Day 1: Wednesday at 9.00 o’clock: my plane lands at Stockholm Arlanda Airport, already there the atmosphere is laid back. Within 30 minutes after landing, I already have my rental car and am I on my way for a 5-day mini-retreat at the Swedish countryside.
I meet Mireille f
rom Näsets Marcusgård at the Carl Larsson Museum in Sundborn near Falun. This is the museum of the famous Swedish painter and his wife Karin (who also was famous for her creative weaving objects and interior design). We start in Café Hyttstugan, beside the museum, where they serve a typical authentic Swedish buffet. After this tour we went to the Falu Gruva, this is the old mining area famous for the material that is used for producing the typical red paint, used for the houses all over Sweden. An impressive area to visit it and it has an excellent museum, restaurants, and various small shops on the premises, like a garden centre, home decor
ation shop, second-hand decoration, silversmith and a lovely garden where you can have a fika.
In the evening we arrive at the gård (farm), and Mireille shows me the beautiful semi-retro apartment Hölada, where I can relax. But not before having witnessed a magical sunset at the lake near the farm!
Day 2: The next morning a busy program ahead but first an excellent breakfast in the forest garden of the Hölada apartment, then we hiked to Ärteråsen, an old summer farm higher in the forests.
A beautiful hike takes us to an abandoned summer village, a lot of old history here, but the best part for me was the hike up the hill to the top of the mountain to be able to look out over the surroundings, all green, all wild, no houses… Can you imagine, this area is the home of wild bears, wolves and lynxes! After a nice mountaintop lunch, we walked back. Fortunately, we did not encounter a bear, but even the thought that we could was exiting.
In the afternoon, we went by car to the most beautiful authentic garden centre, to buy plants for the herbal and flower garden that is planned at Näset Marcusgård. It is called “Levins Handelsträdgård“, and it is worth a trip, especially if you are interested in gardening like I am.
Then on to lake Siljan, because Mireille had to attend her Church boat training. An old tradition; in the past people living around Lake Siljan went to church by (rowing)boat. To keep t
his tradition alive, every June the villages around Lake Siljan compete with each other in replica boats. Impressive to watch and you can even join if you like!
In the meanwhile, I visited the Långbryggan (the long pier), a 628-meter long pier into Lake Siljan. Nice to walk on, have a sunbath or to eat a fresh takeaway Thai meal like Mireille and I did after the boat training. Great views and location!
Day 3: I started with a walk in the forest on the Siljansleden (path) together with Nancy, the farm dog. The Siljansleden is a 340 km long trail around the lakes Siljan and Orsasjön and runs just behind Näsets Marcusgård. You can start your Siljansleden hike here.
After lunch, we went for a real coffee, because in Sweden and especially at the countryside they still serve a lot of regular coffee, but I am more a “ latte” person, so Mireille knew the perfect spot: Dalfors Lanthandel. A place with the feeling of 30 years back, but equipped with a modern high tech Espresso machine (that was of course out of order when we came). Dalfors Lanthandel is even worth a visit without the excellent coffee!
Before dinner, I went to Stygforssen a beautiful waterfall, really a magical place to be! The day ended with the ultimate forest bath I had high on my bucket list: I spend the night in the Supermåne. Wow, it feels good to sleep here, when there is a little wind you feel the movement of the trees and when it rains you hear the raindrops like in a tent and you can watch the stars above you (or maybe the northern lights when you are lucky).
Day 4: But I had to get up early:: Mireille and I went for a sunrise walk. Ok, it was already light at 03.30, but nature was still sleeping when we started walking. How special to walk beside the small lakes filled with morning dew. And then breakfast while the sun is showing her 
sunbeams and warming us a bit (since it was minus 2!!)
After a bit of sleep in the Supermoon, we went to Hansjö Lanthandel: the best loppis I could wish for! I already wanted to go to some on our way, but Mireille convinced me that this was the best and it was! Even the building was amazing!
In the afternoon, guide Dixie waited for us at Gammelstan in Norrboda. He told us everything about the local population in the early days: A lot of hunger, hard farm work and misery. This little place tells an authentic history and is worth a visit.
After another night in the Supermåne, it was time to pack. We did so many things that it felt like I was away for two weeks. Mireille and Willem were such dear hosts and contributed to the best Sweden countryside experience; it helps so much that they know exactly where to take you!
Day 5: On my last day, I went on my way to the airport early, but not without stopping at a Köpcenter, this is a large shopping mall, they are situated all over Sweden and host always the same Swedish shops, but I love it!
And as a bonus, I saw a Moose!!! She was walking beside the highway. Nature is everywhere in Sweden!
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