Put the thermal underwear down and drop that copy of Deepak Chopra because it’s not hibernation time just yet. Sweden’s most underrated season is upon us; here are five October traditions with which to celebrate the gorgeous golden season.
Mushroom picking. Jonas Overödder/imagebank.sweden.se
As most of us begin to stock up on canned goods and reluctantly traipse to the storage room in search for puffy jackets and furry boots, we resign ourselves to the notion that the end of summer equals the end of fun. Yes, summer is over, Breaking Bad has aired its final episode and you may or may not fit into those shorts next year, but this doesn’t mean that October has to be spent in a dog hair-covered sleeved blanket watching reruns of America’s Next Top Model.
We’re here to tell you to switch off your telly and put your fat lip away because Swedish autumn is awesome. And here’s why:
1. Mushroom Picking
Jonas Overödder/imagebank.sweden.se
There’s something incredibly alluring about the thought of gathering mushrooms in the woods. The dappled sunlight filtering through the autumn leaves as you crunch around in search of a bounty that will likely be consumed that very evening.
It’s easy to see why the Swedes are so infatuated with mushroom picking; it has almost a meditative quality to it and it can be fun(gi) for all ages. Stockholm is littered with forests to pick from, just watch that you fill your basket with the edible varieties! If you’re a novice and can’t tell your hedgehogs from your orange trumpets, then you’d best take a gander at our mushroom picking for dummies guide before you set out.
2. Kanelbulle
Mums! Björn Tesch/imagebank.sweden.se
Yes, we’re aware that Kanelbulle Day has come and gone, but seriously folks, only eating kanelbullar on Kanelbulle Day is like only eating Quality Streets on the 25th of December. These scrumptious morsels deserve their own month. After all, Sweden is the presumed birthplace of the cinnamon roll, so it’s only fitting to pay it its deserved due. See our list of top five kanelbullar in Stockholm and get munching!
3. Apple Picking
An apple a day… Miriam Preis/imagebank.sweden.se
And to burn off all the calories consumed through those cinnamon buns, why not get out into the crisp autumn air and do a spot of apple picking? That’s right, the apple harvest season has begun! Swedish apples are renowned the world-over as being some of the best in the world, so why not experience first-hand just why! Besides, who wouldn’t want to join in on such a wholesome, fibrously fun-filled activity? Bring the kids and make a family day of it, or create a date to remember with your sambo.
Here are a few places to get you started:
Rosenhill
Address: Nyckelbyvägen 22, Ekerö
Contact: 08 560 200 60 or visit their Website for more information.
Edeby Gård
Address: Edebyvägen, Drottningholm
Contact: 08 759 04 01
4. Seafood
What a catch! Cecilia Larsson/imagebank.sweden.se
Did you know that a fear of fish is called ichthyophobia? If you are a victim of this particular phobia, steer clear of Stockholm restaurants this month! You see, autumn means seafood season, which in turn means that loads of restaurants in Stockholm have some amazing, fish-filled offers and specialities during October. If you have the guts, Vanity in Södermalm has an extremely popular and well-endowed buffet featuring crayfish, crab, oysters, shrimp, mussels, roe and all sorts of other fishy good stuff. Bockholmen Hav & Restaurant is another restaurant where fish is quite literally the order of the day. They feature a seven course tasting menu with both a hot and cold selection to choose from. Wherever you go, we’re sure you’ll have a whale of a time!
5. Halloween
Photo: Flickr (file)/ pandajenn1234
Halloween is still a relatively new tradition in Sweden. It’s been tough convincing the natives that it’s good, wholesome fun to dress up like a dead person and let your kids wander from door to door in the dark, collecting candy from strangers. But the flames of this tradition are being fanned and every year sees evidence of more Swedes joining in and having a lark. If you’re unsure where to celebrate this most spooky of days, check out our guide to Halloween in Stockholm this year.
So there you have it: five antidotes to early onset S.A.D.!
Kirsten Smart
Kirsten blindly followed her husband from South Africa to the land of snow and snus in 2011 and proceeded to procreate. When she isn’t discovering the 101st use of the humble wet wipe, she can be found writing adjective-laden articles for YLC.
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