GRAND SWEDEN CRUISE, 6 DAYS STOCKHOLM TO GOTHENBURG

Package Overview

OVERVIEW
The Grand Sweden Cruise is our six-day premium cruise on the Göta Canal. Travel on board our youngest ship M/S Diana between Gothenburg and Stockholm and you choose your direction. During the canal cruise the boat docks every night, during the day we make nine stops for guided excursions and sightseeing to attractions such as Läckö Castle, Vadstena Castle and Birka, the Viking City. As always breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the price.

OPERATION
May 26 - September 1, 2018

DEPARTURE
6 days, Stockholm - Gothenburg, onboard M/S Diana
May 26
June 8, 28
July 11, 24
August 5, 20
September 1

6 days, Gothenburg - Stockholm, onboard M/S Diana
May 20
June 2, 22
July 5, 18, 30
August 12, 26International airfare
Transfers
Alcoholic beverages
Personal items
Travel insurance
$25 Service fee

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Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : STOCKHOLM - TROSA

  1 Stockholm
  The Grand Sweden Cruise and the Classic Canal Cruise start or end in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. The ships are docked at Skeppsbrokajen 103, Gamla Stan.
  
  2 Hammarby Lock
  The Hammarby lock in Stockholm connects Lake Mälaren with the Baltic Sea. This is the first or the final lock on the journey.
  
  3 Lake Mälaren
  0.3 meters above sea level. In the Viking age, Sweden's third largest lake wasn't a lake, it was a part of the Baltic Sea. Here boats could sail far into Sweden to reach the many cities around the coastline making Mälaren a very important fairway and trading route. Around 1200 the mouth of Mälaren had become so shallow that boats had to be dragged over it to pass. It was about the same time that Sweden's capital Stockholm was founded on that very spot. In Lake Mälaren there are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Drottningholm Palace where the King and Queen of Sweden lives and Birka, the Viking City.
  
  4 Drottningholm Palace
  Drottningholm Palace, home of the Royal family since 1981, is also found on the World Heritage list. We pass the palace if time admits.
  
  5 Sodertalje
  Sodertalje lock, 135 meters long, is the largest lock in Scandinavia.
  
  6 The Baltic Sea
  Between Mem at the outlet of Göta Kanal and Södertalje we cross open water for a short bit and then weave through the archipelago.
  
  7 Trosa
  The small town of Trosa dates all the way back to the 14th century. It was then known as a fishermens' village. Regular steamer traffic from Stockholm and Nyköping began in 1860, bringing large numbers of summer visitors. At the Classic Canal Cruise and the Grand Sweden Cruise from Stockholm you will be able to enjoy a walk around the canals and alleys of Trosa (approx. 2.5 km).

• Day 2 : STEGEBORG - BERG

  1 Stegeborg Castle
  On the Grand Sweden Cruise we make a stop at the ruins of Stegeborg Castle, which is beautifully situated on a small island overlooking the bay of Slatbaken. The castle was constructed during the early Middle Ages and was built to guard the inlet to Söderköping. We are given an exciting guided tour of the castle ruin and herb garden. The walk is short, but somewhat uneven.
  
  2 Mem
  Mem is the start or end point of the Göta Canal, which consists of 58 narrow locks. On September 26th, 1832, the Göta Canal was inaugurated at Mem amid great pomp and circumstance in the presence of King Karl XIV Johan and his family.
  
  3 Söderköping
  The idyllic town Söderköping was founded in the early 1200s and was very important during the Hanseatic period. The town also has a long and interesting history as a spa. Today, it is also known for its ice cream parlours. The Mini Canal Cruise and the Great Canal Cruise start or end in Söderköping. The boat docks by the lock at Kanalgatan/Slussgrand.
  
  4 Carlsborg-Mariehov-Duvkullen
  There are eight locks in the short distance of around two kilometers.
  
  5 Norsholms lock
  Here the canal crosses the main railway line between Stockholm and Malmö.
  
  6 Lake Roxen
  This lake is 33 meters above sea level. The canal enters the lake at Norsholm on one side and Berg on the other.
  
  7 The Locks Of Berg
  The locks of Berg are located north of the city of Linköping. The whole lock system consists of no less than 15 locks, connected with Lake Roxen. The whole Berg lock system is called "The Big Lift". The locks can raise or lower ships 28.8 meters.
  
  At the Mini Canal Cruise we dock for the night in the harbor basin between the locks of Oscar and Carl-Johan. The evening offers the possibility to take a walk along the canal, or to go for an evening swim in Lake Roxen below the Carl-Johan lock staircase.

• Day 3 : BERG - MOTALA

  09.00 Departure Berg (Carl-Johan)
  The convent of Vreta dates from about 1100 and was the first nunnery in Sweden. Its importance was later superseded by the convent founded by Saint Bridget (St. Birgitta) at Vadstena. The old convent church at Vreta is one of Sweden's most interesting, offering many medieval treasures. Today, it is used as a parish church and is therefore not always open to visitors. The tour guide will take us on a walk (approx. 3 km, partly uneven) to see the church and the remains of the convent. As an alternative you can walk along the canal or take a swim in Lake Roxen.
  
  11.40 Berg (Heda)
  The ship has passed all 15 locks in the Berg lock system. It is time to board for departure.
  
  12.00 Ljungsbro, aqueduct
  We pass the first of two aqueducts in the canal. The Ljungsbro aqueduct was built in 1970.
  
  15.10 Kungs Norrby, aqueduct
  The aqueduct at Kungs Norrby was built in 1993 as part of the national route 36.
  
  15.30 - 15.40 Borensberg
  At Borensberg you will see one of the hand-operated locks still in use in the canal. Shortly before the lock we pass a small gazebo leaning out over the canal in a sharp bend known as the "Helmsman's Horror", and after that we see the well-known Göta Hotel, built in 1908.
  
  15.40 - 16.40 Lake Boren
  73 meters above sea level.
  
  16.40 - 17.20 Borenshult
  Lock staircase of five locks where you might hear the nightingale sing.
  
  18.20 Arrive Motala
  It was Baltzar von Platen who drew up the plans for Motala, and today it is called "the Capital of the Gota Canal". In 1822 an engineering works, Motala Werkstad, was established here to serve the Göta Canal and is today considered to be the cradle of Swedish industry. Here you also find the head office of the Göta Canal Company, responsible for operation and maintenance. We visit the Motor Museum, with its large exhibition of antique cars and motorcycles in authentic surroundings, collection of radios, toys, household appliances and more. You can also walk to see Baltzar von Platen's grave, about 1 km along the left side of the canal. Overnight stop.

• Day 4 : MOTALA - HAJSTORP

  1 Vadstena
  Vadstena flourished around the 14th century convent of Saint Bridget (Heliga Birgitta), becoming a spiritual, cultural and commercial centre. Vadstena Abbey Church was built according to St. Bridget's plans and was consecrated in 1430. The present castle was built in the 1540s by King Gustav Vasa. Today Vadstena is an idyllic little town. On the Grand Sweden Cruise local guides will meet us and take us with a sightseeing train to see the Abbey and the castle.
  
  2 Lake Vättern
  89 meters above sea level. Sweden's second largest lake.
  
  3 Forsvik
  Forsvik has a very interesting industrial history. The lock, built in 1813, is the oldest one in the canal. The impressive iron bridge dates from the same year. In the lock we are sometimes greeted with songs and flowers by the Kindbom family, a religious group. A tradition that has been going on for many years and is usually highly appreciated by our guests.
  
  4 Lake Viken
  The beautiful spellbinding Lake Viken (91.8 metres above sea level) serves as a water reservoir for the western section of the Gota Canal. We steer through two of the canals narrowest passages - Spetsnaskanalen and Billstrommen. Both wood-lined and surround with small lakes full of water lilies.
  
  5 Tatorp
  One of the canal's two hand-operated locks is found at Tatorp.
  
  6 Bergkanalen
  This part of the canal is called the Berg Canal and originally had a sharp bend which was straightened in 1930-33.
  
  7 The Obelisk
  An obelisk marks the highest point (91.5 meters above sea level) of the Göta Canal.
  
  8 Töreboda
  The railway line between Stockholm and Gothenburg crosses the canal here. Töreboda also proudly presents Sweden's smallest ferry, "Lina", which travels back and forth across the Göta Canal.
  
  9 Godhogen & Hajstorp Ovre
  We pass a lock system consisting of four locks in very beautiful surroundings. In 1822 the western section of the Göta Canal was inaugurated at Hajstorp.
  
  At the Grand Sweden Cruise from Stockholm and the Great Canal Cruise from Söderköping we are docking for the night in Hajstorp.

• Day 5 : HAJSTORP - VÄNERSBORG

  1 Sjötorp
  Sjötorp is the start or end point of the Göta Canal, which consists of 58 narrow locks. At Sjötorp there is a set of eight locks and also the remains of some old shipyards. On the Grand Sweden Cruise and the Classic Canal Cruise , a visit to the Sjötorp Canal Museum is included. In the museum you can see old pictures of Sjötorp, the interiors of several old ships, and also learn more about the building of the canal. There is also a map of all the sunken ships in the Lake Vänern.
  
  2 Lake Vänern
  44 metres above sea level. Sweden's largest lake and the third largest lake in Europe, after the Ladoga and Onega lakes in Russia.
  
  3 Läckö Castle
  Läckö Castle is situated on a promontory in Lake Vänern. It was built as a fortified bishop's castle in 1298 and during the mid-17th century, the castle was transformed into Baroque style. After standing empty for 150 years, the castle is now experiencing a renaissance with a rich cultural life and a great deal of work has been done to restore the castle to its former glory.
  
  On the Grand Sweden Cruise or the Great Canal Cruise there will be a guided tour of the castle and the exhibitions (lots of stairs), app. 1-km walk. On the Great Canal Cruise from Gothenburg we stop here over night and take the tour in the morning.
  
  4 Vänersborg
  Seafaring has always been of important to Vänersborg. The city is located by Sweden's largest lake, Vänern, which is connected with the port city Gothenburg via the River Gota.

• Day 6 : VANERSBORG - ARRIVE GOTEBORG

  1 Trollhättan
  The Trollhättan Canal Museum is located in a storehouse from 1893. Learn more about the fascinating history of the Trollhätte Canal through the interesting exhibition and film shown here. You can also take a walk through the beautiful old lock area. The impressive lock staircase at Trollhättan consists of four locks, and has a total drop of 32 meters. Of the three parallel lock systems here, only the biggest one (from 1916) is still in use.
  
  2 Lilla Edet
  Ströms lock at Lilla Edet was built in 1916 and is located by the River Göta. The original lock was opened in 1607 and was the first lock in Sweden.
  
  3 Gothenburg
  Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden and the fifth largest of the Nordic countries. Gothenburg is situated on the beautiful West Coast, at the mouth of the River Göta. Most of our canal cruises start or end at Packhuskajen 10 in Gothenburg (except for Mini Canal Cruise).

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Inclusions

• Hotel
• Sightseeing
• Six days and five nights on board (at the quayside)
• Full board and lodging:
• Five breakfasts
• Six two-course lunches
• Five three-course dinners
• Tour guide
• Nine stops for excursions/sightseeing

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Exclusions

• International airfare
• Transfers
• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal items
• Travel insurance
• $25 Service fee

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Price & Rates

* Mentioned prices may vary depending upon date of travel, hotel availability, surge pricing and seasonal rush.

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Package Start From

• Stockholm, Sweden, Europe

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Terms & Conditions

Other Terms & Conditions :
PLEASE NOTE

• Departure Stockholm, Skeppsbrokajen 103 at 10:00


• Arrival Gothenburg, Packhuskajen 10 at 16:00


• Departure Gothenburg, Packhuskajen 10 at 10:00


• Arrival Stockholm, Skeppsbrokajen 103 at 16:00


• Cruise also available in reverse order, Gothenburg - Stockholm

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This Tour is Offered by

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• Five Stars of Scandinavia 10214 Hidden Lake Lane SE Olympia - 98501
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