Self-Drive Tour Sweden Denmark

Itinerary

Arrive in Stockholm and check in at the centrally located Hotel Esplanade.

Day is free to explore this beautiful city build on 14 islands.

Depart Stockholm by mid-size rental car. Follow Lake Malaren east, detour to Mariefred with its 18th century buildings and Castle, continue on through Eskilstuna to Orebro. Here you can take a boat trip through the locks or visit old Kumla. From Orebro, south to Lake Vattern. A bit further is your hotel for two nights. The Vadstena Klosterhotel is a unique hotel in one of Sweden's oldest buildings-an imposing 13th century convent. The hotel is on the lake and is a few minute walk from picturesque Vadstena and the medieval castle. The hotel's restaurant is worth a visit.

You can drive today to Norrkoping and take a short day cruise on the Gota Canal or visit the nearby Takern and Omberg Nature reserve. You may also want to visit the Alvesta Monastery, second oldest in Sweden, and some of the beautiful medieval churches in Herrestad from 1112. Return to Vadstena Klosterhotel.

Drive south to Granna where you can take a boat trip to the Island of Visingso on Lake Vattern. Continue to Vaxjo and visit the interesting museums there or the furniture shops.Drive into the Kingdom of Crystal and visit the glassworks of Kosta, Orrefors or Skruf. You may also want to visit Lessebo where paper is still made by hand as it has been done for the last 300 years. Stay overnight at Villa Gransholm.

Continue east to the medieval city of Kalmar.

After a tour of Kalmar's Castle, Cathedral, Museum and Old Walls, take the long bridge to the Island of Oland and see its remarkable nature. This island is the summer residence of the Royal Family of Sweden. Borgholm, with its huge castle, is the only town and a gooid place for lunch. Not to be missed is the bird station Ottenby and the limestone plateau Alvar. Old 12th century churches dot the landscape.

Stay overnight at Kalmar Slottshotell.

Another day to explore this area and the quaint little city of Kalmar.

Stop in the old University town of Lund. In Malmo, return your rental car and depart by train (local tickets not included) for the quick ride over the new Oresund Bridge to Copenhagen or return to Stockholm.