Swedish Tour #2
The tour in 2024 will begin June 26 in Uppland, and finish back in Uppland on July 10.
Tim will pick you up at the Arlanda airport (or elsewhere nearby if you are already in Sweden), and begin the tour on Wednesday, June 26. For an additional fee, you may arrive a day early to get situated for an early start on the Wednesday tour.
This will be the approximate itinerary:
Wednesday, June 26
After getting everyone together, we leave the vicinity of Arlanda (Stockholm’s airport), and explore the area, including visiting the city of Uppsala.
We will visit a some of museums, the magnificent Uppsala cathedral, and the beautiful summer countryside.
Thursday, June 27
A short drive to the train station, and we will ride the train to Stockholm. There we can see the Nordic Museum, the Wasa museum (one of the finest in the world), and can stroll through the “old town” by the Royal Castle.
We will lunch and dine on traditional Swedish foods.
Friday, June 28.
Today we have a long drive west to the province of Värmland. On the way we will visit Julita Gård, the buildings and grounds of a wealthy landowner, now a large park and museum.
Other possible stops include the home of Alfred Nobel in Karlskoga.
We will stay at a beautifully renovated farm, now a bed-and-breakfast.
Saturday, June 29.
Today is a day for exploring Värmland. Forests, rivers, the home of Nobel-prize winning author Selma Lagerlöf, fascinating old churches and other buildings, a linen-weaving factory that is “weaver to the king”.
Sunday, June 30.
A special small gathering of local musicians will be held in our honor. Fiddlers may be joined by nyckelharpa players and players of other traditional Swedish instruments.
Monday, July 1.
Leaving Värmland, we drive up to the Lake Siljan region of Dalarna. We will be staying in the little town of Insjön, at the southern end of Siljan.
Tuesday, July 2.
The traditions of Dalarna! We will first go up to Mora, where we will visit the museum of Anders Zorn, the great impressionist painter who helped begin the movement to preserve the old musical traditions of Sweden. Then to Nusnäs, the little village that produces the “Dala-Häst”, the little decorated wooden horses that are the official souvenir of Sweden. Shopping in the old town of Rättvik, and possibly finishing the evening with a small fiddle festival!
Wednesday, July 3.
Today we see something of Leksand, the town of wonderful folk culture at the south end of Lake Siljan. Later we will see Dalhalla, the magnificent outdoor theater created in a quarry, and with almost miraculous accoustics.
The rest of the day is spent in the little village of Bingsjö, with the biggest and most famous fiddle festival in Sweden. More than 10,000 attendees come to a single farm for a night of concerts, jamming, dancing, and color!
Thursday, July 4.
Today we drive to the city of Falun, with its famous iron mine – a world heritage site, and the source of the red pigment used in the red houses all over Sweden. We will then go to Sundborn, the home of Carl Larsson, Sweden’s most beloved painter.
In the evening we may attend another small fiddle festival in the village of Östbjörka.
Friday, July 5.
We leave Dalarna and head for Hälsingland. We will stop at many places showing the heritage of this province, including some of the old wooden manor houses, possibly a “fäbod” a living museum of the summer pastures where milk from cows, sheep, and goats are used to make traditional homemade dairy products.
We will stay in the city of Hudiksvall, on the Baltic coast.
Saturday, July 6
Today we will see something of the countryside culture of Hälsingland with a possible nature walk, and in the afternoon take part in some music and/or dancing workshops in preparation for tomorrow’s festival.
Sunday, July 7.
The fabulous Delsbo fiddle festival, or “spelmansstämma”, is held today.
The day begins with a chance to row across the Lake Dellen in traditional churchboats. At noon is a church service in Delsbo including traditional music and dancing, followed by a parade of all the fiddlers walking to the festival grounds.
The festival lasts into the night, and we will stay as long as we like, going back to Hudiksvall for bed.
Monday, July 8.
Another day of travel takes us back to Uppland, where we began. On the way we will stop in Gävle, an important Baltic port city, and possibly visit a musician or two.
Tuesday, July 9.
Up to northern Uppland, the “iron kingdom” of Sweden. We will also see the area called “Roslagen”, and see more fascinating sights.
Wednesday, July 10.
A final breakfast, then we head to the airport to say goodbye!
