Sweden Day 7 – From Sustainability to Swedish Royalty_ A Day at ReTuna and Gripsholm Castle

We started off the day a bit slower than usual, as it was more of a relaxed sightseeing day. After our morning routines, we set out on an hour-long drive to ReTuna, which turned out to be quite unique. It is entirely built around second-hand products but designed like a modern shopping mall. Everything sold there is reused or upcycled, reflecting Sweden’s strong focus on sustainability. What stood out even more was the mindset behind it—people here actively give away things they no longer need so they can be reused, rather than holding on to them. It made the whole place feel less like a market and more like a well-structured system.

After that, we drove to Mariefred to visit Gripsholm Castle, which immediately stood out with its striking red walls, round towers, and picturesque lakeside setting. The castle dates back to the 1500s and holds a significant place in Swedish history. It was constructed by King Gustav Vasa, the monarch who united several small kingdoms into the Sweden we know today.

Lunch was simple—pizza—which somehow always tastes better when you’re travelling, so there were no complaints there. After that, we headed back to our campsite, passing by Malin’s town. She had travelled in the opposite direction just to pick us up and drop us off. We thanked the teachers for their hospitality and, after a short trip to Coop, spent the evening relaxing by the lake and enjoying the sunset after a comparatively short and easy day.

Career At DGS