Kingdom of Crystal
The Kingdom of Crystal lies in an area between Växjö and Kalmar where
eleven different glassworks cooperate to promote their trade. You can reach
Växjö or Kalmar by air (SAS
or Skyways), by Swebus,
or by train, but
to see the glassworks properly a rental car is recommended.
This is the home of the world famous Orrefors
and Kosta Boda, as well as rising stars,
Åseda, Målerås,
Nybro, Pukeberg,
Johansfors, Åfors, Sea
and Strömbergshyttan. While there
are, of course, other glassworks in Sweden, this is the biggest concentration
of well known names. Open daily during the summer from 8:00 until 3:00, you
can visit, shop, and take a guided tour. For 95 SEK, you can purchase a single
card for guided tours of all the houses.
There are many reasonable hotels in the area, with double room rates of 600
- 800 SEK per night. Dining is fun, with the hyttsill at Kosta, Målerås,
and Orrefors, a special meal of herring and the Swedish vodka, aquavit. The
Swedish cheesecake must be tasted to be believed!
There are other sights to be seen, as well. In Växjö you will find
the Emigrant Museum (Emigrantmuseet) which captures the time period featured
in Vilhelm Moberg's famous
story of emigration to the United States. Or, in Vimmerby, you can visit Pippi
at Astrid Lindgren World. This is also the
home turf of IKEA, with headquarters and
a store in Älmhult.
The landscape is wooded, and you are free to pick berries and mushrooms on
your nature walks. The area also features many lakes and rivers which offer
camping, fishing and canoeing. You might even see a moose...but no hunting!
From Kalmar, drive the long bridge to Öland, with its open landscape,
long beaches, and beautiful nature reserve Alvaret. In addition to bird watching,
you can swim in lakes both large and small, horseback ride, visit old mines,
or see the famous tiny red and white cottages in the villages. The town of Eksjö
is a well-preserved typical wooden village from the 1800s. If you go east, you
can see the wonderful coastline at Kullaberg, and enjoy a boat trip to the exotic
little Hallands Väderö and when the day is done, treat yourself to
the beach village at Tylösand, outside Halmstad, for a little summer nightlife!
See www.glasriket.se
for further information in English or other languages.
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