Top ten ways to spend a weekend in Gothenburg

1. Starting at Götaplatsen and ending up by Vallgraven (the moat), Avenyn (the avenue) is probably a good a place as any to start your weekend away. It runs right through the middle of the town, so it's an easy landmark to find for even the most confused of tourists. If you like shopping, cafes, and parading along fashionable boulevards, or prefer simply drinking coffee and watching those who do, Avenyn is the place for you.

2. Slottsskogen (Castle Forest), labelled "the park of the people of Gothenburg since 1874", is a must-see green space, including two zoos and an abundance of flora and fauna. Take a picnic, dance at the pavilion at Gräfsnäsgården, or enjoy the fresh air with a long walk or a jog. And the best thing? It's free - even the zoos.

3. If you've been to Slottsskogen and still haven't had enough of nature, head to the Botanical Garden, with its 175 hectares making it the largest of its kind in Europe. It boasts 16,000 species of plants and the largest collection of exotic lilies in Sweden. Inside its greenhouses, you can find over 1,500 species of orchids.

4. Andra Långgatan - This street is the hip alternative to Avenyn; this is where the cool kids hang out, watch live music, drink beer from local micro-breweries, buy vinyl, and – perhaps the ultimate hallmark of Swedish coolness – shop second-hand. If you want to get in with the in-crowd, Andra Långgatan is the only place to be.

5. The car-free Southern Archipelago includes Köpstadsö, an island where the prime means of transporting goods is by wheelbarrow. But who needs motorized transport, anyway? Hönö, the largest and perhaps most beautiful of the northern islands, is not only pretty but has activities such as scuba-diving and kayaking, and even a Fishing Museum for the adrenaline-phobes amongst you.

6. Liseberg and Universeum - If you have kids, these are guaranteed smile-raisers. Liseberg theme park is full of rollercoasters, thrill-rides, and sugar-laden treats. The Universeum Science Discovery Centre is full to the brim with animals, hands-on exhibits and giant dinosaurs with feathers. If big fluffy dinos don't tickle your fancy, there are seven floors to explore and Europe's largest aquarium. Free for under-threes.

7. Not heading out to the archipelago but still want to experience the water? Take the Paddan boat trip along the 17th century canals, which floats under 20 of the city's bridges. But don't forget to duck underneath the worryingly named "cheese slicer" (Osthyveln). While it may sound like a medieval torture device, it's not, it's just a dangerously low bridge. One you've made it through, hopefully intact, you'll end up at the beautiful harbour.

8. Be sure to check out the Feskekôrka market - even if only to tell your friends you've been to a Fish Church – named so due to its architectural likeness to a Gothic church and the fact that it sells fish. If eating fish in a church isn't your thing, there are also brilliant options on Avenyn.

9. Volvo museum - If you tire of the luscious parks and romantic canals and need something a tad more mechanic or macho, head to the Volvo museum. It's filled with over 100 vehicles from the very first Volvo back in 1927, to modern day trucks, cars, construction vehicles and marine machines.

10. LASERDOME SPORT CENTER - 2000 square metres of various indoor activties for thrill-seekers. The premises has a large reception desk where you buy tickets to the different activities.

Work takes a back seat while Sweden prepares to move on with the long awaited summer break.

So loads of fun, entertainment, events, music, drinks, food, dance and offcourse cheerful and noisy streets.

Welcome Summer.... Smiles are back!!!

Cheers

Vijesh