"We started the trip on 27 July and had opted for a two-week journey rather than one-week. Eight days of glorious sunshine in shorts from 8am to 10pm, followed by four days of mixed sun, cooler with the odd shower and a two-day downpour. Swimming in warm water lakes, exploring side rivers full of wildlife, fishing for pike, perch and dace, many of which ended up as the evening meal. And the birdlife; ospreys fishing beside us, great northern and red throated diver, firecrests, black woodpecker, a sea eagle, ravens raiding the camp, widgeon with young. At times we paddled through clouds of metallic glittering dragonflies, swallowtail butterflies, saw a metre-long grass snake swim across our bow, moose footprints the size of plates on the river bank and the sounds of beaver tails slapping the water like a gunshot at dusk. On one unforgettable night the gods paid a visit. A thunderstorm which lasted for hours, lightning crashing through the forest above our heads, torrential rains lashing the camp site, fabulous raw elements with us snug in the superb tents that had been supplied. A fabulous holiday, quite hard work on the portages, quiet, gentle paddling on mirror calm waters, deafening silences when the birds stopped singing, sunsets that lasted to midnight, and for the majority of the time we had it all to ourselves." Mark, July 2009
"Catching huge pike, plus the birdlife and scenery. Been with you before and excellent service. Great camping and fishing shops in Karlstad. Sweden much cheaper than UK press lets you think - much same price as UK apart from wines and spirits." Jane, July 2009
"Sweden was awesome, lived up to our expectations. We saw a beaver, which we didn't think in a million years we would, but there he or she was, right next to the canoe almost touching distance." Will, July 2009
"Excellent response to all my questions in a timely manner...Beautiful camping places away from everyone...I was very impressed with the efficiency and helpfulness of staff at the centre. The trip was reasonably priced, there were good facilities at the centre (considering I wasn't expecting anything), all staff - UK and Sweden - were very helpful. Would highly recommend to others. Thanks." Rachel, July 2009
"[The highlight was] just floating in absolute silence in the canoe." Michael, June 2009
"We would wholeheartedly recommend your company...to anyone who fancies doing something different in beautiful surroundings." Joseph, August 2008
"The highlight was being in such a peaceful place with family, far away from everyday life. We all loved the canoeing even if it was hard work at times." Jo, August 2008
"It was a great trip. Exhausting at times but I think we all had a lot of fun. I will also say you have been very helpful in answering our questions before we left. I would recommend anyone to do it and probably might even do another trip next year." Andy, July 2008
"We thoroughly enjoyed our canoeing experience in Sweden and would definitely do another another trip in the future". Orina and Nigel, July 2008.
"Very happy I organised the trip through you, would not hesitate to recommend you to others, and will probably book some of my own holidays through you in the future. Thank you!" Aled, St David's College Wales, June 2008
"We had a brilliant time - definitely the highlight of 2007 for us, and we'd definitely consider another Nature Travels holiday...all in all, it was brilliant, and I'll never forget the camping." Richard, August 2007
"Although 'a little rain' is the understatement of the year it had little impact on one of the most enjoyable and well organized trips I've taken! I'm not a great fan of forms but I would like to express our complete satisfaction with Nature Travels and their staff and I am already thinking about the raft trip for the whole family next year. Many many thanks." Julian, August 2006
"I would...have no hesitation in recommending both Nature Travels and this area of Sweden to anybody considering a similar holiday in the future. Many thanks for your help and an excellent holiday." Peter, August 2006
Comments on Canoe Tours on Svartälven:
"We started the trip on 27 July and had opted for a two-week journey rather than one-week. Eight days of glorious sunshine in shorts from 8am to 10pm, followed by four days of mixed sun, cooler with the odd shower and a two-day downpour. Swimming in warm water lakes, exploring side rivers full of wildlife, fishing for pike, perch and dace, many of which ended up as the evening meal. And the birdlife; ospreys fishing beside us, great northern and red throated diver, firecrests, black woodpecker, a sea eagle, ravens raiding the camp, widgeon with young. At times we paddled through clouds of metallic glittering dragonflies, swallowtail butterflies, saw a metre-long grass snake swim across our bow, moose footprints the size of plates on the river bank and the sounds of beaver tails slapping the water like a gunshot at dusk. On one unforgettable night the gods paid a visit. A thunderstorm which lasted for hours, lightning crashing through the forest above our heads, torrential rains lashing the camp site, fabulous raw elements with us snug in the superb tents that had been supplied. A fabulous holiday, quite hard work on the portages, quiet, gentle paddling on mirror calm waters, deafening silences when the birds stopped singing, sunsets that lasted to midnight, and for the majority of the time we had it all to ourselves." Mark, July 2009
"Catching huge pike, plus the birdlife and scenery. Been with you before and excellent service. Great camping and fishing shops in Karlstad. Sweden much cheaper than UK press lets you think - much same price as UK apart from wines and spirits." Jane, July 2009
"Sweden was awesome, lived up to our expectations. We saw a beaver, which we didn't think in a million years we would, but there he or she was, right next to the canoe almost touching distance." Will, July 2009
"Excellent response to all my questions in a timely manner...Beautiful camping places away from everyone...I was very impressed with the efficiency and helpfulness of staff at the centre. The trip was reasonably priced, there were good facilities at the centre (considering I wasn't expecting anything), all staff - UK and Sweden - were very helpful. Would highly recommend to others. Thanks." Rachel, July 2009
"[The highlight was] just floating in absolute silence in the canoe." Michael, June 2009
"We would wholeheartedly recommend your company...to anyone who fancies doing something different in beautiful surroundings." Joseph, August 2008
"The highlight was being in such a peaceful place with family, far away from everyday life. We all loved the canoeing even if it was hard work at times." Jo, August 2008
"It was a great trip. Exhausting at times but I think we all had a lot of fun. I will also say you have been very helpful in answering our questions before we left. I would recommend anyone to do it and probably might even do another trip next year." Andy, July 2008
"We thoroughly enjoyed our canoeing experience in Sweden and would definitely do another another trip in the future". Orina and Nigel, July 2008.
"Very happy I organised the trip through you, would not hesitate to recommend you to others, and will probably book some of my own holidays through you in the future. Thank you!" Aled, St David's College Wales, June 2008
"We had a brilliant time - definitely the highlight of 2007 for us, and we'd definitely consider another Nature Travels holiday...all in all, it was brilliant, and I'll never forget the camping." Richard, August 2007
"Although 'a little rain' is the understatement of the year it had little impact on one of the most enjoyable and well organized trips I've taken! I'm not a great fan of forms but I would like to express our complete satisfaction with Nature Travels and their staff and I am already thinking about the raft trip for the whole family next year. Many many thanks." Julian, August 2006
"I would...have no hesitation in recommending both Nature Travels and this area of Sweden to anybody considering a similar holiday in the future. Many thanks for your help and an excellent holiday." Peter, August 2006