Among all the charming bed-and-breakfast places in Österlen, the eastern part of Skåne LUNKABERG is my absolut favourite. During the two and a half years we spent travelling through all parts of Skåne in search for a farm of our own we stayed over night in many an inn. We came to Lunkaberg one unforgettable summer night where an akacia tree against the red sky moved us far away to the African savannah. In the morning we were transported to a mixture of Swedish and Mediterranean idyll complete with the rooster and his hens, the old watchdog in the shadows of the courtyard tree, a turquoise pool surrounded by white walls and glowing roses, the host and hostess always busy about the house and rooms in the simple and beautiful Scandinavian style. Lovely!
Along the coast highway between Skillinge and Simrishamn lies a very special place, a new-born cultural centre called MÅRTENPERS KÄLLA (MårtenPer´s Well), a farm we were on the verge of buying once. But thanks God we did not, because if we had we would not have seen the unique transformation into gallery, culture and garden centre that the farm is today! I was much impressed by the rough wooden and glass stables-turned-gallery and especially the meditation room with the natural spring emerging from beneath the floor. An exciting place on earth filled with the mystique of nature!
But now back to the Southern plains and the beautiful surroundings of Venusgarden. A visit to SVANEHOLM SLOTT (CASTLE) and the charming Svaneholm lake is a must for those interested in cultural history, as is HÄCKEBERGA, another castle close by surrounded by vast beech forests.
Now it´s time for some excellent food which is what Skåne is actually famous for! In the nearest village is SKIVARPS GÄSTGIVARGÅRD, ready to serve you a real gourmet dinner, like a traditional goose or game dinner. Enjoy your coffee in the magnificent garden with trees from the time of Carl von Linné.
For weekday lunches we often go to ABBEKÅS GOLFRESTAURANT and enjoy gliding through the landscape by car.
KATRINETORPS HERRGÅRD (mansion) serves really delicious lunches in a rustique converted barn or in the Italian inspired garden. Also take a stroll in the rose garden!
Skåne is an eldorado for friends of gardens. Close by are the two nurseries MUNKAHILL and GUNNEBO but I sometimes drive longer to LUSTHUSET in Staffanstorp, TENGWALLS in Åkarp north of Malmö, ÅBERGS in Ystad or ROSKRAFT in Borrby to bring home flower beauties to decorate my garden.
The small country shops are everywhere around Skåne: MOGENS LAMPOR (lamps) in Borrby specializes in retro and art deco lightning, and if you go for the country style there is COUNTRY CORNER in Ingelstorp or FRIDAS GÅRD outside Trelleborg. The BLÅ LOTUS (Blue Lotus) in old Väster in Malmö imports old furniture mainly from Tibet and is well worth a visit. And when you get tired of Ikea, turn to ILVA, the Danish furniture store in Svågertorp with an audacious style at affordable prices!