Småland is one of Sweden's lowest regions and therefore relatively close. If you're traveling by car, it takes about 12 hours. If you take the train, you can reach Copenhagen in about 11 hours, and then it's another 2 to 3 hours by train. You'll cross a bridge from Copenhagen to Malmö, and that waterway journey is beautiful. Welcome to Sweden!

A third option is to fly to Copenhagen and take the train from there to Växjö. You'll find Sixt car rental at Växjö train station.

Since we're here anyway, let's start right away with VaxjoThis student city has a large campus, and many young people from the surrounding area study here. The town is relatively quiet, yet lively, with cozy restaurants, bars, and a few shopping streets. It's a great place to spend a night at the start or end of your trip.

People come from all over Scandinavia and the world especially to hotel PM & VännerThe hotel and rooms are exceptionally comfortable. The rooftop terrace with its pool and sauna is delightful. The in-house bakery and café, Bröd & Sovel, is the place to go for coffee and treats in Växjö. And the in-house shop with flowers and home decor is the most beautiful shop we encountered along the way.

And we haven't even mentioned the Michelin-starred restaurant, the bistro, and the rooftop bar. The hotel's philosophy is:forest, lake and meadowThe ingredients for the food and the materials in the interior all come from the forests, lakes, and fields of the region.

The exception is the enormous wine collection, containing 5.000 of the finest wines and approximately 20.000 bottles from around the world. Stored in an underground, former bank vault, it's unique in wine country. And then you immediately understand why all these visitors come.

From the modern PM Hotel to the historic Teleborg CastleThis castle was built in 1900 for a Swedish nobleman. He commissioned a medieval-style construction. For a night (or longer), you can become a true lady or lord of the castle. Teleborgs Slott was recently acquired and is lovingly run. This is evident in the delicious breakfast (with a chandelier above the buffet), the sustainable coffee, and the friendly staff. Enjoy a walk through the woods surrounding the adjacent lake. And in the evening, you'll find local dishes on the menu in the restaurant. Important note: it's not haunted here!

We promised you nature, and that begins with Åsnen National Park. Endless trees surround the lakes dotted with 1.000 islands. This area invites you to hike, canoe, swim, cycle, birdwatch, fish, and above all, simply relax. Lie down at the water's edge, on the moss between the trees, or on a canoe in the middle of a lake. And you'll find yourself... completely relaxed.

The kind of place you leave and immediately want to return to. Getnö Gård is a beautiful, spacious nature campsite in Åsnen. Settle in with your tent or campervan in one of the nooks among the trees. The lake is just a few steps away. Or you can book one of the cottages on the estate, some with electricity and running water, while others are nestled deep in the forest, off-grid. There's a small shop for fresh bread and treats. And be sure to plan time to take a canoe out onto the lake. At Getnö Gård, you'll undoubtedly encounter one of the friendly Dutch staff. Give them my regards.

It has been on your mind for a long time wishlist Thinking of picking edible mushrooms? Then definitely do so in the beautiful, ancient forests near Getnö Gård. With a wicker basket on your arm, you'll join Stuart on a beginner's tour of how to pick wild mushrooms. Following the tour, you can also prepare the day's catch on the outdoor fire, discovering the many flavors of mushrooms. An unforgettable experience.

You can reach Stuart through his website of instagram.

Well, no picking. But the area is great in apple farms and you can visit here.

Folaboda garden has a cozy lakeside location. Here you can take a tour of how the apples are processed into apple juice and liqueurs. And in the summer months there is a outdoor café and a restaurant where you can taste the farm's delicacies.

At Malva garden Drive up the driveway past the charming red house and several red barns, and you'll walk straight into the dream garden of owners Charlotte and Björn. Charlotte received the farm and orchard for her 50th birthday, and so they became apple farmers. In the cozy shop (in the wooden barn), you can buy the award-winning apple juices, jams, and more goodies. They also offer apple juice tastings at Malva Gård, which are fun and delicious for all ages.

Want to be picked up in the ball pit? We all know Småland as IKEA's children's paradise, of course. Now, the Småland region in Sweden is the birthplace of the globally successful company. And if you're here, a visit to the IKEA museum It's a must-see. You'll wander through the very first store, which has since been converted into a museum, a museum shop with unique items, and a café. Inside, you'll walk through an IKEA time machine, exploring the origins (from traditional Swedish wooden furniture to IKEA items), the design philosophy behind it, and all the legendary products IKEA has created over the years.

While you're there, book a night at the IKEA hotel across the street. The hotel is fully furnished with IKEA furniture, making it feel a bit like staying in an IKEA store. Each floor of the hotel has a furnished living room with – IKEA, of course – a kitchen. You can prepare your own meals there. Also, take a peek at the modern, cozy garden. In the evening, you can dine at the adjacent GRILLEN restaurant.

If you are camping in Småland, an overnight stay in the IKEA hotel Highly recommended. There's a large laundry room, a gym, and a sauna. Afterward, you can head back out into nature, fully recharged.

And you thought you could just go to Småland without any hassle? Forget it, there's so much more to do. It's allowed, of course, but not mandatory. More tips about this beautiful region will follow soon.