World heritage The rock-carvings in Tanum have the same status as the pyramids in Egypt or India’s Taj Mahal and have –like these – been made World Heritage sites by the UN. Almost 70 percent of the rock-carvings depict ships floating across the rocks. The rock-carvings were knocked in 3,000 years ago by the people of the Bronze Age. The famous rock in Vitlycke is more than 20 metres long and seven metres high. The motives are men with long legs lifting their axes towards the sky. But it’s not only wars and warriors that we meet. A man and a woman are embracing each other in love - or do they fear the giant holding a hammer above their heads? Magical. Ritual. A world heritage for eternity.

9/1 A feeling for paper 9/1 Harness racing at Axevalla Travbana 10/1 Eagle weekend at Lake Hornborga 13/1 A feeling for paper 18/1 Eagle weekend at Lake Hornborga

Vann Spa, Hotel & Conference

A new design-led spa hotel opens overlooking Gullmarn Fjord, set within a nature reserve on the Bohuslän coast, opens on 15 March.

Formerly the Lingatan Hotel, the property has received a complete makeover under the direction of architect Gert Wingårdh (designer of the Swedish Embassy in Washington DC) and will reopen as a new creation, with its name yet to be decided. Located outside Lysekil an hour from Gothenburg, this stylish retreat, with 151 double rooms and five suites, features a modern restaurant and a six-pool spa. These include separate hot 42 °C and cold 10 °C pools, plus forest and flower pools.

The property will be given a clear West Coast profile, which includes everything from the local granite used to the colours of the interior. ‘Vann’ is simply the way the Swedish word for water is pronounced in Bohuslän. Since everything at Vann centres around water, with the Gullmar Fjord on the outside and 1000 square metres of spa on the inside, it feels natural that the hotel’s name should reflect this. It’s also an unusual, and short, name which is easy to remember.

The hotel has its own 300-metre long stretch of beach, a restaurant and a spa with 6 different pools. The property is situated in a conservation area, close to, among other things, tennis courts, football pitches, illuminated jogging tracks, crazy golf and a golf course.

For online booking (opens 15 March)

For more information

Passion for Food Events in West Sweden 2009 Suecia ofrece escapadas sin punto de comparación para 2009. Fresh flicks at the 32nd Gothenburg International Film Festival Try Swedish eco-tourism at its finest with newly accredited nature tour: walking in West Sweden for £105 pp

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