Traveling With Lola

Watch the full travel vlog here.

“Sweden is designed for everyone!” our guide Sofia said, pointing to small holes at the bottom and middle of a barrier wall in the Stockholm subway system—tiny passageways for mice to escape, and windows perfectly placed so children can see the art that adorns 94 of Stockholm’s 100 subway stations.

Thirty-five meters below ground on our Art in the Subway tour, Sofia directed our attention to a patch of moss and moisture clinging to a rock wall opposite the tracks. “Employees know not to clean the lichen,” she said with a smile. “The spiders need a home too!”

There’s a quiet, deliberate kindness that runs through Swedish culture—a belief that everything and everyone deserves to be seen, valued, and cared for. From daily Fika breaks (a beloved ritual of coffee and pastries) to sauna traditions that embrace the balance of heat and cold for well-being, there is a shared sense of intention and joy woven into everyday life.

More than anything, this trip revealed a truth: Sweden is for everyone.

Sweden is for art lovers. With 94 of its 100 subway stations transformed into immersive art installations, Stockholm’s subway isn’t just a mode of transport—it’s a journey through color, sculpture, and political storytelling. Platforms, hallways, staircases, and even the tunnels themselves are part of the design. The system spans 110 kilometers (about 68 miles), and while not every inch is decorated, the collective works stretch across more than 100 kilometers—earning the title of the world’s longest art gallery.

Sweden is for history lovers. The Vasa Museum in Stockholm is unlike any other nautical museum in the world. It’s home to the legendary Vasa ship, which sank in Stockholm’s harbor on its maiden voyage in 1628. Preserved in the cold, brackish waters of the Baltic Sea for 333 years, the ship was finally recovered in 1961—almost entirely intact. Today, 98% of the ship is original, a remarkable feat that draws over a million visitors each year. Seeing this towering warship up close, with its intricate carvings and tragic story, is like stepping directly into history.

Design and artifacts of Svenskt Tenn

Sweden is for design aficionados. Known for its clean lines, minimalism, and celebration of natural materials, Scandinavian design is more than an aesthetic—it’s a lifestyle. “Swedish people are really good at making spaces feel cozy,” Michelle, Sales Director of Stockholm’s Stadshotell, told me over dinner at the new 32-room boutique property, aptly described as “a house where you can eat and sleep.”

That sense of coziness—mysigt in Swedish—is both an art and a necessity during the long, dark winters. Interiors are warm, calming, and functional, from boutique hotels to everyday homes. It’s a masterclass in creating beauty through simplicity.

Sweden is for foodies. I’ll admit, I was skeptical. How exciting could a cuisine built on fish and potatoes really be? But I wasn’t exaggerating when I said I didn’t have a single bad bite the entire trip.

What makes Swedish cuisine exceptional is the intentionality. Ingredients are simple, but their sourcing and preparation are rooted in heritage and place. Meals are curated with care, often drawn directly from local farms, forests, or waters.

Some of the most unforgettable bites came grilled over open flames inside a traditional Lavvu hut in Swedish Lapland:

• Garlic butter Paninis stuffed with freshly foraged chanterelles
• Ground reindeer served with crispy roasted potatoes and tart lingonberry juice

And then there was the tasting menu at the TreeHotel:

• Langoustine caught in nearby waters
• An Asian-inspired beef hotpot, rich and warming
• Cloudberry gelato topped with candied lichen (yes, the same kind reindeer graze on—elevated to fine art)

These tasting menus rivaled anything you’d find in a major culinary capital. Even the simplest dishes—like a piece of rye bread with butter—tasted deeply intentional. In Sweden, “farm to table” isn’t a trend. It’s just how things are done.

Sweden is for slow movers. Pace matters here. Nowhere is that more evident than in the daily ritual of Fika—a cultural cornerstone. More than just a coffee break, Fika is a deliberate pause in the day to slow down, enjoy a hot drink and a pastry (often a cinnamon or cardamom bun), and connect with others. It’s a moment of mindfulness baked right into the Swedish routine—and it’s sacred.

Sweden is for wellness lovers. The Swedish wellness philosophy blends simplicity, nature, and balance. Nowhere is that clearer than in the beloved sauna ritual, often followed by a brisk cold plunge in a lake. It’s about contrast—heat and cold, tension and release—and it leaves you feeling deeply alive. Whether you’re in a lakeside sauna or a sleek spa in Stockholm, wellness here isn’t indulgence. It’s tradition.

Sweden is for city slickers. Stockholm is a gem—an archipelago city of 14 islands connected by bridges, ferries, and beauty. It’s cosmopolitan yet calm, sophisticated yet grounded. Art museums, fashion boutiques, Michelin-starred restaurants, and waterfront cafes all coexist with green parks and historic architecture. The city feels effortlessly stylish, yet never overwhelming.

Sweden is for adventurers. Head north to Swedish Lapland and you’ll find some of Europe’s wildest landscapes—snow-covered forests, icy lakes, and open skies that glow with the Northern Lights. This is the place for dog sledding, snowshoeing, hiking, and exploring the culture of the Indigenous Sámi people. Adventure here is raw, vast, and soul-stirring.

Sweden is for me. This trip taught me about a new way of life—one that’s embodied in the warmth of its people, their pride in sharing their culture, and the joy and intention behind every meal, every design detail, and every sauna ritual. It all points to a deep love of life, and a profound respect for nature and the world around us.

I’ll never forget the magic of this place and the rituals that make Sweden such a remarkable country.

To the Visit Sweden team who hosted me on this FAM—thank you for sharing the joy and beauty of your country. And thank you for allowing me to experience even a small piece of it.

To Sweden and its people: thank you for showing me a new way to live—with intention, with joy, and with connection to the world around me.

Sweden is for everyone.