Central Sweden 2024

The Hotel Reisen***** awaits you in Stockholm, one of the very top addresses, situated directly at the water in the old city of Gamla Stan and only a short walk from the most important sights worth seeing. We will meet up in the hotel lobby at approx. 4 pm and during a guided round tour, you will be shown the historical old town, situated on the Stadsholmen Island, which is completely surrounded by water, exuding a special flair. We will visit the Vasa Museum, in which the almost completely preserved battleship Vasa which sunk in 1628 is on display, among other things. You will have the evening to your own disposal. There are a number of attractive restaurants to be found in close proximity to the hotel. In the evening, Stockholm comes to life and invites one to linger.

Our cycling trip begins in the morning right in front of the hotel. We will receive our bicycles directly at the sea. Stockholm is stretched out over 14 islands, 30 percent of the urban area is covered with water. This combination of land and water will also accompany and impress us over the next few days. There is an impressive skilful complex of cycling routes here as well as on land. We will enjoy the ride through the metropolis, which is pleasant to cycle in, and will reach the magnificent baroque castle of Drottningholm, the main residence of the Swedish royal family and an impressive symbol of the power of the former Swedish dynasties. After a visit to the north wing, our route leads us via small islands in the Mälaren, the third largest lake in Sweden, past small baroque castles to our daily destination Södertälje. The lovingly maintained Hotel Torpa Pensionat*** awaits us, picturesquely situated at the water.

We will soon arrive at Södermanland, the country of the Südmänner. This picturesque landscape has been the desired destination of many Swedish fans, ever since several films by Inga Lindström were broadcasted. It is wonderfully situated between the Mälaren and the Baltic Sea, and around 400 castles and manors bestow the landscape with its own mystic character. Passing small and large lakes, dense forests, islands and waterways, we will pass the enchanting country church of Alt-Trosa, until we eventually reach our daily destination. According to the Swede, being in Trosa is being in the middle of nowhere, it is the smallest town in the country, and beautifully situated at the small river Trosaan. Today we will be staying in the stylish and comfortable Trosa Stadshotell & Spa****.

Over the next few days, we will be cycling across the heart of the Södermanland. The last Ice Age has clearly left its traces: sanded, piled up, flattened and formed. Our cycling route boasts a wild beauty, speckled by the typical wooden houses, painted in red and ochre yellow. One will definitely enjoy the landscape here. In Gnesta we will then take the train to Katrineholm (Duration around 30 min.), which is named after the Duchess Catharina Gyllenhorn. We will be travelling on the oldest and still the most important railway route in Sweden today. We will then only have to cycle a few minutes before we reach today’s destination, the Gutshof Dufweholms Herrgård****, which is one of the Historic Hotels of Sweden and situated directly at the lake (two overnight stays). The evening sun’s reflection in the lake invites one for a swim, and one can relax in the hotel’s own sauna and in the stylish lounge and rooms. We will enjoy dinner in the hotel’s outstanding restaurant with its excellent choice of wines.

Travelling on small paths, we will enjoy the tranquillity and remoteness, taking in the beauty of the landscape. A splendid cycling party through partly untouched nature. If we are lucky, we might be able to catch a glimpse of one of the 300.000 elks, or an osprey, who still occasionally nest here. Shortly before our lunch break, we will reach Floda Kyrka. This gothic sacred building, situated in the former rural community of Floda is impressive in size, with its magnificent liturgical fresco cycles dating back to the 15th century. It belongs ecclesiastically to the Diocese of Strängnäs, the so-called Swedish church, the largest religious community in the country. In the afternoon, we will take the train back to Katrineholm, where the Gutshof Dufweholms Herrgård**** awaits us once more. There is still enough time to have a refreshing swim in the lake or to relax in the hotel’s own sauna. We will meet up for dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.

In the morning, a shuttlebus will bring us to Sundbyholm. We will visit the Sigurdsritzung, a stone testimony of the Völsunga Saga, unique in size and richness of detail. This variety of the Nibelungenlied was one of the main sources of inspiration for Richard Wagner, in the creation of his monumental opera cycle. Our route then leads us to Strängnäs with its significant cathedral. Gustav Wasa was elected king here in 1523, before he led Sweden out of the Kalmarer Union and into independence. The Gripsholm castle sits imposingly enthroned on a peninsula before our daily destination Mariefred, a charming small city with small wooden houses and crooked alleys, directly situated at the Gripsholm bay of the Mälaren. We will spend the night in the comfortable Gripsholm Värdshus****, this having the longest hotel tradition in Sweden. As today’s lunch is included in the travel price, you will have this evening to your own disposal.

In the morning, we will visit the Gripsholm castle, another of the ten Swedish royal castles. Built by Gustav Wasa, this imposing building already captivated the great author Kurt Tucholsky. Travelling along the Mälaren, we will cycle to Taxinge, a lovely estate, which is very popular due to its tantalising selection of cakes. We will then enjoy the last kilometres by bike. We then take a short trip by train from Nykvarn back to the Swedish capital, where the Hotel Reisen***** in the heart of Stockholm welcomes us once again and awaits us for our closing dinner.

After breakfast, you will have enough time in coordination with your return journey plans for an individual walk through Gamla Stan. The Arlanda airport can be reached by train or bus in 20 or 45 minutes from the main train station in Stockholm.

We gladly assist you on booking additional nights. All prices are on request. Please note, that it can be cheaper, when you book additional nights by yourself.