From the Bommelerwaard to the Swedish Archipelago: A Holiday That Begins in the Driveway.

Day 1. It's Saturday, March 25, 2026. Promptly at 6 AM, our driver and guide Patrick picks up the family from their home in Zaltbommel. From the Bommelerwaard, we drive towards the German border. Once in Germany, it's time for a first stop at a German bakery. A delicious breakfast around 9 AM. You immediately feel like you're on holiday. A German bakery offers a wide assortment of delicious, freshly baked rolls. With a choice of coffee, tea, latte macchiato, and soft drinks, there's also a pleasant atmosphere and an opportunity for everyone (guide and family) to get to know each other better.

The goal of the day is the ferry in Travemünde. The day's schedule is loosely planned. We naturally want to arrive at the port well in advance to ensure we embark on time. We also consider the comfort of our travellers. All participants are taken into account. In consultation with the parents, several stops were chosen for that day. First, we visited a small animal park where we enjoyed a beautiful bird of prey show. Afterwards, we spontaneously decided to visit a German bakery again for a cup of coffee and a treat. In this way, we divide the kilometres to be driven so that it becomes a varied and interesting day that also offers enough room for relaxation.

Dinner was enjoyed at Ralf Schumacher's go-kart track in Bispingen, Germany. Exciting spectating action for not only the young men. A super fun distraction and a delicious meal. After that, it was time for the last leg, past Hamburg to Travemünde. It was already past 7 PM, so traffic was much calmer, and we arrived neatly on time to board the Finnlines ferry.

After the meal, it was time for the final leg, past Hamburg and Lübeck to Travemünde. It's already past 7 PM, so the traffic is much lighter, and we arrive just in time to board the Finnlines ferry. The family, and especially the children, arrive at the port well-rested and relaxed. The impressions from the first day, gained at the animal park and the karting track, help with this and provide material for conversations. We patiently wait for the boarding time, drive onto the ferry, and take possession of our cabins for a night on the ship.

It's day two. Sunday, April 26th. We won't arrive in Malmö until 9:30 AM. Finnlines had announced shortly before departure that the crossing would start later and therefore arrive later. That's not a problem; in fact, it gave us the opportunity to enjoy a wonderfully relaxed breakfast on board.

As the ferry glides silently through Swedish waters, the family enjoys a lavish breakfast with a sea view as we pass under the Öresund Bridge (the Sound Bridge). The tranquility of the water provides the perfect contrast to yesterday's lively hustle and bustle. No traffic jams, no rush. When the ferry's ramp opens in the morning sun, we drive into Malmö. The air is fresher, the roads quieter, and the adventure in Stockholm is now truly close.

Upon arriving in Malmö, we drove north along the western coastline on the A6 and turned off at Helsingborg onto the A4 towards Stockholm. Our first stop was 100% focused on the children. The unique candy store of Candy Airlines near Örkelljunga was a real hit, especially for the youngest in the group, 12-year-old Marijn. Sweden is the land of pick-and-mix candy, and you can certainly pick and mix to your heart's content in this candy store. We left the car park with a haul of over one and a half kilograms of pick-and-mix candy 🎁🎁🎁

Afterwards, the intention was to have brunch at a luxurious bakery near Ljungby, but Patrick spontaneously deviated from the route to visit a deer farm and an elk park. Simply because the sunny weather was so inviting. At the elk park, they hadn't reacted as spontaneously to the beautiful weather; there was still a sign stating that they would only open on May 1st. Swedes like rules, and they stick to them. However, everyone found the extra drive through the natural landscape very pleasant, and there was still some natural beauty to admire here and there.

The brunch at the luxury bakery near Ljungby was very surprising. Homemade bread and pastries and homemade jams were very much enjoyed. A lovely moment of peace and quiet.

We continued our journey past Värnamo and Jönköping with the aim of reaching the picturesque village of Röttle. The family took a short walk to the nearby waterfall. Röttle is located next to Gränna. The village of the candy canes. The opening hours on Sunday are much shorter and the shops closed just as we arrived. No problem, as we will pass by here again earlier in the day on our way back.

Continuing our journey, we passed Linköping. In good consultation with the whole family, a plan was made for the evening meal. What to eat and at what time. A wok restaurant near Nyköping was chosen. What a treat!

Because the mood was so good and dusk was setting in, Patrick suggested deviating slightly from the route so that moose could be spotted on the very first day in Sweden. Patrick knows the region like the back of his hand and knows where to go. Driving slowly, it wasn't long before we found one. Remco almost jumped out of his seat; the moose, a female, stood in the bushes next to the road. Remco was the first to spot the moose, and the rest of the group could also exclaim on their first day in Sweden: I've seen a moose!

Very happy with this result, we continued our journey to the hotel. Tired but satisfied with all the impressions, everyone went to bed quite quickly. It was a wonderful day.

After a wonderful night in the hotel and an excellent breakfast, Patrick dropped off the family in Stockholm, near Gamla Stan and Drottninggatan. Time for an exploration of the city and a first attempt at some shopping. Upon their return, all happy faces and some a shopping bag richer. That was certainly a fun outing.

As agreed, the family was picked up at the same spot at 3:00 PM for a BBQ in a nature park. While the family was in Gamla Stan and the center of Stockholm, Patrick was busy preparing and shopping for both today's BBQ and the more extensive outdoor cooking dinner for the following day.

Together we drove to the nature park and along the way we already saw deer in several places. Very nice! Arriving at the parking lot, we packed the BBQ supplies and after a 20-minute walk, we arrived at a very beautiful spot by a lake. A BBQ or campfire site with an accompanying wooden shelter where you could spend the night.

Patrick gave instructions on making fire with a fire steel, using knives and axes, and creating a workable fire pit so you can comfortably barbecue and cook over an open fire, outdoors in nature. Of course, this also included safety instructions to ensure everyone handles the fire and tools safely, and that the fire is properly extinguished after use.

The outdoor cooking together was a lot of fun and the reactions from the whole family were overwhelmingly positive. Happy, cozy, romantic. Patrick involves the family members in the entire process and everyone helps out.

Toasted bread with fried egg and sausages from the pan, BBQ with various types of sausages, and delicious pancakes with jam were on the menu. There was also a fun opportunity to roast a marshmallow over the fire.

All in a remarkably beautiful setting in a nature park by a lake, in the middle of the forest.

Shortly before dusk, we left and made another attempt to spot moose. Surprisingly, this resulted in seeing wild boars with their young and beautiful deer with enormous antlers. All very surprising and particularly impressive.

Day 4 was entirely dedicated to nature and the outdoors.

As per the family's request, we visited a fishing tackle shop. Afterwards, we sought out nature in the beautiful Skärgården area. The drive through the area and the first short walk were already special. Following that, there was time for an hour of fishing together with a rod. Along the Swedish coast, this is allowed without a fishing license. Afterwards, it was time for a long coastal walk along the rocky shore.

Guide Patrick is very skilled in outdoor cooking and created a delicious 3-course menu, starting with fresh fish of the type Lubb (Brosme Brosme). Afterwards, handmade burgers were made with Gotland beef, a true specialty of excellent quality. To finish, a freshly made dessert of cream pudding, blueberries, strawberries, hand-whipped cream and chocolate chips was served. Everything was prepared on an open fire, on site, in the forest.

The children were involved in the process of making the hamburgers, and the principle of outdoor cooking on an open fire also inspired Remco and Yvette. It became more and more enjoyable.

After dinner, we set out again to spot moose. Patrick knows exactly where to find his moose, but nature calls the shots. We were incredibly lucky. At a remarkably close distance and in a truly beautiful spot, a moose stood waiting for us like a statue. Almost unreal. When the moose started to move, two calves even emerged from behind her. Everything just clicked. This made the day simply perfect. A magical encounter!

Besides its rugged nature, Stockholm also has a vibrant cultural heart. A visit to the Avicii Experience is an unforgettable part of their trip to Sweden for many families. This interactive museum is a tribute to Tim Bergling, one of the most influential artists in modern music history. In the museum, you literally step into the world of music. You can produce, sing, and experience how global hits like 'Wake Me Up' came to be. Especially for young people and music lovers, it is a tremendous source of inspiration. It is wonderful to see how the youngest generation here is completely absorbed in the beats and the experience. A visit to this museum is the perfect modern counterpart to the tranquility of the Swedish forests and an absolute must-see during your stay in Stockholm.

Yvette and Remco's family had a great time at the Avicii museum that day, especially because their youngest son felt incredibly inspired by the music and the experience at the Avicii museum. He was completely absorbed in it. That was beautiful to witness.

After the inspiration at the museum, it was time to soak up the city's atmosphere. Stockholm is a paradise for fashion and design lovers. The family strolled through the well-known Drottninggatan, but also discovered the exclusive boutiques in the Östermalm district. Here you'll find the absolute best of Scandinavian design, such as the flagships of Acne Studios and Filippa K, as well as the iconic department store NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), where luxury fashion brands and beautiful Swedish glassware come together. For lovers of well-known chains, the enormous H&M flagship store offers a unique collection you won't find anywhere else. With bags full of new acquisitions, we ended the day at one of the city's cozy restaurants. From trendy bistros in Södermalm to classic Swedish cuisine in the historic cellars of Gamla Stan: in Stockholm, every meal is a culinary discovery. It was the perfect way to enjoy the dynamic city after a day full of it.

Day 6 was dedicated to shipping and the Skärgården.

In the morning, we visited the Vasa Museum. We never thought we'd have time for it, but it fit perfectly into our schedule. Since the Swedish king was officially celebrating his 80th birthday that day, we had already planned to head out on the water to avoid getting caught in the crowds of such an event.

After the Vasa Museum, we were just in time for the ceremonial cannon salute and the fly-by of the Swedish Air Force, in honor of the Swedish king. It was nice to catch that too. That's quite unique.

At 2 PM, it was time to board a dinner cruise. This cruise takes you through a beautiful part of the archipelago while you sit comfortably in the ship's dining room, enjoying views of all the sights on both sides. The food was truly delicious; I must emphasize that. We were really pampered. Pure enjoyment. Even the weather gods, who had provided us with excellent weather all week, granted us a fantastic sunny day. A fabulous and very romantic journey.

At the end of the day, we spontaneously decided to go fishing with our rods on the coast behind Skansen. Patrick was incredibly flexible and took us to a beautiful, quiet spot. There we were able to enjoy the impressions of the day and the men were able to try their luck at fishing.

Day 7: Visiting Skansen. Holmstock Travel treated us to a ride on the train at the entrance to Skansen Park. That train was great fun and saved us a hefty climb after the entrance. Skansen is wonderful, especially if you're as lucky with the weather as Yvette and Remco's family were.

For the children, the Baltic Sea Life aquarium was of great interest, and for the youngest son, who has a Gecko himself, the Skansen Akvarium with all its reptiles was a hot item.

Directly opposite Skansen is the ABBA Museum Stockholm. An excellent combination that worked out very well for the family. "Walk in and dance out," as the motto of the ABBA Museum Stockholm says, truly comes to life. What a cheerful and pleasant museum that inspires and makes you happy.

Not included in the itinerary was yet another BBQ in the Skärgården. At the couple's request, another BBQ spot was visited in the late afternoon. Patrick knows the most beautiful spots in the region, so it was no problem to spontaneously head out. Together with the guide, they grilled, baked, and enjoyed a delicious meal. It would be the last evening of this holiday in Sweden. The spot Patrick had suggested was beautiful. At sunset, against the evening glow, we could see bats fluttering, hear the seabirds, and watch them prepare for the night. It was so beautiful, it left us speechless.

Day 8: The return journey should also be a holiday. For that reason, our first stop, by special request, was another candy store. And not just any candy store. With more than 1,000 types of candy, all hell broke loose. The little and big children together bought almost 4 KG of pick-and-mix candy, or lösgodis. Swedish candy.

And if that wasn't enough, the next stop was the town of Gränna. Gränna is known for its unique candy: The Gränna candy cane. And you guessed it, here too the children managed to get their hands on a hefty portion of sweets. If there are parents who dote on their children, it's Yvette and Remco. But hey, it's a holiday, and in Sweden, you simply can't ignore all those delicacies.

After a moment of reflection at Lake Vättern, it was time to continue driving south. In Norrköping, we stopped for a bit of shopping, and shortly before Malmö, we took the time for a delicious evening meal. In this way, we arrived perfectly on time, in a relaxed manner, and, most importantly, in good spirits, at the port of Malmö in the evening to sail back to Germany with the Finnlines ferry. Again, we would be staying overnight on the ship.

Back on the quay from the ferry. It's early morning when the ferry arrives in the port of Travemünde. An ideal time to have your breakfast outside in the fresh sea air on the quay of Travemünde. After a hearty breakfast, we walk along the boulevard of Travemünde. We enjoy the hustle and bustle, and the cozy harbor town offers us new impressions. Very nice. After that, it's time to drive back to the Netherlands.

Along the way, we'll take a few more breaks, and at the end of the day, we'll enjoy a cozy and, above all, delicious Italian pizza restaurant. On the way, we'll reflect on everything we've experienced. The travel time gives us space to process all the impressions and to already start planning a possible next trip with Patrick.