Win a Trip to Sweden this July

VisitSweden is looking for a writer who would like to peruse the world of Scandinavia’s top criminologists, the stars of popular books and box-office favorites. We seek an individual who can walk in the footsteps of Criminal Inspector Wallander, and to travel the routes of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium characters.

Wallander’s escapades, proclivity to whiskey and melancholy have brought critical acclaim to Swedish author Henning Mankell. Kenneth Branagh is Detective Criminal Inspector Kurt Wallander in the PBS series – to air on PBS this fall – that has made the southern Swedish seaside town of Ystad –unique for its quaint timbered-houses and medieval lore — synonymous with murder.

The main characters in the best-selling Millennium series are journalist Mikael Blomkvist and computer hacker Lisbeth Salander. Their stories which take place in Sweden’s capital, mainly on the island of Södermalm, have inspired a film and TV series and will for sure attract fans to take Millennium walking tours about Stockholm witch will begin this spring.

To be eligible for this assignment the writer must have read at least one of the authors’ books: Sidetracked, Firewall and One Step Behind from Henning Mankell’s Wallander series and/or one of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium books, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played with Fire.

Tell me why you would like to travel to Sweden to learn more about the destinations that are mentioned in the books. Tell me why you would like to follow in the footsteps of these authors. The most convincing essay earns the trip.

The writer of the chosen essay qualifies for the complimentary journey to Sweden and will be sharing his/her own tale during the trip with daily postings on the Community of Sweden page. This page which is about all things Swedish, is found on www.visitsweden.com, Sweden’s official tourism website. So it is important that you also become a member of the Community of Sweden.

What is included in the trip? Round trip air to Sweden, Stockholm and Malmo, accommodation 3 nights in Stockholm and 3 nights in Malmo/Ystad), meals, sightseeing tours and ground transportation between Stockholm – Malmo (Ystad). The package is for one person.

Deadline for entries: April 15, 2009

Announcement to be made: May 15, 2009

Send entries to annika.benjes@visitsweden.com
Travel dates: around the month of July.