Shopping in the "Kingdom of Crystal": Many visitors come to Sweden just to shop for glass. In the "Kingdom of Crystal," which stretches some 112km (70 miles) between the port city of Kalmar and the town of Växjö in Småland province, some of the world's most prestigious glassmakers, including Kosta Boda and Orrefors, showcase their wares. At least 16 major glassworks welcome visitors to this area, and offer cut-rate discounts in the form of "seconds" -- goods containing flaws hardly noticeable except to the most carefully trained eye. Visitors can see glass being blown and crystal being etched by the land's most skilled craftspeople.

Exploring the High Coast: The Höga Kusten is the most panoramic stretch of the Bothnian Coast along the northern regions of eastern Sweden. It stretches between the towns of Härnösand and Örnsköldsvik, a land of rolling mountains and forested valleys that at times seem to plunge into the Gulf of Bothnia itself. Along the coast you can cross Höga Kusten Bridge, the seventh longest in the world, spanning the Ångermanalv River, and encounter dramatic coastal scenery in every direction. In America, only the coasts of Maine and northern California compete in general magnificence.

Viewing the Awe-Inspiring Northern Lights: In the darkest of winter in the north of Sweden (called Lapland or Norrbotten), you can view the shimmering phenomenon of the northern lights on many clear nights, usually from early evening until around midnight. The sun and solar winds create this amazing light show when electrons from the sun collide with atmospheric atoms and molecules.

Touring the Land of the Midnight Sun: Above the Arctic Circle, where the summer sun never dips below the horizon, you have endless hours to enjoy the beauty of the region and the activities that go with it -- from hiking to white-water rafting. After shopping for distinctive wooden and silver handicrafts, you can dine on filet of reindeer served with cloudberries. You can even pan for gold with real-life pioneers in Lannavaara, or climb rocks and glaciers in Sarek's National Park.