Travel news: winter travel, events and spa trends

By: The editors | Source: press material

Then it was Monday again and that of course means travel news here at FREEDOMtravel. As usual, we have gone through this week’s press releases. Here you will find this week’s news, in the form of short announcements!

In 2025, more than 570,000 travelers traveled with Birka Gotland

The only thoroughbred cruise ship in the Baltic Sea Birka Gotland has completed its first full calendar year in service, with approximately 570,000 passengers. This represents an increase of 30 percent compared to 2024, when the ship was only in service for three quarters of the year. The year was marked by an increase in the number of families with children, more weekend cruises in the fall and record interest in Christmas dinner cruises. Birka Gotlands 2025 in numbers:

• +42% more christmas party cruises
• +30% more travelers compared to 2024
• +25% more families with children under the law
• +12% more Visby travelers during the summer
• +12% more weekend cruises Stockholm-Mariehamn in the fall

Weather chaos drives the desire to travel – bookings rush in January

Snow, cold and winter chaos have made many people want to get away. According to travel agency Ticket, the number of trips booked in the first week of the year increased by 38 percent compared to the same period last year. A large proportion of bookings concern trips departing in the first three months of the year, which shows that there is a strong desire to hit the road. The most booked winter trips at the moment:

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1. London
2. Gran Canaria
3. Malaga
4. Alicante
5. Berlin
6. Amsterdam
7. Bangkok
8. Paris
9. Lisbon
10. Barcelona

Great start to the event year in Malmö 2026

Hardly has daily life started again when new parties color the streets of Malmö. In January, the European Handball Championship in the Malmö Arena makes its mark on the city, and NordicFuzzCon follows in February with around 5,000 traveling furries. Add to that a series of energy injections on the city’s stages:

• The Swedish Review will be played from January 7 in Slagthuset with Henrik Dorsin and Johan Glans.
• God in disguise performed on February 5 and 7 by the Malmö Symphony Orchestra.
• The night is the mother of the day will premiere at the Hippodrome on February 1.
• Carmen will premiere at the Malmö Opera on January 17.
• May fall will have its world premiere at Skånes Dansteater on January 30.
• Someone has to do it guests at Nöjesteatern February 13-14, performed by Helen Sjöholm and Gunilla Backman.
• Oleg Skrypkarock legend in Ukraine, will take over Moriskan on January 30.

Spa trends for 2026

After several years of fast pace, constant connection and high demands in professional life, many long for something different. In 2026, traveling will increasingly be about slowing down, recuperating and experiencing things together, in real life. In Swedish spa hotelwhich brings together 54 of Sweden’s best spa destinations, the shift is clearly visible. These spa trends are being seen:

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1. Digital detox – Mobile-free spa areas and treatments for a digital break.
2. Cryotherapy and temperature-based wellness – Cold and heat are increasingly used as active aids for recovery.
3. Social well-being – Shared experiences, for example in nature, around food or in a spa environment.
4. Personalized spa trips – Individual choices instead of standard packages.
5. Advanced sauna experiences – The sauna develops from heat to ritual, with, for example, essential oils and guided movements.
6. More attention to women’s health – Trainings, treatments and programs are adapted to different stages of life, not least menopause.

The Göta Canal is looking for 100 lock keepers for the summer

Götakanaalbedrijf is looking for approximately 100 lock keepers for the 2026 summer season. As a lock keeper you are stationed at one or more locks and bridges along the Göta Canal. The work consists of operating locks and bridges, regulating water levels and planning boat traffic in consultation with colleagues.

The seasonal work applies to the period from June 16 to August 12, 2026, with an employment contract of 6-9 weeks. For the position you must be 18 years old by June 16, 2026, be able to swim and speak fluent Swedish and English.

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This week’s reflection

Of course you can get tired of the weather and want to travel. But maybe you don’t choose London because of the weather…? By the way, cruises with Birka Gotland sound quite fun. Have you ever cruised with them?

Did you miss the previous travel news? Read Where the Swedes will travel in 2026