Your journey to Stockholm is entirely up to you, but we are happy to assist you and book a flight upon request. You will meet your tour group and tour guide at the hotel reception at 7:00 pm for a get-together over dinner. Get ready for the days ahead. Afterwards, there will be time for a first stroll through the city center. If you arrive at the hotel after 7:00 pm, dinner will not be served. Welcome to Sweden! (A)

After fortifying yourself at the hotel's breakfast buffet, your exploration of Stockholm begins with a visit to the popular Old Town, Gamla Stan. Since Stockholm is surrounded and crisscrossed by water, there are many small bridges. During your city tour, you'll discover important, historic buildings, such as the City Hall (Stadshuset), which offers a magnificent view from the Kungsholmen peninsula. The imposing Parliament Building stands at the tip of the small Helgeandsholmen peninsula. As you stroll through the narrow streets of Gamla Stan, your guide will lead you past the Royal Palace, the German Church (Tyska Kyrkan), and through Stockholm's narrowest alley. In the heart of Gamla Stan, you'll also find the Nobel Prize Museum (exterior view only), in whose square a charming Christmas market takes place every winter. Take your time to look around; the city's buildings come from different eras and reflect Stockholm's rich history. If you're in the mood for a little snack, why not try a smörgåsbrød, a Swedish open-faced sandwich specialty? Cardamom is a very popular spice in Sweden – be sure to try one of the beloved cinnamon buns (kanelbullen) with cardamom! In the afternoon, you'll visit another landmark of the capital city: the Vasa Museum. The Vasa is the world's best-preserved 17th-century ship and sank off the coast of Stockholm in 1628. It was intended to be the most heavily armed ship in the Swedish fleet, but it sank on its maiden voyage and was never used in battle. At the museum, you'll learn all about the ship's history, its significance for Stockholm, and be transported back to the 17th century. (F)

Today you'll visit the residence of the Swedish royal family! Drottningholm Palace has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991 and is located just outside Stockholm, inland. The Swedish royal family has lived in the south wing of this 17th-century estate since 1981. The building sits proudly on the shores of Lake Mälaren, and today you'll have the opportunity to enjoy the view from the water, as you'll arrive by boat on the S/S Drottningholm. Stroll through the palace's elegant gardens, just as people did hundreds of years ago. In the royal park, you'll find the Chinese Pavilion (exterior view only), built in 1753. King Adolf Frederik, reflecting the then-current popularity of Chinese and Oriental culture, presented the pavilion to Queen Lovisa Ulrika. Admire the Rococo ornamentation and learn more about the history of the Swedish royal family. In the afternoon, you're free to plan your day as you wish. On the Djurgården peninsula, home to the Vasa Museum, there are several other attractions to discover, such as the Viking Ship Museum and the popular Gröna Lund amusement park. A visit to the Skansen open-air museum is highly recommended. There, you can not only admire various historical buildings but also learn about the Sami people of Sweden. The Sami are the last indigenous people of Europe, and even today, families in the Lapland region follow ancient migration routes and make their living from reindeer herding. The popular open-air museum is also home to some of Sweden's native animal species, such as moose and reindeer. (F)

On your last day in Stockholm, today's excursion focuses on the natural beauty of Sweden. A leisurely ferry ride takes you past Stockholm's peninsulas to the archipelago. The more than 24,000 small islands offer a unique panorama and served as the backdrop for the film adaptation of Astrid Lindgren's book, "Saltkråkan." For Swedes, the archipelago is a particularly popular summer holiday destination, as the small islands, some of which are inhabited, possess a unique atmosphere. Sweden's "right to roam" (Jedenmannsrecht) especially encourages nature lovers to find solitude on one of the islands and camp under the stars. Today, you'll visit one of these islands, Grinda, and explore the archipelago's natural landscape on a hike (easy, approx. 8 km, walking time: 3 hours, +/-80 meters elevation gain/loss). Let your gaze wander across the scenery and the coastline and enjoy the fresh sea air. The hike takes you along the Grinda Stigen trail through typical Swedish pine forests, their forest floor carpeted with heather and lingonberries. To prevent overgrowth on the island, cows and sheep graze on the open areas. The red Swedish cottages complete the picture, and you get the impression that time moves more slowly here. The atmosphere of this archipelago island even captivated the director of the Nobel Prize Foundation, who built his summer residence on Grinda. If you like, you can do as the Swedes do and refresh yourself in the cool waters of the Baltic Sea or warm yourself in the sun on the smooth, rounded rocks. (F)

After a final breakfast, you'll bid farewell to Stockholm today and begin your individual journey home. Depending on your departure time, you may have one last opportunity to explore Stockholm. If you've booked an extension, your stay in Stockholm will continue independently. Ask your tour guide for advice on how to spend your remaining time in the Swedish capital. A visit to Gripsholm Castle is highly recommended, which can be reached via a scenic boat trip on the over 100-year-old steamship "M/S Mariefred." Alternatively, a trip to the famous ABBA Museum is worthwhile. This interactive museum lets you experience what it's like to be on stage with the legendary band, sing in the famous Polar Studio, or (virtually) wear their iconic costumes. Perhaps you'd prefer a shopping spree along the Drottninggatan shopping street. A special culinary insider tip: On weekends, the blue Djurgårdslinjen tram offers a genuine Swedish "fikapaus" – coffee and cake on board. (F)