As I’m writing this, I’m sitting in our room in Österlen, in a charming farmhouse that has been converted into a BnB. We occupy one of the two rooms on the second floor, which was built not so long ago. This newer part of the house is in stark contrast to the old, charming kitchen and living room downstairs that are part of the original house. The owners live in the next building, a stable they successfully transformed into a cozy house.

To say that I love this place – the BnB and the surrounding areas – would be an understatement. Our room has a wooden floor and sloped ceiling with exposed wood beams, adding to the farmhouse vibe. The view from the bedroom window is green pastures that stretch as far as the eye could see. In the background, there’s nothing to hear but endless chirrups that seem to be going on 24/7 (not that I’m complaining).

And that’s Österlen in a gist. Wherever you go, you’ll find miles and miles of rolling hills with farmhouses scattered sparsely, and the happy chirps of the birds. Our BnB is just a little piece of this.

Our BnB in Österlen.

A vast green field, our ‘backyard’.

Half of our room (it’s actually bigger than how it looks in this photo).

The view from our bedroom window, during sunset.

Österlen, dubbed as the Provence of Sweden, certainly lives up to the reputation. It’s incredibly idyllic and stunning, with diverse landscapes that are different from one another and yet, equally beautiful. Our BnB, while safely enclaved by gentle hills, is only a few miles away from the beach. In our short time here, we’ve traipsed through the forest, hiked cliffs with breathtaking views, walked along the beaches, and strolled around the green fields. It’s surreal.

I’ve been and will always be a beachcomber, always looking for some treasures when walking on the beach.

I spent my last afternoon here in the hidden corner of the garden, basking in the sun and reading a book. We’ve been very lucky with the weather, and I feel a pang of sadness at the thought of bidding farewell to this slice of heaven. But I’m leaving Österlen relaxed and recharged, and bringing home fond memories of the first place in Sweden that has truly captured my heart.