November 25, 2008 "“ Gothenburg, Sweden’s second largest city, home of Volvo and Hasselblad, embraces Christmas with a largesse that is unbecoming of Scandinavian’s somewhat reticent culture. It hugs everyone.
Scandinavia's Christmas City No. 1, Gothenburg makes believers out of roughly 1.5 million who enter its enchanted Christmas realm of 700 evergreens, nearly 4 miles of fir garlands, 5 million sparkling lights and the largest Christmas market in Scandinavia.
Happiness overcomes smitten individuals and families who enter the 85 year old Liseberg Park's famous Christmas market. Vendors in 80 stalls and cabins sell arts and crafts such as wooden toys, hand made candles, traditional straw work, festive foods served by indigenous people from Lapland, marzipan pigs, mulled wine, spruce trees. Happy activities and events include reindeer sleigh rides, ice skating shows, light shows, and sipping trendy drinks at the Ice Gallery & Bar where minus five degree temperatures put an Arctic spin on cocktail couture. There is "guaranteed snow every day" in the park's new section. Market dates: Nov 14-Dec 23, 2008. Fantastic image: Lights from park extend through town to harbor.
For free video footage, photos and media release visit: www.thenewsmarket.com/gothenburg
Travel packages: When a traveler books a Gothenburg Christmas Package of one or more nights breakfast is included along with free admission to Christmas at Liseberg and more. The package is priced from SEK 620 (about $91) per person in a twin bedded room at a central hotel. For more information about the package or Gothenburg /WestSweden region visit: www.goteborg.com.