 Day 1: Arrival
This tour starts at the airport where you are met and transferred to your hotel in the heart of Stockholm. If you arrive early, we recommend getting the Stockholm Card, which gives you access to most museums in Stockholm, the Stockholm underground and local buses.
Day 2: Stockholm – Örebro (around 200 km of driving)
From Stockholm, you drive west to Mariefred to explore the 16th-century Gripsholms Castle with its well-preserved interior from the different époques, and which also houses a large art exhibition. You may want to take a leisure ride on the train at Mariefred Railroad Museum, which dates back to the end of the 19th century. In Eskilstuna, you can visit the blacksmith community, which dates from the 17th century, and where the smiths are still busy with their crafting. Head on toward Örebro and the open-air museum in Wadköping, with its beautiful old buildings, craftspeople and shops. Stay the night in the Örebro area.
Day 3: Örebro – Karlstad (around 115 km of driving)
After breakfast, visit the Örebro Castle, where you can join a guided tour to find out the remarkable past of this 14th-century castle. Take the detour to Grythyttan and visit Grythyttans värdshus for a true culinary experience. After a delicious meal, you drive to Karlstad, where you stay the night.
 Day 4: Karlstad – Trollhättan (around 170 km of driving)
Drive along the shore of Lake Vänern. For water lovers, there will be several opportunities to go for a swim on the way to Trollhättan. The worthwhile ropeway tour will give you a pretty view over Trollhättan, where you will stay the night.
Day 5: Trollhättan – Gothenburg (around 80-150 km of driving depending on road)
The impressive set of locks at Trollhättan consists of four locks, covering a 32-metre difference in water level. Here you will be able to see how the boats are guided through the system. Drive along the riverbanks of Götakanal River to Gothenburg, or drive west and visit the islands Orust and Tjörn, which are both well worth visiting. Don’t miss the Bohus fort by the Göta älv River north of Gothenburg. You will spend the night in Gothenburg, the 2nd largest city in Sweden.
Day 6: Gothenburg – Kingdom of Crystal (around 300 km of driving)
Drive south-east towards the Kingdom of Crystal. Stop at High Chaparral, a western town where you can watch bandits rob the local saloon and later see them caught by the sheriff. Stay the night in or around the Kingdom of Crystal.
 Day 7: Kingdom of Crystal (around 60 km of driving)
Drive around the “Kingdom of Crystal” and visit some of the most famous glassworks. There are more than 50 glassworks in this area, and many of them are open for visitors. Learn how glass is made out of sand as well as how it is produced. If you are lucky, you can find a special gift or souvenir in one of the glassworks stores offering good prices. You can also visit the Lessebo paper factory, where paper has been handmade here since the start in 1693. Here you can learn how paper was made in the old days (Open Monday to Friday).
Day 8: Kingdom of Crystal – Vadstena (around 280 km of driving)
Drive north to Vimmerby and visit the hometown of Swedish author Astrid Lindgren. Here you can find a built-up village of Pippi Longstocking and other famous figures featured in her books. Make a stop in Linköping and visit the open-air museum “Old Linköping”, which shows what a small town looked like a hundred years ago. Here you can visit the houses and find out how Swedish people lived in the old days. We recommend the detour to Gränna, a town famous for polkagris, a sweet candy. Here you can see how it is made and also find your own favourite—this will be a true treat for all children.
Day 9: Vadstena - Stockholm (around 250 km of driving)
See the sights around Vadstena Castle, the Cloister and the little 12th-century town itself. Stop in Borenshult by Göta Canal River, where you can see the manually operated Borensberg lock, which is worth visiting. Short cruises on the canal are offered in the area.
If you want, you can visit the Kolmården International Zoo on the way north. On your way back to Stockholm, we recommend you visit the pretty little town Trosa by the coastline and the 18th-century Tullgarn Castle, with some of the most beautiful interiors seen from this time period. Stay the night in Stockholm.
Day 10: Departure
Passengers departing with the afternoon flight will have time for some last-minute shopping, a perfect way to end your holiday. Transfer by Arlanda Express from Stockholm to Arlanda airport.
|
Rooms with private shower or bath and WC. These are in four-star hotels or the best hotels available at each location. All hotels provide breakfast (included in the price) and have their own restaurant.
Accommodation in budget hotels, farmhouses, guesthouses and youth hostels. Most rooms do not have private facilities, but some of them have washbasins in the rooms. Breakfast is always provided and is included in the price. Bed linen is included in the price, but beds are not always made. In the more remote areas, most places of accommodation offer optional evening meals.
Rooms with private shower or bath and WC. These are in comfort hotels or well-appointed guesthouses in the more remote areas. All provide breakfast (included in the price) and many have their own restaurant.
