Swedish Country Living in West Sweden has created beautiful off-grid, Eco, organic, sustainable cabins on their ancient pasture in the forests of Dalsland and on 8th November in Stockholm was awarded the ´360° Eat Guide Experience 2021 Sustainability Award´.

The 360° Eat Guide is the first guide to look beyond the plate, considering both the gastronomic experience and sustainability of what’s served — 360°EAT GUIDE awards the pioneers and ground-breakers of modern cuisine.

”We feel humbled to be recognised for our sustainable focus by winning this award. Our ambition is to help people slow down, eat food that’s produced locally and get closer to nature. That’s why we built the off-grid Hermitage cabins. We hope that this recognition will inspire others to work more sustainably and realise that everyone can make a difference." Explains David and Marie Naraine, the owners of and visionaries behind Swedish Country Living.

Defining itself as a ‘Back to Nature’ break, Swedish Country Living offers experiences set in the beautiful nature of Dalsland, West Sweden. ​With accommodation in spacious country houses or off-grid cabins, packages include farmhouse breakfasts, lunch and dinner. Since you'll spend much of your time hiking or canoeing, packed lunches of the local variety are also on the menu. Sustainability is a key factor here and guests are given a guided tour to learn about Swedish Country Living's holistic approach to food, sustainable buildings and regenerative agriculture.

On making this award, 360° Eat Guide said - "An experience in the Swedish forest that takes guests back in time, where it is easy to breathe, listen learn, see and taste what the farm and the surroundings have to offer. An impressive whole where a constant desire to look ahead gives them the highest ranking."

Visit Sweden regularly carries out surveys to better understand the factors that drive and motivate our target group. Results show that food not only influences travellers choice of destination but also their activities and adventures, intensifying their experience. We also see that even if sustainability is not the key motivation behind choosing what to do, tourists are increasingly looking at sustainable destinations and activities.

This award is not only about food on a plate but rather a solution to the challenges the tourism industry is facing today. A food and drink experience where you can enjoy Swedish flavours from local produce and learn more about sustainable entrepreneurship that builds on cooperation with others.

Further information can be found by visiting: 

Swedish Country Ligvng - https://www.swedishcountryliving.com/ 

360° Eat Guide - https://360eatguide.com/ 

Visit Sweden - Sustainabile eco-tourism experiences

Images - sustainability and food - https://imagebank.sweden.se/my-selections/de1dyyujl 

For information on West Sweden: https://www.vastsverige.com/en/

Sustainable delights for foodies that are all worth a visit – these are the 360° Eat Guide ‘Experience’ nominees 2021

The 360 Eat Guide jury singles out 10 Swedish food and drink pioneers, all offering one-of-a-kind foodie experiences in Sweden. Living up to the ‘Experience’ category criteria, the nominees all offer holistic food and drink experiences that aim to educate and inspire in equal parts, by way of local produce and collaboration with like-minded talent.

Local Farm Cider & Grub, Köpings Musteri, Köping

An organically certified cider farm, Köpings Musteri makes cider and juice with apples from Sweden's oldest commercial organic orchard. Take a 1.5-hour tasting tour of this fruity wonderland to learn about the orchard’s close to 40 apple varieties and drinks production – and how the climate, soil and other factors affect the taste. Enjoy a juice or cider tasting with a platter of cheese, cured meats and bread.

'Long lunch (långlunch)' at Osprey Farm & Studio, Strängnäs

Set in beautiful nature by Lake Mälaren, Osprey Farm & Studio's ‘Long lunch' (långlunch)' concept centres on the farm’s own diversity of vegetables, herbs and flowers, with which guest chefs create unique menus with sustainable principles at the forefront. Educational in style while celebrating creativity and craft beyond the art of cooking, this foodie experience includes a tour of Osprey's own ceramics studio and architecture.

'Eat the Weeds (Ät upp ogräset)', Life by Lisen, Stockholm

This experience will have you re-evaluate many common garden weeds as delicious and sustainable ingredients. Guided by herbalist and wild food enthusiast Lisen Sundgren, you'll learn how to forage and cook edible plants. The foraging excursions take place in beautiful settings such as Rosendals Trädgård – a much loved green oasis in central Stockholm – and Osprey Farm & Studio, as well as other inspiring spots across Sweden.

'Forest, food & fire (Skog, mat & eld)', Naturlogi, Linköping

As the name suggests, this is an experience with a focus on local produce cooked in the forest over an open fire. Hosted by Naturlogi, with accommodation in the form of cosy cottages, you'll be provided with locally sourced and home-grown ingredients. In tune with the seasons, the menu is ever-changing, with fuss-free recipes that allow the quality produce to take centre stage.

Mussels tour, Musselbaren, Ljungskile

Join sustainable Swedish restaurant Musselbaren on a boat trip to west Sweden's Lyckorna fjord and its vast mussel bank. During this 4.5-hour adventure, you’ll learn everything about mussels and harvest your own catch. Back on land, participate in preparing the shellfish, and enjoy your ‘moules frites’ with fresh bread and aioli.

A hike to savour on the Gotaleden Trail (Njutvandra Gotaleden)', Pathfinder Travels, Lerum

An idyllic weekend hike and local food experience rolled into one, you’ll explore the Gotaleden Trail – running from Gothenburg to Alingsås – along with a string of small-scale food producers and restaurants on the way. As you reach Floda, lunch is served at Garveriet – a much-loved foodie destination celebrated for its focus on local produce. Nääs Fabriker Hotel & Restaurang is another highlight situated close to lake Sävelången in a 19th century cotton mill, with several shops in the area selling everything from cheese, bread and beer to clothes and design objects.

Surflogiet Experience, Tofta, Gotland

Eco-minded surf hub Surflogiet – situated by the sea on the island of Gotland – is keen to share and educate guests about the culinary heritage of the region. Throughout your beachside stay – between SUP and wave surfing sessions – you'll be invited to sample food cooked with locally sourced ingredients, from asparagus to lamb. Even the milkshakes are local, handmade with ice cream from the island.

Nyrups Naturhotell, Östra Nyrup, Höör

Immersed in the beautiful nature of Skåne, Nyrups Naturhotell is much more than a hotel with good food. A stay here involves open-fire cooking with seasonal ingredients, locally sourced and delivered for you to prepare with friends or fellow guests. As you relax in these peaceful and hiking-friendly surroundings, you'll feel at one with nature, experiencing sustainable living and outdoor cooking – all giving you a confidence boost and a new set of life skills.

Absolut Home Experience, Absolut Vodka, Åhus

Swedish icon Absolut Vodka's journey with pure spirits free of toxins began back in 1879. Take a 1.5-hour guided tour at the Åhus hub to learn all about the history of ‘The King of Vodka’, as well as the people behind the famous tipple’s success and production process. You’ll also discover why the spirit is only made from locally sourced winter wheat, distilled using a unique and circular seed-to-bottle process. At the end of the tour, you get to mix Absolut Vodka’s take on the famous Cosmopolitan cocktail.

For further information and possible press trips, please contact:

Steve Robertshaw, Senior PR Manager, Visit Sweden UK, steve.robertshaw@visitsweden.com