Oresund Bridge between Sweden and Denmark

The Oresund Bridge is one of those things best viewed from the air. If flying over the coast of Southern Sweden, suddenly this incredible structure appears in the water, snaking all the way across the channel to Denmark.
The bridge, which was completed in 1999, is one of the most spectacular border crossings in the world. It’s one of the longest bridges on the planet – nearly 8km long - and it links the Swedish city of Malmo with the Danish capital, Copenhagen.
The toll to cross in a car is fairly hefty, but it’s worth it for the views. Coming from Copenhagen, you emerge from a tunnel onto an artificial island. The road then runs alongside the train track before climbing on top of it, and taking on the main span.
Should renting a car just to go over a bridge seem a little unnecessary, then it’s possible to go over on the train. There are still great views from the sides, but alas you can’t see what’s ahead of you and that’s half of the wow factor.

Getting there

Nearest international airport: Copenhagen
Using public transport: The train from Copenhagen central stops at Copenhagen Airport before crossing the Oresund Bridge and ending up in Malmo, Sweden.
More information: Oresund Bridge

Sweden's Ice Hotel in Jukkasjarvi near Kiruna

One place I have always wanted to stay in is Sweden’s famous Ice Hotel. It’s a stunning architectural achievement, not least because it’s made from scratch every year.
Well inside the Arctic Circle, the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjarvi (near Kiruna) is constructed from ice taken from the nearby river. And just about everything is made of ice – glasses in the bar, the bar itself and a replica of Shakespeare’s Globe theatre amongst them.
Best of all are, reportedly, the rooms. No prizes for guessing what they’re made of – even the beds. And in order to make things comfortable, the beds are covered with reindeer skins and industrial strength sleeping bags.
The hotel tends to be open from December until it melts (usually mid-to-late April). And, unsurprisingly, it’s not cheap. But then again, you wouldn’t expect the world’s most luxurious igloo to be easy on the wallet.

More information: Ice Hotel Website

Leksakland Toy Museum in Malmo, Sweden

Quite a lot of us collect things when we’re children. But there’s taking things to extremes, and that’s clearly what the geniuses/ mentalists between the Malmo Toy Museum have done.
Leksakland, as it is also known, has amassed huge collections of some of the most popular years from the last 100 years, and arranged them in displays. Anything that can whirr, whirrs. Anything that can make move or makes noises, moves and makes noises. The monthly battery bill must be enormous
So model trains go through miniature Wild West villages, Scalextrics are set up with every imaginable add-on, and scenes from Pirates of the Caribbean are replicated with little Johnny Depps and Keira Knightleys.
The displays are utterly charming in their dedication and sheer pointlessness, but it’s the scale of the collections that are really impressive/ scary.
There are:
- Over 1,000 McDonalds Happy Meal toys from 1987 to 2002.
- 350+ Disney merchandising dolls and toys
- 400+ Star Wars figurines
And that’s before we even start with the cabinets full of Lord of the Rings, Action Man, Barbie, Lego, Tintin and Harry Potter figures.

Getting to Leksakland Toy Museum in Malmo, Sweden

Nearest international airport: Malmo has a small international airport, but it’s actually easier to get to the city centre from Copenhagen International Airport in Denmark – just get the train over the Oresund Bridge.
Using public transport: Leksakland is a short walk away from Malmo Central Station.
More information: Leksakland

Benny from ABBA's Rival Hotel in Stockholm, Sweden

A few days ago, I was puzzled by a friend of mine’s Facebook status update. It said “Steve would like to thank Benny from ABBA for being such a gracious host.”
I enquired, and it turns out that hairy songsmith Benny Andersson runs a stylish city hotel in Stockholm, Sweden.
Alas, for those wanting some kitsch novelty joint full of disco balls, glitter and blaring video screens of the Fab Four, there’s no real ABBA theme to it.
However, my man says the Rival Hotel is a pretty neat place. There are a few quirky little touches – like a choice of pillows and magnifying mirrors in every bathroom – that raise it above the ordinary.
And guests also get a selection of CDs to choose from. So don’t forget to say Thank You For The Music...

Rival Hotel