How to embrace the cold and travel like a local in Sweden this winter
WHILE winter holidays to places like Lapland and Iceland are simply magical, knowing how to navigate the cold snaps can be difficult.
Luckily, a team of travel experts have shared their top tips for surviving the cold just like a local.
Every year Sweden welcomes roughly 800,000 holidaymakers from the UK, with many opting to visit during the winter.
And travel experts at , the country's national tourism board, have revealed just how holidaymakers can truly embrace any cold snaps.
One of those ways is by following the Swedish tradition of "Mys" where locals surround themselves in warm interiors and candlelight.
Another way to fight the cold when travelling is by indulging in "fika" - the famous Swedish coffee break.
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Generally, Fika is all about spending time with friends, family, and loved ones.
Throughout the winter, holidaymakers are encouraged to sip of hot drinks like rosehip and blueberry tea, a Christmas soda called julmust, and a Christmas beer known as julöl.
The locals also drink Glögg - a spiced mulled wine with blanched almonds and sultanas.
They use the warm drink to wash down ginger biscuits.
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For those Brit holidaymakers who are heading to Sweden for a long weekend, there are other local traditions that can be followed too.
One of those is cosy Friday (Fredagmys), which involves wrapping up warm on the sofa and watching a good movie.
Meanwhile, Lördagsgodi is all about indulging in sweets with the family on a Saturday.
Another way to experience Sweden like a local is by staying in the only IKEA hotel in the world.
Set in Älmhult in Sweden, the hotel is a dream holiday destination for Ikea enthusiasts all over the globe.
The hotel first opened in the 1960s but has expanded over the years to include 254 rooms, which are all furnished with products from the Swedish retailer.
Holidaying like a local is an important prospect for many British tourists - especially in countries like Spain and Italy.
One travel writer who visits a Spanish holiday hotspot once a month has revealed how to avoid looking like a tourist.
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Meanwhile, another British expat who lives Cadiz in Andalusia has revealed the three big mistakes tourists make while they're on holiday.
This includes eating at restaurants with laminated menus containing pictures and being too reliant on taxis and private transfers.
