You'll Want to Visit Sweden When You See This Woman's Stunning Photos
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If Sweden isn't on your travel bucket list yet, these photos will convince you! Alyssa Hoppe — a prop stylist, art director, and floral designer living in New York — recently traveled to Sweden to experience for herself where nine generations of her family history came from. She told us:
"My mother and I road tripped around Sweden for two weeks to explore our family roots. Through a lot of research, my mother was able to find our family history dating back to the late 1700s when her maiden name, Ahlberg, was first chosen for the family. We were able to find the homes, still in great condition, that were built by both my grandfather's and grandmother's families.
The last family member immigrated to the US in 1901 and since then, our family has continued to celebrate Swedish traditions and our cultural heritage in America. I wasn't expecting it, but I experienced a deep-rooted connection, both creatively and culturally, while exploring the country. I am even more in love with Sweden than I thought, and I can't wait to take a similar trip there with my future children."
Alyssa shared her journey through her beautiful photography, so take a look at the trip through her camera lens and you'll be inspired to see it for yourself or take your own family heritage trip.
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"Small farm town of Äskeryd where three generations of mother's mothers (MorMor) [were] born before moving to America."
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"Two-hundred-year-old home we stayed at through Airbnb — it was so special to stay in a home very similar to the place my great great great great great grandfather built!"
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"Smaland sunsets have been incredible every night."
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PM & Vänner Bröd & Sovel
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"Quick stop in Copenhagen for coffee before we head up the west coast of Sweden. Found a little flower stand!"
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"This morning we took a walk through the Gothenburg Botanical Gardens. We were the only ones in the entire arboretum, which made it feel like we had our own secret jungle. This room smelt divinely of sweet plumeria."
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"Explored the neighborhood of Haga today in Gothenburg and came across the shop Haga Trätoffelfabrik — these two brothers own/run the shop and have the kindest souls. Looking forward to wearing my new bag and clogs, thanks guys!"
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"Beautiful, beautiful Smaland, I will miss you, but am looking forward [to] hanging out with your faster paced big sister, Stockholm."
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"Good morning Stockholm!"
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"Incredible antique store in Galma Stan (on the corner of Storkyrkobrinken and Prästgatan)."
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"Found this incredible antique store in Galma Stan that was filled with copper ware. Debated taking it all home but took this photo instead."
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"Jim Bengston for the Land Meets Water Exhibit at Artipelag."
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"This exhibit was such a gift to see. It was so much fun watching my mother be re-inspired by who she calls 'all her old friends' — Ansel Adams, Lee Friedlander, Minor White, Wynn Bullock and many more."
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"If you come to Stockholm, you can't miss the opportunity to visit Artipelag — a contemporary art museum in a forest along the rocky shore of the Baltic Sea."
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"Beautiful artwork throughout the subways stations of Stockholm — Here is one piece at the T-Centralen stop on the Blue Line by artist Gun Gordillo."
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"Spent our last day in Sweden exploring Stockholm, drinking coffee, eating cardamom buns, and taking photos. Sad to leave this country, but know [I'll] be back. Until then Sweden!"