The Linnaeus story

For three days, you will visit the most important places and periods of Linnaeus life. On the first day you will look at Skåne, the province described by Linnaeus in his book “Linnaeus skånska resa 1749” (Linnaeus Skåne Journey 1749). The next day visit his idyllic birth home, childhood district and school in Småland, and finally Uppsala, where Linnaeus carried out his world-famous scientific achievement. Make a combination with Copenhagen and Stockholm too and 

Let the adventure begin!

Day 1. Arrive in Skåne, the southern part of Sweden

Ferries from Germany to Trelleborg, bridge from Copenhagen,  Denmark
“Undeniably, no land in Sweden is like that of Skåne.”
Notes from the Linnaeus expedition 1749.

Your first visit will be in Lund where Linnaeus studied medicine for one year in 1727. A walk from the Linnaeus statue via Lundagård Park, the Cathedral and beautiful University area to Lund’s Botanical Garden.

Drive on to Helsingborg, with a stop in Ramlösa Park that celebrates 300 years together with Linnaeus in 2007. Linnaeus visited Ramlösa, and much of the 18th century setting remains. You pass Gamle Gård, one of the oldest buildings in Helsingborg where Linnaeus stayed during his visit. On your way to the peninsula Kullaberg you pass the Sofiero Castle. The estate and garden did not exist at the time of Linnaeus but the beautiful park is still worth a visit in the spirit of him.
You will continue along the beautiful road to Kullen Lighthouse. The area amazed him a lot as he stayed here for some days. Drive east and pay a visit to the park at Wrams Gunnarstorp Castle. There are enormous box hedges described by Linnaeus as far back as 1749. After a coffee break you turn north to Småland and the place where he was born, Råshult.

Distance approx 150 kilometres.

Day 1 and 2 in Småland; Linnaeus childhood districts.
“There were farms and villages down here in Småland far lovelier and more beautiful than are usual elsewhere, but they were not big and grand.” Notes by Linnaeus 1749.

Arrive at your beautiful hotel Möckelsnäs Manor on the first evening. Check-in,
Tour of the orangery and dinner. Overnight Stay.

A visit to Linnaeus birth home in Råshult, one of Sweden’s ten cultural reservations and a pastoral idyll with flowering hayfields, lopped lindens, cultivated patches ploughed by horse and an old-fashioned kitchen garden and an herb garden. The cottage of Linnaeus family has been restored to its 18th century condition. Carl’s father was a clergyman and very knowledgeable botanist, and he inspired his son with nature walks and tending the herb and vegetable gardens. A kilometre or two from there is his childhood district of Stenbrohult and the church with views over Lake Möckeln and Möckelsnäs Manor where the Linnaeus family were often guests. After lunch you drive north to Växjö. Approx 60 km.
Linnaeus schooldays in Växjö.
When Linnaeus was just nine years old he started his eleven years at the upper secondary school at Karolinerhuset by Växjö Cathedral. The school environment was tough with the discipline of the time, but with good mentorship from his teacher Rotman. Today, the beautiful Linnaeus Park surrounds the school and cathedral with flower arrangements in 24 groups according to Linnaeus own system. The cathedral has a new altarpiece made of glass by the glassmaker Bertil Vallien from Kosta Boda.
Lunch at Restaurant PM & Vänner in Växjö, one of Sweden’s top restaurants. It has included flowers in its food for many years and has now created a special flower menu as a tribute to Carl Linnaeus– using Småland produce in the spirit of the Flower King.
Drop off your rental car and travel to Uppsala with domestic air flight.
Flight (50 minutes) from Småland’s Airport, Växjö- Arlanda Airport. Or drive on to Stockholm and Uppsala approx 400 kilometres.
Day 2 & 3 in Uppsala. “In no garden could so many kinds of seeds have been sown as in Uppsala Garden during my time.” (Amendment on a point of form) from Linnaeus autobiography no 4. See also the article The Constant Gardener. 

Check-in and late afternoon coffee at Hotel Linnaeus (next to the Linnaeus Gardens). Tour of the Linnaeus Gardens and Linnaeus home, now a museum. Short tour of the botanical garden, the oldest one in Sweden. Dinner in central Uppsala.

Day 3. A day in Linnaeus green fields.
Early morning with Linnaeus herbation. A short walk along one of Linnaeus paths where he taught his students – to Sävja, a farm to which Linnaeus retreated to enjoy peace and quiet and mix with “ordinary people”. We continue by car/coach to Hammarby, Linnaeus country house just outside Uppsala. The house at Hammarby was built by Linnaeus and is one of the best-preserved 18th century houses in Sweden. Tour of the buildings and park. Lunch from a picnic hamper. The day ends in Uppsala Cathedral by Linnaeus tombstone and monument.