Northern Explorer Christmas & New Year

Cheese and clogs demonstration: See how these famous shoes are traditionally made by hand, and taste a variety of fantastic Dutch cheese. Purchase some unique and authentic Dutch souvenirs during the visit!

Amsterdam canal cruise: Sail along Amsterdam's stunning canals at twilight and admire the top attractions along the waterside as you go. This is the perfect introduction to Amsterdam, as you take in the city's well-known and iconic sights from the water.

Welcome dinner: Celebrate the first night of the tour with a welcome dinner at a restaurant in the centre of town. This is the perfect opportunity to get to know more about your fellow travellers.

Cross the border into Scandinavia and travel towards Copenhagen this morning. Drive through forested Denmark and cross over Øresund Bridge - Europe's longest bridge! Today’s final destination is Denmark’s capital city, Copenhagen. Arrive and check into the hotel for the evening. Then, embark on an orientation tour with your tour leader. See highlights like the Little Mermaid statue and Rosenborg Castle and discover what makes Copenhagen one of the world’s most liveable cities! Afterwards, enjoy some free time to wander around Copenhagen’s beautiful Christmas market. Marvel at the twinkling lights, pay Santa a visit and indulge in delicious local festive treats.

Orientation tour of Copenhagen: Join your tour leader on an orientation tour of the Danish capital, Copenhagen which is colourful, charming and the definition of “Scandi Cool”. Tour the city and see top sights including the impressive Frederick's Church (popularly known as the Marble Church), Rosenborg Castle, Copenhagen Town Hall, and the bronze Little Mermaid statue.

Ferry trip from Helsingør to Helsingborg, Sweden: Hop aboard a ferry for a short trip across the Øresund (“The Sound”) to Helsingborg in Sweden. Admire the views of Kronborg Castle on the Danish side of the bay as your cruise! 

Scenic drive through the Swedish countryside: Admire the views of Sweden’s beautiful rural scenery during a drive from Helsingborg to Gothenburg. 

Visit Gothenburg: Enjoy a visit to Gothenburg. This is Sweden’s second-largest city and is well-known for its rich heritage, historical sites and for being the birthplace of Volvo cars!

Bid Norwayadjøthis morning as the coach heads back to Sweden. En route, marvel at the majestic natural scenery and diverse landscapes before arriving in Örebro. Enjoy some free time to stroll through the stunning historic centre, spot the captivating castle and find a lunch spot before the journey continues. Next stop is Sigtuna, the oldest town in Sweden! Set off on an orientation tour of Stigtuna's top sights, such as Stora Gatan, the main street of Sigtuna. Then, enjoy some free time. Later, arrive in the capital of Sweden, Stockholm! Meet up with a local guide for an exciting driving and walking tour. Sit down for an included dinner tonight in this historic yet contemporary city.Visit Örebro in the heart of SwedenVisit Sigtuna; Sweden’s oldest townExplore Stockholm with a local guideEnjoy dinner in Stockholm

Make the most of your last morning in Stockholm. After breakfast, travel to the city centre and soak up the city sights, do some shopping or enjoy a leisurely lunch. This afternoon, say goodbye to Stockholm and get ready for the journey to the tour’s next country - Finland! Hop aboard an overnight ferry and spend Christmas Eve tucking into a delicious buffet as you soak up the stunning vistas from the water. Wake up in Finland's capital of Helsinki tomorrow for a magical Christmas Morning!Catch an overnight ferry to Finland

Guided tour of Helsinki: Discover the highlights of Helsinki with a local guide. Visit the Havis Amanda, the famous Art Nouveau fountain features a lady in the nude. It is said to symbolise the birth of the city of Helsinki. Also explore the famous Senate Square and its buildings, a beautiful example of neoclassical architecture. In the city’s historic centre, visit Helsinki Cathedral - Finland's most photographed building and yet another neoclassical marvel. Set foot in Uspenski Cathedral, the largest orthodox church in Western Europe. Finish with a walk through Kauppatori Market, the ideal place to pick up some keepsakes and well-priced Finnish crafts.

Christmas dinner in Helsinki: Sit down for a traditional festive dinner with the group on Christmas Day in Helsinki! Join the group for what promises to be a memorable evening full of delicious food and festive memories!

Today, leave the fabulous Finland behind; it's time to explore the beautiful Baltic States! After an included transfer to the port, board the ferry to Tallinn in Estonia. Arrive in Tallinn after crossing the Gulf of Finland and get ready to explore this fairytale Estonian capital. After hotel transfer and check-in, meet up with a local guide for a tour of the city! The medieval influence in contrast with contemporary architecture makes for one of the most captivating cities in Europe. Tallinn's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is filled with history to explore. Why not join tonight’s optional excursion for a delicious, festive meal at a local restaurant?Helsinki to Tallinn ferry crossingEnjoy a walking tour of Tallinn with a local guide

It's time to leave Estonia behind and travel to a new country - Latvia! Travel towards Riga, Latvia’s capital city. On the way, stop over in Pärnu in Estonia. Then, learn about a piece of tragic Latvian history at the Latvian Military Cemetery, dedicated to the soldiers who fought in WWI. Later, get ready to encounter all that the vibrant Baltic city of Riga has to offer! Drink in the buzzing atmosphere and energy of its citizens and admire its incredible Art Nouveau architecture. Embark on an orientation tour of Riga with your tour leader to seek out the city's most famous sights and landmarks such as its massive central market.

Visit Pärnu: Enjoy a stop in the resort city of Pärnu in southwestern Estonia. Pärnu is a seaside city overlooking Pärnu Bay and is renowned for its street art, colourful houses and scenic beach.

Latvian Military Cemetery: Also known as the Brothers' Cemetery or Cemetery of the Brethren. This national monument commemorates the sacrifice of 2,000+ Latvian soldiers who gave their lives for their country during 1915 - 1920, fighting in World War I and the Latvian War of Independence.

Orientation tour of Riga: See the top sights of Riga, Latvia’s capital city, with your tour leader. Riga is a cultural hub that is home to destinations such as the House of the Black Heads, Freedom Monument and a captivating medieval Old Town. Admire Riga’s wooden buildings alongside the Art Nouveau architecture.

Visit the Hill of Crosses: On our way to Vilnius, make a stop at the Hill of Crosses, an astounding site of pilgrimage. Containing more than 100,000 crosses, they were first placed here back in 1831 by the relatives of those who fell during the local rebellion.

Enjoy an orientation tour of Vilnius: Take a tour around the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vilnius, which offers centuries of history, a medieval Old Town and Baroque architecture to explore. Our sightseeing tour will include attractions such as the Vilnius Town Hall, the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Adam Mickiewicz statue and Vilnius Cathedral. Cross the river into the Užupio Respublika, a Bohemian neighbourhood of Vilnius and self-proclaimed republic, with its own constitution and an army comprising of 11 men.

Visit Trakai National Park: Make a stop at Trakai National Park, Europe's only historic national park. It is home to beautiful monuments, lakes and forests with the crowning jewel being Trakai Island Castle, located in the centre of a beautiful lake.  

Warsaw driving tour: Glimpse some of Warsaw’s most iconic sights on a driving tour of the historic city! Warsaw’s top sights include The National Museum in Warsaw, the Palace of Culture and Science, Piłsudski Square and the Warsaw Uprising Museum.

Start this morning with a locally guided tour of the charming Old Town, the very heartbeat of Warsaw. Visit the market square, dating back to the 13th century, and marvel at the Royal Castle and the Presidential Palace. Next, spend the rest of the day in Warsaw as you wish! You could meander to one of the many museums that showcase the city's rich history, such as the Chopin Museum or the Museum of the History of Polish Jews. The National Museum's collection will also undoubtedly impress! To experience many of the city’s highlights such as delicious Pierogi and the stunning Lazienki Park, join the Highlights of Warsaw optional excursion.Explore Warsaw’s Old Town with a local guide

Spend the last day of the year heading west to Berlin with a stopover in Ponzań, Poland. Take some free time to grab lunch in the historic old town of the coronation city of the early Polish kings. Continue on to Germany and bustling Berlin! Take an insightful driving and walking tour through the city upon arrival and see famous sights like the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie. Settle in at the hotel and get ready for dinner at a Bavarian-style beer hall in the city centre. Tonight it’s time to ring in the new year, German style!

Visit Poznań: Enjoy free time to sample some delicious Polish cuisine and explore the Old Market Square in Poznań. Faithfully reconstructed following the Second World War, this beautiful square is home to many of the city’s most famous landmarks and monuments, including the Town Hall, colourful townhouses and the Pranger, a 16th-century punishment device. Did you know that Poznań was once used as the coronation city of the early Polish kings?

Walking and driving tour: Enjoy a walking and driving tour of this vibrant city with your tour leader. Learn more about the city’s history and see top sights, including the Berlin Wall, Alexanderplatz, Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Reichstag. Take a note of those you want to explore further on your free day tomorrow!

Celebrate New Year in Berlin: Ring in the New Year in a Bavarian-style beer hall! Join the group and celebrate the start of a whole new year in a totally unique way! Enjoy dinner and drinks - make sure to try out some traditional German food like sauerkraut and bratwurst. Don't forget to try a pint of German beer if you’d like! Say Prost and celebrate!

Say Auf Wiedersehen to Berlin as the tour leaves Germany for the long trip back to the Netherlands. Enjoy the scenery as the coach travels through various landscapes. Later, arrive back in Amsterdam. After checking in to the hotel for the final time, choose to celebrate the last night of this magical and festive tour with an optional group dinner featuring delicious Dutch pancakes in a beautiful setting with all your travel friends around you.