Film Journeys Through Sweden: Crime Stories and Bullerby
Written and translated by Katharina Selich
Tracing Swedish Stories
What do Astrid Lindgren’s idyllic Bullerby and Wallander’s dark crime worlds have in common? The answer lies in Sweden: many films and series that have enjoyed international success are shot here. From Småland to Ristafallet and on to Ystad, Sweden’s settings offer picturesque nature, charming wooden houses, mystical castles, and an incomparable sense of openness.
Bullerby: Astrid Lindgren’s Childhood
Whether as a tranquil backdrop or the heart of the story, nature is always present in Swedish films and series. This is particularly evident in the film adaptations of Astrid Lindgren’s books. Hardly any other author has shaped Sweden’s image abroad as strongly as she has. One of the most beloved adaptations of her work is The Children of Bullerby (Swedish: Alla vi barn i Bullerbyn). The film is set in Sevedstorp in Småland, a tiny village with only three houses. Lindgren drew inspiration from places of her own childhood in Vimmerby during the 1920s.
Ristafallet: Experiencing Wild Sweden with Ronja
Sweden is known for its unspoiled nature. It also provides the backdrop for films that take place almost entirely outdoors, such as the adaptation of Lindgren’s book Ronia, the Robber’s Daughter (Swedish: Ronja Rövardotter). One filming location of this more than 40-year-old success, which has sold 11 million copies worldwide, is Ristafallet. The waterfall in western Jämtland is considered one of Sweden’s most beautiful. It is therefore no surprise that Tage Danielsson chose it as a central filming location for his 1984 film.
Crime Mysteries in Ystad: Wallander’s Sweden
The brooding detective Kurt Wallander from the crime series of the same name lives in Ystad, in Skåne County. Although actor Krister Henriksson lives in Stockholm, he now describes the small town of Ystad as his second home, where he spends several months each year filming. The harbor town has a distinctive charm: it lies on Sweden’s southern coast and features picturesque cobbled streets lined with traditional half-timbered and wooden houses.
Luleå: A Small Place for Big Emotions
Another Swedish small town provides the setting for the romantic and socially critical film As It Is in Heaven (Swedish: Så som i himmelen), in which a burned-out conductor takes over a small choir in a conservative Swedish community. One of the filming locations used for the fictional village of Ljusåker was the scenic town of Luleå in Norrbotten County.
Excursions Along Swedish Film Locations
A Fika at Lilla Kafferiet
In Luleå you will find Lilla Kafferiet, a cozy café known for its coffee from local roasteries. A major highlight is the homemade cinnamon buns (kanelbullar). In its relaxed atmosphere, visitors can enjoy a typical Swedish fika.
Strolling Through Eksjö
Near “Bullerby” in Småland lies Eksjö, a well-preserved wooden town with a medieval character. Strolling past listed historic houses, visiting cafés and restaurants, or browsing local shops makes for a wonderfully relaxed day. The local museum and the Karamellkokeri branch from Mariannelund, famous for its handmade sweets, are also a delight for children. Another nearby highlight is an elk safari in the Skullaryd Moose Park.
Visiting Filmdorf Småland
Filmdorf Småland in Mariannelund is an interactive museum with outdoor areas for children and adults alike. Everything here is inspired by the film adaptations of Astrid Lindgren’s books. Visitors can dress up, ride Pippi Longstocking’s horse, carve small artworks, or take an audio tour. The museum shop offers souvenirs, and the café serves Swedish treats.
A Walk Through Ystad
Wallander’s Ystad is not quite as gloomy in reality. The cozy harbor town offers ferry connections, including one to the popular Danish island of Bornholm. A stroll through Stortorget, a visit to St. Mary’s Church, or to the Gamla Rådhuset (Old Town Hall) are true highlights. An outing can easily be combined with browsing quaint shops or enjoying lunch in the idyllic courtyard of Bäckahästen Kaffestugan. At the eastern end of Stora Östergatan, visitors will also find Per Helsas Gård, where a charming mix of cafés, renovated half-timbered houses, and local crafts awaits.
Dining at Restaurant Werséns in Åre
Not far from the Ristafallet waterfall lies Werséns—a restaurant, brasserie, and bar with a Scandinavian-French flair. The menu features specialties such as Toast Skagen and reindeer meat. For an even more traditional experience, pair the meal with a local beer from the region. In and around Åre, travelers can enjoy winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. The après-ski in the village is relaxed and cozy. In summer, hikers and cyclists are drawn to the region.
Cinematic Places in Sweden
Sweden’s landscape is the perfect backdrop for memorable film scenes in which nature and charming villages play a central role. Anyone who loves Sweden can set out on a journey of discovery and experience Astrid Lindgren, Wallander, and the idyllic Bullerby up close.
Water in Motion: Glacier Water from the Alps
Written and translated by Katharina Selich
Crystal Clear and Endangered: Glacial Lakes in the Alps
The Alps are home to countless glaciers. Although these icy formations lose mass every year, around 5,000 Alpine glaciers still exist today — including the Aletsch Glacier in Switzerland, the Schneeferner in Germany, and the Mer de Glace in France. This distinctive mountain range stretches across eight countries, from Nice on the Côte d’Azur all the way to Vienna in Austria. As they melt, Alpine glaciers provide a primary source of water for many bodies of water, including glacial lakes such as Lake Tollense and rivers such as the Rhône.
The Alps: A Glacier Paradise in Transition
The Alps have existed for around 25 million years. This impressive mountain range was formed when the African and European tectonic plates collided. Of the Alps’ 82 peaks, the highest lies on the border between France and Italy: Mont Blanc, at 4,809 meters. The first glaciation of the Alps occurred about 2.5 million years ago — and even today, the Alps remain rich in glaciers. In Tyrol and southern Germany, glaciers are also called Ferner; in Switzerland, Firn; and in Austria, Kees.
But when does an ordinary ice field become a glacier? The United States Geological Survey (USGS) defines a glacier as being at least 30.5 meters thick and covering an area of at least 0.1 km². And one more important fact: glaciers are constantly in motion.
Glacial Lakes and Other Bodies of Water
There are around 4,000 lakes in the Alps, more than 95% of which are glacial lakes. The erosive power of glaciers created basins that gradually filled with meltwater. But glacial water does more than just fill these lakes — it causes them to continue growing.
Meltwater from Alpine glaciers feeds major rivers, including the Po in Italy, the Rhine in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France, and the Netherlands, and the Rhône in Switzerland and France.
Powerful Yet Fragile: Alpine Glaciers in Motion
Glaciers are Ice Age marvels that are now at risk of disappearing, as they are melting rapidly. Measurements show that for years they have no longer alternated between annual growth and shrinkage as they once did—instead, they are now consistently losing mass. In just the two years 2022 and 2023, they lost as much mass as they did between 1960 and 1990 combined. This poses a major threat to the Alpine region and to the bodies of water that rely on glacial melt as their primary source.
As glaciers melt, there is also a risk that glacial lakes may drain completely. This happened, for example, in 2014 to the Faverge glacial lake in the Bernese Oberland, which no longer exists today. The Rhône, the Po, and the Rhine will also soon be affected by glacial retreat. Once the meltwater supply ends — after an initial period of excess water — these rivers will begin to dry up.
The full scale of the ecological and socio-political consequences is still unknown. Around 1.9 billion people could be affected by impacts on drinking water supplies and hydropower.
Fairytale Glacial Lakes in the Alps
Lake Sorapis
Lake Sorapis lies at an altitude of 1,928 meters, nestled among the rocks of the Belluno Dolomites, and is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the mountain range. The lake is fed by a waterfall whose water flows underground. Swimming has been prohibited since 2019, but visiting the sapphire-blue lake and its surrounding landscape is well worth the trip. The lake owes its striking color to glacial rock flour, which reflects the sunlight.
Rifflsee
High above the Pitztal Valley in Tyrol lies the Rifflsee, Austria’s highest mountain lake, at 2,232 meters. It is fed by three surrounding glaciers: Seekarlesferner, Löcherferner, and Riffferner. The water is too cold for swimming, but visitors can enjoy raft trips on the lake.
Königssee
The Berchtesgaden Alps are among the most popular holiday regions in the Alps. This is also where the famous Königssee is located — a fascinatingly blue “Alpine fjord.” Its name does not come from the word König (king), but most likely from the personal name Kuno. The lake itself is older than its name: it was formed during the last Ice Age from a glacier of the Steinernes Meer massif and a terminal moraine.
Landscapes in Time-Lapse
Few landscapes can rival the beauty of the Alps. At the same time, they are a region in constant transformation. The effects of climate change can be seen almost as if in time-lapse in glaciers, glacial lakes, and rivers. Anyone who wishes to experience the Alps — with their imposing glaciers and fairytale-like lakes in their current form — should do so now.
A Unique View at Sunset: Rovinj in Blue
Written and translated by Katharina Selich
Why the sunset in Croatia’s Rovinj is especially breathtaking
The harbor town of Rovinj is located on the west coast of Istria. The town is a haven for travelers who want to enjoy delicious food and experience authentic Istrian culture – and, on top of that, witness a sunset unlike any other on the Adriatic Sea. As the sun sinks behind the peninsula, the sky and sea glow in a soft blue light – the blue hour of Rovinj, a moment that creates an almost magical atmosphere.
No matter the season, each evening tourists and locals spend time at the harbor of Rovinj, enjoying the view of the illuminated old town and the blue sky reflected in the sea. In winter, the sunset lingers the longest, in spring, summer and autumn, it fades more quickly.
Rovinj – a Former Part of Venice
The small town on the west coast of Croatia has a long history. As early as the second century BC, people were already living on what was then an island,
not yet connected to the mainland. A few centuries later, Rovinj became part of Venice – the once-mighty maritime republic. As a center for shipbuilding, Rovinj was an important economic hub for Istria. The townscape and the Church of St. Euphemia still reflect Rovinj’s Venetian roots. When strolling through the narrow streets of the old town, visitors can discover even more traces of its past.
The Creation of the Blue Hour
The blue colour of Rovinj’s sunset is mainly due to the dark blue sky reflecting in the Adriatic Sea. This creates the effect of a completely blue horizon. After the sun sets and the direct sunlight disappears, blue light components are scattered more intensely, causing the sky to glow in shades of blue. Because the air over the Adriatic sea is especially clear, the effect becomes even stronger. With its harbor, the pastel-colored facades of the old town, the red rooftops, and the Church of St. Euphemia, the blue hour in Rovinj creates a unique atmosphere for both travelers and locals.
Where the Blue Hour is Most Beautiful
Since Rovinj is surrounded by water, the blue light – where the ocean and sky meet – can be seen from almost every spot.
Harbor
At the harbor, the sailboats, luxury yachts and colorful fishing boats create a striking contrast against the deep blue sky and sea. In the evening, it’s especially beautiful to sit on one of the rocks by the harbor.
Katarina Island Beach
The blue hour is also especially beautiful when seen from one of Rovinj’s most popular beaches. On Katarina Island, just off Rovinj’s east coast, a day on the Adriatic comes to a peaceful close.
Old Town
The old town, with its ochre, yellow, red and pink facades and its narrow cobblestone alleys, opens up in places to reveal fantastic views of the sea.
On a Boat Cruise
The sunset is best experienced in the middle of the Adriatic Sea, on a sailing tour or a dinner cruise, where the sky and sea feel especially close.
Culinary Highlights
Once the fishing center of Istria, and thanks to its proximity to the sea, Rovinj's cuisine is still strongly influenced by fish dishes.
Monte
On the patio of Monte it’s easy to relax and treat yourself. The family-owned tavern is a haven for gourmets: regional ingredients and Istrian aromas shape the menu. The philosophy of owners Danijel and Tjitske is simple – to celebrate life. And what better way to do that than with a glass of wine at sunset?
La Puntulina
The blue hour should last a little longer at this restaurant – La Puntulina is not only a traditional family-run spot with innovative local cuisine, but it’s also located right on the Adriatic Coast. Refined yet authentic, La Puntulina is a true gem for connoisseurs.
Konoba Jure
The patio of this family-run restaurant is especially inviting – particularly during the blue hour. Surrounded by fragrant herbs, the restaurant serves Mediterranean dishes, an authentic Istrian platter with regional delicacies, and plenty of fresh fish and seafood. Here, guests can experience Istrian cuisine in its most genuine form.
A Trip to Rovinj
A trip to Rovinj promises far more than its magical blue hour. In recent years, the town has become a popular destination on the Adriatic Sea. During the day, visitors can enjoy the sunshine at the beaches or explore the city’s charming streets. At night, live music fills the air. Beyond its idyllic old town, rugged coastline, and distinctive cuisine, visitors will also encounter the warmth and kindness that are so characteristic of Croatia.