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Tallevika
Swedentravels in Värmland

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An intense summer for tourists.

1. Augusi

An intense summer for tourists.

The summer was so intense that we didn't have time to update the website regularly. For us, it began before Midsummer and peaked in mid-July during Archipelago Week 28. The amazing sailing and the eight 32-foot catamarans defined the summer. The regattas were unusually dramatic, and it wasn't always easy to be there and film. This year, Vålösundet was full of activities and people without feeling crowded. Our daily dog walks often took longer as we ended up in someone's garden or at one of the restaurants. Several Swiss families were here, renting both archipelago houses and sailboats. We've also documented some hikes and excursions around Kristinehamn. Everything is collected under the summer of 2024. Here is the link.

Now everyone is planning for summer, new brochures for download

2. May 2024

Now everyone is planning for summer, new brochures for download

Spring is in full swing in Kristinehamn now, and the days are already longer than in Switzerland. Preparations for summer are well underway, especially for Skärgårdsvecka 28, where plenty of activities take place both along and on the water. The campground in the picture is gearing up, and it usually fills up quite quickly for the summer. However, there are plenty of options available, including archipelago houses for rent, hostels, and hotels. Creativity abounds in the restaurants Gattet and Picasso's veranda along the water, those in the city center, and of course, at the gourmet haven Ölme Prästgård. The food walk on Saturday, May 25th, will be a premiere with five different food stops along the strait. Boat rental companies are polishing and launching their boats, and the timetable for island trips is ready. Everything is described in Visit Kristinehamn's lovely brochures, available for download in both English and German. Click on the image and start planning.

M32 catamaran racing on lake Vänern

17. September 2023

M32 catamaran racing on lake Vänern

Arrived in Kristinehamn and Tallevika 2 days ago, and already yesterday I had the chance to sail Håkan Svensson's M32a. A fantastic 32-foot racing catamaran that reaches speeds of 20 knots in fairly light winds. We started at Gattet and reached out onto Lake Vänern. We turned when we couldn't see land anymore and tacked back. And the best part is, Håkan is bringing the M32 World Tour here next year. It's happening right in the middle of July 2024. A number of M32s will be racing in front of the Picasso sculpture, and Kristinehamn will be added to the M32-sailing paradises like Newport, Lake Garda, and Miami. Contact us now to plan your visit.

Hiking on Sibberön island

15. July 2023

Hiking on Sibberön island

Take the boat across the strait to Vålön or Kalvön. Hike in the wonderful nature. One of our Swiss gues families encountered two moose here. Fishing lights and sea eagles nest here, leaving dry fish skeletons behind. The pines on the island are wind-battered and among my favorites. There's an overnight cabin, but camping by a campfire right on the beach is probably even better. One of Kristinehamn's absolute gems. During the summer, the boat "Stöten" operates constantly, and there are small motorboats and kayaks available for rent. Unlock with an app. So, there's no excuse to stay at home.

Midsummer in Kristinehamn

23. June 2023

Midsummer in Kristinehamn

Midsummer is the big celebration in Sweden. In every small village, it is celebrated in the same way with folk music, raising the maypole, and dancing. What happens afterwards, I'll leave unsaid. We went with bicycles to the official celebration in Kristinehamn at the Heritage Center. Here is a video showing how, where and...

Season's Greetings from Tallevika

23. December 2022

Season's Greetings from Tallevika

Please enjoy some winter photos from last winter. We hope to come back after New Year's Eve with some new impressions. In the meantime, get out into nature and enjoy all the beautiful things out there. And of course, a little more attention to the very special pine trees in the Tallevika bay. Click on the picture for more.

Lingonberry Harvest

15. September 2022

Lingonberry Harvest

September is the time of the lingongberries in the Swedish forest. This time we just followed the iron trail north of Kristinehamn. We took our dogs except our puppy who is too small to walk that far and wow, this year was exceptional! We filled the buckets in just 2 hours and had to turn back too soon. Even the clearing was easy sine the berries war large. 10 kg in the freezer and 1 kg as jam. Perfect to wild meat or in the yogurt. Here a short video of the event. Click on the picture.

Enjoy lake Vänern more

25. July 2022

Enjoy lake Vänern more

The summer is short in Sweden, so we take the same way again but now with a bowrider on water. Vålösund is the strait between the island Vålön and the street Vålösundsvägen. Here we see many old manors as well as new houses. Its max 10km/h but it allows us to enjoy all summer activities on the boats and in the gardens. We pass the big “small boats harbor”, the famous Herrgårdscamping (Manor camping) and there we turn back and pass the Picasso sculpture on the way to open sea. Back in Jutviken we try some wakeboarding and banana surfing in the sunset. Click on the picture for more.

Chanterelle party in the forest

15. July 2022

Chanterelle party in the forest

Oops! Chanterelle party in the forest. Despite the hot and dry summer in Värmland, we have never found so many chanterelles in one place. For us, it's forest gold that can be hard to find. The reward is the irresistible smell of freshly roasted chanterelles. Make a béchamel sauce, add some white pepper and cognac and put it on fried toast. It is delicious. Click on the picture.

Our beaches

18. May 2022

Our beaches

Jutviken beach behind the old pines with lake Vänern shining in in the back. Completely alone this time of the year. Also, the Picasso beach with the new sunchairs looks inviting. Click on the picture for more.

Dark winter with light from the north

6. Januar 2022

Dark winter with light from the north

The sun is too low to warm us up and only up for 4-5 hours. Its low but you get nice red pictures looking like sun dawn during the day. During the clear and cold nights, we could instead enjoy the northern light (Norrsken). It is normally further north but this winter it was seen rather often. It was however very cold to stand still and watch. Click on the picture.

A kayak trip to watch Picasso statue

5. Oktober 2021

A kayak trip to watch Picasso statue

When the lake is calm in the autumn it is a special feeling to take a kayak trip. The new double kayak from summer 2021 is a bit more stable than the single kayaks so we dare a bit longer. Here we are in the front of the Picasso statue and the open sea on the other side. It is important to check the weather forecast very careful because Vänern can be very rough when the southwest wind increase. The water is still 16° due to the warm September so we would survive if we would capsize. Click on the picture for more.

The final push before summer begin

6. June 2024

The final push before summer begin

With National Day, the final push before summer begins. In Kristinehamn, the website for Archipelago Week 28 has been launched with 28 activities at 6 locations over 6 days. A fantastic job, especially by Petra and Camilla, to involve all the people and companies in these activities in the middle of the holiday season. Click on the link in the image and use some AI for translation, and you'll understand. We are also in the final stretch in Switzerland, handing over 7 puppies to 7 families so we can travel to Sweden and Kristinehamn in good time before Midsummer and all the festivities thereafter. See you in Kristinehamn

Archipelago Week 28
6-14 July 2024

23. March 2024

Archipelago Week 28
6-14 July 2024

This summer will be extra fun in Kristinehamn. Kristinehamn Week 28 is like a gigantic puzzle piece that falls into place to create a fantastic event in Kristinehamn, where businesses, associations, residents, the municipality and all other interests in the city unite. Week 28 shows why Kristinehamn is the city to visit, live and work in. We hope to contribute to strengthening Kristinehamn's position as a vibrant and pulsating city. Be prepared, because now we are going to give it our all together! Don't miss Skärgårdsveckan28 (Archipelago Week 28) on Instagram. Link to skargardsveckan28 in the picture.

Lake Vänern versus Lake Biel

18. August 2023

Lake Vänern versus Lake Biel

We have left Sweden and Kristinehamn for a short break and returned to Switzerland after eight weeks. It is hard not to compare the two countries. Switzerland also has beautiful lake landscapes as you can see in our video but in mid-September we will head back to Tallevika again. The Swedish forests in September are fantastic.

Rock at the Fjord

8. July 2023

Rock at the Fjord

In recent years, a group of islanders has organized a rock concert on a raft or island off the coast of Kristinehamn. Only boats can participate, and a private invitation is required. Tallevika was part of it again this year, and it exceeded all expectations once more. On a sauna raft in a sandy cove outside Vålösund, two bands performed for a bathing and grooving audience. Absolutely fantastic.
Rock am Fjord.

Our second spring in May

12. May 2023

Our second spring in May

May in Sweden is usually similar to March-April in Switzerland. However, this year was different. Summer arrived suddenly in early May. The warm and calm weather made activities like kayaking, sailing, and enjoying long evenings on the beach into everyday activities. The new lake restaurant, Gattet, is soon ready, the camping site is ready to welcome Swiss visitors (and others) and the new team at Ölme Värdshus, the region's finest restaurant, exceeded our expectations. We will be spending June in Switzerland, but we are eagerly looking forward to July and August in Sweden again, with several Swiss families visiting the region.

Autumn Farewell

8. October 2022

Autumn Farewell

Our last day in Sweden ends at Picassos terrace (Picassos Veranda). This bistro has developed to a real meeting point for the neighbours around the Picasso statue. This Friday evening Petra organised a great music quiz to light up the October evening darkness. Thanks, the team at the terrace for having open every day and adding weekend brunches, Octoberfest and other happenings to this. Keep on rockin’ - we’ll be back soon. Click on the picture to get an impression.

Drive direct to Sweden in 20 hours

24. August 2022

Drive direct to Sweden in 20 hours

With all puppies happily installed in their new homes, we took our dogs and drove all the way to Sweden without ferries. It was an easy and beautiful 1900 km drive taking 20 hours all in all. We left in the afternoon and got a nice sundown between Frankfurt and Hannover. We passed northern Germany and Denmark during the night and enjoyed a wonderful sunrise in Sweden just after the Öresund bridge. During the last part we had a nice deviation on very small roads along Göta canal until we reached our target, Kristinehamn and Tallevika. Couldn’t resist to make another short movie. Click on the picture.

Inline skating to Kristinehamn city

19. July 2022 (evening)

Inline skating to Kristinehamn city

With in-line skates and bikes we set off on an 8 km route along the water to the center of Kristinehamn. At the music restaurant Mastmagasinet we stop to enjoy a drink in the evening sun. Old Kristinehamn with its cobblestone streets isn't made for in-line skating, but the boardwalks along the Värnan stream are perfect for skating. If you fall, you just land in the water. On the way back we pass the city's guest harbor, the sports arena and the main harbor for small boats in Vålösund. Finally, after 15 km we reach the Picasso Park and then we are almost at Tallevika. Click on the picture.

Iron trail from Niklasdam following the Värnan steam towards Kristinehamn

30. May 2022

Iron trail from Niklasdam following the Värnan steam towards Kristinehamn

The stream Värnan starts in Niklasdam. Here you find an old manor with its own geranium museum and plant school. We follow the iron trail along the brown iron water through the old forest. Click on the picture and check out the video.

Spring arrives and the best time in Sweden starts

15. May 2022

Spring arrives and the best time in Sweden starts

After the spring in Switzerland, we now want the Swedish one as well. A night drive to Kiel, a quick walk at Timmendorfer Strand and relax on the ferry to Gothenburg. Going north this time of the year means longer days and very short nights. At the shore of the huge lake Vänern, we already now enjoy the sunrise at 04:30 and the long sunset starting at 21:30. More impressions in the spring photo album from Kristinehamn city, the lonely beach in Jutviken and a visit to Ölme, the famous preachers house hosting the best restaurant in the region. Click on the picture.

Visit Värmland in the Winter

3. Januar 2022

Visit Värmland in the Winter

Back in Kristinehamn after a night drive to Kiel, a nice dinner onboard with window table and a Christmas buffé in the restaurant. Different herring and other smoked fish, dry meat, meatballs and prinzkorv. They even served lutfisk although not everybody like it. It can be very cold in Kristinehamn this time of the year, but it is only -5° and bright sky. House and garden OK. The ice has been broken up by a winter storm and ice blocks drift around. The Picasso statue is colored red by the sunset over the open Väner sea. It’s rough but nice and so long since we were here during the winter. Click on the picture.

One fantastic week in May

24. May 2024

One fantastic week in May

A week in Kristinehamn, father and son. We can do whatever we want. This is what we did, and others can do it too. We can't control the weather, but this time it couldn't have been better. Sun and 25 degrees Celsius all week. Five days, five short videos.
1. The journey and the arrival.
2. A gourmet evening with a 10-course tasting menu accompanied by selected wines.
3. An evening in Kristinehamn with inline skating, kayaking, and venison.
4. A day on Lake Vänern in Kristinehamn's archipelago.
5. The fantastic finale.
Come here and enjoy, it can't get any better. Link to the videas in YouTube, click on the picture

Winter in Tallevika

3. December 2023

Winter in Tallevika

The time before Christmas is fantastic in Sweden. There are lots of Christmas activities, and, above all, the delicious Christmas buffet with all the Swedish dishes. All the restaurants we like offer the Christmas buffet throughout December, and it's fully booked. Unfortunately, we are not there as one of our dogs is expecting puppies. The winter in the Alps and in Emmental, where we live, is also perfectly fine. We from Tallevika wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with some winter pictures from Tallevika.

A summer evening by Lake Vänern, Kristinehamn

23. July 2023

A summer evening by Lake Vänern, Kristinehamn

It can't get any better. A boat ride, some wake surfing, a bit of fishing, and midnight around the campfire. It needs to be lived live but here is the video showing sections of it.

Grand Opening Gattet Restaurant & Marina Kristinehamn

1. July 2023

Grand Opening Gattet Restaurant & Marina Kristinehamn

On July 1st, the long-awaited restaurant and guest harbor, Gattet, opens in Vålösundet. Tallevika was naturally present on the opening day with vacationing guests from Switzerland. The location is perfect, the harbor sheltered, and the food at the highest level. There are two owners, one of whom is a well-known event organizer and artist agent, the other is an accomplished sailor and also the owner of the M22 world cup tour for several years. This means that these impressive catamarans will sail and compete here in 2024. How was the grand opening then? You can see it here.

Winter visit 2023

7. February 2023

Winter visit 2023

We spent January at Tallevika and we found several ongoing changes. A new lake view restaurant with their own boat harbor is under construction. The existing restaurants we like have new owners or plan to rebuild. Hotels are restored and the boat traffic for tourists will change. These important changes influence our quality and program and therefore we decide not to offer a group travel summer 2023. Click on the picture for more info.

Food festival "A taste of Värmland"

26. September 2022

Food festival "A taste of Värmland"

On the weekend of September 24th to 25th we visited the Food Festival that takes place all over Värmland. The main venue is Kristinehamns city park, where there was an exhibition and several cooking shows on stage. We started at Retrovågen, a great antique and food delicacy shop in old Kristinehamn. We had lunch at Hygn, the famous venison producer south of Kristinehamn with his large shop where we bought elk, venison and venison sausages. Nothing for vegetarians although they offer veggie alternatives. Click on the picture for more.

Impressions from the ferry from Oslo to Kiel

2. August 2022

Impressions from the ferry from Oslo to Kiel

We tested the ferry from Oslo to Kiel when we went back to Switzerland after our short Kristinehamn visit in July. Oslo is only 3 hours’ drive from Kristinehamn, the same distance as Göteborg but with less traffic. The Colorline Ferries are more like cruise ships than ferries. A lot to do, eat and drink onboard. Good quality offers compared to all otherer ferries but bad if you bring animals. No animal cabins and animals only allowed in special boxes on car deck. Max three visits to your animal during 24 hours for an awful walk on car deck so very few dogs onboard. Here are some impressions: Check also the links to the alternatives in How to go to Sweden. Click on the picture for more.

An exciting kayak tour in the wild archipelago of Lake Vänern

19. July 2022 (morning)

An exciting kayak tour in the wild archipelago of Lake Vänern

When the big lake Vänern is calm and the weather forecast is good, this is an exciting tour that includes everything. Open water, large and small islands, narrow straits and shallow water in sea reeds. You'll see big pikes in the shallows and osprays circling above the water ready to catch them. If you are unlucky you might even meet a moose playing in the reeds. This tour reminds me of the 1972 film called Deliverance. Four men go kayaking...Click on the picture...

Dining at the preacher’s home, Ölme prästgård

25. May 2022

Dining at the preacher’s home, Ölme prästgård

We could not resist to dine in the best restaurant in the region. But before a quick photo shooting at Ölme church and in Kristinehamns old city. In the spring photo album, you see more and can follow the stream Värnan from the forrest to the city just before it runs out in lake Vänern. Click on the picture.

The day after the winter storm

4. February 2022

The day after the winter storm

One morning after a winter storm when we walked along the lakeside walkaway into Kristinehamn we noticed that several of the large floating boat docks were gone. They were broken free from the wind and the ice. Some of them were found at other places in the Vålösund, the long strait into Kristinehamn. They were already catched in the new ice that froze during the morning after the storm. Click on the picture.

Time to go home to Switzerland

10. Oktober 2021

Time to go home to Switzerland

A last dinner with what we like the most, a piece of moose tournedos on the grill, chanterelles in butter and a favorite Pauillac from the year 2008, now ready to drink. When I (Carl-Henrik) was a student 1986 I met the owner of Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste, François-Xavier Borie, in his wine cellar. I walked through Medoc with my best friend and François-Xavier offered us to taste the 1985 vintage direct from the tanks which was one of those moments I never forget. Click on the picture to travel there.

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