Our Family Travels from Vilnius to Sweden: Snowy Escapes & Natural Wonders
Vilnius to Sweden (Christmas 2024 – New Year)
As soon as school finished for the Christmas holidays, we were ready to go and set off in the truck—after completing all the vehicle checks. (It’s a legal requirement in winter to have winter tyres which were needed in Sweden).
We drove from our home in Vilnius to Ventspils, Latvia, to catch the overnight ferry to Nynäshamn with Stena Line. A bit of self-discovery on this leg of the trip—I get seasick! I felt awful during the crossing and ended up visiting a pharmacy before our return journey.
Hotel Fjällgården Åre, Sweden
Our first destination was Hotel Fjällgården in Åre. It was a last-minute booking since we initially hoped to extend our cabin stay. Although the cabin was available, the fees to extend were excessive. Thankfully, booking the hotel turned out to be a blessing—it was exactly what we needed. The location was perfect, and the staff were incredibly friendly. We weren’t sure if they were naturally that welcoming or if it just stood out because we’d been living in Lithuania for the past six months. Honestly, a simple smile can go a long way after a long journey. We really liked Sweden from the first impressions.
Our room had a stunning view, and we couldn’t wait to explore the next day. We decided to have dinner at the hotel, which caused me a bit of anxiety—I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to eat due to dietary restrictions. But I shouldn’t have worried; the staff were so helpful and reassuring. They took my needs seriously, and for the first time in a while, going out to eat didn’t feel like a chore.
The next morning, we eagerly opened the curtains to take in the view and headed down for breakfast. To my delight, there were gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options available. After breakfast, we took the Bergbana (mountain railway) down the mountain for a walk around town before checking out and heading to our next adventure.
Spa Afternoon at Copperhill Mountain Lodge
As a family, we prioritize experiences over material gifts, so we had booked a relaxing afternoon at the Copperhill Mountain Lodge Spa. The hotel was gorgeous—wish I’d discovered it earlier! Children were welcome at the pool and spa, and they even offered child-friendly treatments. The kids had always been curious about spa treatments, so I booked us all massages and facials, followed by smoothies. Around lunchtime, we had the spa almost to ourselves. It was a bit of an extravagance, but we all came away feeling completely pampered, and I’m so glad we experienced it together.
Cabin Stay in Huså
Next, we headed to our cabin in Huså, which I had found online. It looked good and was affordable over the holiday period. It was nice overall, though we had to dig our way in due to compacted snow at the entrance. Unfortunately, the heating was only set to prevent freezing, and it was far too cold for the outside temperatures. It was an uncomfortable night, but the cabin did eventually warm up.
We planned to go snowboarding the next day but hit a snag—despite having checked that the kids’ boots and gear still fit, Felicity had apparently had a growth spurt! That meant pausing our plans to find new equipment. We found a charming little shop called Inland where the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. It was so refreshing to be around such kind, smiling people.
Tegefjäll Snowboarding & Mr. Bramwell’s WigWam
The next day, we hit the slopes. We prefer quieter areas, and after getting recommendations, we chose the Tegefjäll area, which was ideal for Felicity. We also visited Mr. Bramwell’s WigWam—friends of ours happened to know the owners, so of course, we had to pop in! It was a lovely, relaxed spot.
Christmas Day: Snowmobile Waffle Tour
On Christmas Day, we took a snowmobile waffle tour with Puls. It wasn’t the original tour we had booked, but it turned out great—they offered gluten- and dairy-free waffle options, so no complaints from me. The guides were lovely, and the kids had a blast having a snowball fight outside the restaurant—a hidden gem only accessible by snowmobile. It was so peaceful and beautiful on the mountain—just what we love.
Waterfall Hike to Tännforsen
I’ve developed a slight obsession with waterfalls—if there’s one nearby, I have to see it. So when I came across Tännforsen during my research, it went straight onto our itinerary. We packed a flask of hot chocolate and snacks and set off on a hike—part trail, part off-piste. The waterfall was absolutely breathtaking in winter. There was only one other car in the parking area. We did have trouble paying for parking due to signal issues, so I recommend downloading parking apps before your trip.
Exploring Årsta Havsbad & Utö
After our time in the mountains, we headed south of Stockholm to Årsta Havsbad, where we stayed in a cute little Airbnb cabin. It served as a great base for exploring the nearby coastline. We took peaceful walks, brought hot chocolate in a thermos, and the kids had fun cracking ice puddles and drawing on rocks.
The next day, we packed food and drinks for a full day of hiking on Utö, a southern island in the archipelago recommended by our host. The kids sometimes complain about long walks, but they enjoyed the varied landscapes. Frequent snack stops helped! There wasn’t much open on the island, so bringing our own supplies was essential. I warned everyone to be careful walking along the rocky shore—and then managed to fall twice myself, which became the running joke of the trip.
Stockholm & Tyresta National Park
After researching things to do in Stockholm, we decided to take the train into the city to see the subway art. We treated ourselves to Starbucks (aka "Dave’s happy juice") and Joe & The Juice—two things we can’t get in Lithuania. When we were in Stockholm, we walked to several iconic tourist spots including The Royal Palace, Stockholm City Hall, and Gamla Stan (the Old Town). Wandering through the cobblestone streets of Gamla Stan felt like stepping back in time, and the kids loved spotting the colorful buildings and narrow alleyways. The Royal Palace was impressive, and while we didn’t go inside, it was exciting just to be near such historic architecture. At City Hall, we admired the stunning views over the water a. It was sightseeing with a bit of learning — and a great family travel memory.
The next day, we explored Tyresta National Park, which had fun boardwalks, ropes down the rocks, and other exciting features that the kids enjoyed. There was a small coffee shop and fire pits that are commonly used in Sweden. Next time, we’ll bring marshmallows or something to cook on the fire—definitely something to plan ahead for.
Heading Home: Latvia & Lithuania Stops
On our way back to Vilnius from the ferry port, we stopped at Lielais Ķemeru tīrelis, a bog boardwalk in Latvia. Some areas needed repairs, so we had to tread carefully, but we were lucky to be the only ones there. It was a beautiful and peaceful stop.
Later, we stopped at Anykščiai Forest in Lithuania and walked the treetop path. It was a fun addition since it was along our route home. While we’re glad we visited, we probably wouldn’t make a special trip just for it—but it’s a great area for walking and exploring.
This trip was exactly the lift we needed after a dull, wet lead-up to Christmas. We’d love to explore more of Sweden in the future. Next, we’re looking into surrounding countries like Norway, Denmark, and Finland.
