Only 15 minutes drive from the Swedish city of Uppsala lies the Fjällnora Recreation and Nature Area. In Summer a popular swim spot, the adjacent lake Ramsen is a great destination for a walk-around.

Facing the predictions of an almost snow-free Christmas a friend and I set out to find a proper winter in Vemdalen. About half a day driving north of Stockholm it features a national park, a Hollywood style waterfall setting and a wished for wonderland.

Pointing its nose to Denmark, the rocky Kullaberg Peninsula of Sweden is illustrated with forests, small bits of grazing lands and even a golf course. The area is great to visit year round for a hike, a picnic or just for some relaxation. Photos taken recently. Although it was Winter, it felt like Autumn never left.

High up in Sweden lies a land that turns into a different planet when winter comes. The aurora borealis, the sunrise quickly flowing into sunset, the snow and temperatures far below zero degrees Celsius make Lapland and the Arctic Circle into an adventure beyond any expectations.

In the far north of Sweden lies a formal coastal church village from the 1300s. Due to lower sealevels Gammelstaden is now situated inland. Located west of modern Luleå the central church is flanked by 404 wooden cottages that church-goers from all over the region used to get to Sunday's mass. Gammelstaden is on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1996.

Christmas Day 2020. Snow came to Uppsala, Sweden, right on cue.

An autumn stroll through Malmö, the Gateway to Sweden when coming from mainland Europe.

Just a Swedish mile (10 km) from the main square of the city of Uppsala lies a great escape. Norra Lunsen Nature Reserve. A rocky forest terrain, wetlands, pine trees and even some rare species of plants and animals. The Upplands Trail's Stage 1 (Upplandsleden) goes right through the reserve.

Öland, the second largest island of Sweden, is known to be a busy place. Especially during the summer. But at the beginning of May 2020, when travellers and governments alike were still much figuring things out about Corona, it was almost deserted.

Stockholm's own old-growth forest has been battered by time and a massive 1999 fire which still leaves a big impact more than 20 years later. But the shear beauty, for example on the hike from the Naturum visitors' centre to Lake Stensjön, is very much appreciated.

"There is shimmer in the clouds and glitter in the lake, (...) and around it the beautiful forest stands green," wrote Gustaf Fröding, 19th and 20th Century Swedish author, journalist and poet. Photos from Lake Wolverine, Gävleborg, Sweden

South of the Lake Mälaren, Sweden, the land is filled with castles and old trade towns. Photo Locations: Eskilstuna, Mariefred, Strängnäs, Täxinge.

Known to be one of the wildest national parks of Southern Sweden. Rough rocks, forest lakes and a hide-out for the trolls.

Strategically located in the Baltic Sea, eyed upon by many rulers of past and present. Gotland has much to offer, such as the dreamy UNESCO World Heritage medieval city of Visby.

"Denmark is like a big family of people.," said Susanne Bier, 19th and 20th Century renowned film director from Denmark. Photos from Copenhagen

A landscape with touching mountains and deep valleys, wrapped in fog. Ottfjället in Vålådalen and Björnen in Åre. Jämtland, Sweden

From Belgium they came, to build Sweden's industry when it was still being invented. The name of the Walloons lives on, as Vallonbruk, Uppland, Sweden.

Rising from the fjord like a submarine made out of stone and glass. The Operahouse of Oslo, Norway, as witnessed in 2009, a year after the opening.