31 August – 3 September: Your Swedish Island – Umeå and the Kvarken Archipelago

What does island life in Sweden feel like once the summer crowds have left?

This late-summer visit explores the idea of "island" in northern Sweden – from windswept Baltic islands and lighthouse outposts to river peninsulas, local communities and places shaped by nature, history and resilience. Through local food, cultural encounters and time spent close to the landscape, we discover how island life can mean many different things. Easily accessible yet distinctly different, Umeå offers a Nordic experience that is both intimate and open – grounded in nature, yet driven by ideas and people.

Highlights of the trip:

• Explore Umeå, the city by the river – where culture, innovation and equality have helped shape one of northern Sweden’s most dynamic cities.
• Discover Holmön, one of Sweden’s sunniest islands, where fishing traditions, local stories and life by the sea have shaped the island community.
• Stay overnight on remote Stora Fjäderägg and experience a simple and authentic stay on a lighthouse island in the Baltic Sea.
• Stay in Granö Beckasin’s iconic Bird’s Nest treetop cabins overlooking the Ume River and experience an award-winning destination for nature and cultural experiences.
• Discover Arctic Highways, an exhibition bringing together Indigenous artists from Sápmi, Canada and the USA in a cross-Arctic collaboration.
• Enjoy modern Nordic gastronomy and northern Swedish produce, alongside seasonal dishes inspired by local traditions and ingredients.