Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll meet your tour leader and fellow travelers at the hotel in Amsterdam. From there, head out to the Dutch countryside to check out a local cheese farm and clog factory, where you'll learn about traditional Dutch crafts. Later in the evening, you'll take a canal cruise through Amsterdam before sitting down for a welcome dinner in the city.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner in Amsterdam)
Included Activities
- Visit a local Dutch cheese farm and clog factory
- Cruise along Amsterdam's iconic canals
- Welcome dinner in Amsterdam
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to see iconic Dutch windmills and waters
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam Canals - Day 2
Amsterdam to Hamburg
After leaving Amsterdam, travel through the Dutch and German countryside toward Hamburg. This afternoon you'll have free time to walk through Hamburg's Christmas markets around Town Hall Square, sampling traditional glühwein. Then continue on to your accommodation in Northern Germany.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Feel the festive atmosphere at Hamburg's Christmas market
Landmarks/POIs Hamburg Town Hall Square - Day 3
Copenhagen
The coach heads into Scandinavia as you cross the Øresund Bridge, Europe's longest, on your way to Copenhagen. Once you check in, your tour leader will take you on an orientation tour covering highlights like the Little Mermaid statue and Rosenborg Castle. You'll have free time after that to wander through Christmas markets and see the festive decorations throughout the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tour Copenhagen highlights with tour leader
- Orientation tour of Copenhagen
Optional Activities
- Explore Copenhagen's Christmas markets during free time
Landmarks/POIs The Little Mermaid Rosenborg Castle Øresund Bridge - Day 4
Copenhagen to Oslo
Start early heading to the port town of Helsingør and take a ferry to Sweden, with views of Kronborg Castle along the way. The journey continues from Helsingborg to Gothenburg, where you'll do an orientation drive with your tour leader. Then you'll cross into Norway and head to Oslo, with your evening free to explore the city at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cruise from Helsingør to Helsingborg by ferry
- Scenic drive through Swedish countryside
- Visit Gothenburg; Sweden's second city
Landmarks/POIs Kronborg Castle Gothenburg - Day 5
Oslo
A local expert will guide you through Oslo's key sights, including Akershus Castle, the Royal Palace, and the Oslo Opera House. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you like, exploring the city's architecture and festive atmosphere. If you're interested, there's an optional excursion to the Vigeland Sculpture Park and Fram Museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- See the highlights of Oslo with a local guide
Optional Activities
- Optional Oslo+ excursion to visit Vigeland Sculpture Park
- Optional excursion to visit Fram Museum
- Leisure time to explore Oslo and try Norwegian salmon for lunch or dinner
Landmarks/POIs Akershus Castle Royal Palace Oslo Opera House Vigeland Sculpture Park Fram Museum - Day 6
Oslo to Stockholm
Head back to Sweden this morning, taking in majestic natural scenery and diverse landscapes along the way. You'll stop in Örebro for free time to walk through the historic centre, check out the castle, and grab lunch before continuing to Stockholm. You'll arrive in Sweden's capital and have an included dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner in Stockholm)
Included Activities
- Visit Örebro in the heart of Sweden
- Dinner in Stockholm
Landmarks/POIs Örebro Castle - Day 7
Stockholm
A local guide will take you through Stockholm, visiting the Royal Palace, the AF Chapman Ship, and the historic Gamla Stan district. The rest of the day is yours, so you can find Christmas markets with local treats or join an optional excursion to learn about Sweden's nautical and royal history at the Vasa Museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tour Stockholm with local guide - Royal Palace, AF Chapman Ship, Gamla Stan
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to Vasa Museum to learn about nautical and royal history
- Free time to explore Christmas markets and try local cuisine
Landmarks/POIs Royal Palace AF Chapman Ship Gamla Stan Vasa Museum - Day 8
Sigtuna to Helsinki
Travel to Sigtuna, Sweden's oldest town, for an orientation tour of its top sights including Stora Gatan, the main street. After exploring during free time, you'll head to the port and board an overnight ferry to Helsinki. You'll have a Christmas Eve buffet on board while taking in views from the water, then wake up in Helsinki for Christmas morning.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Christmas Eve buffet on the ferry)
Included Activities
- Visit Sigtuna; Sweden's oldest town
- Catch an overnight ferry to Finland
- Christmas Eve buffet dinner on the ferry
Landmarks/POIs Stora Gatan - Day 9
Helsinki
You'll wake up on Christmas Day in Helsinki. A local guide will show you the city's beautiful architecture and unique design, including the Helsinki Cathedral and Senate Square. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring festive decorations and Christmas markets. Tonight brings a memorable festive Christmas dinner with the group.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Festive Christmas group dinner in Helsinki)
Included Activities
- Discover the highlights of Helsinki with a local guide
- Festive Christmas group dinner in Helsinki
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Helsinki's Christmas markets and festive decorations
Landmarks/POIs Helsinki Cathedral Senate Square - Day 10
Helsinki to Tallinn
Transfer to the port and board a ferry to Tallinn, Estonia, crossing the Gulf of Finland. After checking in to your hotel, meet a local guide for a walking tour through the medieval city and its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town. You can explore on your own or join an optional excursion for a festive dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Included transfer to the port
- Helsinki to Tallinn ferry crossing
- Walking tour of Tallinn with a local guide
Optional Activities
- Optional festive dinner at a local restaurant in Tallinn
Landmarks/POIs Tallinn Old Town - Day 11
Tallinn to Riga
Leave Estonia for Latvia as the coach heads to Riga. Along the way, you'll stop in Pärnu, an Estonian resort city, and visit the Latvian Military Cemetery to learn about tragic Latvian history and WWI soldiers. Arrive in Riga and experience the lively Baltic city with its impressive Art Nouveau architecture. Your tour leader will take you on an orientation tour, pointing out landmarks like the central market.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightsee in Pärnu; a resort city in Estonia
- Learn about Latvian history at the Latvian War Cemetery
- See Riga on an orientation tour
Landmarks/POIs Latvian Military Cemetery Riga Central Market - Day 12
Riga to Vilnius
Head to Lithuania today. Stop at the Hill of Crosses in northern Lithuania, a famous pilgrimage site with over 100,000 crosses dating back to 1831. Continue to Vilnius, Lithuania's capital, where your tour leader will give you an orientation tour. You'll have free time to explore the city, especially Užupis, a self-proclaimed artists' republic with vibrant art districts. Later, enjoy an included local dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Included local dinner)
Included Activities
- See the Hill of Crosses; Lithuania
- Explore Vilnius on an orientation tour
- Included local dinner in Vilnius
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Užupis artists' republic and other neighbourhoods
Landmarks/POIs Hill of Crosses Užupis - Day 13
Vilnius to Warsaw
Leave Vilnius this morning for Warsaw, Poland. Stop at Trakai Historical National Park to see the impressive 14th-century castle located in the centre of Lake Galvė. Continue to Warsaw, Poland's capital and culture hub, where your tour leader will show you around. Check in to your hotel and have an included group dinner before resting up for exploring the Old Town tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Included group dinner at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Marvel at the scenery in Trakai National Park
- See Warsaw's highlights on a driving tour
- Included group dinner at the hotel
Landmarks/POIs Trakai Castle - Day 14
Warsaw
Start with a guided tour of Warsaw's Old Town, which dates back to the 13th century. You'll see the Old Town square, the Royal Castle, and the Presidential Palace. Spend the rest of the day as you wish, discovering museums like the Chopin Museum or the Museum of the History of Polish Jews. There are optional excursions available to try traditional Pierogi, visit the Royal Castle, or learn about Chopin's musical legacy.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Warsaw's Old Town with a local guide
Optional Activities
- Visit Chopin Museum
- Visit Museum of the History of Polish Jews
- Visit National Museum
- Optional excursion to experience Pierogi, Royal Castle, or Chopin's musical legacy
Landmarks/POIs Warsaw Old Town Square Royal Castle Presidential Palace Chopin Museum Museum of the History of Polish Jews National Museum - Day 15
Warsaw to Berlin
It's New Year's Eve, and you're heading west to Berlin for the celebration. First, stop in Poznań, Poland for free time to have lunch and explore the historic old town where Polish kings were crowned. Cross into Germany and arrive in Berlin. Your tour leader will take you on a driving and walking tour past the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie. Check in to your hotel and have dinner at a Bavarian beer hall, ready to ring in the new year.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at a Bavarian beer hall)
Included Activities
- Explore Old Market Square in Poznań
- See iconic sights on a walking and driving tour of Berlin
- Celebrate New Year's Eve in Berlin
- Dinner at a Bavarian beer hall
Landmarks/POIs Old Market Square Poznań Brandenburg Gate Checkpoint Charlie - Day 16
Berlin
You're waking up in Berlin on New Year's Day. The day is yours to spend however you like, whether that's exploring the city solo or joining an optional excursion. The optional Berlin+ tour takes you to popular attractions including the Eastside open-air gallery along the Berlin Wall and the old Jewish Quarter with its museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional New Year's Berlin+ tour including Eastside Gallery along Berlin Wall
- Optional visit to old Jewish Quarter and museum
- Free time to explore Berlin solo or embark on a hike
Landmarks/POIs Eastside Gallery Berlin Wall Memorial - Day 17
Berlin to Amsterdam
Say goodbye to Berlin this morning as the tour heads back to the Netherlands. Sit back and relax on the coach as you pass through scenic areas and landscapes on your way back. Arrive in Amsterdam later today and check in to your final hotel. The evening is free for you to do what you like, and there's an optional farewell dinner available if you'd like to celebrate with your travel group.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional farewell dinner with the group in Amsterdam
- Day 18
Amsterdam
Your 18 days of festive travel come to an end. You'll have a final group breakfast and exchange contact information with your new friends to stay in touch. The tour concludes, and you'll leave with great memories and new friendships made along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Final group breakfast
