Golden Sweden and Copenhagen

The vibrant capital city of Denmark, Copenhagen offers a fantastic blend of historic charm and modernity. It's famed for its picturesque canals and colorful waterfront, especially in the Nyhavn district. The renowned Tivoli Gardens, one of the world's oldest amusement parks, continues to draw in visitors with its its whimsical rides, lush gardens, and seasonal events. Copenhagen's architecture is worth mentioning, from the regal Amalienborg Palace, the royal residence, to the medieval Rosenborg Castle, home to the crown jewels. The National Gallery of Denmark and the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art also feature stellar piece in their collection. Copenhagen's streets are supremely bike-friendly, with most locals and tourists alike choosing to travel by bike in the summer months. Visitors should also spend time exploring its rich culinary scene - which rivals that of Paris and Tokyo with its traditional Danish fare and numerous Michelin-rated restaurants.

Welcome to Scandinavia! A local assistant will greet your group inside the airport terminal's arrival hall and escort them to the hotel in a private coach. After arriving to the hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure. Guests can choose to take it easy to adjust to the time change, or begin exploring this fantastic city on their own. Please note that if your group arrives before the official check-in time, they can leave their bags for storage at the reception.

Kalmar is located on Sweden's southeast coast in Småland. It is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, including the impressive Kalmar Castle, originally built as a fortified tower in the 12th century and later transformed into a Renaissance masterpiece. The city played a significant role in Scandinavian history, notably as the site of the Kalmar Union in 1397, which united the Nordic countries under one ruler. Visitors can explore the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, lined with buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, and admire the Kalmar Cathedral, a fine example of Baroque architecture. Kalmar’s coastal location provides access to outdoor activities such as hiking along the Kalmarsundsleden trail and exploring nearby islands like Öland via the Öland Bridge.

Vaxjo in southern Sweden, is often called the "greenest city in Europe", due to its commitment to sustainability and renewable energy. With just over 70,000 people, it offers vast open spaces and ample opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. Växjö Cathedral, with its distinctive twin spires, is a prominent landmark, while the Smålands Museum showcases local history and craftsmanship, particularly in glassmaking. The city is also home to Linnaeus University, which attracts a diverse student body and contributes to the local economy. Växjö has implemented extensive cycling paths and pedestrian zones, promoting eco-friendly transportation. Its ambitious goal to become fossil fuel-free by 2030 has earned it international recognition for environmental initiatives.

Linköping in southern Sweden, is recognized for its medieval architecture, including the prominent Linköping Cathedral, which features a striking tower and serves as an important religious site. Linköping is also home to a thriving high-tech industry, particularly in areas such as aeronautics and green technology, driven by innovation from Linköping University. The city has set an ambitious goal to become carbon neutral by 2025, reflecting its commitment to sustainability. The city offers a beautiful blend of nature, with parks and lakes nearby, and a lively arts scene.

This morning, your group will depart Vaxjo and travel by private coach to Vadstena, one of Sweden's most charming and historically-significant towns. The city is located on the beautiful shores of Lake Vattern. Guests will tour Vadstena Castle, which was originally a fortress built in the mid-16th century to protect Stockholm from its southern enemies. Years later, it was rebuilt into a magnificent castle for the Swedish prince, Magnus Vasa. After sightseeing in Vadstena, your group will drive to Motala to visit the Gota Canal Museum. They will learn all about the origins of the canal by touring the exhibitions titled "The People and the Technology," and "the Constructions of the Canal", which contain interesting information about the people who made it possible to construct the canal along with details on the technology they used. Afterwards, guests will proceed to the city of Linkoping, which will serve as the base for the evening. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Linkoping.

Örebro, located in the heart of Sweden, is the sixth-largest city in the country. The Örebro Castle, dating back to the 13th century is an enduring symbol of this city. Örebro is also home to Örebro University, contributing to a vibrant student atmosphere. The city is set by the river Svartån, where visitors can enjoy parks and waterfront activities. Örebro's commitment to sustainability is evident in its extensive cycling paths and green spaces, making it a pleasant place for outdoor enthusiasts. The nearby Oset-Rynningeviken Nature Reserve offers opportunities for birdwatching and hiking.

This morning, your group will board its private coach and drive a short distance from Linkoping to Berg. They will cruise one of Sweden's best attractions, the Gota Canal, down to Borensberg through a beautiful landscapes and waterway. The Carl Johan lock stairway in Berg is the longest on the canal with its seven interconnected locks. It can raise or lower the boats 60 feet between Lake Roxan and the harbor. The total length of the Gota Canal is 118 miles (with 54 miles of the canal being entirely manmade), and in total, there are 58 locks, including two which are manually operated. This tour on the Gota Canal will end in Borensberg, where your group will re-board the coach and drive north to Orebro, the seventh largest city in Stockholm with 120,000 residents. After checking into the hotel, guests will have some time to freshen up or explore Orebro before their group dinner in the hotel's restaurant.

This picturesque village is situated on the shores of Lake Siljan, in Dalarna County. Known for its charming wooden houses, many painted in the traditional Falun red, Tällberg has a population of around 200 permanent residents, with an additional 400 holiday cottages. It was once a simple farming community, and has since evolved into a popular tourist destination, often referred to as "Hotällberg" due to its numerous hotels. This is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts, with scenic walkways and hiking paths offering panoramic views. Tällberg also hosts traditional Swedish celebrations, including Midsummer festivities centered around maypoles. The area’s natural beauty and cultural heritage make it an ideal spot for relaxation.

This morning, your group will travel north to Dalarna, the Swedish province commonly called the "Land of Folklore." At the heart of Dalarna lies Lake Siljan, which was created by a meteorite thousands of years ago. Around its calm waters, guests will find beautiful villages built of traditional wooden houses, often painted in red, which is typical in Sweden. Your group will continue to Mora, a relatively small city with a compact town center. This is the largest municipality in the Siljan region, and the surrounding area is famous for its beautiful nature and landscape, formed by a massive meteorite crashing into Earth more than 360 million years ago. This is one of the largest craters created by a meteorite in the world history; and the largest one in Europe. Also noteworthy: the famous 55-mile Swedish ski race, Vasaloppet, ends in Mora. From Mora, your group will continue on to Nusnas to visit Nils Olsson's Hemslöjd and the Dala Horse Factory, where the world-renown Dalecarlian wooden horse is produced. This brightly-painted, carved wooden horse has become an iconic symbol of Sweden. Your group will visit the factory to see how these famous horse sculptures are made. Till this date, the horses are hand-painted through a special technique. Afterwards, guests will proceed to the picturesque village of Tällberg, which is filled with traditional Swedish homes on the scenic shores of Lake Siljan. This evening, your group will dine together and stay overnight in this quaint village.

Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, is a stunning city spread across 14 islands, and connected by more than 50 bridges. With close to 30% of its area is composed of waterways and green spaces, it is also one of the cleanest capital cities in the world. Stockholm's rich history dates all the way back to its founding in the mid-13th century, to which the Gamla Stan, or Old Town bears testament. The city blends classical and modern architecture, with top attractions such as the Royal Palace and the contemporary Stockholm Waterfront Congress Centre. Stockholm is famed for the Vasa Museum, a 17th-century warship with an unfortunate history. The city also offers a vibrant cultural scene and some unique neighborhoods, such as the hipster Södermalm and Kungsholmen with its outdoor opportunities.