Candy canes, castle ruins, and hiking by Lake Vättern - traveling in Southern Sweden

Our journey first took us to the small town of Gränna, where we parked right by the harbor.

In the town center, there were many shops selling candy (polkagrisar).

We looked at the colorful candies and candy canes and were able to watch their production in glass workshops.

At the harbor, we took a short break with a cinnamon roll before continuing our journey.

Just outside of Gränna, we visited Röttlegården, an old farm from the 17th century.

An old watermill is still preserved and operates on weekends.

Next to it lies a small waterfall.

When we arrived, the place was already crowded because a tour bus had just arrived, unloading visitors for a tour.

We took a lunch break in the hop garden next to the parking lot, which features picnic tables and beautifully landscaped beds for insects to linger.

Right by the E4 highway lies the castle ruin Brahehus, which we visited next.

From the rest area, some tables offer a direct view of the old walls, and it can also be quickly reached via an underpass.

Once it was meant to be a pleasure palace and then a widow's residence. Since the lady died after just a year, it became a guest house.

In 1708, it burned down and has remained a ruin since, which can today be visited during a break at the rest area.

For overnight accommodation, we found a spot at the nature reserve Kråkeryd.

Not far from the parking lot is a viewpoint overlooking Lake Vättern, where we enjoyed a cinnamon roll and coffee.

We then set out on a short hike through the lovely area.

Initially, we walked through a forest, where the path frequently led us to the steep shore of the lake.

Then we climbed higher and hiked over rocks covered in heather, which was blooming beautifully.

We returned to the camper van along the road and past some very charming holiday homes.