Overview

The Göta Kanal (Gota Canal) may not be the fastest way to travel between Stockholm and Gothenburg but this is certainly one of the most gracious, beautiful and relaxing forms of transport.

The Great Swedish Cruise will be hosted by the M/S Diana throughout 2014. She is the youngest of the three ships (launched in 1931) and has been meticulously maintained and the main deck cabins have recently been refurbished. The dining room offers delicious traditional Swedish meals and a different view each evening. You will be catered for on a full board basis whilst on the ship: breakfast buffet, two course lunch and three course supper. M/S Diana was 'listed' in 2009 meaning she is now a floating museum.

Much of what is experienced on this trip comes from the unique atmosphere on board. Not to mention that travelling on this hand-excavated canal between Gothenburg and Stockholm is an adventure in itself. Each traveller becomes part of an unmatched history that already stretches over three centuries.

You will see Sweden in summer dress from a new perspective, ranging from the magical forests of Tiveden to the historic castles and manors. You will see cultural landscapes with anonymous farms, animals and fields alongside the Vadstena Monastery Church, Karlsborg Fortress and canal builder, Baltzar von Platen's, grave.

There are several shore excursions included in every cruise and the ship’s guide is never far away to offer expert advice. The main differences between this cruise and the other cruises are the number of excursions and that the boat actually moors up during the night. There are plenty of opportunities to get off and explore the Göta Kanal by foot or bicycle (the ship has a couple you can borrow), especially when passing through locks.

 

Itinerary

	Gothenburg to Stockholm			Stockholm to Gothenburg
Day 1	Fly from UK to Gothenburg		Day 1	Fly from UK to Stockholm
	Self transfer to the centre of Gothenburg			Self transfer to the centre of Stockholm
	Check into your hotel			Check into your hotel
	Time to explore some of Gothenburg			Time to explore some of Stockholm
	You may decide to travel a day or 2 earlier to see more of Gothenburg			You may decide to travel a day or 2 earlier to see more of Stockholm
Day 2	Breakfast at your hotel		Day 2	Breakfast at your hotel
	0930 boarding for your Göta Kanal cruise			0930 boarding for your Göta Kanal cruise
	1000 Departure			1000 Departure
	The impressive Trollhätten lock staircase, the Canal Museum & a walk through the beautiful Old Lock area			Through Hammarby Lock and into Lake Mälaren. Pass by Drottningholm Castle, home to the Royal Family
	Overnight stop at Vänersborg			Södertälje lock - Scandinavia's largest and into the Baltic Sea.
				The beautiful coastal town of Trosa, a traditional fishing town.
Day 3	Cruise across Europe's 3rd largest lake, Vänern.			Overnight at Stegeborg
	Guided tour of Läckö Castle built in 1298
	The Sjötorp lock system (8 locks), and the history of this part of the Göta Kanal.		Day 3	Guided tour of Stegeborg and the fortress ruins. A short but uneven walk.
	Overnight stop at Hajstorp			Enter the Göta Kanal at Mem
				The Söderköping locks and the famous ice cream shops
Day 4	Sweden's smallest ferry, 'Lina',at Töreboda			Söderköping dates back to the 13th century
	At 91.5m above sea level this part of the canal is called 'Berg Kanal' and is the highest point of the Göta Kanal.			Overnight stop at the bottom of the Berg lock staircase.
	Pass through one of just 2 hand operated locks on the Göta Kanal
	Visit the historic convent town of Vadstena. Walk the ancient streets and visit the castle and abbey dating from the 15th century.		Day 4	As the boat climbs through the Berg lock system - 15 locks, you visit the famous convent town of Vreta.
	Motala is the overnight stop. Motala is recognised as the capital of the Göta Kanal with HQ, responsible for operations & maintenance.			2 more modern additions to the Göta Kanal are the Kungs Norrby & Ljungsbro aqueducts.
				Pass through the first of 2 hand operated locks at Borensberg
Day 5	A morning walk along the Borensberg lock staircase.			Motala is the overnight stop. Motala is recognised as the capital of the Göta Kanal
	Pass through the 2nd hand operated lock
	2 more modern additions to the Göta Kanal are the Kungs Norrby & Ljungsbro aqueducts.		Day 5	Depart Motala and into Lake Vättern, Sweden's 2nd largest lake.
	As the boat descends through the Berg lock system - 15 locks, you visit the famous convent town of Vreta.			Visit the historic convent town of Vadstena. Walk the ancient streets and visit the castle and abbey dating from the 15th century.
	Cruise across Lake Roxen			The 2nd hand operated lock at Tåtorp
	Overnight stop by the idyllic Klämman lock			At 91.5m above sea level this part of the canal is called 'Berg Kanal' and is the highest point of the Göta Kanal.
				Sweden's smallest ferry, 'Lina',at Töreboda
Day 6	The Söderköping locks and the famous ice cream shops			Overnight stop at Hajstorp
	Söderköping dates back to the 13th century
	The final lock, Mem, before leaving the Göta Kanal for the Baltic Sea. Weave through the southern parts of the Stockholm archipelago		Day 6	The Sjötorp lock system (8 locks), and the history of this part of the Göta Kanal.
	Overnight at the old pilot station in Sävsundet			Cruise across Europe's 3rd largest lake, Vänern.
				Guided tour of Läckö Castle built in 1298
Day 7	Enter the Södertälje lock - Scandinavia's largest.			Overnight stop at Vänersborg
	Enter lake Mälaren - Sweden's 3rd largest and an impressive archipelago of green islands.
	Visit the Viking community at Birka.		Day 7	The impressive Trollhätten lock staircase, the Canal Museum & a walk through the beautiful Old Lock area
	Birka is recognised as Sweden's first town and is now on the UNESCO world heritage list.			The final lock is Lilla Edet. Originally built in 1607 and refurbished in 1916.
	Pass by Drottningholm Castle, home to the Royal Family			Approx 1600 arrival in Gothenburg centre close to the spectacular Opera House
	Pass through Hammarby Lock and into Stockholm Harbour			Self transfer to your Stockholm Hotel. Your crew will be able to assist with booking a taxi.
	Approx. 1600 arrival in the famous Old Town.			Check in to your hotel
	Self transfer to your Stockholm Hotel. Your crew will be able to assist with booking a taxi.
	Check in to your hotel		Day 8	Relaxing breakfast at your hotel.
				Perhaps add a night or 2 to see more of Gothenburg
Day 8	Relaxing breakfast at your hotel.			Self transfer to the airport
	Perhaps add a night or 2 to see more of Stockholm			Flights back to the UK
	Self transfer to the airport
	Flights back to the UK
	Activities / excursions on the Göta Kanal may be subject to change			Activities / excursions on the Göta Kanal may be subject to change

Accommodation

Rex Hotel - Stockholm

A refurbished town house from 1866, Hotel Rex provides comfort and privacy. Located in the exciting central area of Vasastan it is just a 2 minute walk to the underground and just a few minutes walk from major attractions such as the Vasa Museum, Stockholm harbour, shopping districts and a wide variety of restaurants.

This is where the locals live! The area around Rex Hotel is not on the beaten tourist trail. Instead you will find cosy bars and restaurants full of locals. The entire Stockholm region and beyond is quickly and easily accessible by the underground. All the rooms are en-suite and wifi is available throughout the hotel.

Please click on the image for more photos.

Göta Kanal Cruise - Sweden

Three magnificent ships (M/S Diana, M/S Juno and M/S Wilhelm Tham) dating back to the 1800s, offer stunning views over the Swedish countryside. Each ship has a meticulously maintained lounge and dining room, offering delicious traditional Swedish meals and a different view each evening. You will be catered for on a full board basis whilst on the ship; breakfast buffet, two course lunch and three course supper.  

The cabins are small, comfortable and tastefully decorated. Most are fitted with bunk beds (some have double beds) and each has a hand basin; WCs and showers are in the corridor. As there is plenty to see and do most guests are only in their cabins to sleep. All cabins are above the waterline with a port hole or window. All bridge and shelter deck cabins open onto the deck.

Clarion Hotel Post - Gothenburg

Opened in January 2012, the Clarion Hotel Post is a modern hotel with prime location in the very centre of Gothenburg. Located in the old Post House next to the train / tram / bus station where shops, restaurants, bars and the harbour are all easily accessible. Clarion Hotel Post boasts 500 rooms, two restaurants and three bars, a roof terrace / pool and spa.

 

 

 

Activities & Excursions

As the itinerary

Dates

Please note the dates below are the actual cruise dates. Don’t forget to add your nights in Stockholm or Gothenburg at the beginning and end!

The M/S Diana will be serving the Great Swedish Cruise in 2015.

2015	Gothenburg to Stockholm	Stockholm to Gothenburg
June	Tuesday 2nd Monday 15th Sunday 28th	Monday 8th Sunday 21st
July	Saturday 11th Friday 24th	Saturday 4th Friday 17th Thursday 30th
August	Thursday 6th Wednesday 19th	Wednesday 12th Tuesday 25th

 

Prices

2015 prices from (book by 15th March for these prices)
2 adults in a double / twin		1 adult single cabin / room
Main deck	£2210 per person	Main deck	£2920 per person
Shelter deck	£2210 per person	Shelter deck	£2780 per person
Bridge deck	£3130 per person	Bridge deck	£3995 per person
2015 prices from
2 adults in a double / twin		1 adult single cabin / room
Main deck	£2395 per person	Main deck	£3190 per person
Shelter deck	£2395 per person	Shelter deck	£2995 per person
Bridge deck	£3430 per person	Bridge deck	£4395 per person

 

Notes
Prices for the main deck and the shelter deck are the same as the main deck on the M/S Diana has been refurbished to high standard. The main deck cabins all have two lower beds and are a little bit bigger than the shelter deck cabins which have 1 lower & 1 upper bed.

Price includes 
return flights from the UK
1 night b&b in Stockholm
1 night b&b in Gothenburg
5 nights full board on board (lunch on day 2 to lunch on day 7)

Gallery

Gothenburg

Göta Kanal Cruise

Stockholm & Archipelago

Information

Göta Kanal cabin plans

Alternative Hotels in Stockholm

Alternative Hotels in Gothenburg

 

Göta Kanal Map