‘Next year marks the 50th anniversary of ABBA’s Eurovision win, enshrining their place in karaoke hitlists forever more’

The Duke of Wellington rubbed his hands with glee when Napoleon was finally toppled and sent scuttling to St Helena. But the real victors of Waterloo would shine more than 150 years later beneath the dizzying disco lights of Brighton’s Dome, of all places. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of ABBA’s glittering Eurovision win, enshrining their place in karaoke hitlists forever more.

Celebrations will be in full flow at the Eurovision song contest in Malmö next May, although there’s a chance to re-enact the band’s greatest hits throughout the year at ABBA The Museum in Swedish capital Stockholm. Squeeze into Frida’s sequinned flares in a virtual dressing-up exhibit and blast through the Mamma Mia! soundtrack in a replica recording studio. A temporary exhi

Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden

bition will launch next year, although details are as tightly sealed as one of Bjorn’s flesh-hugging velvet jumpsuits.

If an artillery of ABBA hits sounds like sonic warfare, head to the peaceful boulder-strewn forest-fringed islands of the Stockholm Archipelago. There are an indecision-inducing 30,000 to choose from, spread across 650 square miles. Navigating the myriad waterways, kayak routes and walking trails will become much easier next year when the new Stockholm Archipelago Trail launches in November. Broken into sections with route plans, ferry timetables, cultural and foodie highlights accessible via a digital platform, the 168-mile trail will cross 19 islands.

It paves (or rather rubbles) the way for a brand new national park encompassing the Bullero nature and bird preserve, due to be declared in 2025. In the meantime, nature is on almost every doorstep – especially those belonging to the 10 eco cabins of Landet (landetstay. com), a new high design, self-catering countryside retreat an hour from Stockholm. Best of all is the price: from £270 for a couple, making it an even bigger knock out than that French emperor’s magnificent defeat.

How to do it

The Natural Adventure (0203 962 1455; thenaturaladventure.com) offers a seven-day self-guided Stockholm Archipelago Walking Holiday from £840pp, including B&B stays, transport and luggage transfers but excluding flights.

Sarah Marshall is a travel writer and Scandi fanatic too young to remember ABBA’s victory but old enough to appreciate a vintage hit.