Discover Sweden’s past and present through the beauty and history of Sweden’s castles. Located deep within endless nature or in the middle of sprawling cities; castles and palaces make up some of the many treasures to be found in Sweden. Each has its own exciting story to tell and gives you an insight into how Sweden has evolved over the centuries to become the place it is today.

Note: This program is not recommended for guests who require use of a wheelchair as some of the sites are not deemed accessible. This program involves walking in old towns that may have cobbled or uneven streets or pathways.

DAY 1

After disembarking your ship in Stockholm, you will be greeted at the cruise terminal and begin your program with a guided tour of City Hall where you can admire the Golden Hall. This visit is followed by a guided walk in the Old City.

Next, depart for Mariefred where you will savor lunch at a local lakeside restaurant before continuing for a visit of Gripsholm Castle. Home to five hundred years of history, Gripsholm Castle was built in the 16th century at the initiative of King Gustav Vasa. Here you will see several well-preserved rooms from that era, the most famous being Duke Karl's Chamber.

Continue driving towards Örebro where you will check in for the night.

The evening at your leisure and dinner is on your own.

DAY 2

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and start your day with a guided historical tour of the city as well as a visit to Örebro Castle which was built in the 13th century as a defense tower. The castle was then later expanded during the reign of the House of Vasa in the 16th century and rebuilt in the 1900’s to what is its current form.

Proceed to Wadköping, a lovely Swedish village and open-air museum located on the banks of the River Svartån. With its wooden buildings and courtyards, this museum gives guests an idea of what Örebro's buildings and city environment used to look like. Wadköping has been located here since its opening in 1965 and comprises buildings and courtyards moved there from central Örebro.

After lunch, return to Stockholm, making a stop for a typical Swedish coffee-break called ‘Fika’ along the way.

Upon arrival in Stockholm, check in to your hotel. The remainder of the evening is at your leisure and dinner is on your own

Day 3

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide and proceed to Skokloster Castle, one of the world’s best preserved baroque castles, located on the Sko Peninsula beside Lake Mälaren. It is now a museum with a collection of art, weapons, books and textiles that are unique of their kind, both in Sweden and internationally, and you can see them through the exhibition and guided tour of the castle.

Sweden's oldest town Sigtuna is located nearby. Founded in AD 980 by Erik the Victorious, Sigtuna boasts a remarkably well-preserved main street, Stora Gatan, which still runs along its original route. The town's Viking heritage is everywhere to be seen and in fact, Sigtuna is the most runestone rich destination in the world making it a unique place to see Viking-era artifacts.

Here you will see the ruins of three churches - St. Peter’s, St. Lawrence’s, and St. Olaf’s. Also see the 18th century Stora Torget square, Sigtuna Town Hall, the smallest town hall in Sweden and perhaps even in Europe and finally the 13th century St. Mary's Church which was built by the Dominican order as a convent church.

After lunch return to Stockholm where you will have some time to recoup before an evening party, Swedish style! Transfer to a dinner theatre for Mamma Mia! The Party. The show is set in a Greek taverna on the island of Skopelos and features a four-course Greek meal and music inspired by the hit Swedish group ABBA. After the show return to your hotel – we are sure you will be humming Abba tunes all the way back!

Day 4

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport (ARN). Transfers will be set up in accordance with the flight details provided. As you leave, take with you the memories of Sweden’s castles, rich history, and warm hospitality. For guests with late flights, luggage storage is available at the hotel until your transfer time. Guests will be asked to check out no later than 12:00pm.

Land Program Details Step by Step:

•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.

•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.

•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.

•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.

DAY 1

8:30am Disembark in Stockholm

Meet your guide and drive to City Hall for a visit

9:00am Private guided tour of City Hall and the Golden Hall

10:15am Old City walking tour

11:45qm Drive to the town of Mariefred

1:00pm Lunch in Mariefred at a local lakeside restaurant

2:30pm Gripsholm Castle visit

4:00pm Driving to Örebro

6:00pm Arrival in Örebro, hotel check

6:15pm Evening at leisure, dinner on your own

Overnight at Home Hotel Borgen or similar hotel

DAY 2

AM Breakfast at the hotel

8:30am Check-out from the hotel, settle any incidentals before you go

8:45am Meet your guide in the hotel lobby

9:00am Group guided historical tour of Örebro

10:30am Visit of Örebro Castle

11:30am Drive to Wadköping Open-Air Museum

11:45am Wadköping Open-Air Museum visit

1:15pm Drive to lunch venue

1:30pm Lunch

2:45pm Drive to Taxinge Castle Café (northern Europe’s largest cake buffet) or similar ‘sweet place’

4:45pm Typical Swedish coffee-break Fika (stop for dessert)

6:00pm Drive to Stockholm

7:00pm Arrival in Stockholm, hotel check in

7:00pm Hospitality desk at hotel

7:15pm Evening at leisure, dinner on your own

Overnight at the At Six Hotel or similar

Day 3

AM Breakfast at the hotel included

8:15am Meet your guide in the hotel lobby

8:30am Drive to Skokloster Castle

10:00am Skokloster Castle visit including private weapon collection guided tour

11:30am Drive to Sigtuna

12:15pm Sigtuna walking tour and some free time in the town

1:45pm Lunch in Sigtuna

3:45pm Drive back to Stockholm

5:00pm Estimated arrival back to the hotel

6:15pm Drive to Gröna Lund for an evening party

6:30pm Dinner and show Mamma Mia! The Party

10:30pm Return to your hotel

Overnight at the At Six Hotel or similar

Day 4

AM Breakfast at the hotel

12:00pm Check-out from the hotel, take care of any hotel incidentals

TBA Transfer to Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) for your flight home

Meet your driver in the hotel lobby at least 10 min before your scheduled departure time

For guests with late flights, luggage storage is available at Reception until your transfer time.

Extra Nights:

•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the same hotel used on the LAST NIGHT of your program.

•When you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport as per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 12:00pm. Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of your program.

•Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night in advance so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. Otherwise, you will be asked to vacate your room by 12:00pm. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel in case of availability.

Transfers:

•All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.

•Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.

Dietary Requirements

If guests have any food intolerance, allergies or vegetarian requirements, please advise RSSC no later than 75 days before sailing to be added to your land program booking extension. Any requests made after this time, may not be able to be accommodated at the restaurants.

Expected Weather

Daytime highs in Sweden's municipal seats vary from 19 °C (66 °F) to 24 °C (75 °F) in July and August.

Summers in Sweden are pleasantly warm and generally sunny. Sweden's unique geographical position allows it to experience the phenomenon of the ‘Midnight Sun’, where the sun doesn't set for several weeks in the north.

What to Bring

Comfortable clothing that can be layered as temperatures fluctuate throughout the day and evening, good walking shoes. Bring a rain jacket or umbrella in case of rain as well as sunglasses, a hat, camera and chargers.

Local Currency:

Swedish Krona (SEK)

Electricity

Sweden operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. Sweden uses the Type F plugs that are two round pins with a 4.8-millimeter diameter. We recommend brining a universal travel adaptor for electric devices.

Documents and Visa Requirements:

A passport that is valid at least 6 months after travel is required. Guests should check with their local Swedish Embassy for any visa requirements for their nationality.

The above information is subject to change and serves as a guide only. It is the ultimate and sole responsibility of the guest to ensure they meet the entry requirements for each destination.

If traveling internationally, the countries you are flying to and/or connecting through may have different document requirements and as such we encourage you to visit the government and airport websites of every country you will be traveling to throughout the journey to familiarize yourself with their requirements.

Accommodations

At Six

Brunkebergstorg 6, Norrmalm, 111 51 Stockholm

Home Hotel Borgen

Klostergatan 1, 703 39 Örebro

Program Includes

•1 night in Örebro at Home Hotel Borgen or similar hotel including breakfast and city tax - Superior Double Room

•2 nights in Stockholm at At Six Hotel or similar including breakfast and city tax - Deluxe Double or twin room

•Transfers

•Hospitality Desk for 1 hour on Day 2 – in hotel lobby (time TBA)

•Luggage handling at hotels both at check-in and check-out

•English-speaking licensed professional guides

•Headsets for listening

•Touring and entrances as per the itinerary

•3 x breakfasts at hotels

•2 x 3-course lunches including water, a cup of coffee or tea, 1 glass of beer or wine on days 1 and 3

•1 x typical Swedish coffee break Fika on Day 2

•1 dinner and show Mamma Mia! The Party - 4-course Mediterranean menu including small Ouzo welcome drink

•1 bottle of water in the coach per person per day

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.

Program Excludes:

•Porterage at the airports

•Visas if required

•Early check-in, late check-out

•Hotel incidentals including minibar, laundry, room service

•Other not mentioned meals or refreshments, additional drinks

•Entrances (sightseeing) not mentioned in the itinerary

•Gratuities to drivers and guides

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.

Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.

Price: $4,099 per guest based on double occupancy.

Land program promotions are per person for guests 1 and 2 for one pre- or post-cruise program only, subject to terms.