Göta Canal Cruises, 6 days from Göteborg
Göta Canal Cruises 2010
M/S Juno, M/S Wilhelm Tham and M/S Diana
Two seas, one river, three canals, eight lakes and 66 locks! | Let the Swedish countryside, in the bloom of summer, unfold you as the captain navigates his way along the peaceful waterways.
Sit back and enjoy "The Great Swedish Cruise" – a six-day journey between Gothenburg and Stockholm, where you travel serenely along the heavenly and historic Göta Canal.
Undulating fields and groves of birch trees embrace the waterway as we travel through the shifting landscape. Our journey follows a blue ribbon through the heart of Sweden. Regardless the season you travel, it is a wonderful experience. During shore visits and overnight stops you will have the opportunity to participate in guided tours to some of the foremost sights Sweden can offer.
Unlike our four-day cruises this canal boat is docked every night. This gives our guests more time to enjoy the journey and the company on board. Our guests can look forward to meeting an exciting and international mix of passengers.
| Departure | 6 days, Göteborg - Stockholm June 6th, 14th, 19th, 27th July 2nd, 10th, 23rd August 5th, 18th, 31st |
| Price | Price in USD Category C (main deck) $2,180 Double cabin per person $1,280 Extra bed $2,980Single cabin Category B (shelter deck) $2,700 Double cabin per person $3,580 Single cabin Category A (bridge deck, including champagne, fruit and bathrobe) $3,280 Double cabin per person $4,400 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 | Six days and five nights on board (at the quayside) Full board: five breakfasts Six two-course lunches Five three-course dinners Eleven stops of varying duration |
| Not Included | International airfare Transfers Alcoholic beverages Personal items Travel insurance Gratuities $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | Cruise also available in reverse order, Stockholm - Göteborg |
| 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 GÖTEBORG 10.00 am Departure from Gothenburg, Packhuskajen 10
2.15 pm - 2.30 pm Lilla Edet
The lock at Lilla Edet, built in 1916, is the first on our journey. The original lock was opened in 1607 and was the first lock in Sweden.
3.45 pm - 4.30 pm Trollhättan, locks
The impressive lock staircase at Trollhättan consists of four locks, and has a total drop of 32 metres. Of the three parallel lock systems here, only the biggest one (from 1916) is still in use.
4.30 pm - 5.50 pm Trollhättan
The Trollhättan Canal Museum is located in a storehouse from 1893. Learn more about the fascinating history of the Trollhätte Canal through the interesting exhibition and film shown here. You can also take a walk through the beautiful old lock area.
7.30 pm Arr. Vänersborg
This is the last town before we head out into Lake Vänern. The "Brinkebergskulle" lock is just before Vänersborg. Overnight stop.
Overnight stop.
Day 2 DEPART VÄNERSBORG 4.45 am Dep. Vänersborg
4.45 am - 4.00 pm Lake Vänern
44 metres above sea level. Sweden's largest lake and the third largest lake in Europe, after the Ladoga and Onega lakes in Russia.
9.30 am - 12.00 pm Läckö Castle
The Castle was built in 1298 as a bishop's residence. Its golden age was during the reign of Magnus Gabriel de la Gardie, who transformed it into a baroque castle in 1652. We are given a guided tour of the castle and the exhibitions (lots of stairs). App. 2 km walk.
4.00 pm - 5.25 pm Sjötorp
We now enter the first of the 58 narrow locks on the Göta Canal. At Sjötorp we have a set of eight locks and also the remains of some old shipyards. Here you can take a walk alongside the canal while our ship slowly travels up the locks.
7.10 pm - 8.45 pm Godhögen-Hajstorp övre
We pass a lock system consisting of four locks in very beautiful surroundings. In 1822 the western section of the Göta Canal was inaugurated at Hajstorp. After dinner we will be entertained by a music group.
8.45 pm Arr. Hajstorp
At Hajstorp our ship berths for the night, close to what used to be the Canal Engineer's home, now privately owned.
Overnight stop.
Day 3 DEPART HAJSTORP 6.00 am Dep. Hajstorp
7.00 am Töreboda
The railway line between Stockholm and Gothenburg crosses the canal here. Töreboda also proudly presents Sweden's smallest ferry, "Lina", which travels back and forth across the Göta Canal.
9.00 am 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.
10.00 am Tåtorp
One of the canal's two hand-operated locks is found at Tåtorp.
10.00 am - 12.15 pm Lake Viken
The beautiful Lake Viken (91.8 metres above sea level) serves as a water reservoir for the western section of the Göta Canal. If we are lucky we might be able to see the Osprey that nest in the same tree here every year.
11.10 am - 12.15 pm The Spetsnäs Canal/Billströmmen
We steer through two narrow, wood-lined passages and small lakes full of water lilies.
12.15 pm - 12.35 pm 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. From here on we will be going downwards!
1.15 pm Karlsborg
Before our ship enters Lake Vättern, we pass Karlsborg and will be able to see the roof of the fortress, which was built in 1819-1909.
1.15 pm - 3.00 pm Lake Vättern
89 metres above sea level. Sweden's second largest and also deepest lake (128 metres deep).
3.00 pm - 6.00 pm Vadstena
Today Vadstena is an idyllic little town. It evolved around the 14th century convent of the Saint Bridget (St. Birgitta), becoming a spiritual, cultural and commercial centre. The Abbey was built according to St. Bridget's plans, and was consecrated in 1430.
The Castle was built in the 1540s by King Gustav Vasa. Local guides will meet us and take us with the sightseeing train to see the Abbey and the castle. You will also have time here to walk around the town on your own, or go for a swim in the lake.
7.45 pm 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 Göta Canal and is today considered to be the cradle of Swedish industry.
Here you also find the head office of the Gota Canal Company, responsible for operation and maintenance. We visit the Motor Museum, with its large exhibition of antique cars and motorcycles in authentic surroundings, collection of radios, toys, household appliances and more. You can also walk to see Baltzar von Platen's grave, about 1 km along the left side of the canal.
Overnight stop.
Day 4 DEPART MOTALA 8.00 am Dep. Motala
Possibility to take a beautiful morning walk from Motala to Borenshult, app. 4 km.
9.00 am - 9.40 am Borenshult
Lock staircase of five locks where you might hear the nightingale sing.
9.40 am - 10.40 am Lake Boren
73 metres above sea level.
10.40 am - 11.40 am Borensberg
At Borensberg there is another hand-operated lock. We walk the short distance to the well-known Göta Hotel, from 1908, where we are served coffe and waffles.
12.00 pm Kungs Norrby, aqueduct
The aqueduct at Kungs Norrby was built in 1993 and leads over the national route 36.
2.40 pm Ljungsbro, aqueduct
We pass the second aqueduct on our journey. This one was built in 1970.
3.00 pm Berg (Heda)
At Berg we pass through a system with a total of 15 locks. 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 is used as a parish church and is therefore not always open to visitors. The tour guide will take you on a walk (app. 3 km, partly uneven) to see the church and the remains of the convent. As an alternative you can walk along the canal or take a swim in the warm water of Lake Roxen.
4.30 pm - 5.30 pm Berg (Carl-Johan)
The Carl-Johan lock staircase is the longest in the canal with seven connected locks. Here we board the ship again before steering out on the lake.
5.30 pm - 7.30 pm Lake Roxen
33 metres above sea level.
7.30 pm Norsholm lock
Here the canal crosses the main railway line Stockholm – Malmö.
Lake Asplången
27 metres above sea level.
10.00 pm Arr. Klämman
We stop for the night at the idyllic lock Klämman, a water regulating lock. Take the opportunity to enjoy the total stillness.
Overnight stop.
Day 5 DEPART KLÄMMAN 7.30 am Dep. Klämman
8.20 am - 9.30 am Carlsborg–Mariehov–Duvkullen
At the lock Carlsborg Övre we have the first of the nine locks taking us down to Söderköping. Here you can stretch your legs between the locks, or, if you want more exercise, walk all the way down to Söderköping, app. 4 km.
10.00 am - 12.00 pm 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 interesting history as a spa. Söderköping is yours to explore on your own. Don't forget to try the famous ice cream!
1.15 pm Mem
Passing through the last narrow lock before Slätbaken, an inlet of the Baltic, we leave the Göta Canal. On Sept 26th, 1832, the Göta Canal was inaugurated at Mem amid great pomp and circumstance in the presence of King Karl XIV Johan and his family.
1.15 pm The Baltic Sea
We cross open water for a short bit and then weave through the archipelago.
2.00 pm - 3.30 pm Stegeborg
The ruins of the Stegeborg Fortress are beautifully situated on a small island overlooking the bay of Slätbaken. The fort was constructed during the early Middle Ages and was built to guard the inlet to Söderköping. We are given a guided tour through the interesting history of Stegeborg. The walk is short, but somewhat uneven.
8.00 pm Arr. Sävsundet
We await dawn at the old pilot station.
Overnight stop.
Day 6 ARRIVE STOCKHOLM 4.40 am Dep. Sävsundet.
8.10 am - 8.20 am Södertälje
Södertälje lock, 135 metres long, is the largest lock in Scandinavia.
8.20 am - 2.50 pm Lake Mälaren
0.3 metres above sea level. Sweden's third largest lake.
9.45 am - 11.45 am Birka
The Viking community of Birka on the island of Björkö is often regarded as Sweden's first town. The town was then an important harbour for international shipping and trade. It was in use for about 250 years and was abandoned before the year 1000. Birka features on UNESCO'S World Heritage list. The archaelogists on the island show us around (app. 3 km, uneven terrain). We also visit the museum.
1.45 pm Drottningholm Castle
Drottningholm Castle, home of the Royal family since 1981, is also found on the World Heritage list. We pass the castle if time permits.
3.00 pm Hammarby lock
The final lock on our journey delivers us from Lake Mälaren into Saltsjön.
3.30 pm Arr. Stockholm, Skeppsbrokajen
Our cruise ends at Skeppsbrokajen 103, in the Old Town of Stockholm.