Day 1 - London to Cologne
We depart St Pancras International by Eurostar in Leisure Select Class, heading to Brussels, with a complimentary meal and drinks served on board. Our journey continues to Cologne, famous for its impressive Gothic cathedral, where we stay overnight. (E,D)
Day 2 - Across Germany to Denmark
Leaving the Rhineland behind this morning, we continue northwards through Germany towards Scandinavia. Changing trains at Hamburg, we reach the Baltic port of Puttgarden, where we join the train ferry to Rødby in Denmark. From here, we continue to the Danish capital, Copenhagen, where we stay for two nights at the Imperial Hotel. (B,D)
Day 3 - Sightseeing in wonderful Copenhagen
A morning sightseeing tour takes in the magnificent Amalienborg Palace, the Little Mermaid statue and a cruise around the waterways of charming Copenhagen. The Amalienborg Palace is the winter residence of Denmark's Royal family and is regarded as the most outstanding piece of Rococo architecture in Denmark. The Little Mermaid is undoubtedly Copenhagen's most popular tourist attraction and one of the world's most photographed statues. The afternoon is then free for you to explore the city - perhaps enjoy some of its fascinating museums, take a stroll along the bustling waterfront at Nyhavn or visit the enchanting Tivoli Gardens. Founded in 1843, this romantic parkland boasts a selection of restaurants, as well as an amusement park and flower gardens. For a touch of retail therapy, head to Europe's longest pedestrian street, Strøget, which is also Denmark's premier shopping district. (B)
Day 4 - By train to Gothenburg
After breakfast we board our regional direct service up the unspoilt western coast of Sweden to Gothenburg and check into the Radisson Hotel Gothenburg or the Best Western Hotell Goteburg (depending upon departure date) for one night. This afternoon you have time to explore this delightful city at your own pace. There is a magnificently modern opera house shaped like a ship to honour the city's naval heritage, and the Maritime Museum, which tells the story of the city's seafaring past. (B,D)
Day 5 - Board the MS Juno or MS W.Tham
This morning we embark MS Juno or MS W.Tham for a gentle cruise along the Swedish waterways, sailing through two seas, three canals, eight lakes and sixty-six locks over the next four days. We arrive in our first lock, which was built in 1916, at lunchtime after a morning spent relaxing on-board. We ascend the impressive Trollhättan lock staircase, a total drop of 32m blasted into the rock of the hillside, before visiting the Canal Museum which tells the fascinating history of the waterway. You can also take a stroll around the beautiful lock area, with wooded slopes rising up from the water. We continue to Lake Vänern, the third largest lake in Europe - sit back and watch the sun setting over the rippling water. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - Cruising on the Göta Canal
This morning we reach the highest point of the canal, at 91.5m above sea-level. We sail through beautiful Lake Viken over lunch before arriving at Karlsborg Fortress this afternoon for a guided tour. We cruise through Sweden's second largest lake, Vättern, and moor overnight at Motala on the leafy eastern shore, known as 'the capital of the Göta Canal'. We visit the Motor Museum, with its large collection of antique cars and motorcycles. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Lake Roxon
We cross Lake Boren early this morning, passing through an impressive system of 15 locks at Berg. We have a walk here to visit the convent ruins of Vreta, the first nunnery in Sweden which dates from 1100 and then cross Lake Roxen and Lake Asplången this afternoon. This evening we stop at Söderköping, before entering into the open water of the Baltic Sea. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Arrive into Stockholm
This morning we stop at the Viking community of Birka on the island of Bjorko. Birka, Sweden's oldest town, was an important Norse trading centre and nowadays is a UNESCO World Heritage site. We cruise on past Drottningholm Castle, the home of the Swedish Royal family since 1981, and arrive into Stockholm in the early afternoon, spending two nights at the Radisson Royal Viking Hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 9-10 - Stockholm
Stockholm, Scandinavia's largest capital, covers 14 islands, with pristine waterways, pastel-coloured buildings and beautiful green open spaces. At Stockholm's heart is Gamla Stan (Old Town), a captivating island of narrow, cobbled streets filled with shops and cafés. We enjoy a guided tour on Day 9 followed by an afternoon at leisure to explore independently. On Day 10 we transfer to the airport for the flight back to London. (Day 9-B, Day 10-B)
E = Eurostar meal, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday
