Do you have a genius idea that you’ve been dying to work on but simply don’t have the time or creative space? Well, would a private island in Sweden help?
Ideas Island off the coast of Stockholm is a secluded retreat where you can stay to work on a creative project of your choice. The tranquil getaway is available from May to September, and you can stay for one week bringing up to five guests with you. You might even be able to stay longer if you’re able to convince the owner, author Fredrik Härén, that your project needs more time. The best part, though? It’s all free.
“It has been created to make it as inspiring, relaxing and enjoying as possible to sit and work on ideas,” reads the website. “We want to help create an environment that helps to bring some great ideas to life. And we all know that truly great ideas come when we are in solitude, when we are relaxed, when we are close to nature and when we feel in tune with the universe.”
And relaxation is what you’ll get. The small four-bedroom house plus one guest cabin is located in the middle of the island with water mere feet away on all sides. The house is not fancy, according to the website, but is “a typical Swedish summer house” and has the basics you’d need like water, electricity, heating, bathroom and washing machine. The property is magical, though.
You reach the island, which is one of the 10 most central in Stockholm, by rowing about 650 feet. Once there, it feels very isolated and secluded. “In most directions, you see nothing but water and trees,” the website describes. “It has its own beach, its own dock, plenty of room to run around, and yet small enough go always be close to water. The closeness to the water will inspire you.”
While the week-long stay is free, Härén does encourage guests to donate about $1,000 a week to a charity they support. But they are fine to accept less or nothing at all if you can’t afford it. You will also have to cover flights and food expenses.
Ready to sign up? Applications for next summer are available now. All you have to do is fill out a form sharing a bit about yourself and your project. In February or March, the chosen applicants will be announced.
