Days 1 through 3 - Stockholm and Viking Settlements
Day 1
ARRIVAL IN STOCKHOLM
Day 2
Discovering Europe’s Most Beautiful Capital
Day 3
Viking Settlements and History… and Swedish Pastries
Start your Swedish journey in the capital. Stockholm is a city considered – by many – to be the most beautiful capital in Europe. There you will join a local guide to tour the streets of Gamla Stan (“Old Town”), admire the city’s unique architectural style and learn about its history. Use rest of the day to explore: you can choose to see the Sweden of centuries ago at the Skansen open-air museum or try some “island hoping” and explore the Stockholm archipelago. The following day will take you on a guided, cultural journey where you will learn about the Vikings, visit some of their settlements and taste some Swedish delicacies during a fika. You will also visit Sigtuna, one of the country’s oldest towns.
Main attractions: Gamla Stan (“Old Town”), Vasa museum (17th-century salvaged ship), the City Hall, the Royal Palace, Skansen Open Air Museum (the Sweden of many decades ago), Djurgården Island
Guided activities: 3-hour Sightseeing tour of Stockholm (walking or biking, small group), 5-hour Viking Heritage Tour out of Stockholm (small group)
Accommodations: Elite Eden Park Hotel
Start Your VacationDays 4, 5 – Castles, Canola Fields, and Culture in Skåne
Day 4
The South – Canola Fields & Bucolic Beauty
Day 5
The Mysteries of Ystad
Leave Stockholm, southbound, on an absolutely scenic, lovely train ride to the town of Ystad, in the very south of Sweden, where you will spend 2 days. Yes, this is the same Ystad from the books and television series about detective Wallander! In fact, you will have the opportunity to join a Wallander guided tour, where you will get to see most of the town and its most historic attractions. You will also love Ystad’s medieval, pastel-colored half-timbered houses on cobblestone streets and sun-dappled squares.
Main attractions: Ystad Studios (Scandinavia’s largest film studio), St Knut’s square, the 12th century Grey Friar’s monastery and adjacent Saint Petri church and museum
Guided activities: Sightseeing tour of “Wallander” Ystad
Accommodations: Contienental du Sud
Start Your VacationDays 6 Through 8 – Malmö and Return to Stockholm
Day 6
Exploring Modern Malmo
Day 7
Return to Stockholm
Leave Ystad early on a 1-hour train ride to Malmö, where you can spend the rest of the day getting to know this charming and happening city. Things to do in Malmö include visiting its city center parks and strolling its beautiful cobbled street areas. Malmö attractions are easy to get to on foot, by bike or even in a kayak. The next day you will experience a very enjoyable train ride back to Stockholm, where you will spend the last night of your trip.
Main attractions: Western Harbor, Turning Torso building, Malmöhus Castle building
Accommodations: Clarion Collection Hotel Temperance
Start Your Vacation
