9 Days Culture and History Self Drive Tour

9 – Days Grand Self Drive Tour

Discover Sweden’s rich cultural inheritance – museums, theatres, timbered houses, summer farms, folklore and handicrafts. Visit a brass foundry and potteries, churches and castle ruins. Stay in monasteries and Renaissance palaces. And don’t miss the hospitality of the “Glass Kingdom” and its multitude of glassworks! Our journey starts in Stockholm, which offers a massive range of cultural interests, for example the Royal Palace, the Vasa Museum and the Museum of Modern Art. The Royal Palace is one of the largest and most active castles
in Europe. It is the official residence of the Swedish king, and a high proportion of the monarch’s official entertainment function take place here. This is also the workplace of the current
King and Queen. Don’t miss the palace guard’s ceremonies, in which military units from all over Sweden participate.

Package includes
08 Accommodation in historical hotels,
08 Breakfast, Scandinavian buffet
08 Dinners and culinary experiences with local food and specialities
Meeting and Greeting for a welcome reception at arrival to the airport
(Stockholm or Copenhagen). Maps and brochures for sightseeing.

Additional:
Nature Experience with overnight stay in the wilderness at Kolarbyn
Extra Overnight stay in Stockholm or Copenhagen before departure
Extra Overnight stay in a castle in south of Sweden, Skåne.

Contact Travel Gate Sweden for prices and booking bma @ travelgatesweden.se
Ref. No 1018
Itinerary Tour Idea

This itinerary starts in Stockholm – but could easily be converted to start in Copenhagen the capital of Denmark. It is also possible to arrive in one capital and depart in the other.

Day 1. Arrival Stockholm – Häringe Slott
The Häringe Slott castle is only a 30 minute drive from Stockholm, on Highway 73. The commuter train is another option. Häringe Slott was founded in 11th century by a Viking chieftain. There have been a number of more or less eccentric owners since then, including King Gustav Vasa, who established a naval shipyard here. An annual castle murder play takes place at Häringe Slott in the autumn, in which guests can participate amidst laugher and mystery. In
the summer, a stroll in the orchard before dinner is a popular pastime.

Day 2. Häringe Slott – Gimo Herrgård
This involves a short trip north of Stockholm to Gimo Herrgård (Manor Estate). On your way visit Sigtuna and Uppsala. Sigtuna claims to be the first city in Sweden, and there is a guided tour of the town’s many points of interest, including the charming Sigtuna Museum. Steninge castle, near Märsta, is close to Sigtuna and well worth a visit. It has its own glass works where Steninge’s unique glass collection is developed, and visitors have an opportunity to blow their own artefacts in glass. A visit to Uppsala is also recommended, to look at the town and, in particular, to admire the cathedral, which is the largest in the Nordic region.
After Uppsala, take Highway 288 to Gimo. Gimo Herrgård was built in the 1760s, and architects now regard it as the first manor house in the Gustavian style in Sweden.
The visit to Gimo includes a “Herrgårdsnatt” , with afternoon coffee on arrival and a luxurious three-course dinner in the restaurant at “Sweden’s best table”.

Day 3. Gimo Herrgård – Söderfors Herrgård
After a good night’s sleep, we’re back on the road, heading this time for the Söderfors Herrgård manor-house hotel. The trip along Highway 292 is brief, so there is plenty of time for sight-seeing. Why not drive on past Söderfors to the Mackmyra whisky distillery between Gävle and Sandviken to see how malt whisky is produced in Sweden, starting with the distilling process and moving on to tasting and the special shop. At Söderfors and the manor-house hotel, you will experience well-cooked dinner in a splendid dining room by the Dalälven river.

Day 4. Söderfors Herrgård – Klockargården
Visit Falun, where you will find the oldest item on Sweden’s heritage list is the Falu copper mine, which was the world’s largest copper producer in the 17th century.

Klockargården boasts a wide range of cultural activities and entertainment, a unique local atmosphere, personal service and a restaurant with a first-class reputation.
After Tällberg, drive back towards Falun and on to Sundborn, to the Carl Larsson gård, home of Sweden’s most famous artist,with paintings such as the “Flower table” and “Breakfast under the great birch” to his credit.

In Svärdsjö, a little to the north, you will fi nd Hantverkshuset Kråkan, where some 20 local craftsmen present their wares everything from gift articles in birch bark and ceramic materials to ornaments in wood, silver and pewter.
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Day 5. Tällbergsgården – Vanbo Herrgård
After breakfast head south to manor house Vanbo Herrgård, built in the early 18th century, and has been owned by prominent iron masters. The house was nicknamed the “branch office of the Swedish Academy” since so many famous Swedish authors visited Vanbo for mental relaxation. Today, too, Vanbo has a relaxation facility with a sauna and a jacuzzi, which is an excellent preparation for the next day’s activities.

Day. 6 Vanbo Herrgård – Kohlswa Herrgård
This is a short trip, offering opportunities to make some detours to see Sweden’s greatest pride, the elk! Turn off Highway 66 at Skinnskatteberg onto Highway 233 to Kolarbyn, which offers a number of excursions and other arrangements in the woods. You can choose between an evening elk safari or a 24-hour experience, including overnight accommodation. Bergslagen
has the richest game precinct in Sweden, with animals in their natural environment.

If you decided to stop overnight at Kolarbyn, continue to Skultuna the next day. It’ s time to move on to the next hotel – Kohlswa Herrgård. The manor-house hotel is in a beautiful location by the Hedström river. After a good meal and a good night’s rest we can move on to new historic destinations.

Day 7. Kohlswa Herrgård – Vadstena Klosterhotel Monestary Hotel
Drive south to to The Vadstena Klosterhotel and the Slottshotel are both linked with Saint
Bridget (Birgitta) and, in fact, the Klosterhotel is located in the old abbey.
Vadstena is a gold mine for anyone who is interested in Swedish history. The hotel, with its unique traditions, offersa special kind of environment, full of historical experiences.
At Klosterhotel, breakfast is served in what was once the royal banqueting hall of the Bjälbo kings, dating from the 13th century. It is only 25 metres from the shore of Lake Vättern.

Day 8. Vadstena Klosterhotel – Slottshotellet (Castle Hotel) in Kalmar
On the way, you will be passing through the Swedish “Glass Kingdom”
(glassriket), which involves cooperation between four municipalities, 15 glass
works and a tradition of craftsmanship that goes back several hundred years.
The most famous glass works are Kosta, Boda, Orrefors and Målerås, offering
several different glassmaking styles, from graceful crystal to robust household
glassware. This area is well worth a visit.
The hotel itself was built in 1864, originally as a house for a merchant, Johan Jeansson and his wife, Emma. Dinner is served in the “3 vänner restaurante” in the Slottshotellet courtyard.

Day 9. From Kalmar drive back to Stockholm for departure or continue to Copenhagen for an alternativ route.

Stay one night either in Copenhagen or Stockholm before leaving Scandinavia for this time!