DAY TRIP: MALMÖ

Malmö was originally a Danish settlement, becoming a part of Sweden in 1658 and has since grown to be the third-largest city in the country. It still has ties to Denmark, as the Öresund Bridge links this city with Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. The bridge – as well as the many trains that run throughout the day – make it easy to jump from one city to the other, cementing Malmö as the perfect day trip destination. While it is only a 40-minute train ride from Copenhagen, Malmö can also be accessed by many other places like Lund (15 minutes by train) and Helsingborg (40 minutes by train).

Start your day at Bagaren och Bonden for some pastries and coffee. I am absolutely obsessed with their bondkakor, or Swedish farmer cookies. These cookies are thin and crunchy with a hint of chewiness and a caramelized almondy taste. The package barely made it back on the train with me at the end of the day.

Walk off your cookie coma in Gamla Staden, Malmö’s old town. Here you can visit St. Peter’s Church, the city’s beautiful example of Brick Gothic architecture. Nearby you will find two cute squares: Stortorget and Lilla Torg. Stop in a shop and purchase a Dala horse, a traditional carved (usually painted) wooden statue of a horse. This little horse has evolved from being a symbol of Dalarna (where the horse originated) to a symbol of Sweden in general.

Then for lunch, make your way to Brasserie Sture 1912 and be sure to book your reservation in advance! This long narrow restaurant is a buzz during lunch, and the food is absolutely phenomenal.

After lunch, walk around Kungsparken, a lovely park that was opened by King Oscar II in the 18th century. Then head to Slottsträdgården, an open organic community garden. If you are experiencing inclement weather, pop into the Malmö City Library for a reprieve. Do not worry about feeling stuffy in this library, as the reading room features a wall of windows overlooking Kungsparken. It is a wonderful way to enjoy the nature from the comfort of an armchair and a book!

Before hopping the train back to whichever city you came from, do not miss out on the ice cream at Köld. I had the best dairy free chocolate ice cream there that I have ever had in my life. It had an incredibly rich, bold flavor that was silky smooth. Enjoy Malmö!

CANDY CANE MAKING WORKSHOP