The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
WHY I LOVE...DANISH ISLANDS
BEST FOR… AN UNDERWATER SAFARI
In Copenhagen you’re seldom far from the coast and some lovely beaches. The timberframed houses of harbour towns such as Faaborg and
Sweden’s national marine park, Kosterhavet, surrounds this archipelago just off the Bohuslan coast. The main islands, North and South Koster, have excellent beaches, but greater treasures lie below the surface. Dive into deep valleys for cold water corals, or snorkel through kelp forests and meadows of emerald green eelgrass where lion’s mane jellyfish and bristle worms thrive.
A seven-night Sweden’s West Coast holiday costs from £1,295pp, including most meals and car hire. Flights extra. Departures between June 1 and Sept 30. Inntravel (inntravel.co.uk; 01653 617007).
4 THE WEATHER ISLANDS
Svendborg give way to rolling farmland and woods. If that’s still too hectic, try sleepy, gorgeous Bornholm. Discover the World (discover-theworld.co.uk; 01737 214 250).
5 GOTLAND
BEST FOR… MEDIEVAL PASTIMES
Stone Age skeletons, Viking runes and crumbling 12th century turrets make Sweden’s largest island a living lesson in the country’s history. Stroll along cobbled streets with Gothic facades and try saffranspannkaka, a saffron pancake with red berries and cream. A Gotland – Sweden’s Summer Secret holiday costs from £980pp, including five nights’ B&B accommodation, flights and car hire. Departs May to September. Nordic Experience (01206 708888; nordicexperience.co.uk; ).
6 FARO
BEST FOR… FILM FANS
Somewhat overshadowed by the medieval turrets of Gotland, its smaller neighbour is still a deserving headline act. Director Ingmar Bergman took inspiration from its landscape of limestone pillars and shot
several films here. He also set up home on the island, and the Bergmancenter is a museum dedicated to his work.
A six-day Gotland & Stockholm Fly-drive holiday costs from £1,125pp, including B&B accommodation, car hire and flights. Book by Sept 30. Best Served Scandinavia (best-served.co.uk;
020 7664 2235).
7 OLAND
rainbow-hued boutique B&B. It sits on the largest island on the rugged Bohuslan coast, characterised by pink granite rocks. A maze of sheltered islets offers superb kayaking; look out for seal pups in early summer.
A three-day Paddle Package De Luxe costs from 6,400SEK/£535pp, including equipment hire, meals, guidance and accommodation. Available May 19 and Sept 22. Other dates on request for a minimum of four people. Ladfabriken (ladfabriken.eu; +46 304 52100).
10 ALAND ISLANDS BEST FOR… REMOTE BEACHES
These 6,700 Baltic islands are Finnishowned but Swedish-speaking and have their own parliament. But forget the confusing geopolitics, the sandy beaches are glorious; some have diving platforms and volleyball nets, others are footprint-free. Hire a floating sauna boat or go wreck diving. A six-day Baltic Voyage: Stockholm, Aland Islands and Helsinki holiday costs from £990pp, including some meals and flights.
BEST FOR… LOCAL LIVING
Every summer, the residents of Lanan build little houses for the visiting eider ducks so they can harvest the valuable feathers left behind at the end of the season. Learn about the sustainable practice that’s earned Unesco status, and join local photographer Torleif Hansen for a midnight workshop to photograph more wildlife and nature.
Stays at the Vega Island Hideaway (sleeps seven) cost from €550 (£484) per night; minimum five-night stay. Off Grid Hideaways
(+41 41 520 60 46; offgridhideaways.com).
12 ANDOYA (VESTERALEN) BEST FOR… MAGICAL MARINE LIFE
Humpback flukes silhouetted by a setting sun are a common sight off the northern tip of Vesteralen, a chain of sawtooth mountain isles linked by bridges. Sea Safari Andenes run midnight sun whale watching tours, with the whales generally close to shore.
A six-night Whales & Seabirds escorted holiday costs from £2,495pp, including flights. Departs June 22. Dates for 2019 TBC. Naturetrek (naturetrek. co.uk; 01962 733051).
13 SOMMAROY BEST FOR… QUIRKY BEHAVIOUR
Coastal characters abound on the appropriately named Summer Island, an hour’s drive from Tromso. Visit the male-only Kaillkraa, a café-cum-boys’ club where each resident has a hook for his coffee cup. Caribbean-coloured beaches lie beyond the village.
A 10-day Best of Northern Norway holiday costs from £1,325pp. Flights are extra. Departures from June 1 to Aug 30. Artisan Travel (artisantravel.co.uk; 01670 785085).
14 FLEINVAER BEST FOR… DIGITAL DETOX
Havard Lund’s futuristic ocean-view cabins sit on stilts to limit their impact on the environment. The jazz musician says his Arctic Hideaway retreat has “no shops, stress or dangerous animals”. Along with four cabins, there’s a seaside sauna, concert house and a relaxation area called the “Tower for Big Thoughts”.
Cabins from £150pp per night – or £35pp for groups of 12 – with a minimum three-night stay. Options for hosted meals. Host Unusual (hostunusual.com).
15 LOFOTEN ISLANDS