Resenyheter: Regnpengar, svensk Riviera och dans till havs

By: Editorial Office | Source: press material

It's Monday again and time for this week's travel news! This time it's about, among other things, a new insurance policy that gives you money back if it rains on your vacation, Swedish travel destinations that are receiving international attention, and a cruise with Latin American rhythms. There will also be news from the Caribbean, Swedish training cities, and research on why it can be good to dream away.

Table of contents

Airbnb introduces insurance that gives money back in case of rain

Rain on vacation no longer has to be just a disappointment. Airbnb is launching a new weather insurance that allows travelers to get money back if it rains enough during their stay. Compensation can range from 550 to 11,000 kronor per rainy day, depending on the insurance.

The insurance can be purchased at the time of booking or no later than seven days before check-in. In order for compensation to be paid, the amount of rain must exceed certain limits for a certain number of hours.

Precipitation is controlled using independent weather data and payouts are automatic, without a claim report. The insurance will be available to Swedish guests at the end of October and is valid for both domestic and international travel, with the exception of the USA.

Swedish travel destinations are recognized in international top lists

Sweden is receiving increasing attention in international travel magazines. In the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards 2026, Sweden is ranked 19th among the world's best countries, based on assessments from nearly 800,000 American readers.

At the same time, Lonely Planet has selected Skanör-Falsterbo as one of 50 destinations to discover in 2027. The resort is described as a Swedish Riviera with white cabanas, fine beaches and a relaxed atmosphere.

Swedish cities are also getting attention. Time Out has named Gothenburg as Europe's top destination for a so-called coolcation, a holiday where people seek out cooler climates instead of extreme summer heat. Stockholm comes in second place. In addition, Skyscanner's search statistics show that interest in Malmö is increasing sharply ahead of 2027.

Sweden's first bachata cruise departs from Stockholm

On October 17th, Sweden's first bachata cruise will premiere aboard Birka Gotland. For 24 hours, the ship will be filled with Latin American rhythms, dance workshops and social dancing. The event, called Sweden Bachata Cruise First Edition, is aimed at both experienced dancers and beginners who want to try out the popular couple dance.

The bachata cruise is part of a larger initiative to promote dance and music on board. During the autumn, cruises with salsa, line dancing, dance bands, disco and retro music from the 60s and 70s will also be arranged. In February 2027, there will also be a full dance band week with seven cruises.

MSC Cruises invests in new ship and paradise island in the Caribbean

MSC Cruises continues to expand in the Caribbean with a new cruise ship and another private island in the Bahamas. The new ship MSC World Atlantic was launched in late September in Saint-Nazaire, France, and is scheduled to begin cruising from Florida in November 2027. From Port Canaveral, the ship will offer seven- and 14-night cruises to various destinations in the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

At the same time, MSC is developing a new private island, Sandy Cay, which is scheduled to open in 2028. The island will offer beaches, restaurants and secluded places for relaxation and will complement the company's existing island Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Ocean Cay will also be developed with more restaurants, new beach areas and experiences linked to marine conservation work.

Kalmar tops the list of Sweden's best training cities

Which Swedish city is best for those who like exercise and well-being? A new survey from Ellos places squid in first place, followed by Kristianstad and Sundsvall. A total of 27 Swedish cities were compared based on interest in exercise and health as well as access to gyms, yoga studios, spas and swimming pools.

Kalmar scores 92 out of 100 points and has the highest search interest for exercise and wellness in relation to its population. Sundsvall stands out by having the most gyms and spas per 50,000 inhabitants. The ranking is based on Google searches and local offerings, and therefore does not necessarily say anything about where Swedes actually exercise the most.

Kalmar, with the castle in the background.

Daydreaming can contribute to well-being

Looking at pictures from old trips or dreaming away to beautiful places can be more than just pleasant relaxation. Research on nature experiences and nostalgia provides possible explanations for why pictures can arouse positive emotions and contribute to recovery, something that Göta kanalbolag highlights in a new press release.

In a 2026 international study, 959 people were first shown a stressful film and then films of nature or urban environments. The results provided some support for the idea that nature images can contribute to emotional recovery. Other research shows that nostalgic memories can strengthen a sense of meaning and belonging. So perhaps there are good reasons to occasionally browse through old vacation photos and relive past trips, even though the studies did not specifically examine travel images.

Reflection of the week

Money back when it rains on vacation? It almost sounds too good to be true! But the question is how would you react if you had actually taken out such insurance. Would you be happy when the sun came out – or a little disappointed that there was no payout? Personally, I think I would choose the sunshine anyway!