Depart:
Self Drive-Land Only
11 Days/10 Nights
Daily April 1-October 31
In Sweden you can find countless castles and manor houses in picturesque locations. The highlight of this self drive vacation is your stay at the Yxtaholm Hotel located in Flen, a short distance from Stockholm. From Flen you have the perfect location for excursions to both Gripsholm Castle and the capital. You will also visit the charming Kingdom of Crystal area where you can shop for famous brands such as Orrefors and Kosta Boda at factory prices.
Price per Person:
Please Call or Email for prices.
Package Includes:
10 nights accommodation at first class manor house and historic hotels all with private facilities
Breakfast each morning
5 dinners
10 day rental car-group O (Saab 95) or similar. Pick up and drop off at Arlanda Airport includes: unlimited mileage, CDW, TP, APT/CITY surcharge and tax
Entrance fees to the Kalmar, Tullgarns, Kungliga and Gripsholm Castles
Hotel taxes and service charges
Itinerary
Day 1 Stockholm-Trosa
Upon arrival at Arlanda Airport pick up your rental car and start your journey to some of the most romantic and interesting places and hotels in Sweden. From Stockholm drive to the archipelago town of Trosa located by the Sormland coast. This area is an open landscape with living farm districts and pleasant creeks. Overnight Trosa Stadshotel.
Day 2 Trosa
After breakfast spend the day visiting the area. We suggest a visit to the Tullgarn Castle. The Swedish royal family pays a visit to the castle every year. You may also choose to stay at the hotel and enjoy a treatment at the hotel’s spa. Overnight Trosa Stadshotel.
Day 3 Trosa-Kalmar
Continue your journey along the Swedish coast passing Norrkoping and Vastervik before you reach Oskarshamn. In the afternoon arrive in Kalmar. Kalmar is one of the oldest towns in the country and was once even the third largest in Sweden. Overnight Hotel Stadshotellet.
Day 4 Kalmar
The medieval town of Kalmar is strategically located between Oland and the Kingdom of Crystal. Important sights include the original and well-preserved city center with its Town Hall, Cathedral and Kalmar Castle. We also suggest an excursion to the island of Oland, Sweden’s second largest. The attractions of the island are its 400 windmills, 34 churches, 16 ancient fortifications, 34 orchid species, the tallest lighthouse in Sweden and the largest windmill in Scandinavia. You can also see the largest castle ruin in Northern Europe, the Alvaret, a bare limestone biotype not found anywhere else in the world. Overnight Hotel Stadshotellet.
Day 5 Kalmar-Kingdom of Crystal-Jonkoping
Today you will enjoy an excursion into the world famous Kingdom of Crystal. Located in the heart of the province of Smaland you will find some of the most famous glass factories in the world such as Orrefors, Kosta Boda, Pukeberg and Maleras. You can visit glass blowing rooms and shop for beautiful objects at factory prices. Continue towards Ljungby and Vaarnamo on your way to Jonkoping. Overnight Hotel Victoria.
Day 6 Jonkoping-Soderkoping
On your way to Soderkoping you will pass the picturesque village of Granna. In this small town small stores are mixed with handicraft shops, cafes, restaurants and the popular peppermint candy factories. Stroll around among the small wooden houses and enjoy the view from the Granna Mountain. Proceed south along the shores of Lake Vattern to Vadstena. During the Middle Ages, Vadstena was an important place of pilgrimage. Thousands came to visit the Abbey Church with the relics of Saint Brigitta and her double monastery with a community of both nuns and monks living separately in different enclosures. Here you will also find the Vadstena Castle, “A Living Castle” which serves as a museum, concert hall, opera and a market place. Continue your drive towards Linkoping and in the afternoon arrive to the little town of Soderkoping, which is situated in the province of Ostergotland. There are 14,000 inhabitants living in the village, half of them in the old lovely houses which stretch along narrow alleys and cobbled streets. History fills the air, with three medieval churches and an 18th century town hall. Dinner and overnight Soderkopings Brunn Hotel.
Day 7 Soderkoping
After breakfast the entire day is at your disposal. The Gota Canal passes through Soderkoping under the brows of the Ramunderberget Hill. The canal was completed in 1832 and was earlier an important transport route. In the summer the Canal Harbor and the lock in central Soderkoping are full of cafes, craft shops and restaurants. Do not forget to visit “Smultronstallet” the largest ice cream cafe in Sweden. Dinner and overnight Soderkopings Brunn Hotel.
Day 8 Soderkoping-Flen
After breakfast depart Soderkoping to Flen with a stop in nearby Norrkoping on the way. Norrkoping is known as the “Small City with the Big Heart.” Among the interesting sights is the wonderful architecture and the impressive promenades, the City Hall, with its panoramic view of the city from its tower, and the medieval Ostra-Eneby Church. Arrive in Flen and check into the Yxtaholm Castle Hotel which dates from 1759. Dinner and overnight at this historical hotel located in beautiful surroundings right on the waterfront.
Day 9 Flen-Gripsholm Castle-Flen
Today we suggest a visit to the famous Gripsholm Castle built in 1537 and situated in the small town of Mariefred, on the shores of Lake Malaren. Gripsholm today is a sampler of Swedish interior design from the 16th to the late 19th centuries. It houses a unique collection of furniture and decorative arts from 400 years. The castle is also known for its outstanding collection of portraits, the Swedish national collection, featuring prominent Swedes from the days of Gustav Vasa to the present. Dinner and overnight Yxtaholm Hotel.
Day 10 Flen-Stockholm-Flen
Today is reserved for the Swedish capital, Stockholm. You can drive into town or you may park the car at the Flen rail station and take the train, a 1 hour journey. Stockholm is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful national capitals in the world. The Old Town in summer is particularly spectacular. The city’s royal residences include the largest palace in the world that is still in use. Dinner and overnight at the Yxtaholm Hotel.
Day 11 Flen-Arlanda Airport
After breakfast drive to Arlanda Airport to drop off your car. You can extend your stay at the castle hotel or add nights in Stockholm.
Additional nights available.
