The IAUPE 2007 Conference website

Three websites are especially useful for those who would like to see more of Sweden and Denmark once they're here:

www.skane.com for local attractions;
www.visitdenmark.com for suggestions on places to go in the country to which Scania (Skåne) once belonged; and
www.visitsweden.com for ideas on what to see and do in Sweden.

What you decide to do is to a large extent dependent on how much time you have, so the first question is:

How long do you plan to stay in this part of the world?

If it's just a matter of days, it makes sense to stay based in Lund and sample some of the delights of Scania that you didn't get to see during the Conference week. Let www.skane.com guide you. Drivers obviously have a greater choice, but even if you're restricted to public transport you'll be able to see a good deal. For instance, a short train and bus trip takes you to the Ven ferry, for a voyage to the island in the Sound which was home to Tycho Brahe and where bicycles are still the chief means of transport (available for hire at the harbour).

With a week at your disposal, your choice obviously widens a good deal. Stockholm is a stunningly beautiful city, especially in summer; but it's some four hours away by (fast) train, and driving up takes the best part of a day. It's an hour by air from Malmö/Sturup.

Another option if you have about a week is some local sightseeing in combination with a few days on the Danish island of Bornholm, in the middle of the Baltic south of Ystad (from which there is a ferry). It's a quaint, old-world place of great charm, perfect for a brief rest after the strains of a conference. You might also consider the Swedish island of Gotland, off the south-east coast of Sweden (consult www.gotland.se, clicking on 'International' for English) -- great for medievalists; the gorgeous old Hanse town of Visby even usually offers a medieval festival in August. But getting there and back takes some time.

In fact, it's wise to consider distances when you're travelling in Sweden. The population is comparatively small, but the country is big and distances long.

Pre- or post-Conference?

If you have a choice, it helps to know that July is the main holiday month in Sweden, which means that resorts and attractions are likely to be less crowded in mid- and late August. On the other hand, there's a reason why Swedes tend to holiday in July: it's usually warmer, at least in daytime. Even in mid-August, the nights are distinctly cooler and darker.

Transport?

A hired car (or your own!) has all sorts of advantages, of course. The Hertz office in Lund offers IAUPE participants the advantageous Lund University rates. It's best to contact them in advance by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone to +46-46-30 60 12; mention IAUPE and refer to Kristina, with whom the deal was made. A week with a medium-sized Volvo will set you back approx. $400, free mileage and insurance included. Apart from peak seasons and times, there is little congestion on Swedish roads, but avoid long car journeys at weekends -- especially in late July and the first half of August, when many Swedes travel back from their holidays.

At those weekends, too, trains and planes may be full and cheap services hard to find, but otherwise both these modes of transport are quite comfortable and prices not too high in an international comparison.

Taxis are on the expensive side, but if you use Taxi Skåne and ask for the Lund University rates you won't be robbed. The local number in Lund is 330 330 (int. +46-46-330 330). They have people carriers, enabling a good-sized group to share and thus cut costs.

Other sources of information

Make use of the efficient Lund Tourist Office (located directly opposite the Cathedral); any query to them may be e-mailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . See also the 'Social Activities' link on this IAUPE Conference website and the Lund Municipality site, www.lund.se, for other suggestions about what to do and see in and around Lund.