Scandinavian Christmas Experience 2024 – Sweden

A Borton Overseas Scandinavia Specialist will accompany the group on its departure from Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport with an evening departure. Borton Overseas can assist with arrangements for departures from other US locations – please inquire!

Welcome to Sweden! Arrive midday at Gothenburg Airport. Upon arrival, the group will transfer by coach into the city. Enjoy free time to settle into our rooms before we gather for a welcome dinner as a group at the hotel. Overnight: Gothenburg hotel

This morning, we will begin our day with a three-hour sightseeing tour of the highlights of Gothenburg (Göteborg). We will conclude our tour at Liseberg Park. During the Christmas season, Liseberg is transformed into a winter fairytale filled with market stalls selling gifts, mulled wine, and Christmas goodies. We will have three hours of shopping time before transferring as a group back to the hotel, or you can choose to continue to shop and sightsee independently. Overnight: Gothenburg hotel

Our morning is free to spend at leisure or sightseeing independently. At midday, we will transfer to Tjolöholm Castle, located outside of Gothenburg. The market at Tjolöholm has been one of the largest in Western Sweden since 1987. The grounds are aglow with lights and festive decorations, and market stalls with hundreds of local producers selling handicrafts and food. There are several restaurant, café, and food truck options to enjoy a late lunch or snack. After three hours of shopping time, we will transfer as a group back to Gothenburg. Overnight: Gothenburg hotel

Our final day in Gothenburg is free to sightsee independently or continue to shop for Christmas gifts. Overnight: Gothenburg hotel

This morning, we transfer by coach to the Gothenburg train station and depart by rail across the beautiful Swedish countryside for Stockholm. On arrival, we will be met by a local guide and coach for a four-hour sightseeing tour of the capital city. At the conclusion of the tour, we will be dropped off at our hotel for check in. The evening is at leisure. Overnight: Stockholm hotel

Your host will accompany the group on the short walk to Stortorget Market, located in Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town. Stortorget Market is the oldest in Sweden, with the first market opening in 1837. Here you will find stalls spread across the beautiful market square selling Christmas treats and handicrafts. After three hours of shopping and free time to explore the sights and shops of Gamla Stan, you can meet your host and walk back to the hotel – or continue to explore on your own. Overnight: Stockholm hotel

Today is free to sightsee and continue to shop independently. Overnight: Stockholm hotel

Today is St. Lucia Day, celebrating annually in Sweden. The St. Lucia procession is a very well-known historical Christmas tradition in Sweden.
Our final day will be spent at the open-air museum, Skansen. Here you will find another historic Christmas market, dating back to 1903. Beyond the market stalls selling various locally made food and crafts, you can also stroll through the museum’s collection of historic homes and gardens, showcasing the customs and traditions of the past, and check out residents of the Nordic Zoo. This evening, we will transfer by coach from our hotel to the harbor, where we will take a short boat trip to one of the nearby archipelago islands, Vaxholm. Our farewell dinner will be held at Vaxholm Citadel – a traditional Christmas dinner buffet / Swedish smorgasbord. Following dinner, we will return to Stockholm by boat, then by coach to our hotel. Overnight: Stockholm hotel

We will be transferred by bus to the airport for the group’s flight departure from Stockholm, with arrival back in Minneapolis/St. Paul late afternoon. – or extend your stay in Scandinavia!