Here it is, springtime already, and time to make plans for your family’s vacation this summer. Still trying to decide what the perfect summer vacation will be this year?

Deluxe Kosher Tours has a wonderful Scandinavian trip planned for late June and early July. Check out the itinerary now! Trust me, you won’t want to miss this!

One of the cities that we will be traveling to on this fabulous tour of Northern Europe is Göteborg, Sweden. I know that you will be surprised and delighted by the many things that this city has in store for you.

If you have a child in high school, it is likely that he or she has learned about Göteborg in English class while studying the classic “Beowulf.” Scholars generally agree that Hygelac, king of the Geats when Beowulf made his voyage to Denmark, had his royal seat here.

Göteborg is a great place to visit with your family, as its attractions are kid-friendly but equally appealing to adults.

Average temperatures in Göteborg in July are very temperate- normally in the 60s and 70s- making this a perfect time to enjoy the city’s many outdoor attractions. One of the most popular and central attractions within the city is its riverside and canals.

The city was built around the harbor formed by the mouth of the Gota Alv, or the Geats River, which flows into the Kattegat from Lake Vaner. You can enjoy lounging at the riverside and watching the ferries and steamboats chugging to and from the city, which is still an important and active port.

You can tour the city via its canals on a Pannan boat tour. A Paddan boat offers an interesting perspective as you are seated lower than the scenery surrounding you and travel underneath a whole host of bridges. The bridges themselves are true works of art, as are the many fountains and sculptures that you’ll catch a glimpse of.

Your kids will surely be awed by the sight of the Viking, a huge clipper ship that still cruises.

Another of Göteborg’s most famous family attractions is Liseborg, Scandinavia’s largest amusement park. Here you’ll find 35 different rides and attractions, including classics such as a haunted house, a carousel, and bumper cars.

Two new rides debuting in 2010 are the Hanghai and the Rabalder. The Hanghai features the “Mega Disko” design wherein passengers sit on a seat that resembles that of a motorcycle facing outward. The ride raises into the air, spinning, swinging, and turning. I’ve never seen a ride like this before. You’ll want to take a glimpse yourself.

While we’re in Göteborg, we’ll be taking advantage of its close location to the idyllic island of Marstrand. This island is accessible by a short and pleasant boat trip.

The island is not only a lovely way to spend a sunny July day, but also a place of significant Jewish history. In 1775 the island of Marstrand was declared a free port, meaning that the people there were able to practice both religion and trade freely. Four years later, the first Jew arrived on the island, and within a few years a Jewish community of 60 members had been established.

Today you can walk along the Carlsten Fortress, the island’s main attraction, and take a stroll through the quay to admire its old and colorful houses. Since we’re visiting Marstrand in July, we may even run into the island’s “little drummer boy” and the rest of the group of Karolinian soldiers. During the “historical days,” which are held in July, these soldiers perform both inside the Carleston Fortress and down in the city of Marstrand.

Make sure to wear your comfortable walking shoes, as you and your family will not be able to resist exploring the many secluded and beautiful spots on Marstrand.

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