1936 On the Continent

Storlien (Jämtland) perhaps the best ski-ing terrain of all. In Lapland, within the Arctic Circle, the ski-ing season begins on March 1st, but goes on till midsummer. You could not choose a better holiday, and many an Englishman has told me that a Swedish ski-ing holiday has spoilt him for any other country. It might have been politeness, but there is undoubtedly something in it. You can get courses in everything appertaining to “mountain touring” in Vilhelmina (Lapland), and all the leading centres possess excellent ski-ing schools. You can join ski-ing parties, benefiting by much reduced terms for travelling, etc. Guides charge most moderate fees, and there are no extras to pay. Further information from Föreningen för Skidlöpningens Främjande, Vasagatan 16, Stockholm.
    I CE-YACHTING and S KATE-SAILING are two thrilling forms of sport that I am sure you would enjoy. There are ideal conditions on the large stretches of frozen water all round Stockholm. The only drawback is that both ice-yachtsand skate-sails are private property. When you are on the spot you may get in touch with somebody who will treat you to a few hours’ real excitement. For to be in an ice-yacht as it races across the sea at a speed equal to that of a fast train, clearing treacherous fissures by a hair’s breadth, is a thrilling experience. Skate-sails are not very expensive, and will provide you with almost as thrilling an experience as the steel-shod yacht. Ordinary skating can be had anywhere in Sweden. The Stadium in Stockholm has a fine skating rink, with a band playing, or, if you prefer it, there is the Ispalatset, boasting an equally fine indoor rink. Bandy and ice-hockey matches are held all over Sweden in the winter. The Stadium in the summer is the centre for football and athletic games, besides being the scene of all kinds of drill shows and pageants.
For the Ladies
    “Looking at shops” and “bargain hunting” are things that few ladies can resist, especially when visiting a foreign country. Both Stockholm and Gothenburg can boast some very fine shops and general stores where you can buy everything at quite reasonable prices. There are also a great many old curiosity shops, especially in and around Norrlandsgatan and in the “City between the Bridges” in Stockholm. Here you can pick up many a bargain—old silver and pewter, jewellery, etc., quite cheaply, and without feeling that you are being “done.”
    What Sweden is famous for, however, are textiles, rugs, glass, china, pottery and pewter. All those things are a joy to behold for anyone with artistic perception. For the Swedish artist has an unerring eye for line and colour, and the workmanship is perfect. It is a fact that people interested in interior decoration come flocking here from all over the world in an endeavour to pick up new ideas, trying to borrow from the inexhaustible well of Swedish originality and imaginative inspiration, and buying specimens to form the
pièces de résistance
of their own collections.
    I will not say that these things are inexpensive, except certain very attractive glass and pottery. But considering the quality of the goods they are not expensive, and you would certainly have to pay far more for them in England or elsewhere.
    Electric lamp standards of wrought iron and also beautiful electroliers can be had far cheaper than in England. I can also recommend Swedish stainless steel cooking utensils, such as stewing-pans for cooking joints and game in the Swedish way. Also waffle irons and pancake pans, especially those for making small pancakes (Plättar). There are also all sorts of practical gadgets for the kitchen. The glass and china and the hardware departments of any leading store would be well worth a visit, and also the furnishing department.
    Then there are all those articles that are typical of Sweden, and that you will find in the gift departments of the stores, or in shops specially dealing in Swedish Arts and Crafts Products. Here you will find, among other things, a good selection of Swedish national costumes, some of which are really lovely. You could not find a nicer present for your little girl, for instance, than a dress from Leksand, in Dalecarlia, or one for yourself from Scania, in the south of Sweden, the kind favoured by the Crown Princess of Sweden when she goes to stay at her summer residence on the Sound.
    Sports outfits can be had quite cheaply, and you will find a marvellous selection of really smart