Göta Canal cruises, 2 days from Motala
The shortest Göta Canal cruise with 35 locks, taking only two days and one night on board. | This is a cruise through the picturesque Östgöta section of the Göta Canal, journeying from Motala on the shore of Lake Vänern to the idyllic town of Söderköping or back.
Enjoy the beautiful eastern section of the canal from the deck of M/S Diana. On the way, we pass Borensberg with its well known Göta Canal hotel, two aqueducts, Lake Roxen and Lake Asplången and Berg with an impressive flight of 11 locks.
This is the perfect choice for anyone wishing to try a shorter canal cruise. Yet despite spending only one night on the ship, there is time for many experiences.
The return trip by bus to the starting point is included.
| Departure | 2 days, Motala - Söderköping July 18th, 22nd, 26th, 30th August 3rd, 7th, 11th, 25th |
| Price | Prices in USD Category C (main deck) $595 Double cabin per person $370 Extra bed $795 Single cabin Category B (shelter deck) $655 Double cabin per person $1,005 Single cabin Category A (bridge deck, including champagne, fruit and bathrobe) $765 Double cabin per person $1,165 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 | Two days and one night on board (dock for the night at the locks at Berg) Full board and lodging - one breakfast, two two-course lunches and one three-course dinner Visit to Runstorp säteri (Runstorp manor) Return trip by bus (approx. 1,5 h) |
| Not Included | International airfare Transfers Alcoholic beverages Personal items Travel insurance Gratuities $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | Cruise also available in reverse order, Söderköping - Motala |
| 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 "The Great Swedish Cruise", 6 days aboard M/S Juno and M/S Diana "From Coast to Coast", 4 days aboard M/S Juno, M/S Wilhelm Tham and M/S Diana |
Day 1 DEPART MOTALA 11.30 am Dep. 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 also find the head office of the Gota Canal Company, as well as a number of museums, including the well-known Motor Museum.
12.10 pm - 12.50 pm Borenshult
Lock staircase of five locks where you might hear the nightingale sing.
12.50 pm - 1.50 pm Lake Boren
73 metres above sea level.
1.50 pm - 2.00 pm Borensberg
Borensberg has one of the canal's hand-operated locks, after which we see the well-known Göta Hotel from 1908. Just past the hotel there is a small gazebo leaning out over a sharp bend in the canal, known as "the Helsman's Horror". This gazebo featured on a stamp in 2003.
2.20 pm Kungs Norrby, aqueduct
Two more recent aqueducts have been built to carry the canal, this one at Kungs Norrby was built in 1993 as part of the national route 36.
5.00 pm Ljungsbro, aqueduct
We pass the second aqueduct on our journey. This one was built in 1970 over the new road into the community.
5.20 pm Berg (Heda)
We pass through a system of 15 locks. Here you can stretch your legs between the locks, or walk along the canal to Vreta Convent.
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.
6.30 pm - 7.15 pm Berg (Carl-Johan)
The Carl-Johan lock staircase is the longest in the canal with seven connected locks. We dock here for the evening, arriving around 19.15.
The evening offers the possibility to take a walk along the canal to the Vreta convent ruins and church, or to go for an evening swim in Lake Roxen.
Day 2 ARRIVE SÖDERKÖPING 7.45 am - 9.30 am Lake Roxen
33 meters above sea level.
9.30 am - 11.00 am Runstorp
Runstorp is a manor house dating from Sweden's period of greatness. The owners Louise and Eddie Uggla take us on a tour of their house with its Gustavian drawing room and interesting library, all while relating anecdotes from its history. Runstorp is not open to the public, which makes this an exclusive visit.
11.15 am Norsholm lock
Here the canal crosses the main railway line between Stockholm and Malmö.
12.40 pm - 1.10 pm Lake Asplången
27 metres above sea level.
2.40 pm - 3.30 pm Carlsborg–Mariehov–Dufkullen
There are nine locks in the short distance of around two kilometres. Take the opportunity to stretch your legs between the locks.
4.00 pm Arr. Söderköping
Our cruise ends in the idyllic town Söderköping, which 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!
Subject to changes. Note! All times stated are approximate.