What I’m about to explain isn’t simply one other luxurious resort overview. However please learn on and also you’ll see how this can be a luxurious expertise of a really completely different type, however each bit as particular. Birka is actually the unique Stockholm – a bustling Viking buying and selling hub located on the island of Björkö in Lake Mälaren, simply west of modern-day Stockholm. It was established within the eighth century and served as one of many earliest city centres in Scandinavia, enjoying an important position within the commerce routes that linked Viking territories with the remainder of Europe, Byzantium and even the Center East.
As soon as a centre for retailers bringing items like furs, textiles, jewellery and unique objects, right now it’s a UNESCO World Heritage web site that welcomes guests to discover the positioning, study extra about Sweden’s deep Viking heritage and marvel at this image of early world commerce. And what’s actually particular is that you could keep in a single day at Birka, lengthy after the vast majority of vacationers have left, to actually respect the island’s historic values, nature and spirit, and have the place just about all to your self.
However firstly, how do you get there? Most guests arrive on board M/S Victoria – run by Strömma Kanalbolaget – which leaves Stockholm, and stops at varied jetties on the way in which. Prime tip: you probably have a automobile, do as we did and drive to Jungfrusund in Ekerö, and board on the jetty there. Parking in Stockholm is pricey, however at Jungfrusund you’ll be able to park without spending a dime for as much as two days. Different choices are to drive to Lindby brygga, Adelsö and journey by motorboat, or constitution a yacht and moor at Birka’s visitor harbour.
The welcome
Anybody disembarking M/S Victoria at Birka is greeted by a wood signal, resting in opposition to an outdated wood wheelbarrow, with the phrase ‘welcome’ in Viking runes, set in opposition to a picturesque backdrop of purple buildings and plush greenery.
You may go to Birka for the day, as most individuals do, or keep in a single day and revel in a glamping expertise. We had been there to do the latter, however didn’t talk our arrival after we first arrived as we first wished to take the tour. Excursions run every day after the boat arrives – one in English and one in Swedish.
The tour of Birka
In the event you go to Birka, I strongly suggest you’re taking the tour. You’ll nonetheless have loads of time to discover the island at your personal leisure, however the tour – which is all included along with your go to – offers you some actually invaluable insights.
It takes about an hour and includes some strolling on various terrain, however nothing too strenuous. On the tour, which is delivered by somebody in conventional Viking apparel, you’ll find out about how the island is now a lot larger than it was as a consequence of post-glacial uplift of the terrain, but additionally concerning the excavations and burial chambers on the island.
You’ll find out about how retailers got here to the Birka from throughout Europe, in addition to different components of the world, as revealed by archaeological excavations which have unearthed Arabic silver, beads and ceramics from Jap Europe and unique materials from Asia. In return, the merchants would have acquired Swedish items corresponding to iron, horns, skins and furs.
Birka managed the commerce routes in northern Scandinavia for round 200 years, however got here to an finish when the residents both died or deserted the island, we’re undecided which. Some 5,000 graves – principally cremation graves – exist on the island right now and are a transferring reminder of what was as soon as a thriving neighborhood.
The tour concludes near the Monument of Ansgar, a cross that occupies the best level on the island. It was constructed to honour the Benedictine monk Ansgar, a missionary who was despatched to Sweden within the 800s by Louis the Pious, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, to deliver Christianity to the nation. Whereas his mission might not have been fully profitable, a monument bearing his identify was raised a thousand years later, in 1834, and it nonetheless stands right now.
It’s value visiting even when only for the view of Lake Mälaren.
The glamping expertise
5 glamping tents, every with historic Viking names and sleeping 2 to 4 folks, are a comparatively new addition to the island.
They’re fenced off from the vast majority of guests to make sure a level of privateness, and located simply above the water’s edge.
The view from contained in the glamping tent is so peaceable and enjoyable, and provides a beautiful vista throughout Lake Mälaren.
Every tent is furnished with a correct mattress and hotel-standard bedding, a lockable chest in your valuables, stools and a desk.
Shampoo, conditioner and bathe gel are all equipped, as are towels and a light-weight, and showers and bogs can be found in a service constructing near the glamping space. Or, for those who’re feeling courageous, take a dip within the refreshing water the Vikings bathed in through the small seaside that’s en route.
As for my night time’s sleep? As you recognize, I’ve been lucky to remain at many beautiful inns all around the world, however I’m not exaggerating once I say this was presumably among the best night time’s sleep that I’ve had in years! I’m undecided what it was… possibly as a result of we went to mattress comparatively early when night time fell, or maybe it was the soothing nature of the water lapping in opposition to the shore outdoors, however I slept actually, very well and felt fully refreshed the following morning.
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The amenities
There may be a lot to see on the island. Beside the archaeological web site and Ansgar Monument already talked about, there’s a museum and store which has exhibitions and a few glorious reconstructions displaying life in Birka within the Viking Age. It additionally consists of many desirable objects which have been uncovered on the web site.
Throughout from the museum are some full-scale reconstructions of Viking-era buildings and boats, historic Norse crops, and livestock, to present guests a greater perception into what life was like on this earliest of Swedish settlements. This genuine reconstruction relies partly on information obtained throughout archaeological excavations made on the island.
In the event you obtain Birka’s audio information to your cell phone, you’ll be able to hear about Ulvar, a 10-year-old who lived within the village in the course of the Viking Age, or concerning the reconstruction of the homes.
There’s even a church on the island, managed by Ekerö parish, which is open for guests in addition to Summer time weddings and christenings. Bearing the Christian missionary’s identify, the Ansgar Chapel, was designed by architect Lars Israel Wahlman and inbuilt round 1930, 100 years after the Monument of Ansgar was raised.
Lastly, be sure you go to Restaurant Särimner, near the place the boat docks, the place you’ll be able to sit inside or out.
We had lunch there each days, having fun with domestically produced meals corresponding to basic Swedish meatballs served with pickled cucumber, lingonberries, potatoes and a cream sauce, beetroot beefs served with a gray pea hummus, root greens and sauerkraut, or smoked salmon served with a herb sauce and roasted root greens, spinach and pickled purple onion. And the beer comes from native breweries too.
A Viking dinner at Restaurant Särimner is included within the glamping expertise, the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from Swedish dishes corresponding to Basic Toast Skagen. This basic dish of shrimps in a creamy dressing of mayonnaise flavoured with contemporary dill and a squeeze of lemon is commonly loved as a part of midsummer celebrations or on different festive events.
The hearty mains included dishes corresponding to purple wine braised beef cheek with root vegetable gratin and asparagus, Särimner’s fish and seafood casserole, and glazed ribs with fries, all exceptionally cooked.
An espresso crème brûlée with contemporary berries was a stunning strategy to spherical off the night because the solar set over Björkfjärden.
The placement
Birka is positioned on Björkö Island in Lake Mälaren, roughly 30 kilometres west of Stockholm.
Different good touches
One actually beautiful a part of our keep was having a breakfast basket delivered within the morning. The chef had requested us the night time earlier than what we preferred in the way in which of tea, espresso, juice, rolls, yoghurts, and so forth. and this was duly dropped off by quad bike the following morning. Once more, the climate was type to us so we had been in a position to get pleasure from this outdoors.
The fee
Boat excursions to Birka, which embrace a spherical journey, entry to the museum and a guided tour of the traditional fields, begin from simply 395 SEK (roughly $40 USD) per particular person.
The glamping expertise, which incorporates an in a single day keep, a Viking dinner and a breakfast package deal, begins from 3790 SEK (round $400 USD) for a 2-person tent, or 5700 SEK (round $600 USD) for a 4-person tent. Glamping visitors obtain a reduced boat journey with Strömma Kanalbolaget to and from Birka. The boat journey is booked individually with the low cost code acquired within the glamping affirmation.
The location is barely simply accessible to guests within the hotter months of the yr, with a daily ferry service operating from Stockholm from Could to September.
The very best bit
One of many actually particular issues about glamping at Birka is having the place to your self in any case the opposite vacationers have left. And, while it’s exhausting to pick a stand-out function of our glamping expertise as we beloved each minute of it, the Viking dinner was actually beautiful. There was solely the 4 of us and the chef there, and he produced an distinctive meal for us, significantly when you think about the vast majority of the substances should be introduced on to the island. It was simply so peaceable and the climate was type to us, which meant we had been in a position to eat outdoors, overlooking the water because the solar set. All very magical!
The ultimate verdict
If you’re in Stockholm, I wholeheartedly suggest a go to to Birka. It’s a very particular place, a UNESCO World Heritage Website and of giant historic significance. However, to make your go to further particular and extra memorable, I might undoubtedly suggest that you simply go for the glamping expertise to totally immerse your self into the island’s historic values, nature and spirit. It offers you extra time to get to know the positioning and help you higher respect every little thing that it has to supply.
Disclosure: Our go to to Birka was sponsored by Strömma Kanalbolaget and our journey was kindly supported by Go to Stockholm.
Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxurious Journey Weblog and has labored within the journey business for greater than 30 years. He’s Winner of the Improvements in Journey ‘Finest Journey Influencer’ Award from WIRED journal. Along with different awards, the weblog has additionally been voted “one of many world’s finest journey blogs” and “finest for luxurious” by The Telegraph.
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