Göta Canal Cruises, 3 days from Söderköping
3-day culinary weekend cruise between Lake Vänern and the Baltic Sea. | Enjoy the good life with a culinary weekend cruise, through an astonishingly scenic part of Sweden between Lake Vänern and the Baltic Sea, while being treated to fine dining.
Historic vessel M/S Diana, dating from 1931 offers a slow-paced, classic way to travel through the picturesque Swedish countryside. The cruise includes a guided tour of Karlsborg Fortress, while a night docked at Berg offers up the chance for an evening swim in Lake Roxen. Passengers are free to stroll beside the canal at locks and can relax further during their trip by requesting a massage on board.
Special menus have been put together for these weekend forays, with food from local suppliers along the canal, and evening dinners beginning with a wine or whisky tasting session taken by the on-board sommelier.
| Departure | 3 days, Söderköping - Töraboda May 14th July 10th August 13th, 27th September 10th |
| Price | Prices in USD Category C (main deck) $890 Double cabin per person $645 Extra bed $1,285 Single cabin Category B (shelter deck) $1,350 Double cabin per person $2,035 Single cabin Category A (bridge deck, including champagne, fruit and bathrobe) $1,885Double cabin per person $2,265 Single cabin EARLY BOOKING SPECIAL: 10 % early booking discount on regular cabin prices if booked by March 1st, 2010. This discount cannot be combined with other offers. |
| Included | Three days and two nights on board (dock for the night by Karlsborgs Fästning/Motala and the locks at Berg) Full board and lodging Two breakfasts Three two-course lunches Two three-course dinners along with wine-tasting Visit to Karlsborgs Fästning (Karlsborgs fortress) Return trip by bus |
| Not Included | International airfare Transfers Alcoholic beverages Personal items Travel insurance Gratuities $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | Cruise also available in reverse order, Töreboda - Söderköping |
| Tour Options | Please see our offer for all Göta Canal Cruises: "Mini Canal Cruise", 2 days aboard M/S Diana "The Good Life on board", 3 days aboard M/S Diana "From Coast to Coast", 4 days aboard M/S Juno, M/S Wilhelm Tham and M/S Diana "The Great Swedish Cruise", 6 days aboard M/S Juno and M/S Diana |
Day 1 DEPART SÖDERKÖPING 11.30 Departure from Söderköping
The idyllic town Söderköping was founded in the early 1200s and was very important during the Hanseatic period. The town also has a long and very interesting history as a spa. Don't forget to try the famous ice cream!
12.00 - 13.30 Dufkullen-Mariehov-Carlsborg
There are eight locks in the short distance of around two kilometres. Take the opportunity to stretch your legs between the locks.
14.45 - 15.15 Lake Asplången
27 metres above sea level.
16.45 - 17.00 Norsholm lock
Here the canal crosses the main railway line between Stockholm and Malmö.
17.00 - 19.00 Lake Roxen
33 metres above sea level.
19.00 - 20.00 Berg (Carl-Johan)
The Carl-Johan lock staircase is the longest in the canal with its' seven connected locks. At Berg there is a system of a total of 15 locks.
20.00 Arr. Berg
We dock for the night below the impressive lock staircase at Berg. The evening offers the possibility to take a walk along the canal, or to go for an evening swim in Lake Roxen.
Day 2 DEPART BERG 07.30 Departure Berg
07.30 - 08.00 Berg (Oscar)
Four locks take us up to the road bridge at Berg. Here it is possible to take a walk along the canal to the Vreta convent ruins and church.
The convent of Vreta dates from about 1100 and was the first nunnery in Sweden. Its importance was later superseded by the convent founded by Saint Bridget (St. Birgitta) at Vadstena. The old convent church at Vreta is one of Sweden's most interesting, offering many medieval treasures. Today, it serves as a parish church and is therefore not always open to visitors.
08.15 - 09.00 Berg (Brunnby/Heda)
This stretch of the canal is regarded as one of the most beautiful with its views over Lake Roxen.
09.00- 12.20 Långkanalen
We travel 20 kms without passing any locks through the astonishing Östgata scenery. We pass two aqueducts, eight bridges, Ljung castle och Brunneby manor.
09.15 Ljungsbro, aqueduct
Two more recent aqueducts have been built to carry the canal. The Ljungsbro aqueduct was built in 1970 over the new road into the community.
11.50 Kungs Norrby, aqueduct
The aqueduct at Kungs Norrby was built in 1993 as part of the national route 36. Shortly after the aqueduct there is a small gazebo leaning out over the canal in the sharp Västanå Bend, also known as the "Helmsman's Horror".
12.20 - 12.30 Borensberg
Borensberg has one of the canal's hand-operated locks. Right by the lock you can also see the well-known Göta Hotel from 1908.
12.30 - 13.30 Lake Boren
73 metres above sea level.
13.30 - 14.15 Borenshult
Lock staircase of five locks where you might hear the nightingale sing.
15.15 Arr. Motala
It was Baltzar von Platen who drew up the plans for Motala, and today it is called "the Capital of the Göta Canal". In 1822 an engineering works, Motala Werkstad, was established here to serve the canal, and is today considered to be the cradle of Swedish industry.
Here you will also find the head office of the Gota Canal Company, as well as a number of museums, including the well-known Motor Museum.
15.30 - 17.30 Lake Vättern
89 metres above sea level. Sweden´s second largest lake.
17.30 Arr. Karlsborg
We dock for the night by the pier just next to Karlsborg Fortress.
17.30 - 19.45 Karlsborg Fortress
We visit Karlsborg Fortress, initiated by Baltzar von Platen and built 1819-1909. The guided tour is a journey through time and space, full of surprises and special effects.
Day 3 ARRIVE TÖREBODA 09.00 Departure Karlsborg
We leave the fortress behind us and travel to the western part of the canal.
10.10 - 10.15 Forsvik
Forsvik has a very interesting industrial history. The lock, built in 1813, is the oldest one in the canal. The impressive iron bridge dates from the same year. In the lock we are greeted with songs and flowers by the Kindbom family, a religious group.
10.15 - 11.00 Billströmmen/The Spetsnäs Canal
Through two narrow, wood-lined passages and small lakes full of water lilies, we steer out into Lake Viken.
11.00 - 12.30 Lake Viken
The beautiful Lake Viken (91,8 metres above sea level) serves as a water resevoir for the western section of the Göta Canal.
12.30 Tåtorp
At Tåtorp there is another hand-operated lock. From here on we will be going down wards!
13.00 The Berg Canal/The Obelisk
An obelisk marks the highest point (91,5 metres above sea level) of the canal. This part of the canal is called the Berg Canal and originally had a sharp bend which was straightened in 1930-33.
15.30 Arr. Töreboda
The railway line between Stockholm and Gothenburg crosses the canal here. Töreboda also proudly present Sweden´s smallest ferry, "Lina" which travels back and forth across the Göta Canal.
Subject to changes. Note! All times stated are approximate.