Göta Canal Cruises, Sweden

Arrive Stockholm, transfer independently to your hotel. The remainder of day is at leisure to explore the city on your own. Overnight in Stockholm

Departure from Stockholm this morning. The Hammarby lock is the first lock on your journey and divides Saltsjon from Lake Mälaren. Then sail on Lake Mälaren, which is only one inch above sea level and is Sweden’s third largest lake. While on Lake Mälaren, the ship will dock at Drottningholm Castle, the home of the Royal family since 1981. The castle is on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites. This afternoon you will be visiting Södertälje lock, which is the largest lock in Scandinavia, the archipelago of St. Anna and Södermanland, and the small town of Trosa, which dates all the way back to the 14th century. In Trosa, enjoy a walk around the canals and alleys. Overnight on board

Continue your journey through Stegeborg and Mem, where on September 16th, 1832, the Göta Canal was inaugurated amid great pomp and circumstance in the presence of King Karl XIV Johan and his family. You will now go through the first of the 58 narrow locks on the Göta Canal. From Duvkullen to the lock Carlsborg there are eight locks on a stretch of approximately one mile. Take the opportunity to stretch your legs between the locks. Cruise Lake Asplången and Lake Roxen with the Norsholm lock in between. Arrive at the Carl-Johan lock early this afternoon. This lock staircase is the longest in the canal with seven connected locks. The tour guide will take you on a walk to see the church and the remains of the Vreta convent. As an alternative you can walk along the canal, or take a swim in the warm water of Lake Roxen. In the mid-afternoon you will re-board to resume your journey on the canal. You will pass two aqueducts, a hand-operated lock, and cruise Lake Boren in the evening. Arrive in Motala, the Capital of the Göta Canal, late this evening. Overnight on board

Early in the morning, the ship will depart from Motala to cruise Lake Vättern, Sweden’s second largest lake. Visit Karlsborg Fortress where you can enjoy an interesting guided tour of the fortress and the beautiful Garrison Church. Forsvik has the oldest lock in the canal, built in 1813. Next is beautiful Lake Viken, which serves as a water reservoir for the western section of the Göta Canal. At Tåtorp there is another hand-operated lock. From here on you will be going downwards! Hajstorp is a lock system consisting of four locks, and is a good place to stretch your legs. At Sjötorp there is a set of eight locks, and also the remains of some old shipyards. Visit the old warehouse, where you can find a shop selling, among other things, clothes and home decor. A cafe and the Sjötorp Canal Museum are also located there. You can see old pictures of Sjötorp, the interiors of several old ships, and a large collection of ship engines. There is also a map of all the sunken ships in Lake Vänern. It is also possible to take a walk along the locks. Cruise Lake Vänern, Sweden’s largest lake and the third largest lake in Europe, after the Ladoga and Onega lakes in Russia. Overnight on board

The Trollhättan Canal Museum is located in a storehouse from 1893. Learn more about the fascinating history of the Trollhätte Canal through the interesting exhibition and film shown here. You can also take a walk through the beautiful old lock area. Cruise the impressive lock staircase at Trollhättan and through the Ströms lock at Lilla Edet, the last lock on your journey. Arrive in Göteborg in the afternoon. Transfer independently to your hotel. The remainder of afternoon and evening are at leisure to explore on your own. Overnight in Göteborg

Independently transfer to the airport for your return flight to the US – or extend your stay in Scandinavia!