The Renée Review

A day in Visby, Gotland Sweden - Summer 2005

Visby Tourism

Gotland Ferry

Stockholm Transportation

July & August daytime highs are normally between 66F and 68F. July and August, can be wet with showers.

Anticipated Rainfall for the months of July and August are tied; both receive an average of 51 mm of rainfall. The wettest month of the year is Sept. with 58mm of rainfall.

A sweater & raincoat or umbrella.

Layered clothing

Sun Block

Shoes or boots to combat cobblestones and sidewalks.

Mosquito repellent & antihistamine cream for bites.

Calls to Sweden: The country code for Sweden is 46; next dial the area code and phone number.

Calls from Sweden: Dial 00, wait for the tone and dial country code, the area/city code and number. (US country code is 1)

Emergency: Fire, Police, or Ambulance – 112

US Embassy & Tourist Board

Embassy of the USA 

Dag Hammarskjolds Vag 31

SE-115 89 Stockholm, Sweden

Phone (0) 8 783-5300

The Gotland Tourist Office

Skeppsbron 4-6

Box 1403

S-621 25 Visby, Sweden

Phone 46 0 (498) 20.17.00

Fax 46 0 (498) 20.17.17

Currency, exchange & credit cards

The national currency of Sweden is called the Swedish Krona pronounced as Kronor / plural. The Kronor is abbreviated as SEK or SKR. Coins are called ore. 1 kronor = 100 ore.

One US Dollar is 7.79464 SEK / SKR as of 6/23/05.

Foreign currencies can be easily exchanged at ATM’s, banks and exchange offices open roughly 7am – 9pm throughout the city.

Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club & American Express is accepted in major hotels, restaurants and shops, but asks first.

TAP WATER is CLEAN – however drinking from a babbling stream must be verified. Check before you drink!

The population based on 2003 figures for all of Sweden was 8.9 million people. The Visby population is 20,000. The official language is Swedish.

Service charges are typically included in restaurant bills and taxi fares.

Handicrafts endorsed by the national handicrafts organization and have a round token bearing a hammer emblem “svensk slojd.” Also look for the “Duodji” label, a round token of authenticity usually found on textiles, knives & other trinkets.

Traditional items are those designed in glass, wood and pewter. Look for the painted wooden horse, “Dalarna” and browse the numerous glass factories.

Bargaining isn’t customary – the price is the price, unless you are a walk in at a hotel.

The VAT (value added tax) is in the price of the goods you purchase and can be as much as 25%. The VAT can be refunded if you purchase more than 200 SEK / SKR in goods if you request a “Global Refund Check.” Shops that display a” Tax Free” shopping sign have the necessary paperwork, other shops may not.

The check must be validated at an international refund point found at international airports and harbor terminals.

Public Toilets in Sweden are marked “WC” and are seldom free, including those in museums, shops, transport stations, historical sites, etc. You’ll either encounter an attendant or the toilet will be coin operated at 5 SEK / SKR. The good news – you’re likely to find them clean!

Carry your own Kleenex .

Regular ferry services run between Nynashamn & Gotland. For Gotland ferry transportation: 

Visby is called the city of roses and ruins. Gotlands mild weather and fertile soil make it an ideal climate for the islands famous roses, 36 varieties of orchids and countless wildflowers.

Gotland is the largest of the Baltic islands and one of the most historic with more than 100 medieval churches.

Surrounding the medieval trading town of Visby are 13^th century walls, more than 40 towers and wonderful ruins.

From mid May through mid August cars are banned in the old town of Visby where cars are left at the gates of Soderport, Osterport and Fiskarporten.

Try to visit Visby during medieval week where you’ll be brought back to the summer of 1361. Medieval week 2005; August 7 – 14. During this period, re-enactments of medieval life, in full costume abound.

Bicycles are a highly recommended mode of transportation for getting around the town of Visby and can be rented from behind Saluhall on the harbor or at Osterport from Gotlands Cykeluthyrning. Phone: 46 (498) 21.41.33

In June of 2005, Sweden banned smoking in all restaurants, cafes and pubs. Smokers must smoke outside.

Expect high prices on everything, especially alcohol. Supermarkets even charge for the bags.

Swedish society is highly ordered, clean, stylish and comfortable.

Most Swedish towns have their own web address. This is found by entering www, the town’s name, followed by .se.

17% of the Swedish population is over 65 years of age (2003 statistics).

20% of the Swedish population is foreign born or have one non Swedish parent (2003 statistics).

Most museums have short opening hours and many tourist offices are closed on weekends.

Nude sun bathing is restricted to marked beaches. Topless sunbathing is common at all beaches – though use the general rule that if no one else is doing it, you shouldn’t either.