Sweden sees silent forests as sanctuaries from a noisy world

In a cottage nestled deep in a Swedish forest, three couples recently spent four days whispering and without phones as part of a campaign about the dangers of noise pollution and promoting quiet Scandinavia.

The project arose from the observation that for many tourists, Sweden’s appeal lies in its tranquility.

“What are their reasons for choosing Sweden as a travel destination? Relaxation, calm, and to unwind, as well as experiences in nature,” Josefine Nordgren, one of the organisers of the “Silent Cabin” project by Visit Skane, which promotes tourism in southern Sweden, told AFP.

“Even in Germany, noise pollution is 10 times higher than in Sweden,” she said.

Noise is the second-most detrimental environmental factor affecting Europeans’ health after air pollution, according to the Eur