| DAY 1 - Tuesday, June 17
Departure from U.S.A. (D on Flight)
Today, depart from O’Hare International Airport to Stockholm, Sweden. Or request international departure from the city of your choice, dependent upon availability.
DAY 2 - Wednesday, June 18
Arlanda Airport - Skokloster - Uppsala (B on flight, D)
Arrival in Stockholm early morning. Journey through the province of Uppland to tour beautiful Skokloster Castle (1654), one of the finest baroque museums in the world. In Uppsala, enjoy a tour of magnificent Uppsala Cathedral whose construction began in 1260 and is today the largest Cathedral in Scandinavia. After a visit to the Viking burial mounds at Gamla Uppsala check in to your hotel to rest or explore the city before dinner. Dinner and overnight at Park Inn or similar in Uppsala.
DAY 3 - Thursday, June 19
Uppsala - Avesta - Sundborn - Falun - Rättvik (B,
D)
Travel to the tradition rich province of Dalarna today. Stop at Avesta to see the world’s largest Dala Horse standing almost 43 feet high and weighing 67 tons. Tour the beautiful home and studio of beloved artists Carl and Karin Larsson in Sundborn. In Falun visit the amazing Falun Copper Mine, which began operations in the year 1288. Drive to Rättvik for hotel check-in. Pre-Midsummer entertainment this evening at Vidablick. Dinner and overnight at Hantverksbyn/Vidablick Hotel or similar in Rättvik.
DAY 4 - Friday, June 20
Rättvik - Nusnäs - Mora - Rättvik (B, D)
Today is Midsummers Eve, the largest and best summer celebration in Scandinavia. Enjoy the beauty of idyllic Lake Siljan as you explore the region today. Visit centuries old Rättvik Church with its hundreds of tiny wooden “houses” used centuries ago to stable horses in winter during the long church services. Travel to Nusnäs to visit Nils Olsson’s Hemslöjd gift shop and Dala Horse factory, watch as expert craftsmen hand carve a Dala horse in matter of a few minutes. In Mora, tour the fantastic home of world renowned artist Anders Zorn. Early afternoon return to Rättvik for folk music, fun, food, folk dancing and the raising of the Midsummer Pole. Dinner and overnight at Hantverksbyn/Vidablick Hotel or similar.
DAY 5 - Saturday, June 21
Rättvik - Sunnemo - Medskog - Ransäter - Karlstad (B,
L, D)
Midsummer Day. Depart the beautiful Lake Siljan area. Travel to the province of Värmland to visit the quaint village of Sunnemo and learn about Swedish religion and emigration to America in the early 19th century. Today enjoy a delicious traditional Värmland lunch of potatiskorv (potato sausage) at the delightful country restaurant of Medskogs Stugby. After lunch take the short drive to Ransäter to tour the open air museum. Continue to Karlstad for dinner and overnight at the Clarion Collection Hotel Bilan or similar.
DAY 6 - Sunday, June
22
Karlstad - Sjötorp - Falköping - Habo - Gothenburg (B,
D)
Drive south into the province of Västergotland to see the locks at Sjötorp where the Göta Canal meets Lake Vänern. Just outside of Falköping visit Åsle Tå, the incredibly well preserved peasant village from the 19-20th centuries. Travel west to the western shore of Lake Vättern to visit beautiful Habo church, famous for the interior biblical paintings on walls and ceilings. Continue to the west coast of Sweden to Göteborg (Gothenburg), the second largest city in Sweden. Dinner and overnight at Tidbloms Hotell.
DAY 7 - Monday, June 23
Gothenburg - Varberg - Helsingborg - Viken - Ängelholm (B,
D)
As you drive through Gothenburg this morning enjoy the highlights of this lively west coast city founded in 1621. Travel to the province of Halland and the small town of Varberg chartered in 1100. Once described as the least appealing place in Sweden, Varberg’s beautiful sandy beaches have now earned it the nickname of the “Swedish Riviera”. Enjoy free time here before continuing to Helsingborg. In Helsingborg take a stroll on the walking street or take in the view across the Öresund Strait to Denmark and Kronborg Castle (Elsinore - the home of Shakespeare’s Hamlet) at Helsingør. Perhaps investigate the Kärnan tower, Helsingborgs most famous landmark, which has guarded the city for over 600 years. This evening, savor a delicious smörgåsbord dinner at the home of Gunvor Mårtensson in the village of Viken. Overnight at Erikslund Hotel near Ängelholm.
DAY 8 - Tuesday, June 24
Ängelholm - Karlshamn - Växjö (B, D)
Today travel through the idyllic Swedish countryside into the province of Blekinge to view the Emigrant Monument in Karlshamn, which commemorates emigration to America through characters from Vilhelm Moberg’s classic novel “The Emigrants”. Enjoy free time for shopping or leisure in Karlshamn. This afternoon travel to Växjö in the province of Småland. Enjoy a self- guided tour of the museum at the Emigrant Institute. Those interested in family research, contact Anderson Scandinavian Tours about tour extensions. Dinner and overnight at Quality Hotel Konserthuset or similar in Växjö.
DAY 9 - Wednesday June 25
Växjö - Långasjö - Kosta Boda - Orrefors
- Söderåkra (B, D)
Travel the “Emigrant Trail” to Långasjö to tour the living museum at Klasatorpet where parts of the film, “The Emigrants”, were made. Deep in the forests of Småland enter the “Crystal Kingdom” to tour the 266 year old Kosta Boda glassworks. Visit the royal moose family at Grönåsens Elk Park before continuing to the world famous Orrefors glass factory. Dinner and overnight at Stufvenäs Gästgifveri Country Inn near Söderåkra, on the shores of the Baltic Sea.
Day 10 - Thursday, June 26
Söderåkra - Kalmar - Oskarshamn - Eksjö (B,
D)
Today tour 13th century Kalmar Castle, once a vital defense along the Danish sea border. Falling on hard times, the castle has been used to store salt and grain and as a prison, today it is one of Sweden’s best preserved renaissance castles. Enjoy a tour at the Axel Pettersson Woodcarving Museum at Oskarshamn. Continue to Eksjö to enjoy a walking tour of the wonderfully preserved Old Town area from the 17th century. Dinner and overnight at Ullinge Wärdshus Country Inn or similar.
Day 11 - Friday, June 27
Eksjö - Gränna - Vadstena - Bergs Slussar
(Locks) - Stockholm (B, D)
This morning, travel to Huskvarna to visit the Huskvarna Museum. Known worldwide for Huskvarna chainsaws this company started 300 years ago with muskets and other weapons for the Swedish army. Drive along the shores of beautiful Lake Vättern to the village of Gränna stopping at Gränna polkagris (peppermint candy) factory/candy store and Gränna Glassworks. On the way to Stockholm see the Viking Age rune stone “Rökstenen” and make a stop at the Berg Locks where the boats maneuver through the system of locks on the famous Göta Canal. Early evening arrival in Stockholm. Dinner and overnight at Clarion Collection Hotel Tapto or similar in Stockholm.
Day 12 - Saturday, June 28
Stockholm (B, D)
A morning tour of Stockholm includes City Hall, the Wasa Ship Museum, which houses the restored Wasa ship that sank on its maiden voyage in the 17th Century, Embassy Row, the magnificent view of the city from Fjellgatan Street and Gamla Stan (Old Town). Free time this afternoon. This evening enjoy dinner in at Rosendals Wärdshus. Overnight at Clarion Collection Hotel Tapto or similar.
Day 13 - Sunday, June 29
Stockholm (B, D)
Today is a free day. Your tour host will help you with suggestions. Perhaps visit one of the many museums. Return to Gamla Stan, stroll the walking street, visit one the world famous department stores or take a cruise on the archipelago. Enjoy! Dinner and overnight at Clarion Collection Hotel Tapto or similar.
Day 14 - Monday, June 30
Stockholm - Departure to U.S.A. (B)
This morning, transfer by motorcoach to Stockholm-Arlanda Airport for departure mid-morning departure to the U.S.A. Arrival at Chicago O’Hare around noon local time.
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