Travel tips: relax along Sweden's idyllic Bohuslän coast, plus the week's deals

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/may/18/sweden-bohusian-coast-fuerteventura-canary-islands

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Take me there: Bohuslän coast, Sweden

Why go? Fans of Nordic-noir thrillers could be forgiven for thinking the Scandinavians live in a land of half-light and endless rain. Visit the west coast of Sweden in summer and another picture reveals itself. Stretching north from Gothenburg to the Norwegian border, Bohuslän is where the Swedes go to eat their bodyweight in pickled herring and crayfish, bob about in boats and drink schnapps in pretty harbour-front bars.

What to doBohuslän's fishing villages are famed for their fresh seafood and distinctive red fishing huts. Popular spots are Lysekil, Smögen and Fjällbacka, where Ingrid Bergman spent her summers. Fjällbacka is also the home of crime writer Camilla Läckberg – fans can take a 45-minute "cosy crime walk" around the village. Embark on a boat trip to one of the 10,000 islands which lie off the coast. Marstrand is where the Swedish royals holiday and has a big yachting scene, while the rugged Weather Islands and Koster Islands are perfect for walking, cycling and swimming off the rocks. Fish for mackerel and crayfish on a seafood safari from Grebbestad (evertssjobod.se).

Where to eatEvery table has a sea view at Peterson's Krog (petersonskrog.se), a lively restaurant serving fish dishes on Käringön (30 minutes by ferry or taxi boat from Hälleviksstrand). Also on the island is the Käringön Oyster Bar (karingo.com) where you can drink champagne and eat oysters grown on the family farm while sitting in a hot tub at the water's edge.

Where to stayThe charming Stora Hotellet Bryggan in Fjällbacka has a prime spot overlooking the marina and crisp, New England-style bedrooms (from £150, storahotelletbryggan.se)

Insider tip"For the best smoked herring and crayfish go to Åstols Rökeri (astolsrokeri.se)," says Darren Hamlin of Simply Sweden (simplysweden.co.uk). "It's a restaurant with its own smokehouse and musicians come from all over to play here."

Give me a break

Home: urban camping in BristolA hotel in Bristol is reinventing itself as an urban glampsite with the addition of four caravans on its roof. Guests staying in the Retro Rockets will be treated to hotel-style comforts, plus views of the Bristol skyline from the roof garden of the Brooks Guesthouse. Normal rates are from £109 per night, based on two sharing, but a launch offer of £99 per night is available until the end of June (canopyandstars.co.uk)

Away: family-friendly FuerteventuraPierre & Vacances will open a new Club Village on Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands in June. Origo Mare will offer a choice of houses clustered around pools, bars and restaurants. Activities include tennis, surfing and diving. Prices from £380 per week for a one-bedroom villa sleeping four, which includes an early booking discount of 35%. Valid until the end of May (pierreetvacances.co.uk)

For more inside tips, advice and holiday ideas, go to theguardian.com/travel