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Sweden’s west coast stretches from Oslo right down to Gothenburg and travelling on a premium 50 Degrees North mini-coach, this tour follows the coast down. This Bohuslän region of Sweden is a place you will want to visit again and again. Along this gorgeous coastal region with its rocky isles feast on some of the world's best seafood, spot seals from traditional boats, have a floating sauna and soak in a seaweed bath at a spa as desired.
Wander through the Vigeland Sculpture Park and explore the hidden gems of Norway’s capital, Oslo. Discover the Akershus Fortress and the many harbour side restaurants along Aker Brygge. Train from Oslo to the old fortress town of Fredrikstad and join a Glomma River cruise. Travelling along the coast in our premium mini-coach with driver, you’ll find quaint red fishing sheds, ocean front manor houses and gardens that haven’t changed since the 19th century. Join the local fishermen on an optional seafood hunt for lobster, oysters, and mussels. Visit ancient sites, the Gjellestad Ship, Blomsholm Stone Ship, Tanum Rock Carving and Vitlycke Museum.
For a novel crime-scene setting, visit the dream-like fishing village of Fjällbacka, made-famous as the setting for Camilla Läckberg’s crime novels. Set out on an archipelago boat trip on the M/S Mira and Kungskalyftan Walk before heading to Gothenburg via seafood restaurant, Salt & Sill for a leisurely final group lunch.
What is included in the tour
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Accommodation
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COVID-19 Health & Safety Measures
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Meals
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Additional Services
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Transport
What is NOT included in the tour
- Insurance
- International Flights
- Additional Services
- Sweden’s west coast stretches from Oslo right down
- Along this gorgeous coastal region with its rocky isles feast
- Wander through the Vigeland Sculpture Park
- visit the dream-like fishing village
Day 1 Arrive in Oslo and transfer to your centrally located hotel
Arrive in Oslo, the beautiful Norwegian capital by the Oslofjord. Make your own way to your centrally located hotel in the heart of Oslo, an easy direct express train ride away from the airport. The Norwegian capital has a great deal to offer for the observant traveller. We can recommend a walk around the centre of town to view the Parliament, the Castle, and the Harbour area.
Discover the new area of Bjorvika with the new Opera House and Munch Museum and then explore the charming shopping streets, cosy cafés and exciting eateries of Grünerløkka. After going shopping at numerous design boutiques, vintage shops and flea markets, head to the Mathallen food hall for local specialties. Lastly, visit the new National Museum of Norway down by the harbour before finding a spot in one of the local fish restaurants for dinner.
Day 2 Train to Fredrikstad, Glomma river crossing and explore this fortified town
Train from Oslo to Fredrikstad takes around an hour, with regular services. Self transfer to Fredrikstad's old town, Gamlebyen, one of Northern Europe’s best preserved fortified towns and was founded in 1567 by King Fredrik II. Fredrikstad is thriving with history, shops, galleries and cafés. This afternoon, you can take the free ferry across the Glomma and explore this compact Norwegian harbour town.
Your accommodation tonight is in the heart of this old town in a small, historic hotel. Small restaurants surround the hotel, head out for a wander and enjoy the peaceful setting of this old fort.
Day 3 Mini-coach to Fjällbacka via UNESCO World Heritage Tanum Rock Carving/Vitlycke Museum
After breakfast, meet your bus driver and any of your fellow travellers in the reception. Depart and drive south towards the Swedish border. First stop will be a walk around the Red Manor House and Garden in Halden before lunch at Strömstad, right on the Swedish/ Norwegian border. Drive past the Gjellestad Ship evacuations - what is on view depends on the university as this is an active Viking longhouse and ship evacuation. Then stop at the impressive grave fields and magnificent burial mounds, one of Sweden's biggest stone circles, and the country's third largest stone ship, Blomsholm Stone Ship.
Shortly before you arrive into Fjällbacka, visit the 3,000-year-old Tanum rock carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These Bronze Age petroglyphs, number in the thousands. About 600 panels are included in the UNESCO World Heritage site, once the coastline of a fiord thousands of years ago. Many of the glyphs show boats, humans with bows, spears or axes, rituals and hunting scenes.
Day 4 Day to explore Ingrid Bergman summer house town - boat trips, island hopping or explore Camilla Läckberg's novel locations
Love seafood and islands - included today is a cruise on M/S Mira to explore the islands today. Be sure to enjoy the seafood stars of the region, when they are in season, locally caught lobsters, oysters and langoustine. The regulars are herring, cod, salmon and a big, fat prawn sandwich.
If you are a fan of Swedish crime novels, check the schedule for Camilla Läckberg – Murder Mystery Tours as an option. At times during the year, Camilla herself is actually the tour guide! You can also hike up to Kungsklyftan walk with a terrific view over the coastline.
Day 5 Mini-coach to Gothenburg via Salt & Sill seafood lunch
Continue your drive along the coast to your lunch spot, Salt & Sill. Once a sleepy fishing isle and Sweden's largest herring producer, Klädesholmen is now home to a Scandinavian-minimalist “boatel” floating on a pontoon, which means you can jump into the sea for a pre-lunch swim. Be sure to order the excellent pickled herring, paired here with Aquavit (the caraway compliments the smokiness of the fish).
Join the driver for your final leg of the journey into Gothenburg. Gothenburg is the city where you can go shopping and visit a museum on the same day as you explore the car-free archipelago. The distances are short and public transport brings you from café-lined streets and sights to barren cliffs and deep forests. The city centre is shopping-friendly with lots of small independent shops as well as malls like Nordstan and Arkaden. You can also enjoy opera, theatre, concerts and an array of museums exploring everything from the local maritime history to arts and beyond.
Accommodation here is optional - you can either catch at late afternoon train to Stockholm (approx. 3 hr journey) or spend the night in one of our favourite Nordic cities, Gothenburg.
