STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

We leave the pier to begin our tour, which will let us experience the world’s first permanent ice bar. We will first visit Stockholm's oldest quarter – the Old Town (Gamla Stan).

We leave the pier to begin our tour, which will let us experience the world’s first permanent ice bar. We will first visit Stockholm's oldest quarter – the Old Town (Gamla Stan). Here we witness the historic elegance of the exterior of the dominating Royal Palace, combined with the possibility to stroll along the narrow, twisting alleys and cobblestone streets. We will experience the medieval intimacy of what is today a living historical monument of international renown. As we wander with our guide, we can savour the romantic atmosphere and sense of antiquity in buildings dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries – with baroque doorways and regal coats of arms. We shall also see the Stortorget – Great Square – the hub of the Old Town, dominated by the old Stock Exchange, which is today home to the Nobel Museum and the Swedish Academy, which meets each year to decide the laureate of the Nobel Prize for Literature. Rejoining our coach and continuing through the city centre of Stockholm, we now make our way to the Nordic Hotel, situated right in the heart of the city, and location of the ice bar. The interior is kept at below zero – a temperature of -5° C (23o F) – all year round. The entire interior, including the glasses, is made of pure, clear ice from the Torne River in Northern Sweden. A vodka drink in an ice glass will be served and the staff will tell us more about the bar and its construction.

Please note that this tour visits sights also incorporated in other Stockholm excursions. There will be approximately 750 metres (2,460 feet) of walking in the Old Town over sloping, cobblestone streets. The tour route may vary due to traffic conditions. All guests are provided with warm ponchos and mittens before entering the ice bar – you are advised not to wear flimsy shoes or sandals due to the cold metal floor. One complimentary vodka based drink, or non-alcoholic drink, will be served per person. The operating of this tour is dependent on availability for groups at the ice bar.

DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR 2008 SCANDINAVIA & BALTIC CRUISES