Sweden in the Rearview: Arnesh’s Self-Drive Adventure of Love and Discovery

As Arnesh Khatri fastened his hands around the steering wheel, he stole a quick glance at his wife seated beside him. The fresh Scandinavian air breezed through the car windows as the roads of Sweden stretched endlessly ahead. It was indeed a beautiful journey of discovery to a new country and of themselves.

They had been married for years, built a life together, and created routines that, while comforting, had also dulled the spark of adventure. So, when the idea of a self-drive journey through Sweden surfaced, they embraced it without hesitation. No rigid schedules, no tour buses - just them, the open road, and endless possibilities.

Little did they know, Sweden would carve itself into their hearts in ways they never expected.

Through the Old Streets and Into the Wild

Stockholm welcomed them with the elegance of a city that had mastered the art of blending the old with the new. The cobbled streets of Gamla Stan whispered stories of the past as they wandered hand in hand, with the Royal Palace standing tall in silent regality. Arnesh’s wife, who is always drawn to history, admired the medieval architecture while he indulged in freshly baked cinnamon buns at a street-side café.

That evening, as they walked down Drottninggatan, the energy of the city buzzed around them. Yet, their hearts were already looking beyond - towards the open roads, where their true adventure would begin.

The next morning, they set off in their car and left Stockholm behind. Their first stop was the serene Tullgarn Palace, whose gardens were a picture of 18th-century elegance. With a love for photography, Arnesh’s wife captured the morning light filtering through the leaves, while he simply stood still and soaked in the history.

Driving through Linköping, they stopped at the “Old Linköping” museum. Here, the wooden houses and the smell of freshly baked bread from an old-fashioned bakery felt like stepping into a different era.

By the time they reached Vadstena, the shimmering waters of Lake Vättern welcomed them with open arms. That evening, as they sat by the lake with their fingers intertwined, Arnesh realised something. They had not laughed this much, talked this freely, or felt this alive in a long time.

Winding Roads, Crystal Castles, and Windswept Shores

The journey carried them forward through landscapes that looked like paintings. In Gränna, they watched candy-makers craft the famous Polkagris sweets as their hands moved in a rhythm perfected over generations. Arnesh, of course, left with pockets full of the peppermint treats.

Kalmar greeted them with its grand castle, which had been standing tall for over 800 years. While walking through its stone corridors, they imagined the echoes of kings and queens who once roamed these halls. But it was the Glass Kingdom of Glasriket that truly mesmerised them. Watching the artisans breathe life into molten glass was nothing short of magic.

Then came Öland, with its rugged cliffs, soft sandy beaches, and the whisper of the Baltic Sea in the wind. They explored the ruins of Borgholm Castle, whose crumbling walls narrate tales of battles and bygone eras. At Stora Alvaret they were caught off guard, their surprise evident as they stood there frozen. The vast limestone plain, stretching as far as the eye could see, was hauntingly beautiful.

“It feels like another world,” his wife whispered.

Arnesh nodded. “Like time forgot this place.”

For a moment, they stood in silence to absorb the immensity of it all.

Lost in Time, Found in the Journey

Their road trip continued south, with each stop revealing a different shade of Sweden’s soul. In Karlskrona, they traced the naval history of the country. Moreover, they wandered through apple orchards in Skåne County, sipped cider in Simrishamn and marvelled at the medieval fortress of Glimmingehus.

In Ystad, they walked through quiet streets, half-expecting to come across a mystery themselves. The beaches of Sandhammaren were endless, and the golden sand was warm beneath their feet as they took a long and peaceful walk.

Their next stretch of the journey took them past Helsingborg, where the gardens of Sofiero Palace bloomed in a bunch of colours. In Halmstad, they sipped coffee at a small café and watched the world pass by in slow motion.

When they reached Gothenburg, they found that it was different - bustling, vibrant, and alive. They explored its streets, from the fish market hall of Feskekôrka to the thrilling rides at Liseberg amusement park. But it was in Hårga where they had a great time biting into Kanelbullar (cinnamon rolls).

“You know,” Arnesh’s wife said, smiling. “I could get used to this.”
He laughed. “Me too.”

The Road Home

As they made their way through Sunne and Dalarna, the forests thickened, the air grew fresher, and the world seemed quieter. They visited the workshop where the famous Dala Horses were carved, watched waterfalls cascade down rugged cliffs, and felt the warmth of small villages.

Their final stretch took them back to Stockholm, where it all began. As they parked the car one last time, a strange sadness settled in.

“This trip…” Arnesh began but paused, searching for the right words.
His wife squeezed his hand. “It was everything we did not know we needed.”

Read More: Thrillophilia Sweden Reviews