Gourmet holidaying in Sweden
Wednesday, 02 Aug 2006 15:14
Lobster in West Sweden. Photograph by Lisa Nestorson.
You can have a holiday with a difference in Sweden, if you do not mind getting wet and are looking for an authentic local experience.
September 25th marks the first day of Sweden's lobster season, which is an annual excuse for the west coast of the country to throw a huge seafood party.
A typical fun activity at this time of year is to go on a lobster safari.
These take place at various locations in the region, including Handelsman Flink, which has a small, family-run hotel just 90 minutes' easy drive north of Gothenburg.
The hotel invites guests to accompany an expert lobster-catcher for half a day, to pull up the lobster pots and set them again, tie the lobster's claws and hear the host's stories about the creatures and life at sea.
That evening, you'll help cook the catch and enjoy your self-sourced dinner in a cosy atmosphere.
The hotel is newly built and has 13 luxurious double rooms, one of which is a boat-house suite. Two of the double rooms are included in a junior suite with a kitchen and extra sofa-bed. All rooms and suites have fantastic sea-views and are individually furnished.
The hotel also offers other activities, such as wine tasting from their own wine cellar.
Sweden’s west coast is gaining an international reputation as a “foodie” capital and a gourmet touring destination of northern Europe.
There is a growing supply of imaginative chefs and high quality natural produce in the area, which boasts a seafood-rich coastline, as well as local forests with a wealth of game birds.
Sweden’s second largest city, Gothenburg, is the gateway to the region’s culinary experience, boasting Michelin-rated restaurants and a starting point to a culinary touring vacation in the surrounding forests and rolling pastures.
This trip costs £215 per person includes the lobster safari, lobster dinner and overnight accommodation at the hotel with breakfast.
Flights to Gothenburg, which take less than two hours, operate six times weekly with FlyMe
www.flyme.com
For more information on West Sweden and the lobster season, log on to the West Sweden tourist board website
www.west-sweden.com.
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