Travel archive:
The Great Swedish Tour
This is a once-in-a-lifetime full Swedish experience, tailor-made by outstanding European guide, Gustav Enquist, and free-spirited hostess Nilla Holmberg. Now, proudly presenting their home country to American travelers in pursuit of immersing their guests in a vivid and thorough journey of Swedish past, present and future – from our stunning capital on water, through the deep forests, to medieval towns, great lakes and picturesque seaside villages.
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April-June
September-October -
To experience Sweden in depth – its landscapes, cultural memory, everyday rituals and living traditions – through a journey that moves well beyond the familiar Nordic image.
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Stockholm, Sigtuna and Uppsala, Dalarna and Lake Siljan, Värmland forests, Vänern and Vättern, Småland and Swedish-American roots, The House of Emigrants, Arild and Skåne, Swedish Midsummer, fika culture, Nordic cuisine, Sacred sites and Christian heritage, Swedish glass and design, folk music, castles, red cottages, forests and lakes.
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Between 1846 and 1930, over a million people emigrated from Sweden to America in search of new opportunities and a better future. Today, more than 3 million Americans are of Swedish ancestry. The Swedish-American heritage is cherished on both sides of the Atlantic, and the cultural bond between our two countries stands remarkably strong to this day.
Perhaps you have already visited Sweden – or are you still nourishing the dream to go? If you are in search of your heritage, keen to experience the Great North of Europe, or simply taking an interest in this beautiful country of forests, lakes and fascinating culture – this is the tour for you.
The Great Swedish Tour 2024 takes off in Stockholm, Sweden, on Monday September 2, 2024, and finishes on Saturday September 21, 2024.
In between, we will experience the historical towns Sigtuna and Uppsala of Uppland, the beautiful region of Dalarna and the northernmost jewel of our trip, Lake Siljan, with towns like Falun and Mora. We travel through the great forests of Värmland to its capital Karlstad; we visit the historical cradle of the lake district Vänern & Vättern, Hjo, and of course, Småland – the region from which most Swedish-Americans draw both their ancestral line and their living room furniture (IKEA was founded here in the 1940’s).
We pay a visit to Älmhult, Jönköping, Huskvarna, and the “polkagris” town of Gränna. The House of Emigrants and The Swedish Glass Museum are on our itinerary as we visit the town of Växjö. Finally, we invite you to our home region of Skåne, with a genuine Midsummer celebration in the old fisherman’s harbor of Arild; our home.
We’ll be road tripping comfortably and conveniently in a luxurious and modern Daimler bus with plenty of space for travelers as well as luggage and quality shopping along the road.
Our accommodations have been meticulously-selected four-star hotels ranging from the urban chic Elite Hotel Eden in Stockholm, to the 14th Century monastery of Vadstena, and the picturesque Hotel Strand in Arild.
The restaurants, cafes, and pastry shops have been handpicked according to what we recognize as the best this country has to offer its dear guests. We will enjoy fine dining but also traditional cuisine and home cooking, such as “korv med mos”, meatballs with lingonberries at a castle, and proper Swedish “fika” with “prinsesstårta” and extremely strong coffee.
On this trip, you will meet the people of Sweden, hear their stories, and take part in their lives. Along the way, we have invited talented friends and special guests to make their contribution to this memorable journey.
Along with everything listed above, toss in a little bit of sports, a lot of music and a crash course in Swedish to the already-rich content of this journey, and you have what we are incredibly proud to present to you: The Great Swedish Tour.
Curious to explore the full journey?
A detailed presentation of The Great Swedish Tour is available upon request through our contact form. Originally imagined as a 21-day journey, it can be tailored to different timeframes and rhythms. We have also designed 12- and 15-day versions, each preserving the character and depth of the original.
