2026 Itinerary, Pricing and Registration: Swedish Christmas Exploration

2026 Swedish Christmas Exploration:

Daily Itinerary
December 11 – 18, 2026  –  8 Days/7 Nights

Prepare for an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime adventure to the heartbeat of Swedish culture in December. Join me to explore the unique Christmas traditions and foods, the historic sites and creative accommodations that dot the winterscape of cosmopolitan and Arctic Sweden. This will be a trip like no other for those who are ready to venture into the snow to play and try unique experiences, and to travel toward the darkest skies to see thousands of twinkling stars and perhaps the Aurora Borealis itself! Take a look at what I have planned for you with the help of my incredible travel partners at Learning Journeys.

DAILY ITINERARY

DAY 1 – Friday, December 11, 2026

ARRIVE IN STOCKHOLM, WELCOME CHRISTMAS DINNER – GAMLA RIKSARKIVET JULBORD

Your journey through Sweden begins right here! Upon arrival at Stockholm Airport, your driver will be waiting for you with a name sign, ready to assist with your luggage and ensure a smooth and comfortable transfer to your hotel. Relax after your flight and take in the first glimpses of Sweden’s beautiful landscapes along the way. Welcome to Stockholm – the vibrant heart and capital city where your Swedish Christmas Exploration begins!

Check in to the Sparrow Hotel,  a lovely, boutique property located in Central Stockholm and just minutes away from Sweden’s bustling Stureplan (Central Square).  Each room has a unique design with a Parisian flair – perfect as our home base to enjoy the good things in life with warm and personalized service.

Tonight we will welcome you to Sweden as we enjoy a traditional, festive Christmas buffet dinner known as Julbord. We will be dining at Gamla Riksarkivet, one of Stockholm’s most elegant historic buildings.  Gamla Riksarkivet was once home to Sweden’s National Archives that now hosts one of the city’s most well‐known Christmas Feast dinners. The grand halls and warm lighting create a charming and welcoming old-world atmosphere. Bring your appetite as we take a few hours to explore and taste the generous holiday buffet loved by families and colleagues for generations, and featuring many courses of delicious Swedish specialties. This is the perfect way to begin experiencing Swedish seasonal traditions!  We’ll enjoy a delicious and memorable Welcome Dinner together to begin our Swedish Christmas Exploration. (drinks not included)

Overnight: The Sparrow Hotel         Meals Included: Swedish Julbord Dinner

DAY 2 – Saturday, December 12, 2026

STOCKHOLM: OLD TOWN WALKING TOUR, PRIVATE COOKING CLASS, SANTA LUCIA CONCERT

Enjoy breakfast at our hotel, then prepare to join our Private Guide for a walking tour of Stockholm’s Old town (Gamla Stan) beginning at our hotel. Gamla Stan is a beautiful and iconic area of the Swedish capital, where Stockholm was founded in 1252.  We will see many historic landmarks as we wander along cobbled, narrow streets, older houses and monuments full of the medieval spirit. Along the way, we’ll enjoy the festive Christmas décor and move with the holiday crowds to explore the Stortorget, Stockholm’s main Christmas Market in Gamla Stan. As we wind up our three-hour private tour, we’ll hop on a private shuttle back to our hotel.

Get ready for a memorable, delicious and delightful afternoon learning to prepare a traditional, three-course Swedish dinner during our three-hour Private Cooking Class. The warm and intimate cooking studio is located in one of the oldest and most charming neighborhoods of Södermalm, Stockholm.  This hands-on cooking class menu is inspired by festive Christmas flavors and provides a wonderful introduction to Swedish culinary traditions.  Throughout the experience, we’ll learn about local ingredients, seasonal traditions, and the stories behind the dishes we create. On arrival, we’ll be greeted with a light snack and a cup of Swedish glögg to set the mood. All participants will receive aprons to use during the class, and at the end, we’ll take home the full set of recipes so we can recreate the menu anytime we wish. Following our class, we’ll return to the hotel for a short break before this evening’s program.

December 13 officially marks this historic Christmas season tradition in Sweden – Saint Lucia Day. Tonight we will enjoy a remarkable setting and performance while attending the Santa Lucia Concert in the Storkyrkans Kammarkör (Stockholm Cathedral.) This experience provides a truly magical moment during the candlelit service where enchanting music accompanies a festive atmosphere. Saint Lucia Day for many, marks the start of Christmas with its message of bringing light into the world of darkness. You too will become part of a beautiful tradition that fills the heart with warmth and wonder.

Overnight: The Sparrow Hotel         Meals Included: B, Fika and L at Cooking Class

DAY 3 – Sunday, December 13, 2026

STOCKHOLM – HISTORY, UNIQUE MUSEUMS and CHRISTMAS MARKET

Get ready to explore the history and culture of Sweden with today’s tours of two important museums that give you an excellent overview of the country and its people. Following breakfast, we’ll head out for the day to see the National Museum, Sweden’s museum of art and design. The National Museum helps preserve cultural heritage and promotes art, interest in art and knowledge of art. The collections include painting, sculpture, drawings and prints from 1500‐1900 and applied arts, design and portraits from early Middle Ages up until present day. It’s a wonderful display of Swedish art and creativity through the years.

Later, we’ll head to Skansen – a unique museum set in both an indoor and outdoor village environment. At Skansen, we’ll discover more about Sweden’s history and find out how Swedes once lived according to the changing seasons, through their customs and traditions, work, celebrations and everyday life of times gone by. This is also a place where festive occasions are celebrated throughout the year. The lively program of cultural activities includes a wonderful Christmas Market where we can find holiday treasures and perhaps notice “elves” dancing around the Christmas tree. Make sure to explore the delicious lunch options in the market stalls for a hot chocolate, cup of Glogg, and something tasty to eat! We will then return to our hotel for you to enjoy an evening on your own.

Overnight: The Sparrow Hotel         Meals Included: B

 

DAY 4 – Monday, December 14, 2026

STOCKHOLM TO KIRUNA FLIGHT, ICE HOTEL and SAMI CULTURE

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before check out and our transfer to Stockholm Arlanda Airport.  Our flight from Stockholm into the Arctic Circle and Kiruna Airport, is approximately 1 hr 40 min long.  Welcome to Swedish Lapland!

Once we land in Kiruna, get ready for an exciting day unlike any you’ve ever experienced as we arrive at the world’s original ICEHOTEL!  Every year, when the winter comes, the pristine waters of the meandering of Torne River slow down and freeze into ice. On one chilly day in 1989, the first ever Icehotel was hand‐sculpted out of massive ice blocks harvested from this river it sits alongside. Today, over three decades later, the Icehotel has become a must‐visit Swedish landmark for travelers from all parts of the globe. Artists are selected from around the world to create magical rooms for touring and sleeping. Surprisingly, the Ice Hotel retains a constant temperature inside as you will discover.

On arrival at the Icehotel, we’ll drop our bags and join our local Sámi guide for an immersive tour through the historic village of Jukkasjärvi. We’ll begin with a visit to the original Icehotel, where we’ll have time to explore the world‐famous ice art exhibition at our own pace. Our guide will then lead us to the oldest part of Jukkasjärvi, sharing stories about the Kiruna region and Sámi culture. We’ll step inside the old church — often called the “Sámi Church” — with origins dating back to 1607, and meet the reindeer at Nutti Sámi Siida, the Sámi open‐air museum. Throughout the tour, our Sámi guide will offer insights into the Icehotel, the history of Kiruna, and the traditions of the Sámi people, while you experience some of the region’s most iconic landmarks. Somewhere along our tour, we will stop for lunch as well.

Enjoy a delicious buffet dinner this evening across from the Ice Hotel before we head toward our overnight “briefing” and our accommodations tonight in an Ice Room. (I loved our night staying in an Ice Room – it is SUCH a unique and unforgettable experience and I stayed toasty warm!) A night spent sleeping inside the  ICEHOTEL is more than just an overnight stay – it’s a magical Arctic adventure. Here’s what you can expect in your Ice Room:

• stunning rooms created with an elegant and sleek design – all made of ice! With a temperature of around 23°F, you’ll experience a magical night at this unique winter destination.
• The beds in the ice rooms are equipped with thick mattresses covered with soft reindeer hides and a cozy sleeping bag to keep you warm while you sleep. The rooms have curtains instead of doors, creating a secluded and inviting atmosphere.
• You have overnight access to a storage locker in their heated Riverside Lobby, located on the shore of the Torne River. Here, you’ll also find changing rooms, bathrooms, and saunas for both women and men. In Riverside, they serve warm lingonberry juice in the morning – a perfect start to the day!

Overnight: ICE HOTEL                          Meals Included: B, L, D

 

DAY 5 – Tuesday, December 15, 2026

KIRUNA – PRIVATE REINDEER TOUR

Waking up with warm lingonberry juice, coffee, sauna and hot shower time, we’ll head to breakfast and check our bags for the day before a truly exciting experience out in the incredible winter landscape around us.  Today we will enjoy a Private Reindeer Tour where over the course of nearly six hours, you’ll get to handle and drive your own reindeer sled along an approximately 10 km trail, surrounded by the stunning winter landscape. Before setting off, your guide will provide detailed instructions on how to manage and drive the sled.  We each will get a turn behind the reins, and together we’ll travel in a column with the guide leading the way. After some time on the trail, we’ll reach a scenic spot where the guide will prepare lunch and coffee by a cozy camp fire.

Later we’ll return to the Icehotel where we check in to our “warm” rooms. Take some time to wander through other parts of the village and hotel property, to spend more time with the Icehotel exhibits, enjoy a cocktail in the Ice Bar, or a warm drink in the lounge before dinner and a restful night’s sleep.

Overnight: Icehotel                                Meals Included: B, L, D

 

DAY 6 – Wednesday, December 16, 2026

KIRUNA – PRIVATE DOG SLEDDING TOUR

Enjoy a delicious breakfast before we depart for our Private Dog Sledding tour.

During this 90-minute tour, we’ll experience the incredible energy of the huskies as they pull us through the stunning landscapes of northern Lapland. Sit back and enjoy the ride, with the peaceful silence of the wilderness broken only by the whoosh of the sled runners on the snow and the dogs barking with joy! The tour includes an outdoor Swedish “Fika” break with wilderness coffee and cake served by a warm, open fire.

The rest of today is ours to enjoy in Jukkasjärvi with dinner at the IceHotel restaurant.

Overnight: Icehotel                 Meals Included: B, D

DAY 7 – Thursday, December 17, 2026

WELLNESS EXPERIENCE – PRIVATE TOUR ABISKO AURORA SKY STATION & NORTHERN LIGHTS SEARCH

After breakfast and check out, we’ll drive to Camp Ripan hotel where our day begins at their lovely Aurora SPA. Over the course of two hours, we’ll wander between indoors and outdoor amenities, heat and cold, soothing water and crystalline snow. Relax indoors and enjoy the winter white landscape through panorama windows, or feel the cool caress of the polar winter across your cheek while enveloped by the warming comfort of their outdoor pool.  Deeply relaxing with wonderful spa features throughout, you’ll enjoy this opportunity to unwind and experience Swedish wellness practices at the Aurora SPA.

Camp Ripan’s hotel rooms are actually cozy cabins with private entrances. Camp Ripan was carefully designed to incorporate nature at every turn, offering an environmentally-sustainable approach in all aspects of its operations.  It covers a sizeable area where each building was constructed to reflect the natural surroundings.  We’ll enjoy their lovely restaurant which features local produce and food culture, as well as shops run by local craftspeople.

After checking in to our Camp Ripan cabins, we’ll meet up in late afternoon for our ride to a truly unique evening enjoying a Private tour to Abisko Aurora Sky Station with dinner. Abisko Sky Station is known as offering some of the best conditions in the world to experience the magical Northern Lights! Our private guide will take us to the best viewing spots and share stories about the Aurora Borealis, Lapland, the Sami people, and the region’s rich culture and traditions. Get ready for an outdoor adventure together as our evening begins with a two‐kilometer (1.25 mile) Chairlift Ride up to STF Aurora Sky Station, 900 meters (1/2 mile) above sea level. Here you’ll find sweeping views, an outdoor terrace, and a cozy café with snacks and drinks. We can join a short mountain walk and listen to a Northern Lights presentation. In case of severe weather, the event moves to their fire‐lit lavvu (Wooden hut) in the National Park. After a short walk to the evening’s best viewing locations, warm drinks and northern delicacies are served for dinner, along with stories about nature, the Aurora, and Abisko’s history.  If we are lucky, the colorful dance of the Northern Lights will entertain us on our final night together!

Overnight: Camp Ripan                      Meals included: B, D

DAY 8 – Friday, December 18, 2026

FLIGHT FROM KIRUNA TO STOCKHOLM

Today we’ll start with breakfast at Camp Ripan’s restaurant and check out before our Private Transfer to the Kiruna Airport and our 1 hr 40 min flight back to Stockholm. As our magical Swedish Christmas Exploration comes to an end, we hope you leave with wonderful memories of both vibrant Stockholm and the serene nature of Swedish Lapland. May the experiences you’ve had here stay with you for a lifetime — from the landscapes to the adventures and all the moments in between.  Wishing you a smooth and safe journey home!

Meal Included: B

God Jul! (Merry Christmas!)

ERRORS. In case of printing, typographical error, computer error, verbal or human billing error, we reserve the right to invoice or re-invoice participants with corrected billing.

BAGGAGE. Each traveler is limited to one large suitcase (maximum 50 lbs.) and one small carry on due to limited baggage area on buses. For some airlines and taxi/coach transfers, extra luggage and additional weight of luggage may be subject to an extra charge due on the spot.

You are responsible for complying with the airline regulations concerning their baggage allowances and with the airline restrictions on the size, weight and contents of your check-in and carry-on bags. Check with the carrier for luggage guidelines. Learning Journeys is not responsible for loss or damage of luggage or personal belongings. Travel Insurance is strongly recommended to cover loss or damage of your luggage.

AIRPORT: We recommend you arrive at the airport for your check-in at least 3 hours prior to your international flight departure time and 3 hours prior for your domestic flights.

PASSPORT and VISA. For travel outside the United States U.S. citizens must have valid passports, with an expiration date of at least six months after the scheduled return date. If possible, you should renew your passport approximately 9 months before it expires. Travelers are responsible for ensuring that they have the proper travel documents and MUST CHECK with the respective consulate(s) or visa agency to determine whether any visas are required. Each traveler is responsible for processing any required visas. Please ask the respective consulate for visa processing schedule to ensure you receive your documentation at least 7 days prior to departure. Any information provided pertains to US citizens only. Non-US citizens should check with the respective consulate of the country(s) to be visited for current entry requirements.

A valid Government-issued photo ID is required for all domestic flights within Sweden. It is suggested that you use a passport for domestic travel as well. Learning Journeys is not responsible for denial of boarding due to passenger negligence and cannot offer assistance on location or at the airport. If a passenger has not met the requirements as stated above and is denied boarding the cost of the tour is fully non-refundable.

NAMES MUST MATCH PASSPORT. The name given on your Learning Journeys booking must match the name on your passport, and in-turn, the name on your air ticket. Any variation between the spelling of your name on your air-ticket and passport will require re-ticketing, often at the cost of a completely new ticket. The airline will deny boarding if your airline ticket does not match your passport. Learning Journeys requires a copy of passengers’ passport be forwarded no later than 95 days prior to departure. Passengers are responsible for providing accurate information including the exact name as listed on the passport, date of birth and passport number. If the information forwarded is incorrect, the passenger will be liable for any change fees which may occur.

FEES FOR CUSTOMIZED ITINERARY CHANGES. After your final payment (90 days prior to start of services), a $50 fee per person will be imposed for each change of service within your itinerary. These services include but are not limited to changes or cancellations of transfers, hotels, villas, train tickets, day tours and reservations or services of any kind. There is no additional charge for adding services to your itinerary at any time. Changes requested during travel will be considered as a new reservation, with new dates and products priced accordingly. Air ticket changes and cancellations carry different fees as shown above. Fees for itinerary changes are NOT covered by purchased travel insurance.

FEES FOR CANCELED LAND and AIR SERVICES. If you cancel your complete land and supplemental air reservation after full payment, the cancellation charges shown below will apply. Some charges may be avoided by your purchasing optional travel insurance explained above.

CANCELLATIONS & COMPLAINTS. We work around-the-clock to ensure your vacation goes smoothly and according to plan. But unexpected problems, often out of our control, can still arise. We urge you to work with us in correcting the problem on the spot instead of dealing with it after you return home. If your program has a tour manager, you are required to work with them to resolve pending issues.

If a cancellation or refund is warranted, it is under the express condition that you release Learning Journeys from all further liability and you thereby waive all additional rights and remedies under this contract or any applicable state, federal or foreign law.

GUESTS NEEDING SPECIAL ASSISTANCE. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a tour member for walking, dining, getting on and off motor coaches and other transportation vehicles, or other personal needs. Travelers who need such assistance should not register for the 2026 Swedish Christmas Exploration due to the nature of travel and experiences on this particular itinerary. Please provide your Learning Journeys Program Manager about any specific dietary needs or any specific issues which may require attention during your program.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION. Deluxe ground transportation will be provided to you based on the number of participants in your party. Should the number of participants on any tour drop below estimated passengers, we reserve the right to operate the tour with a smaller vehicle. Please also note that smaller coaches do not have lavatories, TV, etc.). Baggage is limited to one carry on and one suitcase per person. If luggage guidelines are not followed, a second vehicle may be added to accommodate the excess baggage at the passenger’s expense. There are strict laws concerning driver hours on touring coaches that must be always respected. A typical touring day can last 8 hours only. In addition, there are mandatory rest periods during the working day and weekly rest periods depending on the length of the tour.

DELAY CHARGES: If your flight delays cause additional charges for transportation/guides waiting times you will be responsible to pay an extra charge on the spot directly to the vendor. If you purchased travel insurance, it may be covered under the policy. We recommend you check with your Travel insurance company on coverage for Trip Delay.

EXPERIENCES & TRANSFERS: Sightseeing and entrance fees have been included as specified in the itinerary. All foreign airport transfers are also included in the land cost unless otherwise requested by the agent. Land arrangements will be provided as described; however, Learning Journeys reserves the right to substitute sightseeing features.

TIPS AND SERVICE CHARGES: All taxes and service charges levied by the hotels or charged by various governments and municipalities are included. We have not included tips to the restaurants, chambermaids, drivers/guide or escort. Tips to servers, chambermaids and local guides should be left at the time of service. Tour Manager and driver tips should be given at the end of the tour.  Suggested Tipping in USD:  A detailed tipping guide will be provided to travelers prior to departure.

CUSTOMIZED ITINERARY CHANGES. In rare cases scheduled tours may be cancelled. In such cases Learning Journeys reserves the right to change the scheduled tour itinerary or trip features at any time and for any reason, with or without notice and/or to substitute airlines, hotels or features of a similar category for those listed in the confirmed itinerary. Learning Journeys shall not be held liable for any such changes.

CUSTOMIZED TOUR CANCELLATIONS BY LEARNING JOURNEYS. From time-to-time a tour departure may be cancelled for lack of participation or other operational reasons. In such a case, Learning Journeys sole responsibility is to provide a complete refund of monies received without any other liability whatsoever including any additional costs or fees related to cancellation of airline tickets or other travel reservations not made by Learning Journeys.

Learning Journeys is not responsible for necessary cancellations due acts of government; bites or attacks by animals, insects or pests; sickness; the lack of appropriate medical care; evacuation to same, if necessary; weather; strikes; acts of God; acts of terrorism or the threat thereof; events of force majeure; war; quarantine; epidemics/pandemic or the threat thereof; criminal activity or any other cause beyond the company’s control.

MISCELLANEOUS. Foreign heating and air-conditioning systems in public places, hotels and motor coaches are not always up to U.S. standards. If due to weather, flight schedules or other uncontrollable factors, you are required to spend an additional night(s), you will be responsible for your own hotel, transfers and meal costs.

The right is reserved to decline, to accept or retain any person as a member of these trips at any time. In any such event, Learning Journeys’ sole obligation is to refund for any unused accommodations or other trip features. Passenger certifies not to have any mental, physical or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for himself/herself or other passengers.

RESPONSIBILITY. Learning Journeys Ltd. and their employees, shareholders, officers, and directors does not own or operate any entity which goods or services for your trip, including, for example, lodging facilities, transportation companies, guides or trip leaders, food service providers, equipment suppliers, ground operators, etc., including, without limitation, various entities which may utilize the Learning Journeys name. Learning Journeys is not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such person or entity, nor for any act or inaction of any other third party not under its control.

Without limitation Learning Journeys is not liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damage, injury, death, loss, accident, delay, inconvenience, or irregularity of any kind which may be occasioned by reason of any act or omission beyond its control, including, without limitation, any willful or negligent act, failure to act, breach of contract of any third party, such as an airline, train, hotel, restaurant, or food supplier; bus, taxi, van, or local ground handler; local outfitter or guide, which is, to, or does supply any goods or services for this trip.

Learning Journeys is not responsible for any loss, injury, death, or inconvenience due to delay or changes in schedule or failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart safely; overbooking or downgrading of accommodations; insolvency or default of any third party; acts of government; bites or attacks by animals, insects or pests; sickness; the lack of appropriate medical care; evacuation to same, if necessary; weather; strikes; acts of God; acts of terrorism or the threat thereof; events of force majeure; war; quarantine; epidemics/pandemic or the threat thereof; criminal activity or any other cause beyond its control and cancellation policies per the contract will apply.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE WARNINGS. In the case of a government issued warning, we will provide our utmost consideration to the severity of the warning and accomplish everything possible to safeguard the well-being of our passengers. We reserve the right to evaluate each booking on a case-by-case basis for potential refund/cancellation fees, re-scheduling of tours or itineraries and postponements.

BINDING ARBITRATION. I agree that any dispute concerning, relating, or referring to these Terms and Conditions, this release, the catalog, or any other literature concerning my trip, or the trip itself shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration according to the then existing commercial rules of the American Arbitration Association in New York. Such proceedings will be governed by substantive New York law. The arbitrator and not any federal, state, or local court or agency shall have exclusive authority to resolve any dispute relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability, conscionability, or formation of this contract, including but not limited to any claim that all or part of this contract is void or voidable. Upon payment of a deposit, tour participant indicates acceptance of the above Terms and Conditions and of the Arbitration Agreement.

NOT INCLUDED: Passports, laundry, food and beverages not listed on the itinerary, International Travel Tax and Porterage at U.S. Airports, as well as all other items of a personal nature.

FORMS OF PAYMENT:  CREDIT CARDS.  We accept all major credit cards for each deposit or the total amount of the cost of the tour.

Please note if you confirm and proceed with your booking you are automatically accepting these terms and conditions.

See the REGISTRATION BUTTON above the Terms & Conditions to secure your place on my 2026 Swedish Christmas Exploration!