High Summer in Sweden

Day 1: Individual arrival in Stockholm
Day 2: Stockholm – Södertälje, 35 mi. (56 km) 
Day 3: Södertälje - Trosa, 36 mi. (57 km)
Day 4: Trosa - Katrineholm, 27 mi. (44 km)
Day 5: Excursion Floda Kyrka, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 6: Katrineholm - Mariefred, 35 mi. (56 km)
Day 7: Mariefred - Stockholm, 21 mi. (33 km)
Day 8: Stockholm

Day 1: Individual arrival in Stockholm
Your hotel room in Stockholm will be available at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the First Hotel Reisen, one of the best addresses in the old town, Gamla Stan, one of the largest and best preserved medieval city centers in Europe. If you arrive before 4.00 p.m., you will have the opportunity to participate in a sightseeing tour of the old town, situated on Stadsholmen island. The evening is yours to enjoy. There is a wide variety of restaurants offering local specialties as well as international cuisine.

Day 2: Stockholm – Södertälje, 35 mi. (56 km) 
The first bike tour starts this morning right outside the hotel. The cityscape of Stockholm is unique, built on 14 islands, and is characterized by its unique location on the shores of Lake Mälar’s affluent into the archipelago of the Baltic Sea. You will be impressed by the well-developed cycling network of the city. After about an hour, the group arrives at Drottningholm castle, the principal residence of the Swedish royal family. A magnificent staircase leads to the rooms in the northern wing which is open to the public. The route then leads across the bridges to the little islands in Lake Mälar, the country’s third largest lake. Along a varied route, passing a few private baroque castles, you will reach the day's destination, Södertälje, to overnight in the lovingly furnished Hotel Torpa Pensionat.

Day 3: Södertälje - Trosa, 36 mi. (57 km)
Today, the scenic landscape of  Södermansland will delight you. Wonderfully situated between Lake Mälar and the Baltic Sea, the area, historically favored by the nobility, showcases about 400 manor houses and small castles. Past lakes, dense forests and small islands, the  route leads to the lovely 12th-century country church of Old Trosa. Tonight you are accommodated at the stylish and cozy Trosa Stadshotell & Spa in Sweden’s smallest town, where you will be treated to a delicious dinner.

Day 4: Trosa - Katrineholm, 27 mi. (44 km)
During the next days, you will traverse the heartland of Södermansland, mainly formed during the glacial periods. Large forests, wide fields, rocks, moorlands and over 400 lakes characterize this unique landscape dotted by charming red-painted wooden houses. In Gnesta, you will take the train (30 minutes) to Katrineholm, named after the duchess Catharina Gyllenhorn. Your destination for two nights, the Dufweholms Herrgard, one of Sweden’s Historic Hotels, is just a short bike ride. Located directly on the lake, you can swim, visit the sauna and relax in the stylish lounge. A remarkable cuisine and a well-sorted wine cellar are an added bonus.

Day 5: Excursion Floda Kyrka, 26 mi. (42 km)
Following small trails, you are immersed in the calm and solitude of an almost unspoiled nature. Perhaps you will see one of the thousands of elks or with luck, a rare osprey. Shortly before the lunch break, you reach Floda Kyrka. This sacred building impresses with its size and its splendid liturgical frescoes of the 15th century. Clerically, it belongs to the diocese of Stärgnäs, of the Swedish Church, the country’s largest denomination. In the afternoon, you take the train back to Katrineholm where you will spend your second night at the Dufweholms Herrgard manor. Before dinner, there is still enough time for a refreshing swim in the lake or a relaxing sauna session. 

Day 6: Katrineholm - Mariefred, 35 mi. (56 km)
In the morning a chartered bus transfer will transport the group to  Sundbyholm. Near the village, you will see a cliff drawing of unusual dimensions, the Sigurdristning, which depicts a central event of the Völsunga saga. This variety of the Nibelungenlied was one of the major sources of inspiration to Richard Wagner for his monumental opera cycle. From here the route leads to Strängnäs, site of a famous cathedral and the stage for important events in Swedish history. Gustav Wasa was elected king in 1523 before he led Sweden out of the Kalmar Union to independence. Before reaching the day's destination, you will behold the imposing Gripsholm Castle, sturdily built on a peninsula. Mariefred, a charming little town of wooden houses and crooked lanes, is located at the Gripsholm bay of Lake Mälar. Accommodations this evening are at the historic Gripsholms Värdshus.

Day 7: Mariefred - Stockholm, 21 mi. (33 km)
In the morning, there is a visit to Gripsholm Castle, one of the ten Swedish royal palaces. Built in the 16th century by Gustav Vasa, this impressive building already fascinated the German author and fighter for democracy, Kurt Tucholsky. It inspired him to write one of his major and best-known novels: Schloss Gripsholm. You will cycle along Lake Mälar to Taxinge, a lovely property, popular above all for its tempting cake buffet. From Nykvarn the train takes us in about 30 minutes back to Stockholm, and back to the First Hotel Reisen.

Day 8: Stockholm
In the morning, you will experience Stockholm from a different perspective. On a two-hour boat trip, according to the motto ‘Under the bridges of Stockholm", you will better understand the symbiotic relationship between the city and the surrounding water. The tour through central Sweden ends around noon. From Stockholm's main railroad station, you can reach Arlanda Airport by train or bus in 20 to 45 minutes, respectively (not included in the tour price).

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