Tour Information
Note: The information presented here is an abbreviated version of our formal General Information for Tours to Sweden. Its purpose is solely to give readers a sense of what might be involved if they took this tour. Although we do our best to make sure what follows here is completely accurate, it should not be used as a replacement for the formal document which will be sent to all tour registrants, and whose contents supersedes any information contained here.
ENTERING AND LEAVING DENMARK AND SWEDEN: The regulations for both countries are the same: a passport valid for at least three month after the conclusion of your stay and with at least two blank pages for entry stamps. Visas are not required for stays of under 90 days. Citizens of other countries should contact their nearest Danish and Swedish consulates or embassies for the rules applicable to them.
COUNTRY INFORMATION: Sweden: You can review the U.S. Department of State Country Specific Travel Information at https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/sweden.html , and the CIA World Factbook background notes on Sweden at https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sw.html
PACE OF THE TOUR: This is a fairly relaxed tour. Breakfast will be between 7.00 and 8.00am, allowing us plenty of time to arrive at the prime spots soon afterwards. Lunch will usually consist of either a picnic in a scenic area or a casual sit-down at a local restaurant. We will return to the hotel in time to freshen up for dinner at one of several excellent restaurants in the area.
Virtually all the walking is fairly easy on good paths or trails. Most of the birdwatching is done within a short distance of our vehicle. In fact, at Falsterbo, one of the main routes of the migrating birds is directly over the car park and adjacent bird observatory wood. With the variable weather conditions the birdwatching itinerary will be decided on a daily basis by the leader.
HEALTH: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all travelers be up to date on routine vaccinations. These include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot.
The most current information about travelers’ health recommendations can be found on the CDC’s Travel Health website at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/sweden .
Smoking: Smoking is prohibited in the vehicles or when the group is gathered for meals, checklists, etc. If you are sharing a room with a nonsmoker, please do not smoke in the room. If you smoke in the field, do so well away and downwind from the group. If any location where the group is gathered has a stricter policy than the WINGS policy, that stricter policy will prevail.
CLIMATE: Temperatures will typically range from 10°C (about 50°F) in the morning to a maximum of 18°C (65°F) at midday, although it can be (or feel…) colder if overcast and windy, and warmer temperatures are likewise possible. The average rainfall in September is 60mm (2.36 in) and showers are always a possibility.
ACCOMMODATION: Our small hotel is located in the quaint village of Skanor, just to the north of Falsterbo, and within walking distance of the sea and prime birding areas. The rooms are typical of this kind of hotel being simple and not too large but very clean and have adjustable heating to suit individual needs. All rooms have a bathroom with shower facilities, and towels are provided. The last night of the tour will be in Malmo, Sweden, a 15-minute train ride from the airport in Copenhagen, to facilitate departures on the last day.
Internet Access: Our hotels have wireless internet access.
FOOD: Modern Swedish cuisine is generally accessible, diverse, and excellent. Opportunities will be had as well to explore some classic Scandinavian dishes. Since there are only a few establishments open at Falsterbo out of season, we are likely to eat in some of the restaurants on more than one occasion.
Food Allergies / Requirements: We cannot guarantee that all food allergies can be accommodated at every destination. Participants with significant food allergies or special dietary requirements should bring appropriate foods with them for those times when their needs cannot be met. Announced meal times are always approximate depending on how the day unfolds. Participants who need to eat according to a fixed schedule should bring supplemental food. Please contact the WINGS office if you have any questions.
TRANSPORTATION: Our transportation will be by mini-bus driven by the leader. We will rotate the seating each day.
Updated: 23 October 2023