SWEDEN

Whether you prefer gentle or more intensive activities you can find something to suit you over virtually the whole country. But let's start in the south in Skåne, which has 900 km of footpaths and 800 km of marked cycle trails. Småland, which has some 5,000 lakes, is ideal for fishing and canoeing. You can rent your own red cottage in a forest or by a lake and just relax!

The island of Gotland is ideal for a cycling holiday. Roads follow the coastline, and there are plenty of places where you can have a swim or spend the night in beautiful natural surroundings. Plenty of cycling packages are available.

Many activities on the west coast in Bohuslän are related to the sea. Sailing between the many islands and charming fishing villages is a fantastic experience. There's excellent sea fishing throughout the year, thanks to the great depths and ideal water temperatures. Cod, mackerel and dogfish are just some of your likely catches.

Inland in Västergötland you can discover the magical forests of Tiveden and many fine fishing waters. Västergötland is also perfect for a canoeing expedition, and its many paths are ideal for a trek on horseback or on foot. West of Sweden's largest lake, Vänern, is Dalsland with its highly varied scenery with deep, peaceful forests and thousands of sparkling small lakes and tarns. Its extensive system of tranquil long lakes makes it a paradise for canoeing, and you can paddle for days without having to lift your canoe a single inch.

In addition to fishing, canoeing, golf and walking, Värmland is a highly popular destination for a rafting expedition. You glide gently down the Klarälven river at 2 km/h on your own log raft, with good chances of spotting beavers, elk or lynx along the river banks. It's an experience that you'll remember for the rest of your life!

In the Bergslagen-Närke-Tiveden area the 280 km long Bergslagsleden trail and the two large lakes of Vättern and Hjälmaren provide countless opportunities for fishing, swimming and boating. The province of Dalarna has much to offer: white-water rafting in rubber boats, white-water canoeing, walking, riding or mountain-biking. There are also many canoeing trails, particularly in the southern part of Dalarna. There's excellent fishing both for experienced anglers and beginners. You can pedal a platelayer's trolley on an old railway track, try panning for gold, or go on a safari to spot elk and beavers.

You can also enjoy white-water rafting, walking, canoeing and riding in Jämtland and Härjedalen. The fantastic mountainous scenery is an experience in itself, and you can enjoy a variety of activities, many aimed at families. Marvel at the mighty Tännforsen waterfall, fish for grayling in Tännäs or Rogen, go mountain-biking at Åreskutan - or just enjoy the tranquillity of the mountains.

Hälsingland offers some varied fishing both along the coast and in the remote inland areas close to the mountains. You can fish here for sea trout, brown trout, grayling, pike and perch in a beautiful natural setting. The fishing is also excellent in Medelpad and Ångermanland, with salmon and grayling in the rivers and plenty of coarse fish in the lakes and small streams.

In Västerbotten and Norrbotten you can discover anything from fine sandy beaches to spectacular and remote mountain scenery. In the gigantic area of Lapland you can be active for 24 hours a day in the summer. Several of Sweden's national parks, including Abisko, Sarek and Padjelanta, attract nature-lovers from all over the world. The famous 440 km Kungsleden long-distance path passes through several of the parks. Fishing, fell-walking, mountain-biking and white-water rafting are popular activities and you're never far from untamed mountain scenery.