Ven travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises, spa and resorts

The Pearl of Oresund is a tiny dot in the spirit between Sweden and Denmark, 8 km off the Danish coast and just 4.3 km from Sweden. It is only 7.5 sq km, a shelf that slopes downward south to north from its highest point at 45 m just 5 m above sea level. The island is incredibly fertile farmland with rich clay topsoil on layers of shifting sand and clay. Photo by: bjaglin

When you go ashore from the ferry at Backviken, the grassy slopes of the celebrated Backfall cliffs rise straight out of the sea 40 m high, giving amazing views over the Oresund to the Danish and Swedish coasts. Kyrkbacken, the oldest and largest harbour with yachting marina, is a pretty village with a fish smokery. There are sand beaches near both harbours. Photo by: joningic

Ven is lovely island for camping and cycling holidays. Paths cut through the fields and copses so that you can wander freely everywhere. Coastal walks take you along some hair-raising cliff tops where you will see dramatic landslips and down to curious rocky shores full of marine life. Artists and craftmen have been attracted there by the inspiring anture and peaceful atmosphere. The bucolic surroundings, sea views, lively harbours, and sense of history make it an ideal palce for anyone seeking a relaxing island break. Photo by: WanderingJapanese

When to go: May to September. Population: 371. How to get there: Ferry from Landskrona on the Swidish mainland several times a day, and from Helsingborg and Copenhagen in the summer only. You should know: Bikes can be hired on the island, so there is no need to travel with one. Photo by: michal_kozlowski