Cheryl Marie Cordeiro

At Dorsia, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Text & Photo © CM Cordeiro, JE Nilsson 2025

Few places in Gothenburg capture the romance of a bygone era quite like Dorsia Hotel & Restaurant. Tucked in the heart of the city, this boutique hotel is a tribute to Belle Époque indulgence, with lush velvet furnishings, heavy silken drapes, and a rich color palette reminiscent of Parisian salons in Les Années Folles. It’s a setting where time slows down, making it the perfect place to mark a personal milestone—both a 50th anniversary and Valentine’s Day.

A Sensory Feast

Breakfast at Dorsia is more than a meal—it’s an experience. The buffet is thoughtfully arranged, offering a curated selection of delicacies rather than an overwhelming spread. Every plate is styled with the same meticulous attention to detail as the décor, ensuring that presentation is as much a part of the indulgence as taste.

The selection includes freshly baked croissants, artisanal cheeses, delicate seafood, and house-made jams. During semla season, miniature versions of the classic Swedish pastry make an appearance, each cardamom-infused bun filled with whipped cream and almond marzipan.

For those looking to indulge beyond the familiar Nordic breakfast staples, two elegant pastries stand out—Sweden’s beloved Prinsesstårta, reimagined in miniature form, and the French Opéra cake, a masterpiece of layered decadence. Each carries a rich history and a distinct expression of European confectionery tradition.

Coffee lovers will find expertly brewed selections, while tea drinkers receive individual pots of loose-leaf tea. In the spirit of indulgence, I opted for a cappuccino, a tea, and finally, a café latte—a fitting way to celebrate a milestone morning.

Continue reading “A Valentine’s 50th Anniversary at Dorsia 2025” →

Swedish west coast midsummer celebrations at Strysö Sweden 2023
Text & Photo © CM Cordeiro & , JE Nilsson 2023

The sun casting long shadows as it flirts with the horizon, the laughter of friends and family echoing through the air, the taste of traditional Swedish food (mostly herring), and the feeling of community and love permeating the celebration. This is Midsummer on the Swedish west coast – a celebration of life, love, and the magic of the longest day of the year.

I love the longer days of summer that on midsummer’s eve, you can witness the sun teasing the horizon, refusing to fully set. It’s been just about two decades that I’ve now lived in Sweden, and I’m still enchanted by midsummer in Sweden. This captivating time, when daylight stretches into the night, is a celebration deeply rooted in Swedish culture, the celebrations of which are larger than our National Day. And where best to witness and participate in the unfolding of midsummer activities to its zenith? Why, along the scenic west coast of Sweden, of course!

Continue reading “Where day meets night: Experiencing midsummer along the Swedish west coast” →

The beginning of the festive winter season at Haga, Gothenburg, Sweden, 2022
Text & Photo © CM Cordeiro & JE Nilsson 2022

The plan was to head to the Design Christmas Market happening at the Culture Arena in Gothenburg, but as plans go these days, we found ourselves walking the nearby cobbled streets of the oldest quarters of the city, at Haga. We had a window of fair weather under a clear blue sky in the morning, which promised sunshine and crisp winter for the whole day.

Having lived in Tromsø for the past four years, with snow on the beach, I haven’t had the opportunity to walk these streets in a long while. So, I was totally happy to be peering through the various café windows. In the background was the soft murmur of crowds and the symphony of clunking boots on stone.

Continue reading “Jul i Haga Göteborg SE 2022” →