Europe’s most scenic coastal journey

West Sweden's The Koster Islands London - Arab Today Experience one of Europe’s most scenic - yet relatively little known - coastal journeys from Ostfold, East Norway to Gothenburg in West Sweden. Stay in top-quality accommodation along the way, sample delicious locally-sourced cuisine and indulge in a range of activities including island hopping, sea kayaking, seafood safaris and crime fiction tours. It is the first time the tourist boards in Norway and West Sweden have partnered to put together a new six-day itinerary for this relaxing and picturesque 150 mile trip, also offering their top tips of what to see and do along the way. Fly into Oslo Rygge on day one to explore Ostfold, the sunniest place in Norway and boasting 100 beaches, charming villages, lakes and bright yellow fields. Check into Quality Hotel Fredrikstad, set in the heart of the city of Fredrikstad and oozing cool Scandinavian design features. Refuel at Fabel, serving the best coffee in town, home cooked pastries and top-notch meals. A must-do activity includes a visit to the nearby Isegran peninsula (a free 10 minute ferry ride from Fredrikstad’s city centre). It has a fascinating history, with settlers first arriving there in the 13th century. It was the royal shipyard for the Danish-Norwegian fleet until 1685. Explore Fredrikstad museum and take a guided tour of the Old Town – often described as Northern Europe´s most beautifully-preserved fortress town. Tuck into an evening meal at Restaurant Slippen, offering a menu of seasonal, local ingredients. Kick off day two by moving on to the Hvaler Islands (30 minutes’ drive south). This archipelago of 833 islands, islets and skerries is home to Norway’s first marine national park, The Outer Hvaler. It’s a wonderful setting for diving, canoeing, fishing and hiking. Leave your car at Skjærhalden, the gateway to the islands, with a variety of shops, restaurants and galleries. Spend the night at Garnberget Cabins in Utgårdskilen on Vesterøy Island, a great base overlooking the fjord and small fishing village. There’s also a fantastic restaurant on site, serving fish fresh from the surrounding sea. If you have time, perhaps take a short 20-minute boat ride to the island of Søndre Sandøy which is a perfect place for cycling or relaxing at Café Oline, a cosy café and pub right by the water. On day three, it’s time to adventure to a new country - Sweden - to see another fascinating marine national park, Kosterhavet. To reach this unique environment, head back to Skjærhalden to pick up your car and drive south for 80 minutes to Stromstad on Sweden’s west coast - the gateway to Kosterhavet. On your way, stop at the historic city of Halden, close to the Swedish border and home to Fredriksten Fortress, offering a fantastic view of the town and the fjord, and far vistas into what once was enemy territory - Sweden. Once you’ve reached Stromstad, park your car and take the ferry (just over 30 minutes) to Kosterhavet marine national park. Catch a ferry back to Stromstad on day four and head south to the dreamy fishing village of Fjällbacka (30 minutes’ drive), famous as the setting of Camilla Lackberg's crime novels and where the iconic actress Ingrid Bergman holidayed every year, calling it "her place on earth". Visitors can enjoy Läckberg-themed tours and jaw-dropping views of the archipelago from Vetteberget Mountain. Tuck into lunch at the Taste of West Sweden-accredited restaurant and hotel, Stora Hotellet Bryggan.   Fjällbacka is gateway to Sweden’s most westerly islands - The Weather Islands (a 30-minute boat trip away). Visit this remote, warm and windy setting where it’s possible to genuinely switch off.  Embark on kayaking adventures and exhilarating walks, tuck into fresh seafood and relax in an outdoor hot tub by the shore. Stay at Väderöarnas Värdhus guesthouse, featuring another Taste of West Sweden-accredited restaurant. On day five, return to the mainland to admire the fascinating Bronze Age rock carvings at Vitlycke museum and then head south to the vibrant city of Gothenburg (90 minutes’ drive south). Discover quaint canals, the cobbled streets of historical Haga and countless green open spaces, including Sweden’s biggest botanical gardens, boasting over 16,000 species. The city has a buzzing outdoor café culture - try "fika" (a break for coffee and a sweet bun), plus intriguing food markets, impressive museums and multitude of enticing restaurants. And if you’re still hungry for island life, there’s the city archipelago right on Gothenburg’s doorstep - easy to reach via a half-hour tram ride and a short passenger ferry trip. Stay at Gothenburg’s Clarion Hotel Post, a listed former Post Office from the 1920s which has been wonderfully restored into a slick hotel complete with rooftop pool and the top-class "Norda Grill & Bar" restaurant, managed by the famous New York based chef Marcus Samuelsson.