Sensational Sweden

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Visby, Sweden

We made a short stop in Visby, an idyllic town on the island of Gotland in the middle of the Baltic, renowned for its for well-preserved medieval wall, Viking history, and stunning St. Mary’s Cathedral. The ubiquitous cobblestone paths are lined with gorgeous fragrant roses in vibrant colors. A UNESCO World Heritage City, walking or biking is the only way to really appreciate the sights and charm, especially on a perfect summer day. We were treated to a Swedish specialty at Fika ( Swedish coffee break) of a saffron pancake, which is not a pancake at all, but a yummy sweet rice pudding treat topped with a large dollop of fresh whipped cream and a berry jam. We continue our quest to sample local cuisine — a solemn duty!

The ram is the mascot of Gotland. The concrete animals serve as barriers in the streets to slow bicycles and prevent vehicles — such as great idea as opposed to the ugly concrete chunks that Denver has installed to causing traffic snarls, driver confusion and impeding emergency vehicles and snowplows…but I digress!