Sweden's Summer Solstice celebrations have gained worldwide renown and are unlike any other, which is no surprise given that it is arguably the most important date on the Swedish holiday calendar. Although celebrated throughout many European countries, Sweden's blend of traditional features from across the globe ensures that there’s little else to match it. Separated into two main parts, the Midsummer Day and Midsummer Night mark the point at which sunset and sunrise occurs at their furthermost extremes. Although there’s precious little sleeping done during the main celebrations, it is nonetheless wise to book a hostel so that there’s somewhere to retreat to once the celebrations have stopped. But be warned, hostels in Stockholm and hostels in Uppsala are likely to be in particularly high demand. Dancing around the florally decorated maypole in the traditional â€Frog Dance’ is the most famous part of the festival with respective cities covering it in greenery prior to the evening revelry. Historically, the pole has replaced the bonfire and is covered in greenery to signify the fertile summer period. According to tradition, Midsummer celebrations have come to be associated with magic, which is still celebrated by some singletons, who sleep with a bouquet comprised of seven different flower species under their pillow in the hope of dreaming about a future spouse. Swedish food is also high on the agenda with a meal of potatoes picked fresh from the ground and pickled herring served alongside plenty of drink to wash it down with. Vodka tends to be one of the staple favorites. With some of the more popular solstice celebrations taking place on the archipelago islands of Oland and Gotland, travelers are advised to book hostels in Stockholm within easy reach of transport to secure the best spots. There are variations, of course, with some celebrations taking place on the beach rather than in the traditional green field, while some go as far as to creatively construct maypoles out of beer cans and suchlike! For the budget traveler, however, one of the biggest attractions is the night of relatively free entertainment that lasts into the small hours and promises to offer one of the best opportunities to enjoy the very best of the famed Swedish culture.
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