Trakt Forest Hotel – Simplicity, Nature an Nordic Magic
Deep in the Swedish woods, we found a little hidden gem—Trakt Forest Hotel, a small, family-run retreat that feels like a true escape from the noise of everyday life. My husband and I, along with our three girls, spent a few days here, and we fell in love with the simplicity and closeness to nature. It’s a 4 hour drive from Copenhagen, but felt literally felt like we went “off-the-grid”.
The five cabins, that are beautifully designed with sustainability in mind, blending into the forest with large windows that bring the outside in. They are designed by reknown Swedish architect Gert Wingårdh, the hotel’s five forest suites creates the feeling of being in the treetops, providing panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. The suites provides everything you need, no more and no less. There’s no WiFi in the cabins (only in the main building, which also serves as the hotel’s restaurant), making it easy to slow down and just be present.
Our forest cabinTea with trees 😉inside our cabinThe tiny bedroomTrakt restaurantEllen Window viewThe main buildingOur “gold”The Trakt saunaForest hot bathThe foodThe dessertBreakfastBreakfast family style
For the main part, we just stayed in the area and went for walks and logget off. Which meant seeing a moose and a morse calf in the woods (incredible experience). However, Vimmerby is very close, so the Astrid Lindgreen World is just one hours drive away.
We enjoyed every part of the experience—the fresh forest air, the incredible local and organic food, and the outdoor hot baths, where we soaked under the trees as the evening light faded. Even though Trakt isn’t specifically a family hotel, kids are more than welcome (as we have experienced with most Swedish hotels). Our toddler, Ellen, were thrilled to find toys and a kid-friendly menu in the restaurant, making the stay feel effortless for all of us. There were baby chairs and a very friendly staff every evening for us.
If you love nature, simplicity, and beautifully designed spaces, Trakt is the perfect place to reset and reconnect.
Forest lake found of the hiking routesSnow had covered the forest on the day we arrivedSnowballs and forest tripsThe frozen lake by the saunaWooden sauna
Falkenberg and Hotel Strandbaden: Chic Coastal Bliss
Nestled along Sweden’s west coast, Falkenberg is a such a lovely town that combines seaside serenity with a touch of rustic charm. Its sandy beaches, cozy cafés, and quaint streets make it the perfect destination for those seeking both relaxation and exploration. For a deeper dive into the area, the Visit Halland app is an invaluable tool. It’s packed with tips on local attractions, activities, and hidden gems to make your trip even more memorable.
At the heart of my visit was Hotel Strandbaden, a haven of style and comfort right on Skrea Beach. The hotel’s spa is a standout feature, offering a chic escape with breathtaking views of the sea. Whether soaking in the outdoor hot tubs, unwinding in the sauna, or indulging in a rejuvenating treatment, the atmosphere is all about effortless luxury and relaxation.
The hotel and its restaurant exude a chic country club vibe—elegant yet laid-back. Think soft lighting, beautifully soft, crafted interiors, and an inviting, social ambiance. The restaurant’s menu, inspired by local and seasonal ingredients, pairs perfectly with its refined yet cozy setting. It’s the kind of place where you can enjoy good meal while soaking in the stunning ocean views or hanging out by the central open fireplace.
Exploring Falkenberg itself is also recommended. The town offers a mix of charming boutiques, artisanal shops, and beautiful spots like the Ätran River and historic Tullbron Bridge. The friendly, small-town feel makes it easy to lose track of time wandering its streets. If you come by car; Sonja’s Veranda or the cute, award-winning, Solhaga stone oven bakery also comes with a huge recommendation for lunch or “fika”.
Nestled along the stunning coastline of Skåne in southern Sweden, Båstad is often referred to as “Sweden’s Riviera.” Renowned for its sandy beaches, charming harbors, and vibrant summer atmosphere, this picturesque town is a haven for both relaxation and adventure. Båstad boasts a rich blend of natural beauty and cultural events, including the famous Swedish Open tennis tournament, which draws visitors from around the globe. Whether you’re strolling through the small historic streets, savoring fresh seafood, or exploring the beautiful surrounding countryside, Båstad offers a perfect escape for travelers seeking a touch of a Scandinavian riviera lifestyle.
A centerpiece of the town’s allure is the iconic Skansen Hotel, a spa retreat that perfectly embodies the region’s blend of elegance and comfort. It is as relevant during the summer as it is during the winter season, as the hotel owns the Kallbadhus, which is nothing short of paradise for winter swimming enthusiasts. Perched on the edge of the water, this cold bathhouse offers great experience with its sauna, sea access, and Japanese hot tub. The invigorating combination of a chilly plunge in the Kattegat followed by the soothing warmth of the sauna or hot tub creates a rejuvenating ritual that is as thrilling as it is calming. With its stunning sea views (last time I was there the local seals were visiting the nearby rocks) and serene atmosphere, the Kallbadhus is a must-visit for anyone seeking the joys of winter swimming and Scandinavian wellness at its finest. You can also visit even if you don’t stay at the hotel for a small fee.
Nestled just outside Båstad, Norrviken Park is a stunning garden oasis where nature, culture, and culinary delights come together. Known for its beautifully landscaped gardens and tranquil atmosphere, Norrviken is also a fantastic spot to enjoy a traditional Swedish fika. The park’s café offers freshly brewed coffee, delectable pastries, and seasonal treats, all served in an idyllic setting. The Park has been influenced by the Danish artist and designer Tage Andersen, who is known for his unique and artistic approach to gardens and installations. Andersen took over the management of Norrviken for a period and brought his visionary touch to the park. His artistic influence is evident in the creative design elements and the harmony between nature and art found throughout the park. Though his time managing Norrviken has since ended, his contributions have left a lasting impact, making it a truly beautiful destination for visitors.
Harbor Life and Street Food Delights in Båstad
Båstad’s harbor is the vibrant heart of the town, bustling with activity and charm. (However, only) During the summer months, it comes alive with luxurious yachts, fishing boats, and lively crowds soaking up the sun. The harbor’s relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere makes it a perfect spot to unwind, watch the boats, and enjoy the sea breeze. Adding to its appeal are the cozy street food spots dotted along the waterfront, offering a variety of delicious options. From fresh seafood dishes to gourmet burgers and homemade icecream paired with the view, and you have the perfect recipe for a laid-back, flavorful day in Båstad. Also to be recommended is the Ferdinand Vinbar – a charming wine bar that has become a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike. The restaurant offers an impressive array of wines from around the world, including organic and biodynamic options, complemented by a menu of delicious small plates and local delicacies. The Willys and Båstad Seafood is located at the outskirts of the town (you need a car to get there, but both are great place to be grocery shopping if you have a summerhouse rental nearby).
Explore the Dramatic Beauty of Hovs Hallar
Just a short drive from Båstad, Hovs Hallar is a breathtaking natural reserve known for its dramatic cliffs, rocky shores, and panoramic views of the Kattegat Sea. This rugged landscape is a paradise for nature lovers, offering scenic hiking trails that wind through unique rock formations and along the coastline. The area is famous for its stunning sunsets, making it a popular spot for photographers and romantics alike. Hovs Hallar is also a haven for wildlife, with opportunities to spot seabirds and even seals basking on the rocks. Whether you’re exploring the trails, enjoying a picnic by the sea, or simply soaking in the unspoiled beauty, Hovs Hallar is an unforgettable part of any visit to the Båstad region.
Also Worth visiting is the Hallands Väderö. It is just a short ferry ride from Torekov, this idyllic island is a nature reserve with stunning beaches, lush forests, and abundant wildlife, including seals and rare birds. To get there the easiest is to book via Book Båstad (here you find trips and tips for a lot of other really nice experiences like seal safaries, tennis tournaments and much more).
For our last day in Iceland we got up early (as we did every day) and strolled through the streets of Reykjavik. Of course the iconic Hallgrimskirkja was a must see, the charming pedestrian roads in the city centre as well as the “Sun Voyager” by Jón Gunnar Arnason. Reykjavik is tiny, so we pretty much covered it all in an hour…
Before going past the 66north outlet, on the way to the airport, we made a stop by the hotel spa – which was amazing – and then off to shop for a few souvenirs.
It was not necessary to have a small jeep on this trip, however, it would for sure be needed during the winter season. And we had such a good time all those hours spend it in. We rented through Europcar purely due to convenience and it was both super easy and the car was just as expected.
In the National Park (UNESCO protected) Tingvellir a crack in between the North American and the European continents is visible. I never saw or heard about this natural phenomenon anywhere else and here in the park it is even available for a snorkel (or diving) trip.
Silfra is actually a fissure created by the separation of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates cutting through Iceland. The Silfra fissure fills with glacial water that has been filtered underground for decades through hardened, porous lava rock. The filtering process of the glacial water makes Silfra one of the clearest bodies of water on earth with up to 120 meters of visibility. How crazy is that?
We were a little in doubt as to whether this trip was something for us to try, but it was such a mind-blowing experience and we would recommend it to everyone thinking about it. Yes, it is cold, 2 degrees all year around, yes it is a somewhat transgressive decision to make, but I promise it is so worth it; 35-40 minutes of what feels like entering another dimension. Nature is just amazing.
The underwater images was taken by our guide and is available after a tour for 20 euros. We booked our tour with Dive.is and we highly recommend them as we had such a good trip and was well taken care of all the way through.
Some of the Silfra fissure
On the way to Silfra we did a small stop at the Oxaràrfoss and also saw the place where the first Scandinavian democratic meeting took place (it is marked).
Oxaràrfoss
There are probably a lot of other places to be seen in this UNESCO protected area, but on this day it was just so cold and windy, so after the snorkel trip we got in our car and drove to Laugarvatn Fontana geothermal baths. The drysuits did prevent the cold water from “cooling us down”, however we did get a little cold from the water and the high chill factor of the ice cold winds after walking back from the water to the changing rooms, so the 38-40 degree geo-pools was just perfect 🙏🏼.
Post geothermal baths and sauna, we drove back to Reykjavik and had dinner (very convenient) at the hotel, trying to digest another amazing day.
As we had planned and booked this trip to the Katla Icecave a long time ago, we had no idea about the weather, so we felt beyond blessed to have a completely sunny day to enjoy this experience. The Icecave is the only Icecave that can be visited during the summer period but sadly (due to global warming) it might not be so in just a few years from now.
Katla is the third largest volcano in Iceland and on top of it is a Glacier. It hasn’t erupted since 1918 and as it statistically erupts every 50-60 years the locals are waiting for it to “wake up” soon. Katla is a Icelandic female name, but it is also the name of the dragon in Astrid Lindgrens “The Brothers Lionheart”. We had booked a tour with Katla Track with Pick up in the town of Vik.
On the way we did a stop at the amazing waterfall Seljalandsfoss. It is an impressive waterfall where you can walk all the way behind it, which is a very special experience. Bring waterproof clothes as you get wet coming up behind the fall and definitely going down as well.
Very convenient (after a 2 hour drive) the location offers restrooms, a small coffee shop/ bakery and even a tiny souvenir shop.
SeljalandsfossSeljalandsfoss
Then we went straight for the Katla Track meeting point in Vik. Here we had a little lunch and got ready for our pick-up. We had a small group of 10 people and went off road to enter the Icecave.
On the way to Katla we drove through the Starwars landscape (where some of Starwars had been filmed), and it was so special. Kind of felt like being on the moon (not that any of us ever tried that ;-)).
We parked close by the glacier and got helmets and spikes for our boots. Then we started the climb up to the cave on a tiny track walking on black ice (old volcano dust had turned the ice black). You don’t have to be super fit to do this trip, but I would say you need to be somewhat agile. We crossed narrow wooden “bridges” and jumped small glacier water flows. All worth it, I mean wauw, such a unique and beautiful tour. The glacier is melting and so the iconic round cave will probably be gone within the month (it has been there for more than 3 1/2 years. But as our guide told us, the landscape in Iceland is ever changing and the locals are very use to this.
Recommendation to go for such a trip is 10/10.
Inside the Katla Icecave
On the way back we stopped by the famous Reynisfjara Beach to see an impressive wall of lava columns. Lots of scenes of from Game of Thrones (season 7) was shot here and it really was film worthy in many ways.
Reynisfjara
Then we took a 2 1/2 drive back to Reykjavik to have dinner at The Marshall House. Such a hidden location at the end of a pier with an art gallery on top and view of Reykjavik Harbour and the mountains. The restaurant, La Primavera, has a sister restaurant very close by (be careful not to confuse them). The restaurant was fully booked and we seemed to be the only tourists. It was casual with a tasty Italian menu and a very nice bar.
hee bune diaries 