Stockholm, Sweden

Sweden Explorer

Kayakers on a lake in southern Sweden

Sweden Explorer

A bull moose in the forest in Sweden

Sweden Explorer

Discover Gothenburg, Stockholm, Småland, and Lapland

Days: 12 | From: $14,655/per person

  • Enjoy accommodations at best-in-class boutique hotels.
  • Curated tours with outstanding private guides: you’ll have an instant local friend with insider access.

Experience Sweden from south to north on this active journey through the country’s cities, forests, and lakes. Begin in Gothenburg, exploring its canals and lively old quarters, before traveling to the forest region of Småland for wilderness, culinary, and wellness experiences at a secluded woodland retreat. Continue to historic and picturesque Stockholm before concluding your trip in Swedish Lapland, staying at a floating Arctic camp surrounded by pine forests and mirrored lakes. Enjoy opportunities for wild swimming, foraging, hiking, ample lake activities, and getting to know this unique northern culture.

Talk to a Vaya Travel Specialist

We tailor itineraries to your dates and interests, adjusting hotels, excursions and length as desired.

5-Star Reviews

We consistently receive 5 star reviews from our discerning clients.

At a Glance

  • Gothenburg
    2 nights: walk and explore this quaint coastal city
  • Småland
    3 nights: nature walks, cooking classes, and Swedish saunas at a remote forest retreat
  • Stockholm
    3 nights: tour this bustling capital city with its postcard-worthy architecture and lively cafe culture
  • Luleå
    3 nights: discover Swedish Lapland from your unique camp located on a pine-shrouded lake

All itineraries are fully customizable. We will send you a personalized variation that reflects your interests and travel dates at no extra cost. Call to discuss your travel plans with one of our Specialists who know this region firsthand.

5-Star Reviews

Find out why our discerning travelers consistently rate us with 5-stars.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Gothenburg

Welcome to Sweden! Arrive in Gothenburg, Sweden’s lively west coast city. Meet your private driver for a transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or begin exploring the city’s canals, cafés, and charming waterfront.

Accommodations: Clarion Hotel Post, 2 nights

Clarion Hotel Post is a vibrant, design-focused hotel set in Gothenburg’s former central post office, blending historic architecture with modern Scandinavian style. The property features contemporary rooms and suites with warm tones and sleek furnishings. Facilities include two acclaimed restaurants - Norda for seasonal Nordic cuisine and vRÅ for Japanese-inspired seafood - a rooftop pool and bar, a full-service spa, and a fitness center. Its location beside Gothenburg Central Station makes it an ideal base for exploring the city’s restaurants, canals, and cultural attractions.

Day 2: Walking Tour of Gothenburg

Set out on a private walking tour of Gothenburg with an expert local guide. Explore the city’s cobbled streets and learn about its seafaring history and cultural heritage. Visit landmarks such as Gustav Adolf Square, the Gothic-style Gothenburg Cathedral, and the lively Feskekôrka fish market. Along the way, your guide will share insights into the city’s development and everyday life.

Return to your hotel in the afternoon, with the rest of the day free to explore at your own pace.

Accommodations: Clarion Hotel Post, 2 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 3: Travel to the Forests of Southern Sweden

Check out this morning and transfer to the train station for your journey to Nässjö (approximately three to four hours, including one change). Once a major railway hub, Nässjö retains much of its historic charm while being surrounded by forests and lakes that define the beauty of southern Sweden. Depending on your arrival time, there may be an opportunity for a short walk or to explore the town before continuing on.

From Nässjö, a private transfer takes you to Trakt Forest Hotel, set amid peaceful woodland. In the evening you’ll join an outdoor cooking experience, where alongside the resident chef, you’ll build a fire and prepare a traditional Swedish dinner using fresh, local ingredients from the forest.

Accommodations: Trakt Forest Hotel, 3 nights

Trakt Forest Hotel is a minimalist retreat hidden in the forests of southern Sweden, offering a deep connection with nature through its elevated timber cabins designed by architect Gert Wingårdh. Each cabin features floor-to-ceiling windows, natural wood interiors, and private terraces overlooking the trees. Facilities include a main lodge with a lounge and restaurant serving locally sourced seasonal cuisine, a sauna set beside a forest pond, and walking trails through the surrounding woodland. The hotel emphasizes sustainability, solitude, and Scandinavian design simplicity.

*Includes: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Hiking, Nature Trails, and Swedish Wellness

After breakfast, spend the day exploring the peaceful surroundings of Trakt Forest Hotel. Choose from several marked hiking trails that wind through the nearby forests, or take a self-guided nature and culture walk to learn about the area’s history and the people who once lived here.

Return to the hotel in the afternoon to unwind in the wood-fired jacuzzi and traditional Swedish sauna. In the evening, enjoy a three-course organic dinner featuring seasonal local ingredients.

Accommodations: Trakt Forest Hotel, 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Day at Leisure and Swedish Bun Making

Enjoy a leisurely morning to explore at your own pace. You might hike one of the nearby forest trails or choose to go kayaking on a nearby lake (optional, at an additional cost).

Later, join your guide to bake traditional Swedish fire buns – cinnamon rolls prepared over an open flame – and enjoy them with coffee or tea. In the evening, sit down to another exquisite three-course dinner.

Accommodations: Trakt Forest Hotel, 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Travel to Stockholm

Colorful houses on Stortorget square in Old town, Stockholm, Sweden

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Nässjö for your train to Stockholm (approximately two and a half hours, first-class seating). Upon arrival at Stockholm Central Station, meet your private driver for a transfer to your hotel.

The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or begin exploring Sweden’s capital, a city of islands and waterways known for its elegant architecture, world-class museums, and lively café culture.

Accommodations: Lydmar Hotel, 3 nights

Lydmar Hotel is a stylish waterfront boutique hotel in central Stockholm, located between the Royal Palace and the National Museum. The property features individually designed rooms with high ceilings, contemporary art, and views of the harbor or Old Town. Facilities include a lively restaurant serving modern European cuisine, a terrace overlooking the water, and a lounge that hosts regular live music and art events.

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 7: Explore and Tour Stockholm

Set out this morning on a private walking tour of Stockholm’s Old Town and the Vasa Museum. Stroll through the narrow, cobblestoned streets of Gamla Stan with your guide, visiting landmarks such as the Royal Palace, Stockholm Cathedral, and Stortorget Square with its colorful façades. Continue to the Vasa Museum to see the remarkably preserved 17th-century warship and learn its extraordinary story.

Enjoy lunch at leisure on Djurgården Island, then spend the rest of the day exploring more of Stockholm at your own pace.

Accommodations: Lydmar Hotel, 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 8: Day at Leisure in Stockholm

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Stockholm and its surroundings. Additional experiences can be arranged to suit your interests. You might take a private archipelago boat tour to discover the islands and coastal scenery, or join a private cinnamon bun baking class in Vaxholm, complete with lunch in a charming greenhouse. For an especially memorable day, these experiences can also be combined.

Accommodations: Lydmar Hotel, 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 9: Fly to Luleå, Sweden

Check out this morning and transfer to the airport for your flight to Luleå, just south of the Arctic Circle. On arrival, meet your local host for a private transfer followed by a short boat ride to your floating camp. Surrounded by quiet forests and mirrored waterways, this peaceful setting captures the natural beauty of northern Sweden. At your cabin, you will have access to complimentary kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and fishing gear, making it easy to explore whenever you want.

After checking in and settling into your cabin, enjoy dinner prepared by your hosts, cooked over an open fire.

Accommodations: Aurora Safari Camp – The Floating Camp, 3 nights

Aurora Safari Camp – The Floating Safari Camp is a unique off-grid retreat set on a lake in Swedish Lapland, accessible by boat or snowmobile depending on the season. The camp consists of floating tents built on wooden pontoons, each with cozy interiors, stoves, and panoramic windows for viewing the Northern Lights. Facilities include a floating lounge and dining platform, a sauna raft, and outdoor seating areas along the shore. Designed for minimal environmental impact, the camp combines wilderness isolation with understated Scandinavian comfort.

*Includes: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Forest Walk, Arctic Swim, and Fireside Dinner

Start the day with breakfast prepared by your hosts before setting out on a guided summer forest walk and wild swim. Follow your guide through peaceful woodland to a secluded spot for a refreshing dip in the Arctic waters, which can be surprisingly mild in midsummer. Afterward, enjoy a light lunch served by the water’s edge.

Spend a relaxed afternoon at the floating camp, taking in the stillness of the surrounding forest and lake, or exploring with the complimentary kayaks, canoes, and SUPs. You may also choose to add a short forest cycling tour to see more of the local flora and faunce before ending the day with another dinner prepared over the fire by your hosts.

Accommodations: Aurora Safari Camp – The Floating Camp, 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Swedish Wilderness and Exploration

This morning, take part in a half-day wilderness survival experience led by a skilled local instructor. In a relaxed, hands-on setting, learn how to build a fire, navigate using natural landmarks, and identify edible plants. Along the way, enjoy short walks, thoughtful discussions about outdoor skills, and a picnic lunch in the forest.

Spend a peaceful afternoon back at the floating camp, with time to swim in the lake, explore on your own, or enjoy the sauna. Or, opt to take part in additional activities, such as a fireside folktale session, where you’ll hear local legends and stories of life in the north, or a foraging walk to discover the edible herbs and berries that thrive in the surrounding forest. End the day with another dinner prepared by your hosts over the open fire.

Accommodations: Aurora Safari Camp – The Floating Camp, 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Departure

Say goodbye to Lapland and head to the airport to catch your departing flight.

*Includes: Breakfast

Popular Ways to Customize This Itinerary

  • Hop over to Denmark or Norway to continue your exploration of Scandinavia

Contact us to learn about more options for designing and customizing your trip.
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