Attempting to divide a lengthy drive from Stockholm to Åre into two parts it was based on good word…read moreof mouth that a night was booked at Brostugans Bed & Breakfast in Järvsö, early summer still finding both the hotel and surrounding area quiet with a room for two actually the only one occupied on the day of arrival. Independently owned and operated, a nightly cost of around 875 SEK including accomodations and Breakfast for two, it was after a pleasant night's sleep and long jog around the city that the dining area was found laid out with a sizable spread including housemade and storebought items, the Coffee bold and plentiful while Tea and Juice were also offered and first bites focused on a loaf of housemade Rye that was sliced to preferred thickness and served either plain or toasted. Offering additional Rolls and Crackers plus hardboiled Eggs, Charcuterie and Spreads, the Liver rich and creamy while Kalles "Kaviar" and additional tubes of Meat define "acquired taste," it was to two flavors of liquid Yogurt that an array of Cereals and Museli were added, the Summer Berry a bit too artificially sweet while the Vanilla was good on its own and all the moreso with Raspberry Jam that apeared to be housemade compared to other flavors such as Strawberry and Orange Marmalade with labels on the bottle. Taking an opportunity to try traditional Pickled Herring, a one and done sort of deal at least in terms of the sort that come in a store-bought jar, it was with Pickles, Cheese and a bit more Ham that the palate was cleansed before finishing up with steamy Oats made with milk plus a crisp "Angel" Cookie that came warm from the oven with the rest packed up to go compliments of the house.

Ok, so here is the deal. You have to go to Ljusdal in Sweden and find a hotel. Well stop searching,…read morethis is the only one I could find (even while walking around in the small city). The hotel is convenient located opposit the train station (3 hour train ride from stockholm). The rooms are simple but comfortable. The shower is powerfull and of good temperature. The hotel restaurant closes at 9pm so you have to be early. The breakfast is in buffet and the choice is limited but good. All I am missing is warm eggs and sausages (always miss those in Sweden) The best thing is the free wifi in the hotel, the worse the total lack of drinks (but the supermarket is nearby and open till 9pm)

My first impressions of Borrgarden were not good, considering I did not know what I was getting…read moremyself into. If you understand from the beginning that Borrgarden is a hostel and you share bathrooms, then you can go in with a more open mind. This American had never been in Sweden, and had not experienced a hostel. Shared bathrooms and minimal accommodations were something you only saw in a National Lampoon movie. This is not an American hotel, obviously, and my ignorance of that played into my initial distaste for the place.