Sweden: The Great Swedish Cruise
The most leisurely way to see Sweden.
Spend a relaxing summer holiday cruising across the breadth of Sweden, sailing along the famous Göta Canal from coast to coast. Experience a journey of complete contrasts on a Swedish cruise, from buzzing cities with shops and restaurants to tranquil lakes and quaint villages. Begin this epic journey in Gothenburg, Sweden’s second largest city. Contemporary and vibrant, the city is renowned for its innovative cuisine that is found on the menus of its countless eateries. Over the course of the week your Swedish cruise will navigate two seas, several canals, numerous lakes and plenty of locks. A Swedish cruise is fantastic as each day you are transported effortlessly to new and interesting places. The scenery is unparalleled and it is a real cultural discovery for those who have never visited the country before. Your Swedish cruise concludes in Stockholm, Sweden’s vivacious capital city. Built across 14 islands, the city has a clean and elegant feel to it, attracting more foreign visitors than any other country in Scandinavia. Out of all the European river cruises, a cruise along the Göta Canal is definitely the ultimate in relaxation.
***PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ITINERARY ON THE SWEDISH CRUISE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***
Day 1 -
Arrive in Gothenburg
Fly to Gothenburg City Airport and transfer to your hotel where you will spend the first night of your holiday. Spend some time seeing the sights of beautiful Gothenburg and sample some of the local dishes at the numerous restaurants. Enjoy a comfortable night at your hotel, ready for your Swedish cruise to begin the following day.
Stay overnight in Gothenburg.
Day 2 -
Gothenburg to Vänersborg
Your Swedish cruise ship sets sail from Gothenburg mid morning. Familiarise yourself with the on-board facilities as you begin to explore Sweden by boat. Your first port of call today is Trollhättan. As the ship climbs a staircase of locks you have the opportunity to take a look around the Trollhättan Canal Museum and learn about this incredible feat of engineering that you are sailing along. We reach Vänersborg in the evening where the ship docks overnight.
*Variation for departures on 30th Aug 2011*
Depart Gothenburg and enjoy a scenic journey to Trollhätten where you can take a look around the interesting Canal Museum. After midday the coach continues to Vänersborg where you will board the ship and enjoy a delicious welcoming lunch. Your Swedish cruise ship sails across the enormous Lake Vänern to Läckö Castle where you will have the opportunity to take a guided tour. The ship will dock in these peaceful surroundings overnight.
Meals included:
Breakfast
,
Lunch
,
Dinner
Day 3 -
Vänersborg to Hajstorp
Most of today is spent crossing the stunning Lake Vänern. Along the way we stop at Läckö Castle where you can enjoy a guided tour. In the late afternoon the Swedish cruise enters the famous Göta Canal. As the vessel makes its way along a series of locks, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the towpath before visiting an interesting glass blowing studio. Dinner on board is followed by musical entertainment as we dock at Hajstorp.
*Variation for departures on 30th Aug 2011*
As the Swedish cruise ship makes its way along Lake Vänern take the time to savour the spectacular views. This morning you can enjoy a bus tour of the beautiful Kinnekulle countryside. When the ship reaches Sjötorp locks in the afternoon you have the perfect opportunity to take a leisurely stroll along the towpath. This evening there will also be a visit to a glass blowing studio at Lyrestad where you can watch skilled craftsmen creating ornate objects out of glass. On the Swedish cruise you can enjoy live musical entertainment after dinner as the ship makes its way to Hajstorp where we dock for the night.
Meals included:
Breakfast
,
Lunch
,
Dinner
Day 4 -
Hajstorp to Motala
This morning the Swedish cruise passes an obelisk that demarcates the highest point of the Göta Canal. From here, as you explore Sweden by boat, you will be treated to some picturesque scenery as you cross Lake Viken and through some beautiful pools filled with water lilies. Passing Karlsborg Fortress we enter Lake Vättern before stopping at the charming town of Vadstena. Join the sightseeing train and take a tour of the abbey and the castle there. We dock for the night at Motala, known as the capital of the Göta Canal, where you have the opportunity to explore the Motor Museum nearby.
Meals included:
Breakfast
,
Lunch
,
Dinner
Day 5 -
Motala to Klämman
As the ship departs you might like to take a leisurely morning stroll along the towpath. The Swedish cruise stops at Borensberg, visiting the Göta Hotel for delicious coffee and waffles. In the afternoon we cross two aqueducts and arrive at the lock system at Berg. Here you can take a guided tour of the convent of Vreta or alternatively take a refreshing dip in Lake Roxen. The boat docks tonight at Klämman.
Meals included:
Breakfast
,
Lunch
,
Dinner
Day 6 -
Klämman to Sävsundet
There is another opportunity for a morning walk as the ship navigates more locks. The first port of call today on the Swedish cruise is the historic spa town of Söderköping. Spend some time admiring the elegant architecture before returning to the ship and sailing to the end of the Göta Canal. After the final lock the Swedish cruise enters the Baltic Sea where the ship will navigate around numerous islands and islets as it makes its way to Stegeborg Fortress where you can enjoy a guided tour. We spend the night docked at Sävsundet.
Meals included:
Breakfast
,
Lunch
,
Dinner
Day 7 -
Sävsundet to Stockholm
The final day takes you across Lake Mälaran as the Swedish cruise continues, stopping at the island of Björkö where we visit the Viking community. Enjoy a guided tour by expert archaeologists and visit the interesting museum. Back on board we pass the home of Sweden’s royal family, Drottningholm Castle before finally arriving in Stockholm in the afternoon. Extend your Swedish cruise with an overnight stay in the capital, taking some time to look around the gleaming city before returning to the UK.
Meals included:
Breakfast
,
Lunch
,
Dinner
Day 8 -
Depart Gothenburg
The Swedish cruise comes to and end. Prepare for your journey home.
Meals included:
Breakfast
Each of our three handsome, historical ships is designed to fit the most narrow lock on the canal like a hand in a glove. Built in 1874, Juno is the oldest ship still in regular service. The Wilhelm Tham was built in 1912 and our youngest ship, Diana, in 1931.
They have been carefully refurbished and preserved to reflect the times when they were built.
There are three cabin classes, one on each of the ship's decks - the bridge, shelter and main decks. Most of the cosy, small cabins are fitted with bunk beds and a washbasin. There are shared WCs and showers on each deck. Meals are enjoyed in the mahogany and brass decorated dining room. The salon is a place for socialising, conversing or reading one of the books in our small ship's library.
***PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***