It's time to travel home from Atlanta after a week in a city I've had on my bucket list for a long time. It's not an obvious destination perhaps, even though the city has the world's – by far – largest airport, which probably means that many of you have still been here, even if you haven't done it. The reason why I ended up here this time is because SAS had a phenomenal EuroBonus offer that was ultimately hard to resist.

Whatever the case may be, I'm very happy with the experience, which I think is well worth a visit.

[ plus ] That you should be able to walk around in a vibrant downtown is far from safe in the United States. It's almost only New York, San Francisco and Seattle that I really think deliver there. However, Atlanta falls into this category. It's an unexpectedly nice city that is almost completely devoid of graffiti centrally, police cars are extremely rarely heard (almost Tokyo levels), there is no garbage along the streets or in parks, and many houses are very spectacular. In addition, the Olympic Park is a green gem to enjoy in.

[ minus ] Sure, it's home to one of the world's largest aquariums, a phenomenal Six Flags, water parks, the Coke Museum (where you can sample over 300 of the company's beverages, including an absolutely horrific plum Fanta from China) and much more. But compared to most other American cities, I think Atlanta is a little behind on spectacular things to do (unless you want to hike or are very interested in the Civil War). Therefore, I believe that up to a week is just right here, more is not needed if experiences are a priority for you.

[ plus ] For those who want to experience what the United States has to offer, Atlanta will go a long way. Here you will find giant malls, all the national food chains, fine restaurants, wonderful cinemas, a live live scene and so on. All complete with southern charm. If you don't want a busy schedule of new things to do and just want to experience a really nice American city – then Atlanta goes a long way. This is quality of life.

[ minus ] Together with Los Angeles, Atlanta has the worst traffic situation I've ever experienced in the United States. It's no wonder at all to be stuck on a seven-lane highway. In addition, the city is not as clearly gridded as many other US cities, so make sure you have a good GPS in case the rental car does not deliver (such as in our Chrysler 300). Get a US SIM so you can run Google Maps.

[ plus ] There is a lot of greenery in the city and also around with several nice parks. Me and the lady took the opportunity to go up Stone Mountain (just under 25 meters of elevation) for phenomenal views. Took around two hours with a break at the top. At Stone Mountain there is also the world's largest stone relief depicting three Southern profiles (including Robert E. Lee for anyone who knows their history). A grand thing bigger than a football field, but maybe not a must see. But there are plenty of nice walkways with a lot to see and I liked to walk around.

[ minus ] As I wrote above, Atlanta has the world's largest airport, and that's awesome. Over 100 million passengers pass through here annually, or one Malmö a day, if you will. Of course, this requires space. The airport is nice and fresh, but huge and just the journey from the terminal to the rental car part you have to dedicate around 35 minutes to. And it must still be said to be a minus because you could have eaten a Cinnabon on a cool mall instead.

[ plus ] The southern states undoubtedly have among the world's absolute best cuisines with tasty and light home-inspired food that definitely fills you up. Atlanta is located in the middle of Georgia and is therefore a great place to rub shoulders in grilled and smoked meats of various kinds. The best one I tried was the acclaimed Hattie Marie's, but it's no problem to get good BBQ with sweet tea here – and the size of the town means that there are plenty of other nice options.

We stayed at something as unexpected as a llama farm. Phenomenally charming, craving carrots and surprisingly social guys.

It's easy to keep from laughing when you want a bite to eat at Arlanda - or even worse in Copenhagen because of our shameful currency - when a piece of chocolate and a coffee immediately slides up to over a hundred riksdaler, while a croissant with salami/brie and a tea free sails away over 200 kronor. If you dare to go for a stingy shrimp sandwich with mechanically cleaned shrimps (and maybe a small sprig of dill and sliced cucumber slice) and a sloppy light beer in the style of Mariestad, it's closer to SEK 400 .

Of course, it's a market economy and it's mainly the premises that cost, and those who sell the food are probably busy even walking around despite the price tags. But that doesn't make it any more fun to have to consider swaying an organ or two for a mazarin and sparkling water.

Fortunately, there is a little lifehack. When you book your ticket, make sure to add a SAS lounge. It usually costs just under SEK 300 and voila, you get to sit comfortably with good charging facilities, complete with good toilets and revel in coffee, tea, wine/beer, soft drinks and a decent selection of coffee. The latter usually includes a salad buffet, simple main courses, hearty breakfasts, cakes, chips, small sweets and in between rounds also things like ice cream and smoothies.

If you know that you are going to eat at the airport and will be sitting for an hour or so - then go for a lounge next time. The chances are decent that you will get to eat more and better and have a much nicer airplane hang.

Have you reacted to the price of the airport food?

It was actually one of Gamereactor's excellent readers who told me about The Touryst when I asked for suggestions for good holiday games a number of years ago. It looked promising and I downloaded it to the Switch... and has since then also acquired it for desktop formats (there is a version for just about everyone). 

Now, for the third time since the first purchase, the masterful adventure is in full swing again, and what attracts is in just its first-class gameplay, but at least as much the incredibly summery feel. The game features Hawaiian shirts, chillaxing on sun loungers, palm trees, canoeing, exploring attractions, beach parties, tourist brochures, supermarkets, cooling swims, scuba diving, picturesque shopping streets, lush surroundings, lovely lagoons and much more.

It's truly the ultimate holiday and summer game, which is why, after playing through it for Switch in 2020, I then returned in 2022 to relive it in high definition on the big screen and is now up and running again in 2024. It simply contributes a sense of release in a way no other game can quite match.

Have you played The Touryst and what is your best summer game?

It's very rare that we even start our TV box nowadays here at home. We have it mostly because older relatives sometimes visit who want to watch TV, and to watch the extremely few programs on linear TV that we can only watch via linear TV. But sometimes it still happens that we start it after having had a hard time finding something to watch, and zap along between the eternal reprises of Friends, Lyxfällan and Ullared that are available.

It was exactly one such day during the weekend - when we happened to end up three minutes into Goonies. I love the movie immeasurably, and actually also the ultra-tricky NES game Goonies II (which I offered some of the most illogical puzzles I'd seen so far), and got hooked. But... There was padel with our friends on the schedule and we only had time to watch 30 minutes before it was time to leave.

However, the craving was aroused and I asked my partner to check where/if it is possible to stream, whereupon it turned out that HBO Max had it, among others. In the evening, popcorn was popped and an ice-cold Loranga Zero was uncorked for a little movie night. It's probably twenty years since I last saw Goonies and for my aunt even more - but as it stands. Not only as a cozy matinee, but also as a period document and an extremely clear model for Stranger Things, among other things.

So what do I want to say? Well, if you have HBO Max or Viaplay, take the opportunity to check out Goonies. That's it.

Sometimes it was actually better in the past.

Last month Petter went on his vacation and after today it's my turn. So far, the summer has had terrible weather (except in May, when it was high summer deluxe), but apart from the fact that I can't grill, it's really the same for me. I'm looking forward to playing a lot of games I haven't had time to deal with, where I'm currently playing  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate  on Switch, and I know that for some unclear reason I'm always tempted to play a lot of retro when I'm free.

In addition to this, I hope to have time for a trip to the mountains and have thought of trying to check out some more of the tourist attractions we have very close to us, such as Döda fallet (a completely drained lake) and Hällingsåfallet (Sweden's longest canyon). In addition, there will be a visit to the family down south and a trip to Atlanta - and hopefully plenty of good food and good ice cream. Somewhere here I want to squeeze in a book or two as well, but if it really will be that remains to be seen.

Have a nice summer everyone, see you just in time for Gamescom (picture from Death Valley).