Midsummer

As the sun is more of a rare visitor during the cold winter months, the Scandinavians have developed a special relationship to their beloved sunlight during the warmer time of the year. This is best expressed in the extensive midsummer celebrations when most Scandinavians get a little amoureuse as the sun doesn’t set in many parts of the country. The festivities taking place between 19-25 June are marked in every Swedish calendar being one of the most important festivities of the year.

But what makes Midsummer worth marking in your calendar as well? The event is a perfect mixture of tradition, nature (mostly celebrated next to the nearest lake), food culture, family, friends and romance.

As an event of large gatherings are planned when Sweden’s nature is at full bloom you will not only witness Sweden’s nature at its best, but also a bunch of excited Swedes preparing for the festivities. Taking place under the leafy roof of the flourishing birch trees or meadows towered by the traditional maypole you will be able to worship the lush Swedish nature in a festive ambiance. Starting with traditional Swedish food including herring and potatoes the meal is often spiced up with some Schnapps. Each shot is accompanied with a Swedish drinking song between family or friends. Later on celebrations continue as people gather to dance in the outdoors until dawn. On their way back tradition requires girls to gather seven flowers to lie under their pillow. In their dreams they will be rewarded with a vision of their future husband. Hopefully the spirits made sure that there won’t be any overlaps.

Ola Ericson/imagebank.sweden.se

Endless days

Days and nights seamlessly intertwine - a phenomenon unique to the the Nordic regions. Trying to make the most of these summer days, they’re usually spent outdoors either swimming, fishing, hiking or cycling through the vast wilderness of the Nordic countryside. While strolling through nature, chances are that you’ll encounter some of the natives including moose, reindeer or even bears. Just like you they wander through the endless forests and days full of energy from the sun’s eternal sunshine.

Cottage life

Alternatively, the art of doing nothing is a skill honed by the Scandinavians during the sunny summer months. On top of the doing-nothing agenda is a short swim in the lake after spending some time in the sauna. As you’re probably not used to the never-sinking sun you will probably find yourself dipping your feed in the chilling water of the many lakes at 2am. A less welcoming side of the Scandinavian summer is the mosquito side of things. Be sure to bring bug spray to avoid any bad surprises. Some weeks of the summer see mosquito activity disappear altogether, so get in touch with the team at Magnetic North if this is something that concerns you.

Johan Willner/imagebank.sweden.se

The weather

Despite the energizing effects of the omnipresent sun be aware that the Nordic summers are mild and occasionally quite changeable. Therefore prepare for all kinds of weather by packing many layers of clothing with at least one rainproof layer. Temperatures vary between 8 and 16 degrees in the Arctic Circle during summer and  between 15 and 22 degrees in more southern regions of Scandinavia. Hence a balance between long and short clothes is recommended.

Good food

At the peak of the salmon season in Norway, the beginning of the berry season all over Scandinavia and the crayfish season especially celebrated in Sweden, the summer in the Scandics offers a lot of culinary highlights. Enjoy fresh locally sourced food prepared in a traditional way at the local restaurants or join the tradition of the food festivals. Whilst you’re in Sweden you’ll most likely come across the tradition of a crayfish party which is a family festival dedicated to the Swedish crayfish. Try to get the original Swedish crayfish when you decide to join the Swedes on their beloved tradition.

Tina Stafrén/imagebank.sweden.se

Magnetic North Travel offers a huge range of tailor-made holidays in Scandinavia in the summer months. Get in touch with our team of experts to find out more and to start planning your escape.