Sweden

Swedish Krona is the currency accepted everywhere in Sweden. Pretty much all ATMS, stores, restaurants and bars accept major credit cards - MasterCard, Maestro, Visa, Visa Electron and American Express. One usually requires an ID card/passport when using a credit card to shop, regardless the billing amount.

ATMs are considered the best way to exchange currency in Sweden, airports should be avoided. Since cards are widely accepted, even taxis take it, one doesn't need a lot of currency anyway. ATMs are everywhere in Sweden and are referred to as 'Bankomat'.Nearly all machines accept major cards - MasterCard, Maestro, Visa, Visa Electron and American Express. One can withdraw up to 10 000 SEK per use.

Sweden has a thriving and exciting nightlife with Stockholm being the best city to spend a fun night. Most international DJs originate from Sweden, making Stockholm clubs an ideal spot for live DJs and concerts to perform. Entry to a bar/club depends on its timings. Bars that close at 01:00 or earlier generally allow free entry whereas bars that remain open until 03:00 charge an entrance fee. Some clubs remain open until 05:00 and have varying charges. One needs to be at least 18-20 years old to enter these bars/clubs. Strict rules apply to the consumption of alcohol.Nightlife in Stockholm is concentrated in two main areas:stermalm: houses the most exclusive and elegant clubs. Guests are allowed selective entry and are expected to dress well.Sdermalm: houses several popular clubs and bars that are more easygoing. Entry is still largely selective. Popular clubs and discos: Sturecompagniet, Spy Bar, Hell's Kitchen, Rose Club and Solidaritet.

Popular souvenirs:

• The Dala Horse. They cost about 100 SEK.
• Swedish glass
• Wines from Systembolaget
• Unique, Swedish-designed furniture and jewellery 
• Eccentric everyday items - adjustable spanners, adjustable wrenches, safety matches and paraffin cooking stoves, for instance.

Places to go shopping:

• Stockholm is the central hub for shopping.
• Popular places include- Drottninggatan - ideal for small specialist shops and big showrooms Designtorget at Sergels Torg - for household objects
• NK _ Nordiska Kompaniet- multi-level exclusively Swedish store for designer clothes, furniture and everyday items

Popular Festivals: New Year celebrations: 1st Jan, countrywide Easter celebrations: March-April, Easter hunts, delicious food and home decorations Walpurgis Night: April; bonfires to celebrate May Day: 1st May, national holiday, colorful parades Sweden's National Day: 6th June, national holiday Midsummer's Eve: June, people dance around a midsummer's pole covered in leaves and flowers while enjoying delicious treats Nobel Prize Day, Stockholm: November Christmas: December, traditional celebrations - decorating Christmas trees, exchanging presents, fancy dinner.

Swedes were Pagans until the year 1000 post which they were Christianized and obeyed the Roman Pope. This lasted until the 16th century when the church was reformed to Lutheran-Protestant. It became a strong military power that ruled over a huge area in the 17th century, which is in direct contrast to its position today as one of the two European nations that haveremained isolated from wars since 1815 (even during WW-II). In the 20th and 21st centuries, Sweden has emerged as a developed post-industrial society with a progressive welfare state. It joined the EU in 1995 but refrained from joining the European Monetary Union and adopting Euro as a currency. The Social Democratic Party continues to dominate the country's political landscape while the King holds no executive power. The country is largely a secular state now, known for its high peace profile, with very few church-goers.

While Sweden offers decent healthcare, foreigners find it difficult to access. Since most medical clinics are state-owned, their accessibility to tourists varies. Even though most provinces do have a regional hospital with offers around-the-clock emergency ward in case of emergencies, there's often a long queue waiting for medical attention. In some areas of Sweden, health care system is below par and does not even provide preventative physical checkups. Sweden's tap water contains zero bacteria and is of excellent quality. There are hardly any serious threats to health in the country. The only primary concern is the cold, especially in the winters, if trekking or skiing in the northern parts. Snow blindness and injury due to avalanches are threats for those hiking in remote areas without adequate preparation. Insects are also a huge problem in Sweden with pesky mosquitoes, gadflies, ticks and wasps infesting the country in summers.

Narcotics are frowned-upon and strongly opposed by Swedes. Private use, possession or consumption is considered legally wrong and warrants punishment. Many Swedish traditions (e.g. Midsommar, Valborg, etc.) involve alcohol and welcome drunkenness. Some Swedes may not appreciate people staying sober at a party and may be offended by such behaviour. It is considered rude to sit next to someone on a bus or another form of public transportation if there is another empty twin seat available. One should always ask if they ought to remove their shoes when entering a Swedish household since in most homes it is customary to do so. Men and women who are good friends often greet each other with hugs. Sweden is very accepting of homosexuality, and same-sex marriages are legal there. Swedes don't like or appreciate assuming people's positions cultures or religions based on identifiable signs.

• Sweden is usually freezing during winters so thick, warm clothes should be carried at all times.
• Some areas in the bigger cities are considered unsafe because robberies and crimes are common here. Examples include Rinkeby in Stockholm or BiskopsgŒrden in Gothenburg. These areas should be avoided at night.
• Weekends are generally crowded and the chances of crime are higher near pubs/clubs. Tourists should be extra cautious at such times.
• Be sure to watch out for cars in the road junctions to avoid accidents, especially at night.
• Do not get involved in unnecessary arguments and if you do, try to leave before the person becomes aggressive. If you witness people fighting in the street, especially young, intoxicated people, keep a safe distance and dial the European emergency number 112.

Swedens culture is known to be egalitarian, tolerant and accepting. The country is largely progressive and holds an anti-racist, anti-fascist and feminist worldview. Homosexuality is also mandated legal. Both the culture and society are concerned with the welfare of others both citizens of Sweden and outsiders as well. Sweden is not necessarily a religious country and religion plays a very limited role here compared to the European average. In fact, atheism and agnosticism are widely-accepted in the country. Nevertheless, 6.2 million Swedish citizens are members of the Church of Sweden, subscribing to Lutheran Christianity. Practised by 5% of the population, Islam is the second largest religion.Swedish is the national language of Sweden, but majority people - about 89% of the population - can speak English fluently, making Sweden the best country in the world regarding English as a second language. Hej (hey) is the most common greeting; "please" (snlla say snell-LA) is hardly used, instead of the word tack (tack) or "thanks" is used widely. The word "urskta" ("excuse me") is used to get someone's attention.

Traditional Swedish cuisine mostly includes meat or fish with potatoes, while the modern cuisine is more bread-based. Everyday traditional dishes are called husmanskost and they include - hash made of meat, onions and potatoes, Gravlax, Falukorv, Blodpudding, pea soup, pickled herring and meatballs. Sweden is also known for its caviar, soft whey butter and coffee (kaffe).

Norrland - Forms the northern part of the country, covering more than half of its total area. Sparsely populated, it is known for its wide expanse of wilderness - forests, mountains, rivers, lakes and marshes, making it great for trekking and other adventure sports. Main cities include Gvle, Sundsvall, Ume and Lule. Svealand - The central and most well-known part of the country. This is where most of the population lives. Important areas include Stockholm, Uppsala and the provinces of Dalarna, Nrke, Vrmland, Uppland and Vstmanland. Gtaland - It comprises of the 10 southern provinces including islands land and Gotland. Largest cities are Gothenburg in Vstergtland and Malm in Skne.