You must stay here. You really must. It's one of those extra special places that is perhaps a little out of the way, but such a sanctuary when you get there.
STF/HI Youth Hostel Stora Karlsö is actually very small, in fact just a small fisherman's cottage with four beds, so book ahead (they are very on-the-ball with e-mail so this shouldn't be a problem). If you are on your own, you may even get the bed in the cottage that is sectioned off in its own room, a bit of treat when used to sharing with people of all shapes and sizes! Especially at hostel prices. There is even electricity to read by and to recharge mobile phones.
The cottage is located in the bay near where the ferry docks, on a tiny island called Stora Karlso. This island is found on the west coast of the larger Swedish island of Gotland in the Baltic, a popular holiday destination for the Swedes. After the bustle of Gotland's main town, Visby, Stora Karlso provides a lovely retreat, even just for one night. You can get to the ferry port, Klintehamn, by bus, and you pay for the ferry and the hostel in one. Included in this is a lovely little tour of the island by the resident nature-geek, who will gladly translate everything into English (or German, etc., etc.). Razorbills and Guillemots are the flagship species here, but to simply walk around on the fairly flat plateau is in itself rather lovely. There is also a museum for those interested, though a knowledge of Swedish helps here.
Note that facilities are correspondingly frugal. There are no showers (though taking a soap bar into the sea works a treat, as the Baltic only has a very low salinity), and the toilet block is basic. The kitchen is similarly basic but does the trick. However, right next to the cottage is a fantastic little restaurant, mainly geared to the day trippers, but also providing dinner, breakfast and a ready supply of coffee for those in need. Beside it is a log and fire cabin area with comfy seats to escape any wind and rain that may come along. All rather perfect actually.
Don't come here for a crazy party, you will get that in Visby. This is the place to chill with a book and settle your mind in the beauty of it all, or maybe play beach volley ball in the rain with the delightful Karlso staff. Steal away for even 24 hours to Stora Karlso and you'll be pleased you went.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
October 2005
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