On a Date in Scandinavia: A Perfect End

Here is the last entry of Kat & Johan's sojourn in Sweden...

photo courtesy Hotel Skansen

Spending our last days in Båstad was the perfect end to our tour. The second wedding we attended was celebrated at the magnificent Norrviken Gardens that has an array of different gardens inspired by the Italian Renaissance. We stayed at Hotel Skansen that is known for its world famous tennis matches and also its bath house (the Kallbadhus) that is 60 meters out into the water.

After 10 days of literally gorging we did not have the power to drive all the way home to Frankfurt and had to stop in Lubeck, Germany for a break. Sitting outdoors admiring the architecture of the city, a vintage BMW Isetta car pulled up. We sure wished he could have driven our full bellies home in his little caravan. 

To go to the beginning of this sequential story, go here!

All photos and text: Katerina Alm

On a Date in Scandinavia: Mölle's Harbor Cove

Here we continue to follow Katerina and Johan Alm on the road in coastal Sweden...

The drive up to Höganäs Municipality from Malmö is picturesque, provides a beautiful coast side tour and only takes about an hour. A few minutes north of Höganäs is the town of Mölle, a 19th century fishing village that is known for its scenic harbour and permiscous bathing at the end of the 19th century when men and women started swimming together. Perched upon the top of this village is the Grand Hotel Mölle where we happily perched ourselves for a few days. The view looking over the harbour is incredible and a sea view room comes highly recommended.

In the area you can visit Kullabergs Nature Reserve where you can do botanical walking, bird watching and mountain climbing. The area is also known for their ceramic especially the salt glazed Höganäs jars and pitchers. There are many potters and artists around selling thier crafts. A short drive away is also home to Sweden's Iittala Outlet where famous Finnish kitchenware and pottery can be found at discount prices.

These three images courtesy of Iittala

Lunch in the harbour -traditional swedish Räkmacka (open faced shrimp sandwich)

Pan seared scallops over white asparagus with local herbs and lobster bisque at Grand Mölle

Paired with Alsace Sylvaner 2007 from Kuentz-Bas

Locally caught fish that was delicious!

All photos and text: Katerina Alm

On a Date in Scandinavia: Sweden's Southern Countryside

Here we continue to follow Katerina and Johan Alm on their Scandic road trip adventure!

We attended a beautiful wedding where we celebrated in Öland at Borgholms Slott  a castle that was built in the 12th century and has a spectacular view over the Baltic sea. All the eating, drinking and dancing in Öland  left us ready to dive further into southern swedish gastronomy. We drove south to Österlen's countryside where we stayed at Karlaby Kro which is part of Countryside Hotels Sweden .

The Karlaby Kro Hotel in the Österlen countryside

Countryside Hotels has 39 hotels spread across the most beautiful regions of Sweden and I highly recommend it for choosing a hotel with charm and personality and not to mention great food in this part of the world. Emma, a passionate Swede who runs the show at Karlaby brings service to the next level. Not only did she describe each meal to us in great detail and know every grape variety of all the wines served, but also left us a personally written info letter with lots of recommendations on what to do in the area. The three course dinner with wine pairing at Karlaby is a must, rest assured you will not be dissapointed. 

Seared bass with fennel, green field peas and bouillon of chive and salmon roe

Breast of sirloin of veal with beets, horseradish, marjoram and lovage with bouillon of lemon

In the area we visited:

• Mandelmanns organic herb & vegetable farm 

• Ales stenar located at one of the most southern tips of Sweden which is a "megalithic" monument consisting of a 67 meter long stone ship and is said to be created around 1400 BP.

Ales stenar is well known for its organic bakery and restaurant Vendel where we enjoyed a delightful Mackerel sandwich on homeade organic bread with locally pressed Kivik apple juice.

Stay tuned... more to come!

All text and photos by Katerina Alm