At first there are no islands on its flat expanse, and its shores are studded with low tree-covered hills; but we soon, however, arrived at the region of islands, where the passage becomes more interesting, and the beauty of the shores increases.

The first fine view we saw was the pretty estate Krusenberg, whose castle is romantically situated on a fertile hill.

But much more beautiful and surprising is the splendid castle of Skukloster, a large, beautiful, and regular pile, ornamented with four immense round turrets at the four corners, and with gardens stretching down to the water's edge.
From this place the scenery is full of beauty and variety; every moment presents another and a more lovely view.

Sometimes the waters expand, sometimes they are hemmed in by islands, and become as narrow as canals.
I was most charmed with those spots where the islands lie so close together that no outlet seems possible, till another turn shews an opening between them, with a glimpse of the lake beyond.

The hills on the shores are higher, and the promontories larger, the farther the ship advances; and the islands appear to be merely projections of the continent, till a nearer approach dispels the illusion.
The village of Sixtuna lies in a picturesque and charming little valley, filled with ruins, principally of round towers, which are said to be the remains of the Roman town of Sixtum; the name being retained by the new town with a slight modification.
After this follow cliffs and rocks rising perpendicularly from the sea, and whose vicinity would be by no means desirable in a storm.