In the island county of Gotland, province of Sweden

 “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain

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(in the Baltic Sea) Gotland is an island county that is a coextensive province of Sweden. Several wide bays indent the island’s low coastline, which is characterized by limestone columns, while its interior is an undulating plateau of Silurian limestone, some of which lacks good drainage. Bogs are found in areas having a clay cover; conifers occur particularly on the steep cliffs of the west.

+ Situated off Sweden's southeastern coast, Gotland is the largest island in the Baltic Sea. It is also one of the country's most beautiful destinations, its tranquil, sparsely populated landscapes almost haunting in their beauty. Archaeological finds attest to a human history that predates the Christian tradition, stretching back some 8,000 years.

+ Visby is the capital of Gotland, Sweden’s largest island, which was settled by Vikings -- and by the 12th century had become a major trading hub in the Baltic Sea. Its tenure as a trading hub lasted roughly until the 14th century, bringing with it the development of around 200 warehouses and merchant quarters. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Visby's old city walls remain almost completely intact, catapulting visitors back to the era of knights in shining armor. It is the perfect backdrop for the island's annual Medieval Week, during which both locals and visitors dress the part for some old-fashioned fun. Beyond Visby, wheels are essential for exploring the island's diverse landscapes, which span sandy shores and secluded coves, to golden, grassy meadows, and sleepy little hamlets.

+ Since about 900 Gotland had been a part of Sweden, while remaining an independent peasant community with its own language and culture. In 1361, the Danish king Valdemar IV Atterdag conquered it in a battle outside the walls of Visby. For the next three centuries it was variously controlled by Denmark, Hanseatic and other privateers, and Teutonic Knights. When it was awarded again to Sweden, in 1645, conditions improved. Toward the end of the 19th century its fortifications were strengthened due to its strategic importance.

+ One of Scandinavia's preeminent medieval cities, Visby hosts its medieval week every August, complete with authentic dress, feasts, and jousting. But you don’t need to visit Visby in August to get a sense of its medieval history. Just follow the cobblestone streets that wind throughout the city; take a tour of its Old Town and visit the 13th-century church. You can’t miss the 13th-century wall that stretches around the city and was once used as the city’s defense from intruders.

+ To this day, Visby (pictured here) is better preserved than any other walled, medieval, commercial city in Northern Europe. It is still a fully functioning town, but its heritage remains at the forefront of daily life. (To see this UNESCO site in its full glory, try to visit it during the Medieval Week, Sweden’s largest historical festival.)