Astrid Lindgren's Småland

The forest opens and the meadows continue down towards Lake Gissen, in this idyllic south of Vimmerby lies Fredensborg's Manor. The stately light yellow wooden building from 1875 exudes genuine charm. Here you will enjoy a manor holiday with nature-friendly accommodation, beautiful sunsets and good food - all in a wonderful environment.

Fredensborgs Herrgård is beautifully situated one mile south of central Vimmerby, in the middle of the Småland farmland. All rooms have shower, toilet, TV and Wi-Fi, with views of the lake, the manor park or the beautiful countryside. Family rooms for four people are available, as well as two mini-suites. All guests have access to the hotel's common areas, the manor park and the lake, as well as to the activities at the manor. These include miniature golf, padel, tennis, darts and billiards. In summer there is a playroom for children. It is possible to bring pets at an additional cost. However, there is a limited number of this room type and therefore any pets must always be notified well in advance.

The mansion is surrounded by one of Småland's finest golf courses: Tobo Golf Course. You have only 100 meters from the breakfast table to the first tee.

The restaurant serves locally produced food with the best ingredients from local producers and growers. How about crayfish from our own Lake Gissen, which you can actually try fishing for yourself. Fresh mushrooms and berries come straight from the forest to the team in the kitchen. A few hundred meters from the mansion, fresh eggs are collected from Björkhyddan's eggs, the dairy products come from local farm dairies... Yes, the list is long on the talented local suppliers. During the high season, a children's buffet is served with 2-3 dishes of children's favorites. The staff in the kitchen at the manor are passionate about what they do - it really shows in the good food!

Day 1 - Bullerbyn, Mariannelund and Katthult

Fredensborg Manor

Dinner

40 km

In the areas around Vimmerby are the environments where Astrid Lindgren's fairy tales became a film. Something you should not miss is the idyllic village of Sevedstorp, which became the Buller village of the fairy tale. Here Astrid's father grew up, and the three idyllic farms still remain today. Thereafter, the cycling trip to Mariannelund continues with caramel cookery and the Children's Film Village.

You cycle on towards Katthult, and we recommend that you stop at Runkesten, considered the largest moving block in the earth that can be put into rock. A folk tale tells us that it was the giant woman Kåra who, in anger at being disturbed by the church bells, threw a stone from "Harekulla height" in the neighboring parish against Rumskulla church. According to the story, Kåra will once again come back and destroy whoever overturns the stone from its place ...

At the farm Katthult, which is the last destination of the day, not much has changed since Emil ravaged around, and nearby is Lönneberga. A delightful three course dinner awaits Fredensborgs Herrgård, and you may have a trip to Gisseskalle before dinner, a view mountain with wonderful views of Lake Gissen and the Småland landscape.

Day 2 - Pippi, Emil and Astrid Lindgren's Näs

Breakfast

30 km

After a delicious breakfast you head to Vimmerby. On the way you pass Visan's ship, a beautifully situated ship's set of 40 visas carved into the stones. Throughout the area around VImmerby you will see clear traces of the famous writer's wife. Growing up was a great source of inspiration for Astrid Lindgren. In the farm Näs, her childhood home and the sugar drink tree remain just as then. The pavilion next door houses exhibitions, a shop and a restaurant.

A must, of course, is Astrid Lindgren's World. In the fantastic theme park you will meet Emil, Pippi, Madicken and the other favorites from the fairy tales. Astrid Lindgren's World is not really one but many worlds gathered in one place. During a walk around the park you pass well-known places such as the Körsbärsdalen valley and not far from there, but in a completely different world, lies Mattisborgen. Continue for a while and there is Villa Villekulla. Before that, you must have stopped at Karlsson's roof and in Katthult.

Visiting the theme park is a full-day experience in itself, but you might choose to stay an extra night? For who has not dreamed of climbing around Mattis Castle or jumping on Hoppetossa, Dad Efraim Långstrump's boat ...?