Students and tourists alike can find many wonderful experiences in this medieval town. What's not to like about ancient churches, cobblestone-yet-bike-friendly streets, delicious food, museums, and parks?

The best time to visit is during the summer, when it's not too hot and it's not too cold, although you may find the city devoid of its student population. It's great to grab a sandwich and picnic in the park with the Swedes.

For traditional tourists, you'll want to check out Domkyrkan, the Botanical Gardens, and Kulturen, the open-air museum. You'll find these all close together. For students, the best part is to immerse yourself in the culture by joining student groups (called nations), cooking with friends, hanging out at the central square, catching a late-night falafel, and partying until the wee hours. The city's official website, with an English translation, can be found here: http://www.lund.se/default____1799.aspx

Quick Tips:

You can pick up an English copy of the city's guide, updated monthly, at the library near the station (Stadsbiblioteket) or the tourist office across from Domkyrka, on Kyrkogatan (only a few minutes' walk from the station). This guide will fill you in on concerts, restaurants, and standard tourist attractions.

If you travel during the summer, you can purchase a discount train pass, which can take you all around Skåne, the area in the south of Sweden. It is good for a certain number of days during the summer. Check out the transportation link below for more information.

Best Way To Get Around:

A car is not necessary here. If you do rent a car, you will pay for parking in every lot. If you choose, you can rent a bike at the shop in the train station. The city is extremely bike-friendly, although be sure to lock it up well, because bike theft is rampant! Buses are also convenient but better suited to visiting areas outside of the city; the central bus stand is near Stortorget. For city buses, pay the flat fee when you first board the bus. For longer distances, tell the bus driver where you are going and you will pay a fee based on distance. Walking is the most reasonable option for those wanting to explore the city at a leisurely pace.

For information on train and bus tickets, check out the English translation of the official website: http://www.skanetrafiken.skane.se/templates/StartPage.aspx?id=2176

Note: Smålands is a STUDENT pub; others are not allowed. If you are a non-Lund student then you *must* have a guest card. In order to get one, you must visit the Nation during their daily office hours, show your student ID and pay a small fee.

Smålands is a feminist, leftist & vegetarian club. They often pull in excellent DJs from around the world. On Saturdays there are two dance floors. The music varies from hip hop to rock to other genres but it's always entertaining. Occasionally there are live bands. The crowd is very interesting and dancing is great. Beer and spirits are very cheap; there is even a happy hour from 10-11 on Saturdays. Tips are not expected.

The pub is only open certain days (usually Wednesdays & Saturdays) so do your research beforehand: www.smalands.lu.se (English translation available). Hours: Varies but 10pm-2am.

Midsommar is the longest day of the year. The sun might come up around 3.30 and go down past 11 P.M. This calls for a celebration! In Sweden, Midsommar is moved to the weekend so everyone can get extremely intoxicated and not have to worry about going into work the next day (seriously).

Midsommar is a time for hanging out with friends in the park. In Lund, you can join the festivities at the open-air museum, Kulturen, and watch them raise the pole. You're also encouraged to dance around it! Another fun activity is to buy a Kubb set and take it to the park. Kubb is a Swedish lawn game in which you have two teams and each team tries to knock over wooden pieces on the other team's side by throwing sticks. Finally, you have to knock over a wooden piece in the center. Head to Stadsparken to check this activity out. Sets can be bought at Åhlens, south of Domkyrkan.

If you go to a Midsommar party then be sure to bring your own alcohol--- and lots of it! Generally Swedes (especially students) hosting parties will not provide alcohol as it is very expensive. Also, if you are outside all day keep in mind that bathrooms are hard to come by, so be prepared to pee in the bushes.

When you first meet someone, you can introduce yourself by simply saying "[Your name], Hej." "Hej" sounds just like the English "hey." Shake hands. You don't need to say "Nice to meet you."

Take off your shoes when you enter someone's house because it's rude to walk around with your shoes on. For this reason, don't wear holey socks unless you want a good laugh at your expense!

It is not considered rude to slightly bump into someone. If this happens to you and you don't hear the other party offer an excuse then do not be offended. This happens all the time in crowded places such as supermarkets or dance clubs. Don't get offended by it.

If you go to a party then bring your own supply of alcohol. If you are at a bar, do not expect someone (even friends) to offer you a drink. If someone is hitting on you, the most they will do is offer you a sip of their drink (for males and females).

Tips are not expected at bars or restaurants.

Do not ride your bicycle on the sidewalks as there are usually lanes provided. At night, be sure to have your front and back light on so people and cars can see you.

Generally, unless it is a business affair, you DO NOT need to be on time (despite the stereotype). If you're invited to a party then show up a bit late.

At the grocery store you must pay for plastic bags. If you don't like this policy then bring your own bags. Most people will re-use their grocery bags as rubbish liners.

If you are taking part in a toast (Skål!) then look at the people close to you in the eyes before drinking.

Your professors may surprise you with the lack of formality compared to professors from North America. They will probably want you to address them by the first name. They may even invite you and other students to dinner or show you around town if you're lucky enough! Don't pass up these opportunities.

And if you're ever in doubt about what to do in a certain situation then watch those around you! In my opinion, Swedes can make the greatest friends. Don't believe that Swedes are stuck up or unfriendly; most Swedes are very welcoming, talkative (once the alcohol starts flowing) and entertaining. You'll find that a group of Swedes will often speak in English just for your benefit. Keep an open mind and remember that stereotypes are often false.

A sittning is a formal dinner for students. In Lund, these are hosted by student groups called Nations. You will have to call ahead in order to book a seat. There will most likely be a charge of around 150kr ($20 US) which must be paid beforehand. Vegetarian and options for those with allergies are available; just be sure to request them beforehand.

Everyone will be dressed formally so be sure to wear black. Men, put on that nice jacket! And if you drink, be sure to bring extra money for alcohol. Don't forget your regular ID and your student card.

At the sittning, you will be assigned a seat. Traditionally, men are placed next to women. Be sure to introduce yourself to your neighbors by shaking every one's hand. You will be given a lot of alcohol, usually a beer, half a bottle of wine and snapps (a shot of strong liquor). There will be three courses, most likely toast to start off (bread with toppings), then the main course and then dessert. The food is cooked by students so don't expect gourmet quality although you may get lucky and get served by someone at the cooking school. During this time you will get to sing, pound on the table and raise plenty of toasts! There will probably be song books passed around; someone will unusually announce the page number and title before everyone joins in. At the end, you will usually toast. Raise your snapps, look those around you in the eye, say "Skål!!!" and take a sip. You don't clink glasses like in many other countries. The songs happen quite often so if you are taking a large drink every time then you should be drunk after the first hour.

After the meal is completed, the tables will be removed and it's time to DANCE! Have fun and meet lots of people!!!

Winter can be quite dreary in Sweden. In the south it may even feel colder than the north because of the dampness! The sun goes down around 4pm, which can leave you feeling tired.

So, what is there to do when you can't play in the sun? Well, here are some ideas:

1. Go the sauna. If you are lucky then you will have one in your building or can use your friend's. If all else fails, go the gym. Some Swedes object to people who wear swimsuits in the sauna. Be sure to shower before and after you're in the sauna.
2. Hang out in a cafe. There's plenty of wonderful little cafes around the city. The most hip is probably Ariman, near Stortorget and Kilroy Travels. Grap a warm cup of coffee and sit next to the heater.
3. Catch a movie. If you go to a theatre you will be assigned a seat. If you're a student and if you're lucky then someone you know will own a projector and offer to show movies.
4. Go clubbing. It gets awfully warm when there's so many people shaking their booties!
5. Bake with your friends & neighbors. The kitchen will be warm with the oven on and hopefully you'll learn how to make a delicious Swedish dish (Klakaka, anyone??).
6. If you're still cold, invest in a new comforter or blanket. You can find one for less at second-hand shops such as Eriskhjalpen or, of course, IKEA.
7. Make snow angels!

It's also worth noting that elements (heaters) are great for drying cold/wet clothes in a relatively short amount of time when you don't have access to a dryer. Women, pick up some cotton tights at H&M to wear under your skirts/pants like the Swedes and you'll be warmer.

So bundle up, stay warm and have a great time because it'll start warming up in late May!

Sweden has a wonderful range of food options waiting for you! Perhaps you think that Swedes only eat tasteless meatballs and open-faced sandwiches. Fortunately, you'd be mistaken. There are lots of find here and some real gems.

For tourists on a budget, the best option for lunches is to choose Dagensr¨¡tt. This is usually a lunch combination and often includes the main course (two or three options are available), a soda, and coffee or tea. It's usually around 60-80kr, or $8-10 US. There's no need to leave a tip.

For those of you wishing to experience more of the culture, I recommend trying a fika. A fika is sort of like a coffee break but always includes food. Try some Swedish scones, biscuits, or open-faced sandwiches. You can find good fika-type food at any local cafe if you don't know many Swedes.

One tradition in Sweden is to eat pea soup and pancakes on Thursday evenings. This might be served with knÅDkebrþÅ, a crispy bread. Pancakes are served with sylt (jam) and whipped cream or ice cream. One is supposed to add mustard to the pea soup.

There's also lots of seasonal and holiday food in Sweden. Near the beginning of the year, you'll start seeing semlor. These are buns filled with cream. DO NOT stuff the whole thing in your mouth like a hamburger; eat the top half as a sort of appetizer and then eat the bottom half and cream.

Around midsummer (the longest day in the year), you'll find crayfish. Later you may see people unveiling strþÎming (rotting fish), only to be eaten by hardcore fans of Swedish food.

In December you'll see S-shaped yellow cakes called lussekatter, which mark the celebration of St. Lucia's Day. These are are soft, delicious and contain saffron.

For Christmas the traditional treat is pepparkakor (gingersnaps). You'll find very cheap and delicious tins at the food shops. Many also eat mandarin oranges during the winter. A lot of Swedes are devoted to julmust, a bizarre soda concoction sold during Christmastime. A favorite holiday drink of mine is glþÈg (wine with spices).

In Sk¨¡ne you will might see a very tall cake with ropey white layers on display in cafes. This is called spettkaka and contains a tasty (if messy) crunch.

Some other unique Swedish food sold year-round includes fil (literally translates to "sour"). This thick, sour milk is often used by Swedes in cereal. Not recommended! Lingonsylt is lingonberry jam. It's great on bread. Kalles sells caviar in a tube. Yes, you can buy Swedish fish in Sweden. Just for giggles, you can pick up a chocolate bar called Plopp or Japp (which isn't a racist name but translates to something like 'Yep'). Swedish food shops have a large variety of yoghurt, often sold in liters. I recommend drickyoghurt. Another unique Swedish item is nyponsoppa (rose-hip soup). It's usually served warm on cold days and is supposed to boost your immune system.

The normal grocery chains in Lund are ICA, Coop and Willis. Willis is cheap and has bulk food at great prices; ICA is reasonably priced and has a good selection, and Coop seems to be on the higher end but has the same variety as ICA. ICA Malmborgs is easiest to find as it is located right across from the station.

These are just some ideas from countless unique Swedish foods and drinks that are ready for your consumption!

So, you're a vegetarian in Sweden? Well, you're in luck because outside of India, this must be the best country to be a vegetarian because of all the fantastic options.

At the supermarket there are many vegetarian-oriented products to choose from. Quorn is a fungus-based non-meat product that tastes awfully like meat. The Qourn fäs (minced meat) makes excellent fake taco-meat when mixed with taco spices. If you can't read Swedish food labels, there aren't too many meaty surprises waiting for you. Most soups and many sauces will have meat in them. Look for the words fäs (minced meat), kyckling (chicken) and kött (meat) and stay away from those products.

There is usually an organic (ekologisk) section filled with great veggie products. I highly recommend purchasing organic milk (ekologisk mjölk) because it is only slightly more expensive than regular milk. Another great veggie product is drickyogurt, a drinkable yogurt, sometimes with musli.

Vegetarians can also pick up fresh fruits and vegetables in the morning at the central square (Stortorget), where farmers set up little stalls. Prices are usually marked in kilos. Cheap fruits and veggies are also on sale all day at a small store in the alley to the right of Ahlens. No one is completely sure of the name of this shop (it's reckoned to be 'Habibis') because it isn't marked but you'll recognize it by the crates of veggies and fruits outside. There's always a queue to check out in this cheap little shop.

For those eating out, being a vegetarian is rarely an issue if you know what to ask for. If you go out to lunch, most places have lunch specials (dagens rätt). If you see the word 'vegetarisk' then order that of course! Swedes are well-informed about vegetarian needs and won't throw in a bit of lamb for protein. If you have any doubts as to the food, the waiters and waitresses will most likely speak perfect English.

There are some places that are vegetarian and vegan-oriented in Lund. For students, the best place to get a sandwich on Sunday morning is at Smålands Nation on Kastanjegatan. There is no meat on the premises. Sandwiches choices are excellent and include brie and cooked mushrooms, guacamole, and other delicious options. I highly recommend the 'grov' ciabatta, which uses more grains and has seeds on top.

Mejeriet, the concert venue, also has a vegetarian lunch on Sunday. The price is cheap and includes scrumptious bread and soup. If the weather is nice then you can eat out on the patio.

Govinda's, north of Domkyrkan, serves vegan dinners. If you are a student and wish to attend a sittning (formal dinner), you can always request a 'vegetarisk' (pronounced veg (hard G)-a-tar-isk) meal.

If you're coming back late at night from the pub and having a major munchies craving then hit the falafel stand. I recommend the stand across from Ahlens, which serves a small falafel for 15kr during normal hours (the charge is more later at night).

Lund is a very welcoming city for vegetarians. Bon appetite!