Client story- Motor Yacht Sweet Hope, 7–14 June 2026
As we were heading back to Stockholm on the 14th June 2026 on board the Motor Vessel SWEET HOPE, Mika the Owner and Skipper asked if there was anything that we felt was missing from our week’s trip or anything that could have been added or done better. The simple answer was ‘No’. We had experienced a magical week of sights, sounds and food that was, I think, beyond all our expectations.
We were a party of 6;
John and Anne. Andrew and Jennifer. Brian and Judith.
Our eventual itinerary was slightly changed from the original as we went along, to suit the weather and our particular preferences.
We were welcomed aboard Motor Yacht Sweet Hope by husband-and-wife team Mika and Katri ‘our home’ they proudly said of Sweet Hope which is a 64-foot Nordhavn, a yacht that we were to discover is as immaculately maintained as it is comfortable and hugely welcoming.
We left Stockholm around noon for the SALTSJÖBADEN. The journey out of Stockholm was a real joy as there were lots of classical vessels on the water, no doubt being Sunday but also the day after the Swedish National Holiday, when Stockholm was most certainly ‘party central’ and had a wonderful atmosphere.
We travelled around 30 miles at a most leisurely pace through some fascinating waterways, surrounded by Islands of all sizes, some dotted with picturesque water side homes, others looked deserted. We passed through channels that made us feel we had to breathe in but with absolute faith in Mika at the helm where he had technology covering every aspect of navigation and the yacht’s operations. We were to spend our first night at Saltsjöbaden where we berthed alongside the Yacht Club and had our first experience of Mika and Katri docking their ‘home’ with such skill that we were all in awe. Most of us, as guests, have long experience with boats and have also chartered before, so were familiar with the skill needed to dock a boat of that size. Mika and Katri were to do so with perfection throughout the week, even with winds and into limited spaces, with never a moment’s alarm or raised voices. They are true professionals in every single aspect of chartering and making their guests feel happy and comfortable.
We had a wander around the harbour, the weather fine, but windy. A delicious lunch of vegetable and salmon soup followed by home-made rhubarb pie. Katri is a wonderful cook and produces the most delicious meals with apparent ease and with absolutely no fuss at all. We were to eat so well throughout the week with dishes I mostly could not pronounce, let alone spell, but all with a story and the vast majority from fresh, often home grown produce (some grow on board).
8th June
We had a very enjoyable and varied self-service breakfast with Katri, keen to know anyone’s additional likes/dislikes. Porridge for Judith and I was a big hit. Coffee and hot drinks made to measure.
We had a lovely passage through the Islands to our next stop at GRINDA which is known as a nature Island. It certainly lived up to its name as we could easily have run over a small deer that was swimming across the channel in front of us, as we were approaching the Island. After a lunch of a variety of local herring dishes and sauces we headed off on a nature trail on this beautiful Island. Andrew is a licensed drone pilot so provided some great footage over the Island for us. We had drinks on the aft deck early evening before heading off to a local restaurant which had a wonderful ambience. More herrings and fish stew for me.
9th June
The 3 Ladies decided to swim this morning, so I valiantly went along to hold towels and to give encouragement. With a water temperature of around 14 degrees the encouragement was much needed and deserved but all of them swam and even managed a smile in the process. After breakfast we had a rather cold and windy run to SANDHAMN, but it’s not difficult to find a sheltered spot on the deck of Sweet Hope or to enjoy the view from the bridge and to learn about the boat, the systems and changes that Mika has made and the fact that he seems to have every facet of the boats operation on his mobile phone! It appears that he’s something of a tech genius as well as a superb boat handler and skipper!
Sandhamn is quite a large settlement with lots of ferry activity between the Islands. After an excellent lunch, we all took a walk of around 2 ½ miles across the Island to an attractive little beach with lichen covered boulders, rounded smooth by distant ice age glaciers. We enjoyed coffee and cakes at the main settlement, on the way back to the boat.
10th June
We were planning on visiting a castle on the Island opposite Sandhamn this morning but the marina staff were fussing about a pump that was to be replaced and it was apparently under our keel so we all agreed on an early departure to MÖJA. There was a small distraction when a helicopter landed on the pontoon opposite with barely a metre either side of his landing gear. There was a chance one of his passengers might step out into the water so we hung on to see what would happen, but they were clearly far too cool for that so off we went into a grey and choppy sea. Lots of glorious scenery and narrow channels on the way, exciting despite the grey weather and Mika found us a most secluded and calm anchorage with no other boat or building in sight. We headed on shore to view the lovely local church, walked the pathways across the Island, ate an ice cream and watched the local ferry come and go in what seemed like seconds and shopped at the local Coop. Smoked salmon for dinner and a special and really good dessert wine whilst enjoying the most amazing of sunsets. We find we are sleeping well on Sweet Hope which may be the glorious surroundings and tranquillity but may also be the great wines we are having with dinner.
11th June
We woke to absolute tranquillity in Möja in this most glorious setting and also with lovely weather. Judith and Anne both swam once again before a very welcome breakfast. Judith and I then took out the 3-man jet ski which was just the best way to explore the area (made easy as it had an excellent Garmin plotter on board). Andrew took Jennifer and his folks in the rib/tender and similarly went off exploring. We had a lunch of mushroom pie, the mushrooms picked back in Finland by our hosts and quite stunningly cooked and presented by Katri. A little drama as we prepared to leave as the anchor had found a whole host of old fishing lines on the bottom, some of them with lead innards. It took Katri a good 45 minutes to hack away at these as the anchor was raised a few metres at a time to allow her to do this. The lady who had just been deftly using her knives in the kitchen was an absolute warrior in getting us free of this tangle and on our way to an anchorage off the Island of Kyrkogårdsö.
12th June
Judith actually stayed in the water quite a long time this morning and told us the water was much warmer, probably because it was only about 2 metres deep. Anne also swam. After breakfast Mika took us all to a structure on the Island, (Siaröforten), built during the First World War as a fort capable of housing up to 500 people plus heavy artillery, all to guard this strategic approach to Stockholm. The architects of this project extended the shape of the boulders on the surface to disguise the amazing space blasted underneath the ground. It was only completed after the war, but advances in military technology meant it soon became outdated and it was never used in anger.
What was thoroughly up to date on the Island was the restaurant which served wonderful herrings and also meat balls, eaten al fresco in lovely weather and good company. We left the anchorage early afternoon and headed for FURUSUND.
At Furusund we berthed at the marina there which was quite buzzy and there was also a hen party on the boat next to us. We all headed off to the bar and enjoyed cocktails, Jennifer kindly giving up her Aperol Spritzer for my ‘Hugo’ choice. We returned to the boat for dinner and Katri barbecued pork on the stern deck which we had with lots of vegetables and for dessert there was a home-made biscuit filled with strawberry compote and mascarpone cheese. Wonderful! We marveled at the monstrous cruise ships (at least 6) that came down the channel that evening. The party next door meanwhile livened up to the point where one of the ladies took off her dress on the bow and jumped into the water, dangerously close to the stern of another boat and the concrete dock.
13th June
We went exploring after breakfast this morning. We took the very pleasant walk through the woods to a viewpoint at the other side of the Island and then returned to visit the windmill overlooking the harbour. A beautifully restored building that we understand was capable of revolving to catch the wind. We had coffee in the lovely surroundings of the local hotel before walking to see the waterside home of Astrid Lindgren, author of Pippi Longstocking.
We headed off mid-morning to VAXHOLM, a journey of about 2 ½ hours so had lunch en route of watermelon and feta cheese salad followed by char (fish). The journey was relaxed and we all spent some time on the bridge chatting to Mika and learning more about the boat, it’s technology and how he monitors and controls all elements of the boat via apps on his phone, many of which he has developed.
We berthed alongside in Vaxholm with the help of 2 Helly Hansen clad berth attendants. The marina was busy and there were lots of ferry boats and private boats milling around in the harbour outside. The town and restaurants/bars around the marina were quite buzzy although somewhat spoilt by lots of roadworks around the marina itself. We went exploring around the town before returning to a bar on the front for drinks and to enjoy the atmosphere. Last supper tonight and a first for us all (with the possible exception of Jennifer) reindeer on the menu. It was cooked medium rare and was extremely tasty and tender. We had a delicious dessert which involved a cheese, not unlike halloumi. Katri also served a rare Finnish ice wine which was delicious and such a lovely end to the meal and almost, the trip. Mika and Katri joined us for drinks and chat, at the end of the meal.
14th June
Our last day. After breakfast at 9 we all packed our suitcases, Mika performed magic in the tight harbour space and we headed off in the direction of Stockholm. We arrived to drizzle at around noon. The others were to stay in Stockholm for a few days, Jennifer was to go North to see her Mum and we were to head to the airport for our flight to Palma, Majorca. We said our fond farewells to Mika and Katri on the harbour, the taxi dropped of the others at their hotel and we headed to the airport.
A wonderful week, some great experiences and I think we would all say that the holiday exceeded our expectations.
