By: Editorial Office | Source: press material
It's Monday again, which of course means travel news here at FREEDOMtravel. As usual, we've ploughed through the week's press releases. Here you will find this week's news, in the form of short notes!
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More than 570,000 travellers cruised with Birka Gotland in 2025
The only dedicated cruise ship in the Baltic Sea Birka Gotland has completed its first full calendar year in service, carrying more than 570 000 passengers. This represents an increase of 30 per cent compared with 2024, when the ship only operated for three quarters of the year. The year has been marked by an increase in families with children, more weekend cruises during the autumn and record interest in Christmas table cruises. Birka Gotland 2025 in figures:
- +42 % more Christmas table cruises
- +30 % more travellers compared to 2024
- +25 % more families with children during the holidays
- +12 % more Visby travellers during the summer months
- +12 % more weekend cruises Stockholm-Mariehamn in autumn
Weather chaos fuels travel appetite - bookings soar in January
Snow, cold and winter chaos have made many people long to get away. According to the travel agency Ticket, the number of booked trips during the first week of the year has increased by 38 per cent compared to the same period last year. A large proportion of the bookings are for trips departing during the first three months of the year, which shows a strong desire to get away. Most booked winter holidays at the moment:
- London
- Gran Canaria
- Malaga
- Alicante
- Berlin
- Amsterdam
- Bangkok
- Paris
- Lisbon
- Barcelona
A great start to the year of events in Malmö 2026
No sooner has everyday life started again than new parties colour the streets of Malmö. In January, the European Handball Championship at Malmö Arena leaves its mark on the city, followed in February by NordicFuzzCon with over 5,000 travelling furries. Add to that a series of energy injections on the city's stages:
- Swedish Revue will be played at Slagthuset, starting 7 January, with Henrik Dorsin and Johan Glans.
- God in disguise will be performed on 5 and 7 February by the Malmö Symphony Orchestra.
- Night is the mother of day opens on 1 February at the Hippodrome.
- Carmen opens on 17 January at Malmö Opera.
- May Fall has its world premiere at Skånes Dansteater on 30 January.
- Someone has to do it guests at Nöjesteatern 13-14 February, performed by Helen Sjöholm and Gunilla Backman.
- Oleg Skrypka, a rock legend in Ukraine, will perform at Moriskan on 30 January.
Spa trends for 2026
After years of fast-paced, constantly connected and demanding working lives, many people are longing for something different. In 2026, travelling is increasingly about slowing down, recovering and experiencing things together, for real. At Swedish Spa Hotels, which brings together 54 of Sweden's top spa destinations, the shift is clear. These spa trends are seen:
- Digital detox - Mobile-free spa areas and digital break treatments.
- Cryotherapy and temperature-based wellness - Cold and heat are increasingly used as active tools for recovery.
- Social wellness - Shared experiences, for example in nature, around food or in a spa environment.
- Personalised spa holidays - Individualised choices instead of standard packages.
- Advanced sauna experiences - The sauna evolves from heat to ritual, with essential oils and guided movements, for example.
- Increased focus on women's health - Exercise, treatments and programmes are adapted to different life stages, not least menopause.
Göta Canal is looking for 100 lock keepers for the summer
Göta Canal Company is looking for about 100 lock keepers for the summer season 2026. As a lock keeper, you are stationed at one or more locks and bridges along Göta Canal. The work involves operating locks and bridges, regulating water levels and planning boat traffic in dialogue with colleagues.
The seasonal position is valid from 16 June to 12 August 2026, with an employment period of 6-9 weeks. The job requires that you have reached the age of 18 by 16 June 2026, are able to swim and have a good command of Swedish and English.
Reflection of the week
Sure, you can get tired of the weather and want to travel. But maybe you don't choose London for the weather ...? Cruises with Birka Gotland sound quite nice by the way. Have you ever cruised with them?
Did you miss the last travel news? Read the Where Swedes will travel in 2026
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English (UK) 
Svenska
Ditte says:
As far as Birka Gotland is concerned, there are quite a few trips. Both over to Mariehamn and on their longer trips. We refrain from Christmas tables, do not like Christmas food. But Birka Gotland often offers fine seafood so these are often our choices and then in the dining room. We prefer not to eat the buffets. We have been on a ”wine cruise”, an author cruise, a lighthouse cruise and some other cruises with a theme that we like.
. Perfect to go on here in Stockholm at the quay and go with via Mariehamn to Gotland. Then we stay there for a few days and take Birka Gotland home again. Admittedly then another cabin but within the category we booked.
So you could say that we are pretty loyal Birkensians. .
12 January 2026 - 12:51
Helena says:
Feel that we have to go with Birka Gotland at some point ...!!! 😉
16 January 2026 - 21:15
Znogge says:
No, we have not done that. In fact, we have never been on a cruise.
Lock keeper sounds like a nice summer job, especially if the weather is nice.
12 January 2026 - 20:22
Helena says:
Can imagine that the lock keeper job is affected a lot by the weather! 😉
16 January 2026 - 21:15