Northern Explorer Christmas & New Year

Welcome to Amsterdam! Begin your festive adventure with a trip to the Dutch countryside where you'll learn about the crafting of Dutch cheese and clogs. In the evening, embark on a picturesque canal cruise and soak in the city's charm from the water. Enjoy a welcome dinner and explore Amsterdam's festive atmosphere after dark.

Bid farewell to Amsterdam and journey to Hamburg. Enjoy the scenic drive through the Netherlands and North-Western Germany. Upon arrival in Hamburg, explore the city's glorious Christmas markets and immerse yourself in the German Christmas spirit. After a few hours in Hamburg, head north to your hotel for the night.

Cross the border into Scandinavia and travel towards Copenhagen. Drive through forested Denmark and cross over Europe's longest bridge, the Øresund Bridge. Upon arrival in Copenhagen, embark on an orientation tour and discover what makes it one of the world's most liveable cities. Enjoy some free time to wander around Copenhagen's beautiful Christmas market.

Bid farewell to Copenhagen and embark on a journey that takes you through three countries in a day. Start with a ferry ride to Helsingør, where you can enjoy views of Kronborg Castle. Once in Sweden, travel through beautiful rural scenery towards Gothenburg. After an orientation tour, continue your journey to Oslo, Norway's capital city. Spend the evening exploring the city's stunning scenery, cultural attractions, and unique architecture.

Start your day with a locally guided tour of Oslo. Discover the city's top attractions such as Akershus Castle, the Royal Palace, and the Oslo Opera House. After the city tour, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Explore more of this captivating Scandinavian city, admire its architecture, and savor the festive atmosphere. Don't miss out on tasting some local cuisine!

Leave Norway behind and return to Sweden. Travel through the city of Karlstad, located on the shores of Lake Vänern, before stopping in Örebro for some free time. Continue your journey to Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. Upon arrival, enjoy a walking and driving tour with a local guide. End your day with a group dinner in this incredible city.

Enjoy a full day to explore Stockholm at your own pace. Opt for a visit to the fascinating Vasa Museum and a sightseeing cruise around Stockholm's inner archipelago. Alternatively, soak up the history in Gamla Stan or stroll through one of the city's many outdoor spaces. Don't forget to try the local cuisine at one of the city's Christmas markets!

Travel to Sigtuna, Sweden's oldest town. After an orientation tour, enjoy some free time to explore. In the afternoon, board an overnight ferry to Finland. Enjoy a buffet dinner on board and spend Christmas Eve admiring the views from the water. Wake up in Helsinki, Finland's capital city, on Christmas Morning!

Merry Christmas! Spend a festive Christmas Day in Helsinki. After a city tour with a local guide, enjoy the afternoon at your leisure. Experience the Finnish Christmas spirit as you wander around the city, admire the creative Christmas decorations, or visit a local Christmas market. In the evening, enjoy a memorable festive dinner with the group.

Bid farewell to Finland and head to the Baltic States. Take a ferry to Tallinn, Estonia's magical capital. Upon arrival, explore the city's highlights with a local guide. Tallinn's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers intriguing history and is a shopper's paradise. See top attractions such as Town Hall Square, St Olav's Church, and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

Leave Estonia behind and travel to Latvia. Stop over in Pärnu, Estonia, before learning about a piece of tragic Latvian history at the Latvian Military Cemetery. Arrive in Riga, Latvia's capital city, and embark on an orientation tour. Admire its incredible Art Nouveau architecture and soak in the buzzing atmosphere.

Travel to Lithuania and make your first stop at the Hill of Crosses, a famous pilgrimage site. Continue your journey to Vilnius, Lithuania's capital city. After a brief orientation tour, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Explore the city's castles, cathedrals, churches, and artist ghettos.

Leave Vilnius and travel towards Warsaw in Poland. Stopover at Trakai Historical National Park and capture unforgettable photos of Trakai Castle. Continue your journey to Warsaw, Poland's cultural hub. Upon arrival, enjoy a driving tour en route to Warsaw and check into your hotel for the night.

Explore Warsaw's charming Old Town with a local guide. See the market square, admire the Royal Castle, the Presidential Palace, and more. After the walking tour, enjoy a free day in Warsaw. Visit the city's epic museums, wander around the Chopin Museum or the Museum of the History of Polish Jews, or marvel at the extensive collections of the National Museum.

Travel west to Berlin with a stopover in Poznań, Poland. Enjoy some free time in the historic old town before continuing to Germany. Upon arrival in Berlin, take an after-dark driving tour and see famous sights like the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie. Settle in at the hotel and get ready for a New Year's Eve dinner at a Bavarian-style beer hall in the city centre.

Wake up to a brand-new year in the heart of Berlin. Spend the day exploring the city at your own pace or join an optional guided tour. Discover Berlin's most sought-after visitor destinations, check out the Eastside open-air gallery along the Berlin Wall, and visit the exceptional museum in the old Jewish quarter.

Say goodbye to Berlin as you leave Germany for the long trip back to the Netherlands. Enjoy the scenery as you travel through various landscapes. Arrive back in Amsterdam and check into your hotel for the final time. Celebrate the last night of this magical and festive tour with an optional group dinner.

After an incredible 18 festive-filled days, your Northern Explorer Christmas & New Year tour comes to an end after breakfast. Exchange contact details with your new tour mates to share photos and memories after returning home. We hope to see you back aboard an Expat Explore coach soon!