Today you'll find travel news here on FREEDOMtravel, which of course means it's Monday again. We hope you had a great weekend and have a nice week to look forward to. Here's this week's travel news!
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World's largest Hanseatic museum celebrates 10 years and opens new room
A decade ago, the European Hansa Museum opened in Lübeck - a centre of history, culture and exchange that has welcomed nearly one million visitors to date. To mark the anniversary, a new highlight is being launched: 'Epilogue', the final chapter of the permanent exhibition. It offers a 360-degree film experience that connects the Hanseatic era to the present day.
At the museum, Hansan's story is available in Swedish and visitors can personalise their experience by choosing from four languages, four themes and over 50 cities to explore - including Kalmar, Malmö, Stockholm and Visby.
Pelle Svanslös signs on board Birka Gotland
From this summer, the beloved children's book characters Pelle Swanslös and Maja Gräddnos will be ship's treasures on the Baltic Sea cruiser Birka Gotland. Birka Gotland has signed a two-year agreement with an option for a further year with Sagogränd AB, which manages the rights to Pelle Svanslös.
Families with children can meet Pelle and Maja this summer when the characters move freely on Birka Gotland. The ship also offers everything from a specially written entertainment to a treasure hunt, Pelle's Play Alley and a pop-up shop with an extended children's range.
Wild West fever - more people want to travel the cowboy trail
Interest in the Wild West and cowboy culture has surged in recent years, inspiring everything from music to television to fashion. According to Hotels.com, the Western passion has now galloped in as a travel trend, with ranches across the globe enticing travellers to try living like a cowboy.
The trend is particularly evident in USA, where Hotels.com has seen searches for Arizona increase by a whopping 305 per cent, Wyoming by 20 per cent and Oklahoma City and Texas by 15 per cent respectively. Hotels.com now guides you to hotels and ranches that offer western adventures:
- White Stallion Ranch, Arizona, USA
- Pioneertown Motel, California, USA - search on 25 %
- 1872 Inn, Montana, USA - search on 35 %
- Gateway Canyons Resort, Colorado, USA - searches on 185 %
- Assembly Big Sky, Montana, USA
Japan is overtaking the classics - Swedes' new dream holiday destination
In a short time, Japan has emerged as one of the most popular destinations among Swedes. According to the travel agency Tickets' annual travel survey, it is now the country that most people want to travel to. Young adults stand out as particularly fond of the country in the East - in the 18-29 age group, one in five wants to travel to Japan. The United States stands out by ranking high both on the list of destinations they want to go to and on the list of destinations they not want to go to.
Which country would you most like to go to on holiday abroad?
- Japan
- USA
- Italy
- Greece
- Spain
Which country would you prefer not go to on holiday abroad?
- Turkey
- Egypt
- USA
- Thailand
- Albania
TUI hotel in Cyprus recognised as one of the best family hotels in the world
TUI's Swedish holiday favourite TUI Blue Village Nausicaa Beach in Protaras, Cyprus, is recognised internationally and is included in Tripadvisor's list of the 25 best family hotels in the world.
Located on the idyllic Fig Tree Bay, the hotel is designed specifically with Nordic travellers in mind and is part of TUI's Blue Village concept. Highlights include a prime beachfront location, large pool areas, all-inclusive restaurants and kids' clubs.
Great interest in taking the train to Jämtland this summer
There is great interest in travelling with Snälltåget's night trains to Jämtland this summer. Compared to the same time last year, the number of bookings has increased by over 60 per cent. Interest in travelling by bike to Jämtland has also increased.
Snälltåget runs night trains twice a week from 25 June to 27 September from Malmö via Stockholm to Östersund, Undersåker, Åre, Duved, Enafors and Storlien. A new feature this year is that Snälltåget also runs via Halmstad, Gothenburg and Skövde during the period 16 July - 17 August.
New ferry line from Stenungstorg this summer
On 14 June, Lilla Brattön will open its doors to a new summer season - and this year visitors will be treated to a long-awaited novelty. For the summer of 2025, a new ferry line will be launched, making it even easier to get out to one of Bohuslän most scenic islands. In addition to the traditional route between Almön and Lilla Brattön, visitors will now also be able to travel directly from Stenungstorg.
Reflection of the week
Interestingly, the US is high on both the 'want' and 'don't want' lists when it comes to travelling. We would have thought that recent developments would have mainly put the country on the "do not want" list. There are reasons why Turkey tops the negative list right now, but it is very nice that the Swedish journalist is finally released and back home in Sweden!
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Hanneles book paradise says:
What fun things, Interesting list of places you don't want to go, Turkish baths seem to be a thing of the past.
19 May 2025 - 18:06
Helena says:
It's still going in waves! I think the Turkish baths are coming back (and tourists are still travelling to Turkey, but to a lesser extent), but some events have definitely affected tourism to Turkey!
19 May 2025 - 19:08
BP says:
Japan has long been my dream destination. The US has never been high on my wish list and it has fallen even more since January.
Fortunately, I have visited the US a number of times as well as Turkey at times when travelling to these countries was not "controversial".
Agree with you that it was good to see the Swedish journalist on Swedish soil again. Oddly enough, he said in an interview that he was keen to return to Turkey after the five-year entry ban imposed on him. How stupid can you be? Then you really are tempting fate...
19 May 2025 - 20:27
Anna in Portugal says:
Always wanted to go to Japan, but haven't got there yet. I'm not surprised it's at the top.
19 May 2025 - 21:18
Ditte says:
We would love to visit Japan. And I certainly won't be travelling to the US under the current "Trumpet".
Have lived here and travelled a lot in the US over the years but absolutely nothing that would attract me now. Have seen what I want to see so I refrain.
Egypt is also not a country that attracts right now and neither is Turkey. (But I have visited both countries a few times and am happy with it)
We are happy to travel by train, but unfortunately it is now rather uncertain whether Swedish trains run or not. Very sad that it should be so.
Wishing you a continued good journey.
Going out tomorrow with BIRKA GOTLAND on a "Lighthouse Cruise" among Swedish and Åland lighthouses. Should be great fun.
19 May 2025 - 23:56
Lena - good for the soul says:
Thanks for the tip about Lübeck! We are going there this summer.
Hug Lena
20 May 2025 - 6:43