HOLIDAYS TO SWEDEN

THE GOTA CANAL - SWEDEN FROM COAST TO COAST
6-8 days from £1135 pp

Discover Sweden from coast to coast travelling on a Gota Canal steamer in true grand 19th century style; crossing the country’s great lakes; drifting through its tranquil countryside and navigating Stockholm’s southern archipelago. Dine on stylish cuisine in a dining room once graced by kings, join in the included shore excursions along the way and round off (or begin) your trip with time in Stockholm.

THE CANAL ROUTE

More akin to the Russian waterways between St. Petersburg and Moscow, the Gota Canal is not so much a canal as a network of locks, canals, lakes and archipelago route stretching from Gothenburg on the west coast to Stockholm on the East. Along the way the journey takes in some of Sweden’s most enchanting spots and passes through its most picturesque scenery.

THE STEAMERS

The Juno, Wilhelm Tham and Diana – three ‘lock’ sized ships built specifically for the Gota Canal, the oldest dating from 1874 but all meticulously maintained down the years. Slightly ungainly and tub like in appearance, each has a similar profile with a Bridge deck (highest); Shelter deck one below that and Main deck. Along with passenger cabins each has a dining room saloon which also doubles up as a bar.

THE CABINS

‘Cabin’ is something of a descriptive misnomer – Orient Express like compartment would be more accurate – small but perfectly formed. Each has a hand basin; loo and shower in the adjacent corridor and has been recently renovated and re-styled in keeping with its original Jugend (Art Nouveau) style. Differences in price reflect standard of furnishings, natural light (picture window or port hole) and height above waterline rather than any differences in facilities.

ON BOARD

Each steamer has an atmospheric dining room and saloon faced in mahogany with quite a bit of brass on show and serves food to die for. Above deck there’s a surprising amount of open space with deck chairs and wicker seats in which to relax and watch the day go by. The musical evening on our eight day tour and the choral singing on day 3 all help make this a quintessential Swedish experience.

Itinerary | Prices and departure dates | Map of tour

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