Hello everyone!

I'm a 23-year-old guy from Germany and I'm really excited about the idea of trying out Couchsurfing this summer to immerse myself in a new culture and connect with locals. The only thing is, I've never done it before, and I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the information out there :D I don't have any friends who have experience with Couchsurfing, so I would appreciate some help from all of you :)

1. Can you recommend the UK and Sweden as destinations for a first-time Couchsurfer? Are there any gender-related differences in the difficulty of finding a couch for the night?
2. What are the best websites for exploring Couchsurfing opportunities in the UK and Sweden?
3. Are there specific cities in these countries where it's easier to find a place to stay? (I would potentially like to see London, Edinburgh, Stockholm but also the countryside)
4. When is the optimal time to start reaching out to potential hosts? Additionally, how detailed should I be about the specific dates of my stay concerning the days remaining before my planned arrival?
5. Any additional advice for a complete amateur like me? :D

Thanks in advance for all your answers! I'm genuinely grateful for any piece of information you can share.