Cycle & ride Train in Sweden's Tuscany, 6 days

Day 1
Check in at HOTEL EGGERS
Hotel Eggers is one of Sweden's oldest still operating hotels, located right by the central station in central Gothenburg, with parts of the building dating back to 1820. The hotel is Nordic Ecolabelled* and has its own wind turbine that supplies the hotel with green energy. No palm oil products or disposable items are used. Great care is taken to use as many fair trade and environmentally friendly products and raw materials as possible, for example, all coffee served is both KRAV** and Fairtrade labelled. They also have charging stations for guests with electric cars.

GOTHENBURG – SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT YOU CAN DO
.It's easy to explore central Gothenburg on foot and there's plenty of fun to see and do. From the large market hall and the shopping streets of Kungsgatan, Vallgatan and Södra Larmgatan to cafes and attractions. Here are two suggestions for a short walk from Hotel Eggers where you're staying.

Take a stroll through the Garden Society, now one of Europe's best-preserved 1800th-century parks, where rolling lawns, historic buildings and ornamental gardens with exotic and native plants take you back to the golden age of gardening. Here you can find thousands of roses, flower beds and lush forests. The Palm House from 1878 houses exotic plants in a Mediterranean climate.

Day 2
Töreboda – Sjötorp: (Cycling 20 km)
To get to Töreboda, take the train from Gothenburg. The journey takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. From the train station to Pensionat Prästgården it takes 10 minutes to walk. Your cycling holiday begins in Töreboda at Pensionat Prästgården, where you will receive your bike. Your cycling tour starts on a car-free gravel road along the Göta Canal, which has been named Europe's best cycling route.
After cycling 10 km you reach Norrqvarn, where children can play in the model canal and everyone can enjoy ice cream and locally produced food at the restaurant's pier. On the way you pass a total of 16 locks before you reach Sjötorp, which is located on Sweden's largest lake, Vänern.

In Sjötorp you will stay overnight at a cozy B&B and have dinner by the canal. If you want to delve into the history of the canal, you can visit the canal museum in Sjötorp harbor.

GÖTA CANAL ROAD
Göta Canal is one of Sweden's national cycle routes. You can cycle at a leisurely pace on the car-free towpath along the canal, and it's easy to stop for a bite to eat or just rest your legs for a while while watching the pleasure boats glide by.

Terrain: The towpath along the canal has a gravel surface and is car-free. Some parts of the trail also run on country roads with little traffic.

Today's tips:
Coffee*, coffee and even more coffee! If there's one thing that's amazing about the canal, it's all the cafes. And the locks! It's fun for both adults and children to watch the boats go up and down the locks – and as with most things, it's even better with a bun or an ice cream in hand!

Check-in and dinner at PENSIONAT KAJUTAN
The charming Pensionat Kajutan with its restaurant is located in Sjötorp, a beautiful and scenic location right by the Göta Canal and next to Lake Vänern. You are welcome here whether you are traveling with a large family or just want some peace and quiet. Enjoy good food and comfortable accommodation near the lake with beautiful views of the canal. The rooms come in various sizes and are tastefully decorated. A generous breakfast buffet is served in the restaurant to give you a good start to the day.

Dinner is served in the guesthouse's restaurant at 19:00.

Day 3 Sjötorp – Lyrestad and Mariestad Cycling (18 km)
After a hearty breakfast, you head to picturesque Lyrestad, just 8 km away. Here you board the train with your bike. The train journey to Mariestad takes approx. 15 minutes. The train takes you to the sparkling pearl of Lake Vänern – Mariestad. Upon arrival in Mariestad, you check in at Hotell Vänerport. Hotell Vänerport is located by Mariestad's guest harbour, and both the hotel rooms, the restaurant and its terrace have a fantastic view of Lake Vänern.

In Mariestad, a lovely 10 km bike ride awaits. The bike path largely follows the shore of Lake Vänern on a route that takes you to the Snapen recreation area, where you can swim in the lake and have a coffee if you wish.

Did you know that Mariestad's old town is classified as one of Sweden's ten best-preserved city centers? Get off your bike and take a stroll through the charming neighborhoods by the stately cathedral. Here you will find cobblestone streets, wooden houses and cozy courtyards. Many buildings date from the 1700th and 1800th centuries, and several have signs with information about the houses' history, architecture and former residents. During the summer you can join a guided city walk.

Today's tips:
The guest harbor in Mariestad is a popular gathering place during the summer. Enjoy food and drinks in the lively harbor environment. Take the opportunity to try the local ice cream, Kling Ice Cream, which has been made in Mariestad since the 1950s.

Day 4 Hällekis – Källby (Cycle distance 18 km)
The day starts with a train ride from Mariestad to Hälleki train station, where you pick up your bike. It's a short 25-minute journey, the train ride is on one of Sweden's most beautiful railway routes, lined with picturesque little train stations.

Today, a wonderful bike ride awaits you on Kinnekulle, where you follow parts of the national bike trail Vänerleden. The ride starts in the small village of Hällekis and ends in Källby. Along the way, you will be treated to a mix of nature and cultural experiences, observation towers, antique shops, medieval churches, manor houses, fishing waters, bathing areas, blooming ramson fields, cherry blossoms, waterfalls, quarries and ancient monuments. There are also visitor gardens, several cafes and craft shops.

One of the highlights of Kinnekulle is the large quarry, locally known as the “Mini Grand Canyon.” The steep cliff walls change color from reddish brown to beige – an incredibly beautiful sight!

At Källby's small train station you leave your bike and hop on the train to your final destination for the day, Lidköping. Upon arrival you check in at Lidköping's city hotel.