Journey back into Visby's past during a walking tour through this Medieval city, and a visit to Gotland's Fornsalen Museum. Visby, the Capital of Gotland, boasts a swashbuckling history that began in the Viking Age, and was followed by a flourishing Medieval period and the growth of the powerful Hanseatic League. Today, however, Visby is best known as the Town of Roses and Ruins, and one of Sweden's most popular vacation resort destination. From the cruise pier, proceed to Almedalen, the former site of Visby's Hanseatic Harbor. See the powder tower, the oldest remaining structure in Visby and nearby, stroll through the lovely Botanical Gardens. Continue your walk through the narrow winding, medieval streets to the evocative ruins of one of the medieval churches. Visit the Cathedral of St. Mary's which at one time belonged to the Germans and is the only one of the town's many medieval Churches still in use. Via Stora Torget, the main square, continue to Gotland's History Museum. In the museum, see the world's largest Viking Silver hoard and get an in-depth insight into all aspects of life on Gotland through the ages. Then walk back to the cruise pier.

The tour begins with a drive southward to Tofta Strandpensionat. The facility dates back to the 1930s when Swedes started visiting seaside resorts for recreation. Visiting families lived, ate and relaxed together with only a few meters to the sandy beach. Today, Tofta Strandpensionat (Beach & Lodge resort) still has the charming atmosphere of the 1960s, under the genuine care and warm welcoming of the Jacobsson family. At your visit you will have a chance to taste a selection of a few specialties from Gotland's cuisine, in place and from the local produce of nearby farms. A very tasty stop! There will also be time to go down to the beach and dip your toes in the water. Thereafter the tour takes you further on the Gotlandic countryside, past forest, farmland and meadows before you come to the next stop, at Ansarve sheep farm. The farm has about 150 ewes and here you find some other Gotlandic products, made by Jenny Granlund and her family and friends. They make clothes and interior details from wool, sheepskin and yarn. All from their own sheep! Now it is time to drive back to Visby for a guided walk on the narrow streets and alleys. Behind the town wall this medieval stone city awaits your discovery. Since the end of the 19th century, the ruins of Visby have been protected as historical monuments. The uniqueness of Visby lies in the fact that the medieval part of the city is surrounded by the still intact town wall, which was built in the 13th and early 14th centuries. Today it is the best-preserved medieval wall in northern Europe. During your walk, you’ll pass among medieval warehouses and church ruins, as well as visit the beautiful St Mary’s Cathedral, which dates back to the 12th to 14th centuries. At the end of the city walk you enter your coach for the drive back to the pier.

OVERVIEW

Ride the sole remaining railway on the island of Gotland and enjoy extraordinary views of the idyllic countryside. On the way to the train station, you will pause at one of the many medieval churches in this part of Sweden. Upon reaching Dalhem, you will board a restored vintage carriage on the Gotland Hesselby railway, which dates to 1878. The diesel-powered train will follow an incredibly scenic route on a narrow-gauge track across the island’s pastoral landscape. A stop will be made along the way, so you can learn about the history of the railway and how the train was renovated to offer an authentic nostalgic experience. After detraining? in Roma, you will settle in for a leisurely drive to the fishing village of Gnisvärd, where you will see an ancient gravesite outlined in large stones that form a large ship’s hull. During the Bronze Age, cremated remains were buried within the boat-shaped monument.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in for a scenic ride through Gotland’s interior on a restored vintage railway.
• Stop along the way to learn how the railway has evolved over the past century.
• See an unusual Bronze Age burial site made of stones in the shape of a ship’s hull.
• Enjoy a short stop at the picturesque fishing village of Gnisvärd.
• Pause for photos of one of Sweden’s many characteristic medieval churches.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover Visby's stunning beauty and storied past during this visit to the Island of Gotland's capital city. Visby, the Capital of Gotland, boasts a swashbuckling history that began in the Viking Age, followed by a flourishing Medieval period and the growth of the powerful Hanseatic League. Today, however, Visby is best known as the Town of Roses and Ruins, and one of Sweden's most popular vacation resort destinations. Your tour starts with a short drive to Almedalen park, the former Hanseatic Harbor. From here you will take a stroll pass the old Kruttornet, a powder tower that has the distinction of being Visby's oldest structure, before continuing through the street and through the Botanical Gardens. Step on your bus again for the short drive to the Gallows’ Hill, where you will hear the grisly story about death and punishment in the old times. Head back towards town following by the 13th century city walls surrounding Visby. Stop at one of the gates, Dalmanstornet, where you will start an approximately 1-hour guided walk down its narrow, winding streets. See the evocative ruins of Visby’s many Medieval churches, plus an inside visit at the impressive St. Mary’s Cathedral.

After a short walk to the dock, this tour starts from the harbor where you will be equipped with your bicycle. Your ride makes a stop at Almedalen park, pass the Powder Tower and the Botanical Garden and continue uphill by bike to Klinten where you stop for a panoramic view of the medieval town and the cathedral. Through narrow lanes you pass the eastern gate and go about 3-miles south of Visby to Högklint, where you will enjoy a wonderful over the sea, and Visby at a distance, before continuing to Fridhem. This boarding house used to be the summer palace of the Princess Eugenie and here you will enjoy coffee, or tea and biscuits.