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DAY 1: Monday, December 10
Departure from U.S.A. (D on flight)
Depart on your overnight transatlantic flight for Stockholm, Sweden.
DAY 2: Tuesday, December 11
Stockholm- Rättvik (B on flight, D)
Arrive at Stockholm-Arlanda Airport. You will be met by your tour
guide/escort who will be with you for the entire tour. Transfer to your
motor coach for the ride through the beautiful Swedish countryside to
Rättvik in the tradition rich province of Dalarna. Check-in at the Dala
Wärdshus Hotel, your home for the next four nights. Your hosts Billy and
Lena Höglund and their staff are here to help you to experience the
traditions of a Swedish Christmas in this small community of cozy log
cabins, quaint shops and beautiful scenery. Your days and nights will be
filled with the delightful sights, sounds and flavors of Sweden at
Christmas time. Enjoy!
DAY 3, 4, & 5: Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday, December 12, 13, & 14 (B,D)
Rättvik- Lake Siljan area (B,D)
Spend the next three days exploring the beautiful Lake Siljan area. At
Nusnäs, visit the workshop of Nils Olsson. Watch as expert craftsmen carve
and paint genuine Mora Dala Horses right before your eyes. Enjoy plenty of
time to look around or relax. Shop in the extensive gift shop or enjoy a
cup of coffee or some sweets at the coffee shop. Stroll across the street
to Grannas Olsson’s for more shopping. Day trips also include a visit to
Tomteland (the Swedish version of Santa’s North Pole) where you will see
live reindeer and meet the Christmas witch. Enjoy a tour of the home and
studio of beloved artist Carl Larsson, and in the town of Mora tour the
amazing home of renowned artist Anders Zorn. Near Mora, visit the island
of Sollerön on Lake Siljan to shop at Johnson’s Hemslöjd. At your hotel
enjoy the outdoors by building a snowman or take a sleigh ride through the
beautiful winter forest. In the evenings, inside the cozy warmth of the
main lodge, learn the etiquette of drinking the Swedish Christmas drink of
Glögg, make your own Swedish style Christmas decorations, and learn to
carve your own Dala Horse and paint in the traditional “kurbits” style.
Enjoy fun filled Christmas dance games and delightful music. December 13
is Lucia day, enjoy the beautiful music of the Lucia concert at Rättvik
church this evening. In the mid-afternoon of the last day in Rättvik enjoy
a huge Christmas Smörgåsbord with five enormous courses of delicious
Swedish cuisine.
DAY 6: Saturday, December
15 (B,D)
Rättvik- Stockholm (B,D)
This morning, depart the province of Dalarna where you have experienced so
many special Swedish Christmas traditions. On the way to Stockholm, stop at
Avesta to see the worlds largest Dala Horse, weighing in at 67 tons and
standing 43 feet high. Upon arrival in Stockholm enjoy the delightful
Christmas atmosphere on a visit to the “Christmas Market” in Gamla Stan (Old
Town), the oldest part of Stockholm. Free time this afternoon. Of interest
on your own, the Royal Crown Jewels can be viewed in the basement vault of
the Royal Palace, museums and shopping. Afternoon check-in at your hotel,
your home for the next three nights. Dinner at the hotel.
DAY 7: Sunday, December 16
Stockholm (B,D)
Today visit the famous open-air museum of Skansen as you attend the
Skansen Christmas Fair. Enjoy traditional handcrafts, homemade breads,
cakes, sausages, candles, music and dancing. Church services and advent
music will be held at the Seglora Church. You will be free to enjoy the
day at your leisure. In the late afternoon attend the Lucia concert to
hear the beautiful music so special at this time of year. Dinner at your
hotel. Other seasonal evening entertainment available at additional cost.
Free time this evening.
DAY 8: Monday, December 17
Stockholm (B,D)
Today will be your last fun filled day in Sweden. This morning a tour of
Stockholm includes the City Hall, the Wasa Ship Museum and a view from
Fjellgatan Street, the highest point in Stockholm, where you can look out
over the archipelago to get a true view of this island city. Free time
this afternoon. Your tour host will be happy to help you with free time
arrangements. Farewell dinner tonight will be a special holiday meal at
the hotel.
DAY 9: Tuesday, December 18
Departure to U.S.A.
(B, lunch on flight)
This morning transfer by motorcoach to Stockholm/Arlanda Airport for
departure to the U.S.A.
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