The Långe Jan lighthouse — 'Tall John' — first cast its light over the Baltic waves on November 1, 1785. Rising from the craftsmanship of, perhaps, Russian prisoners of war, it stands as a beacon of history and maritime safety on Öland's southernmost point. Initially measuring a soaring 36 meters and requiring a 197-step ascent, it now proudly stretches to 41.6 meters, claiming the title of Sweden's loftiest lighthouse. Once cradling an open flame against the Nordic sky, Långe Jan has seen transformations from bare stone, borrowed from a bygone chapel, to a whitewashed pillar with a distinguishing black band. Surrounded by the thriving Ottenby bird station, Långe Jan's legacy is as enduring as the coastal winds, welcoming visitors each summer to scale its heights and embrace a panoramic sweep of sea and sky.

The Philippine Eagle is the national treasure of the country, but an extremely rare and endangered species. The conservation centre has a breeding programme to protect this, one of the world’s largest eagles. Visitors can see them in special habitat areas.

Visit the the lively, fragrant Bankerohan Market to take in the authentic atmosphere of a busy marketplace, stock up on fresh produce, sample some local fruit (durian is widely available) or grab a bite at one of the market's street food stalls. Morning (before noon) is the best time to visit.

One thing is very clear on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road: "the journey is the reward". It is not about arriving at the top, it's about experiencing the pass road with all its views, places for a stop, display boards and information points. Various huts and restaurants along the road are waiting for your visit. At the Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Höhe you have a unique view, which is dominated by the Grossglockner and the Pasterze, Austria's largest glacier. The hiking trails into the Gamsgrube amidst the special conservation area of the High Tauern National Park affords unique views and sightings of rare alpine animals, such as the majestic ibex and marmots.