Vasa Museum, Gamla Stan & Swedish History Museum

Your tour begins as you board your motorcoach for a scenic drive through the country side towards Stockholm and then on through the city center to the Vasa Museum, a museum built specifically to house the Vasa, the oldest fully preserved ship in the world. During your city drive, you’ll pass the neighboring island of Djurgarden, regarded as Stockholm's outdoor recreation center, and historic sites such as the National Museum and the Royal Dramatic Theater. The next stop will be the Swedish History Museum in Stockholm which offers an overview of Sweden beginning in the Stone Age through to the Medieval period using a series of fascinating displays and countless artifacts that trace 10,000 years of history. The Viking Exhibition displays the most extensive collection in Sweden and includes reproductions of Viking home interiors, carved rune stones, over 4,000 artifacts and the famous Mastermyr chest. The Gold Room is a heavily fortified underground chamber housing around 114 lbs. of gold and even more silver displayed as some of Sweden’s most prized treasures. After a good Swedish lunch (included), you’ll depart for the Old Town and continue with a guided tour of Stockholm's oldest quarter. Walk through narrow lanes and alleys, pass the 13th century Royal Palace, currently housing the offices of the Royal Court of Sweden, and the adjacent Great Cathedral, the city’s oldest church and the site of many royal weddings and coronations. Continue along the cobblestoned streets for views of a variety of 16th-19th century buildings and monuments. At the completion of your walking tour of Old Town, you'll have free time to explore the Old Town on your own. Check out Vasterlanggatan, Old Town’s number one tourist street, and Marten Trotzig Alley, the narrowest alley in Stockholm, with sections only 35.4 inches wide. After your free time, you’ll board your motorcoach for a relaxing drive back to the pier.