About Us
Why We Built
Why We Built
Coldcation
We went to Sweden to escape the heat. We never really came back.
A Coldcation is a holiday designed around cool air, clean nature and lower temperatures — the deliberate opposite of the traditional beach holiday. We coined the term. Sweden provides the destination.
Two weeks in South Europe. Forty-two degrees. Sunburned, sleep-deprived, slightly dehydrated. "Refreshed," we told people, because what else do you say.
The following summer, on a whim, we booked a cabin near Dalarna instead. Within three days, we understood something we hadn't before: the purpose of a holiday isn't to endure heat, it's to restore yourself. And Sweden — with its extraordinary nature, mild air, and the constitutional right to roam freely through any land in the country — is one of the world's most effective places to do exactly that.
You may have searched for a coolcation, a cool holiday, an escape the heat holiday or even an escape45 trip — a shorthand for escaping the brutal 45°C summers that are increasingly common below the 45th parallel. Whatever you called it, you were searching for what we now call a Coldcation. And the answer, consistently, is Sweden.
It works in winter too. The Alps, which once meant guaranteed snow, have become unreliable as winters warm — thin cover, patchy slopes, artificial snow. Swedish Lapland delivers deep, reliable snow from December through March, plus the Northern Lights, the ICEHOTEL and dog sledding through silent birch forests. A winter Coldcation is its own complete argument.
Coldcation.se is the guide to both: the summer escape from heat and the winter escape into real cold. Sweden does both better than almost anywhere. Start with the destinations overview, read about Allemansrätten — the right that makes Sweden uniquely accessible — or go straight to planning your trip.
Every guide on Coldcation is written by people who have been there. We don't publish destinations we haven't visited, and we don't take payment to recommend places.
We live and travel in the region we write about. Our knowledge of Sweden comes from years of visits in every season — not from press trips or tourism board briefings.
Coldcation has been covering Sweden travel since 2021, with content that spans summer islands, winter Lapland, autumn foraging and everything between. We update articles regularly and correct errors fast.
Every destination, activity and restaurant recommendation on this site has been personally experienced by the person writing about it. We don't fill guides with places we haven't been.
We earn revenue through clearly marked affiliate links. This never influences what we recommend — we only link to products and services we would use ourselves. Our editorial judgement is not for sale.
Lead Writer & Founder
Swedish travel writer based in Stockholm. Has been documenting Sweden's outdoors, seasons and culture since 2019. Spent three winters in Lapland and has hiked the full Kungsleden. Writes with a particular focus on cool-climate travel and sustainable tourism.
Editor & Destinations
Gothenburg-based editor and former travel journalist with ten years covering Scandinavia for English-language publications. Specialises in the Swedish west coast, food culture and seasonal travel. Fact-checks every guide before publication.
Reach us directly at info@coldcation.se — for press enquiries, partnerships or general questions about the site.
Coldcation exists to make the case for Sweden as a travel destination — and specifically to argue that cool, clean, uncrowded and genuinely restorative holidays are better than the mainstream alternative. We write for people who are done with overheated beach resorts and who want something that leaves them feeling restored rather than depleted.
We cover Sweden in detail because we know it well, and because no other travel resource gives it the attention it deserves. Our guides are written to be genuinely useful — not to drive clicks, generate ad impressions or fill search engine quota. If a guide on Coldcation doesn't help you plan a better trip, it hasn't done its job.
We update content when things change. We correct mistakes when they're reported. Every guide on this site is written, edited and fact-checked by people who have personally been to the places they're describing — the experience comes first, the writing follows.
Coldcation attracts an international audience of quality-conscious, environmentally aware travellers who are actively researching and planning travel to Sweden. Our readers are engaged, intentional and ready to book.
To discuss rates and packages, use the contact form below or email us directly at info@coldcation.se
Coldcation.se uses affiliate links and sponsored content to generate revenue. This means that when you click certain links and make a purchase or booking, we earn a small commission – at absolutely no extra cost to you.
We are registered with several affiliate programs including Booking.com, GetYourGuide, and select Swedish tourism businesses. We only recommend businesses and services we have personally used or thoroughly researched.
Sponsored content is clearly labeled. Our editorial opinions are never for sale.
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Whether you want to advertise, pitch a story idea, or just say hi after a great trip to Sweden – we'd love to hear from you.