from £895 per person
Discover the beauty of West Sweden on this leisurely paced self drive tour.
Västergotland is home to historical sites, picturesque manor houses, gardens and atmospheric castles. For many, the coastal city of Gothenburg is the entry point to the region and a great place from which to start a holiday, experience cultural attractions and taste the cuisine. Take a tram to Saltholmen and a ferry on to the southern archipelago for walks through quaint villages with picturesque, cheerfully painted wooden houses. Enjoy a taste of island life - go swimming and sailing followed by a laze in the sun and a taste of the ocean’s plentiful supply of first-rate seafood.
Visitors to West Sweden are spoilt for choice when it comes to castles, manor houses and enchanting gardens. Experience classic Swedish charm at Villa Sjötorp and relax in the traditional surroundings of Bjertorp Castle, a hotel with a well known restaurant which is Taste of West Sweden accredited. Seventeenth century Gunnebo House and Gardens at Mölndal, just outside Gothenburg, is one of Sweden’s most beautiful neoclassical estates while other highlights include Rostock Herbgarden, Hellekis Garden at Lake Vänern and, in Gothenburg, the Botanical Garden.
Culture vultures will be eager to swoop on the fantastic sites and venues in Gothenburg and across the region. These include the Vitlycke Museum and Rock Carvings at Tanumshede, some of which are 3,000 years old and are featured on Unesco’s list of World Heritage Sites, the artfully situated Nordic Watercolour Museum on the island of Tjörn, and the historic Carlsten’s Fortress on Marstrand Island. Gothenburg is a centre of cultural attractions such as the National Symphony Orchestra, housed in the striking harbour side opera house and the Röhsska Museum; Sweden’s Museum of Design and Decorative Arts.
Price includes return flights from London to Gothenburg (other airports with a supplement), all airport taxes, car hire for 6 days (group A: VW Polo or similar) and accommodation in a twin/double room with breakfast (1 night at Bjertorp Manor, 2 nights at Albert Kok Hotel, 2 nights at Villa Sjötorp and 1 night at Hotel Eggers). Car upgrades on request. It is possible to pre-book half board in all hotels; please contact us for prices. From price is based on London Heathrow departure and twin share travelling between 15 May and 1 September 2010.
Departures every day from May to September 2010.
ITINERARY
Day 1
Fly with SAS to Gothenburg and pick up a rental car at the airport. Drive to Bjertorp Manor (approx 69 miles) and check in for 1 night.
Bjertorp offers a broad range of activities - indoor and outdoor, physical or more sedentary. There’s golf for the beginner or the pro, enjoy champagne tasting or be part of a cookery duel!
Day 2
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Trollhättan (approx 40 miles) and check in to Albert Kök Hotel for 2 nights.
Day 3
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today is at leisure. A walk along the falls and locks is a must or maybe you want to visit Innovatum which includes the Saab car museum?
Day 4
After breakfast take a short drive to Ljungskile and check in to Villa Sjötorp for 2 nights.
Day 5
Breakfast and day at leisure.
Head northwest along the coast line and explore Bohuslän archipelago with its striking rocky landscape and captivating coastline – a summer delight and holiday paradise for sailors and sun-worshippers alike.
Day 6
Drive to Gothenburg (approx 40 miles) and drop off the rental car. Check in to Hotel Eggers for 1 night.
Gothenburg is a compact city which makes exploring it on foot a breeze. And with attractive thoroughfares to tread, plus canals and parks to see, this is one of the most enjoyable ways to visit it. Avenyn, lined with cafés, bars, restaurants and nightclubs, is a great place to stay, right in the heart of the entertainment district. And from here, all the main attractions are close at hand. Stroll down to the waterfront with its striking Opera House, naval ships and Maritime Museum, or check out the city’s wide range of interesting museums.
Day 7
Breakfast and morning at leisure before your flight home.
Hotel, Activity and Local Information
The Albert is situated on a plateau with an expansive view over the falls and the town of Trollhättan. The main building is from 1865 and contains the restaurant, salons and suite. The kitchen is famed for its gastronomic expertise and through the years has been awarded great respect, both in Sweden and abroad. You can enjoy a candlelit dinner while the evening’s last sunbeams are reflected in the water. Down below you can see the boats in the locks leading to Vänern and how the historic buildings of Trollhättan are coloured red by the setting sun. In the distance is the hill with the King’s elk hunting grounds. Then you understand why the engineer, Albert - native German, globetrotter, bridge builder in Tsarist Russia – chose to live the greater part of his life here.
The manor offers a setting and feeling one might place in a time long since past. This, in combination with first-class hotel rooms, personal service and a fantastic kitchen make Bjertorp the perfect meeting place. The much-recognised kitchen is highly exclusive. The seasons shape the menu, based as it is on local products and game from the area’s producers. An architectonic jewel, the manor was drawn in the most modern Swedish functional style, by the hottest architect of the time, Ferdinand Boberg. The Littorin family owned the manor for a decade. The main floor of the manor houses the bedrooms of the Lord and Lady of the house, tastefully renovated to serve as appreciated wedding suites. The guest rooms relate in their colours to the seasons and are all unique. Everything from romantic dinners for two up to and including banquets for 150 guests can be fitted in the handsome dining rooms. Parts of the manor garden are surrounded by the Vara Bjertorp Golf.
Delightful, elegant city centre hotel with a country house feel. The hotel is tastefully decorated and has a quiet, central location. The hotel is close to Liseberg and the museums.
Staying at Villa Sjötorp is like staying at a friend’s home by the sea, although the food is guaranteed to be much better unless you're friends with Gordon Ramsay! With just ten charming traditional and individually decorated rooms all with private facilities although not TV you really experience the personal service. During summer meals are served in the garden or on the terrace with breathtaking views out to sea. A path leads down to a small beach. At the centre of the garden is a large tree from which hangs a swing that even the most grown up among you will not be able resist sitting on and soaking up the atmosphere. The owner Ellika and her small team have earned a well deserved reputation for their excellent food so you won’t have to wander far for dinner.