Lobster in Bohuslän The lobster premiere takes place on the first Monday after the 20th September. And fishing for lobster is then allowed until the 30th April. The species of lobster, a crustacean, first appeared about 300 million years ago. At about the same time as the dinosaurs. Lobsters are probably right-handed, i.e. their right claw is stronger and much more developed than the left. With its right claw, the lobster crushes clams, crabs and sea-urchins that make up its main diet. Lobsters sometimes even eat members of their own species. The lobster’s shell contains a number of colour pigments, two of which are blue and red. The shell is black before cooking, when it gets its tempting red colour. The odd lobster gets the chance to celebrate its fiftieth birthday. The growth rate varies and a portion-sized lobster can be anything from three to ten years old. For more information, visit www.sha.nu

22/11 A feeling for paper 22/11 Bohus Fortress -May to August 22/11 Christmas Fete at Dagsnäs Castle 22/11 Julmässa 22/11 Skara Filmfestival

Top 15 Västergötland

KARLSBORGS FÄSTNING
One of Europe's largest fortified constructions, with a circumference of approximately 5 km, originally envisaged as Sweden's reserve capital in the event of war. During the summer there are guided adventure tours, packed with special effects and surprises.

Karlsborg Tourist Office:

+46(0) 501-100 01

ÄLGENS BERG AND THE ROYAL HUNTING MUSEUM, VÄNERSBORG
See the world through the eyes of the elk. Listen through the ears of the elk. Experience smells as the elk experiences them. At älgens Berg and the Royal Hunting Museum at Hunneberg you can come into contact with the world from the elk's point of view. Open all year round

Vänersborg Tourist Office

+46 (0)521-27 14 00

HÖKENSÅS - A FISHING AND FAMILY PARADISE
Hökensås – a piece of Norrland in miniature, with its centre approximately 14 km south of Tidaholm. Peace, quit and serenity are sought by many. Here on the rock at Hökensås, on the western edge of lake Vättern, tranquillity abounds. If you are lucky you will catch a glimpse of elks, deer, foxes and hares among the pine trees. A nature reserve in the true sense, approximately 5,500 hectares in size.

Fishing
Most of the lakes offer fishing in all its forms. The lakes are divided up according to the type of fishing. Hökensås offers fly-fishing, spinning and angling. This scenic area has been popular among fishing enthusiasts for over 45 years and fishermen will find a veritable Mecca. The area has about 50 lakes. The fish come from own fish farms, located nearby. The fishing season is going on the whole year. The best fishing time is: Spring (May - June) and autumn (August - October.)

The Hökensås area offer, a wide range of accommodation

Tidaholm Tourist Office
+46 (0)502- 60 62 08

Habo Tourist Office
+46 (0)36-481 15

Hjo Tourist Office
+46 (0)503-352 55

Mullsjö Tourist Office
+46 (0)392-140 00

NÄÄS SLOTT, LERUM
Beautifully located near the E20 between Göteborg and Alingsås. This is the venue for the largest Midsummer celebrations in West Sweden. The exhibitions, cafes and shops are open throughout the summer.

Lerum Tourist Office, Nääs
+46 (0) 302-31 225

SKARA SOMMARLAND
The water adventure centre Skara Sommarland is a paradise for families on holiday. The town of Skara is also as small, idyllic town, best known for its impressive cathedral. Don't miss a visit to the Västergötland Museum, whose collections include 3,000-year old bronze shields.

Skara Tourist Office

+46 (0) 511-32580

GÖTA CANAL
The Göta Canal - a blue ribbon that passes through Sweden - is used each year by thousands of pleasure boats, passenger boats and canoes. Cycling along the canal is an unforgettable experience and is highly recommended.

Karlsborg Tourist Office

+46(0) 501-100 01

Mariestad Tourist Office
+46 (0) 501-100 01

Töreboda Tourist and Travel Centre

+46 (0) 506-101 30

GUNNEBO HOUSE, MÖLNDAL
A newly-renovated 18th century house surrounded by parkland and gardens. House tours, musical entertainment, coffee house and restaurant. Open all year round

Göteborg Tourist Office

+46 (0)31 61 25 00

TORPA STENHUS, TRANEMO
A well-preserved medieval fortress dating from the 15th century, located between Borås and Tranemo. Guided tours, exhibitions, handicrafts, chronicle plays and cafe during the summer.

Borås Tourist Office
+46 (0) 33-35 70 90

SHOPPING IN SJUHÄRAD
In Sweden's textile centre you will find the most and the every best in Swedish knitted goods, textiles and ready-made clothing.Visit the textile region of Kinna - Mark and the shopping town of Borås. Or why not follow what is popularly known as "Kärringarallyt" - a tour of the retail outlets in Gällstad outside Ulricehamn. Open all year round

Borås Tourist Office
+46 (0) 33-35 70 90

Mark Tourist Office
+46 (0) 320 21 72 70

Ulricehamn Tourist Office
+46 (0) 321-271 75

BORÅS ZOO
A touch of Africa right in the heart of West Sweden with more than 500 animals, many of which are just waiting to be pampered by the children. Open daily, May - middle of September

Borås Tourist Office

+46 (0) 33-35 70 90

KINNEKULLE
A flourishing hill area in every sense of the word with a whole host of things to see and experience, including the medieval churches at Husaby, Forshem and Västerplana, the Falkängen handicraft centre, hiking paths and several nature reserves.

Lidköping - Götene Tourist Office

+46 (0) 510-200 20

HORNBORGASJÖN
The foremost bird paradise in Northern Europe, this lake area is embedded in a beautiful cultural landscape with the Naturum centre, a viewing tower, hiking paths and guided tours. Also the scene of the famous "crane dance" during the spring when thousands of cranes pass through the area on their journey northwards.

Falköping Tourist Office
+46 (0) 515-77 70 50

Skara Tourist Office
+46 (0) 511-32580

Skövde Tourist Office
+46 (0) 500-44 66 88

TROLLHÄTTE FALLS, TROLLHÄTTAN
Trollhättan is a town where water feature strongly, with the falls, river and canal pulsating through the town. All year round you can follow the 32-metre lock climb. At the Innovatum knowledge centre people of all ages can acquaint themselves with technology and science. Close by you can also see masses of highlypolished chrome at the SAAB Museum.

Trollhättan Tourist Office

+46 (0) 520-48 84 72

LIDKÖPING AND LÄCKÖ SLOTT
In the porcelain centre of Lidköping, located on Lake Vänern, there is the Rörstrand Museum and shop as well as the Väner Museum. The baroque castle of Läckö is beautifully located on a promontory in Lake Vänern. Summer exhibitions, cafes, bathing, boat hire and boat tours.

Lidköping - Götene Tourist Office

+46 (0) 510-200 20

TEXTILE MUSEUM, BORÅS
Here you can see the development of textile manufacturing seen from an engineering, product history and human point of view. The machines are shown operating at special times and the products manufactured can be purchased in the museum shop. An exciting industrial museum housed in a unique 100-year-old spinning mill. The permanent Garderob 1900 exhibition shows working clothes, normal clothes and clothes for special occasions from throughout the
20th century.

Borås Tourist Office

+46 (0) 33-35 70 90

FORSVIK MILL, KARLSBORG
Forsvik Mill offers the chance to experience cultural history through a series of unique buildings and exhibitions. This is one of Sweden's oldest industrial locations, complete with the oldest lock along the Göta Canal. A replica of the steamboat Eric Nordvall, which sank in Lake Vättern in 1856, is currently being built. Guided tours.

Karlsborgs Tourist Office

+46(0) 501-100 01