The Best Active Vacations in Sweden

Fishing: Sweden offers some of the world's best fishing for fresh- and saltwater fish -- its pristine lakes and streams are crystal clear, and many of them are extremely well stocked.

Golfing: Many Swedes are obsessed with golf. Most courses, from the periphery of Stockholm to Björkliden (above the Arctic Circle), are open to the public, and enthusiasts can play under the midnight sun. Halland, south of Gothenburg, is called the Swedish Riviera, and it's the golf capital of the country. Båstad is the most fashionable resort in Halland, and you can play a game of golf here at two prestigious courses: the Båstad Golf Club at Boarp (tel. 0431/783-70) and the Bjåre Golf Club at Solomonhög (tel. 0431/36-10-53), both located right outside the center of Båstad.

White-Water Rafting: Sweden has some of Europe's best white-water rafting. Trips run the gamut from short and comfortable rides through peaceful landscapes to heart-stopping races on fast-running rivers. In Dalarna, the best white-water rafting is on the Västerdalälven River rapids, which are rated moderately difficult. In northern Värmland, 5km (3 miles) south of Höljes, you can take easy white-water trips in paddle boats.

Hiking: The Kungsleden (Royal Trail) provides the hike of a lifetime as it takes you through the mountains of Lapland, including Kebnekaise, the highest mountain in Sweden (2,090m/6,857 ft.). This 500km (311-mile) trail cuts through the mountains of Abisko National Park to Riksgränsen on the Norwegian frontier.