in the Baltic Sea is really unique in so many ways – the scenery, the light, the many cafes and eateries, the locals’ accent. If you love playing golf like I do, you’ve probably played at Visby Golf Club. If not, you’ve most likely talked about going. Since its redesign around 10 years ago, it’s one of the best, most spectacular and beautiful golf courses in Scandinavia. Hitting that driver into the heavy autumn wind on the beautiful but tricky 18th hole never fails to be one of my ­annual highlights.

Bohus-Malmön

Niklas Wallenberg, Editorial Director: Bohus-Malmön, an hour north of Gothenburg is one of my ­favorite gems in Scandinavia. I come here at least once a year, and while summertime is nice, I prefer the fall when it’s lobster fishing season. The first thing you’re met with when you drive off the ferry is the modern marina that dominates the harbor area. Unless you need to buy fresh fish or take a drink, just drive past and explore what else the beautiful island has to offer. There are, for example, plenty of hiking trails and the ocean is always present. And if you’re as lucky as I was last summer, you bump into Swedish artist Ebbot Lundberg in town and later see him perform a great gig at the unique venue Stallebrottet that’s built in an old quarry.

Bohus-Malmön

Gällnö

Geoff Mortimore, Editor: Gällnö sums up everything I love about the Stockholm ­archipelago. It’s “away-from-it-all” without being too remote, and the bar and restaurant is a perfect place for a top quality but informal meal or get-together. All outdoors, you’ll find imaginative cocktails, fantastic grilled food and, best of all, a laid-back atmosphere fostered by a staff that you get the feeling enjoy being there as much as the guests do. Thanks to its small jetty, it’s a far cry from the glitz of Sandhamn – and all the ­better for it!

Gällnö

Storsätra Fjällhotell

Geoff Mortimore, Editor: If, like me, you like – but don’t love – hiking, finding somewhere remote enough to enjoy that Scandic feeling of isolation, but at the same time offering a touch of luxury to rest those aching limbs, Storsätra Fjällhotell at Grövelsön in Dalarna is an ideal compromise. It offers a perfect starting point for all levels of hiking, and you can relax at the end of the day in a beautiful, cozy restaurant, followed by a dip in the wonderful outdoor ­Jacuzzi right on the river­bank.

Storsätra Fjällhotell

Bysykkel

Risto Pakarinen, Editor: Wherever I go, I try to rent a bike, because cycling makes my traveling world so much bigger. Oslo is the perfect city for a biker, despite its hills. The Bysykkel system is fantastic. The app is great, there are lots of bikes – and there’s lots to see. Making it all the way to Holmenkollen may be tough on these, but just roaming around between Jordan Ami and Bislett Stadium makes for a nice day.

Oslo

The Umeå guitar museum

It’s a must-see for all music lovers, but especially for all you rockers and guitar slingers out there. With hundreds of guitars from Les Pauls to Fenders and Gibsons, Samuel and Michael Åhdén’s guitar collection is said to be the largest private collection in the world. Definitely take the guided tour, to hear the ­stories behind the axes and how they’ve ended up in northern Sweden – like the one about a guitar that may or may not have belonged to a certain left-­handed bass player from Liverpool.

The Umeå guitar museum

Lilla Napoli

Therese Sahlén, Art Director: In an unassuming gas station in Falkenberg you’ll find the perfect Neapolitan pizza. Lilla ­Napoli is so small they’ve had to extend it with the addition of a party tent to squeeze in its many customers. You soon forget that though, because their insistence on the best ingredients, and the craft with which they go about making their pizzas are second to none. Make sure you book a table in advance – Lilla Napoli won’t disappoint.

Lilla Napoli

Nusfjord Arctic Resort

Therese Sahlén, Art Director “Unique” is an overused word in the travel business, but there aren’t many places that genuinely do compare with Lofoten in Norway. The Nusfjord Arctic ­Resort is an authentic, tranquil fishing village and a perfect spot to base yourself whether you’re mountaineering, fishing, whale-­watching, hiking or even surfing in the area. Cozy rooms, friendly staff and, naturally, a fabulous fish restaurant, all add up to an ideal spot for a trip with a difference.

Nusfjord Arctic Resort

Karl Fredrik at Eklaholm

Emma Brink Rask, Web Editor Sweden: When visiting the beautiful Österlen in Skåne, Sweden, don’t miss Karl Fredrik at Eklaholm. It’s a beautiful space that’s both an art gallery and a boutique. In the carefully renovated horse and pig stalls, whose history dates back to the 19th century, you can enjoy décor, art and flowers for both the home and garden. ­Industrial charm is mixed with flowers and plants from the local area and handpicked antiques from all over the world.

Karl Fredrik på Eklaholm

Skogskyrkogården

Emma Brink Rask, Web Editor Sweden: Just a 15-minute subway ride south of central Stockholm, you’ll find Skogskyrkogården Woodland Cemetery, a Unesco World Heritage site. The forest of 10,000 pines is not just the resting place for stars such as Greta Garbo, but also a masterpiece of nature and man-made architecture.

Skogskyrkogården

Bygdøy

Inga Ragnhild Holst, Web Editor Norway: The walk along the coastal path from Vippe­tangen to ­Bygdøy is a spectacular experience. Of course, it’s not a path, but more a combination of roads, piers and tracks that run alongside the fjord. You can warm up with ceviche and beer at the new Vippa food hall and walk along the harbor past Aker Pier and all the way to beautiful Bygdøy. At Folkemuseet there’s a nice café where you can refuel with a sandwich and coffee. The interior is stunning, with its beautiful solid wood furniture and grand fireplace.

Bygdøy

Sygard Grytting

Inga Ragnhild Holst, Web Editor Norway: Situated on the side of a high valley in Gudbrandsdalen, the Sygard Grytting farm and stables date back to the 1300s. ­Hilde and Stig Grytting offer several types of accommodation on the farm. For example, you can spend the night in one of the grand, beautifully furnished rooms in the main house or else take a less formal cabin. Half board is available, with a menu that regularly offers lamb raised on the farm, along with fabulous game and fish from local mountain lakes.

Sygard Grytting

Hindsholm, Nordfyn

Lise Hannibal, Web Editor Denmark: I spent most of my childhood summers at Hinds­holm on Nordfyn. For me, it’s still the ultimate summer resort with bike rides along hilly roads, puppet shows on the beach, self-picked strawberries and sunsets over the sea. You’ll find farm shops, cute places to eat, and fine bed-and-breakfasts at Hindsholm. Viby and Måle are the area’s nicest villages – don’t miss the freshly baked goodies at Måle Bagerbod and be sure to take a dip at Måle Strand.

Hindsholm, Nordfyn

Charlottenlund Søbad

Lise Hannibal, Web Editor Denmark: I love Charlottenlund Søbad! Located in the sound north of Copenhagen, it’s not fancy by any means, but a lovely place to go from early through late ­summer. The bathing area itself is divided into male and female sections. It’s nature’s own detox, a haven away from the disturbance of mobile phones and loud music – neither are allowed here.

Charlottenlunds havsbad

Lasse Åberg's museum

I love artist Lasse Åberg’s ­Museum in Bålsta, just over half an hour’s drive from Stockholm. It’s perfect for families as there’s a huge playground and plenty of spots for barbeques. Inside you’ll find all kinds of props from his films and if you’re lucky you may even bump into the man himself. Besides his own work there are also lots of Disney ­collections, original cartoons and Tarzan’s den.

Lasse Åbergs museum

Strömsund

Strömsund, where the movie Dunderklumpen was filmed, is a great place for a visit. In homage to the Swedish cartoon, there’s a giant statue of a 65-ton worm and ­every year, during the second week of July, they hold the “Dunder Market,” a large market and street party.

Strömsund