Begin your day with a hotel breakfast before setting out to discover the Danish capital on a private walking tour.
Strolling through the ambience of Copenhagen’s Old Town, you’ll cross to the island of Slotsholmen to the grounds of Christiansborg – home of the Danish Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Supreme Court and the King’s working palace – with the peaceful hidden gardens of the Royal Library tucked just behind. Make your way to the colourful waterfront of Nyhavn, where a row of historic townhouses lines the harbour. Soak up the nautical atmosphere and pass by the former home of beloved fairy tale author Hans Christian Andersen, who once lived along this famous canal.
The tour continues to the royal residence of Amalienborg, where you’ll see the uniformed palace guards and admire the impressive Marble Church rising above the rooftops. Along the way, you’ll browse charming Christmas markets, learn about Danish holidays and stop in for a hot cup of gløgg (traditional hot spiced wine).
In the evening, visit Tivoli Gardens Amusement Park, the second-oldest amusement park in the world and a bastion of Christmas cheer.
Savour another hotel breakfast before checking out and transferring as a group to the station to board the train to Stockholm.
Settle into first class for a scenic journey between two of Scandinavia’s most celebrated capitals. As the train glides out of Copenhagen, look out for the unbelievable Øresund Bridge – an impressive feat of engineering that connects Denmark and Sweden – before the landscape opens up into the rolling Swedish countryside.
Upon arrival in Stockholm, you will travel to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free to explore at your own pace – whether that means venturing out from Hotel Rival on the trendy island of Södermalm or staying in for a cosy night of calm.
Travel time: Train – approx. six hours
Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel before enjoying a day in this beautiful capital at your leisure. A full day of exploration will allow you to appreciate Stockholm’s nearly 800-year history, in combination with its wonderfully vibrant festive atmosphere.
Make your way to Stockholm’s charming Old Town, where medieval cobblestone lanes and colourful historic buildings set a magical backdrop for the city’s beloved Christmas markets. Weave your way through stalls adorned with twinkling lights, browsing handcrafted gifts, traditional Swedish ornaments and seasonal treats. Alternatively, check out the ABBA Museum or visit hidden gems such as the street at Snosatra.
Your day includes a lunch of traditional Swedish meatballs – the perfect chance to get a taste for what makes this country an underestimated European gem.
Another full day in Stockholm awaits after breakfast, ahead of an overnight ferry to Estonia.
December in Stockholm is a magical time – the city is steeped in Christmas spirit, with decorations in the shape of reindeer, angels and mistletoe throughout the streets. A tour of the city’s cheer will see you walking through Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s old town, accompanied with a private guide; the Christmas market here is the oldest in Sweden and has more than 40 stalls. Along the way, enjoy another cup of gløgg and learn more about Sweden’s December traditions.
Continue the celebrations with a private candycane making workshop. Not many know that the polkagris – the original candycane – is a Swedish invention, created in the 18th century by Amalia Eriksson, a woman who originally made them as a curative for her sick daughter. Today it’s an enduring symbol of Christmas that is sold throughout the world. Bake your own and feast on your creations.
In the evening, head to Stockholm Värtahamnen Terminal and board your vessel with the Tallink Silja Line for an overnight ferry to Tallinn. As you explore the onboard facilities – including a nightclub, bars, restaurants, sauna and spa – you’ll pass through the Stockholm archipelago and out into the Baltic Sea.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 15 minutes; Ferry – approx. 16 hours
This morning, enjoy an onboard breakfast before arriving in Tallinn by approximately 11am. Upon disembarkation, transfer to your hotel to drop off your luggage before embarking on a guided Christmas tour.
After a brief introduction to Estonian history, admire the striking onion domes of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral before passing the stately Houses of the Estonian Parliament and the ancient Dome Church. Climb to the top of Toompea Hill for panoramic views across the Lower Town’s terracotta rooftops and the glittering winter cityscape below.
The tour continues down into the Lower Old Town, past the Gothic architecture of Town Hall Square, the centuries-old Town Council Pharmacy (originally built in 1422), and at the heart of it all, Tallinn’s celebrated Christmas market. Beneath the world’s oldest public Christmas tree, warm up with a cup of mulled wine as you browse the stalls and soak up the magic of this truly special setting.
The festive spirit continues with a private guided gingerbread decorating workshop. This experience is reserved exclusively for your group, making it a wonderfully personal and memorable experience.
Today is yours to explore Tallinn at your own pace – and with so much festive magic about, there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of this medieval city.
Begin with breakfast at the hotel before heading back into the Old Town, where the Christmas market is best enjoyed as the frost burns off in the crisp morning air. Browse the charming stalls for traditional Estonian handicrafts and treat yourself to a freshly baked pastry or a warming cup of glögg.
From there, make your way to the Old Town’s beloved ice skating rink, where you can glide beneath the glow of festive lights in the shadow of St. Nicholas’ Church.
As evening falls, find a warm corner at one of the Old Town’s atmospheric restaurants or wine bars and raise a glass to one of the most magical Christmas destinations in all of Europe.
After another hearty hotel breakfast, make your way to the port to board your ferry to Helsinki.
Upon arrival, embark on a private walking tour through the streets of one of Europe’s most compact capitals – a city perfectly suited to exploring on foot.
Your first stop is the magnificent Senate Square, where the striking white Lutheran Cathedral rises above a neoclassical neighbourhood. During December it becomes the centre of the city’s incredible Christmas Market, or ‘Tuomaan Markkinat’ in Finnish – a wonderful chance to eat gingerbread and drink glögi, Finland’s take on the mulled drink. The tour continues through the elegant Esplanade Park, where bright Christmas lights illuminate the city’s heart, past the grand Helsinki Central Station and on to Kansalaistori Square before heading into the leafy Töölö district.
The highlight of the afternoon is a visit to the famous Oodi Library and extraordinary Rock Church – the Temppeliaukio Kirkko – Helsinki’s most visited landmark, hewn directly into solid bedrock, unlike any other place of worship. The return journey to the city centre is made in style aboard a classic Helsinki tram, offering sweeping views of the city’s beautiful Art Nouveau and diplomatic districts along the way.
Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure with dinner at the hotel’s Restaurant Haven, or branch out into the streets of Helsinki.
After breakfast, make your way to Helsinki Airport (HEL) for your onward flight to Basel – one of Europe’s most festive cities – featuring one of the largest and most beautiful Christmas markets in Switzerland.
On landing, transfer independently to the Radisson Blu in central Basel, your base for the next two nights. The hotel sits on the banks of the Rhine in the heart of the city, well placed for an evening stroll before you settle in.
Inside, an indoor pool with a retro 1970s aesthetic, a sauna and a 24-hour fitness centre offer somewhere to unwind after the day’s travel. The onsite REIN Bar & Restaurant serves Swiss cuisine built around local produce, with regional wines to match.
Spend the day in Basel at your own pace. Sitting at the meeting point of Switzerland, France and Germany, the city is regarded as Switzerland’s cultural capital, home to a wealth of museums and the renowned Art Basel fair held here each year.
The medieval Old Town invites unhurried wandering, with the Rhine running through its centre and small streets fanning out from Marktplatz. Linger over coffee on a riverside terrace, browse the boutiques and bookshops, or step inside one of the city’s galleries.
Enjoy another day in Basel at your own pace. Wander back through the Old Town, revisit a favourite cafe or pick up a memento before checking out of the hotel.
In the early afternoon, make your way to the Rhine to board the Trafalgar Verity as the river chapter of your journey gets underway.
The Trafalgar Verity carries just 128 guests across three decks, with elegant blue-and-white Art Deco interiors creating a refined river cruising atmosphere. At its heart is the only working fireplace on a European river ship – a cosy gathering place as festive towns drift by outside. Onboard amenities include a massage therapist, fitness centre, main dining room and library, while your cabin’s French balcony offers uninterrupted views of the Rhine’s winter scenery.
Embarkation runs from around 2pm; settle into your cabin, meet your Experience Director and Experience Manager and find your feet on board. An evening of welcome drinks, dinner and festive cheer marks the start of your cruise.
Rhine Christmas Market Cruise aboard the Trafalgar Verity
Set out this morning with a Local Specialist to discover Basel from a fresh perspective. Your walking tour winds through riverside lanes and historic squares to the Old Town Christmas market, where festive stalls, Swiss crafts and seasonal treats sit beneath medieval church spires.
An Optional Experience takes you to Lucerne, a lakeside Swiss city surrounded by mountains. Visit landmarks like the Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument, wander through the old town’s painted facades, and browse local Swiss souvenirs (surcharges apply).
Rhine Christmas Market Cruise aboard the Trafalgar Verity
Cruise into France, arrive in Strasbourg and join a Local Specialist on a walking tour, where half-timbered houses lean over cobbled lanes and the Gothic spire of the cathedral rises above the rooftops. Alsatian history meets festive cheer at this time of year, and the city’s Christmas market – one of the oldest in Europe – fills the streets with handcrafted ornaments, regional delicacies and the scent of spiced, mulled wine.
An Optional Experience invites you further into Alsace for wine tasting at a local cellar, followed by the Christmas markets of Obernai (surcharges apply).
Rhine Christmas Market Cruise aboard the Trafalgar Verity
Dock in Speyer and choose between two included experiences.
Join a Local Specialist for a walking tour through one of Germany’s oldest cities, where the Romanesque cathedral rises above the old town and a Christmas market fills the square beneath its towers.
Alternatively, visit Doktorenhof, a family-run vinegar estate where centuries-old traditions continue in candlelit cellars. Sample artisan vinegars and learn how the estate supports local biodiversity through its sustainable practices.
In the afternoon, an Optional Experience to Heidelberg trades small-town charm for Baroque grandeur. Stroll through elegant squares, see the red-sandstone ruins of Heidelberg Castle and browse festive market stalls in the heart of the old town (surcharges apply).
Rhine Christmas Market Cruise aboard the Trafalgar Verity
The day opens in Mainz, where your Experience Director and Manager lead a guided stroll through the magical Christmas market.
Continue to Rüdesheim and join the Breuer family at their traditional weingasthaus for an intimate lunch of seasonal dishes paired with the family’s own wines. Enjoy live music and the warm hospitality that has been passed down through generations.
From there, board the Winzerexpress, a miniature train that winds past timber-framed houses and through hillside vineyards to panoramic views above the town.
The day ends at the Rüdesheim Christmas Market, where stalls brim with crafts and festive treats from across Europe beside one of Germany’s oldest churches.
Rhine Christmas Market Cruise aboard the Trafalgar Verity
Cast off from Rüdesheim this morning and sail through the scenic Middle Rhine, where castles crown the cliffs and vineyards climb the hillsides above the water. The ship docks at Koblenz, where a Local Specialist leads you through the Old Town to the Deutsches Eck, the promontory where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet.
The Christmas market unfolds across the city’s old squares, with regional treats, Glühwein and handmade gifts to browse before returning to the ship.
Rhine Christmas Market Cruise aboard the Trafalgar Verity
Founded by the Romans on the banks of the Rhine, Cologne is one of Germany’s oldest cities and one of its most festive in December. Explore the old town on a walking tour with your Experience Director and Manager, taking in the city’s twin-spired Gothic cathedral and the Christmas markets that wrap around it.
Optional Experiences let you tailor the afternoon. Visit the Michael Schumacher Private Collection for a closer look at the F1 champion’s racing career or go behind the scenes of Cologne’s Kölsch beer culture for tastings of the local brew (surcharges apply).
Rhine Christmas Market Cruise aboard the Trafalgar Verity
Your cruise docks in Düsseldorf, bringing your festive journey through Europe’s Christmas markets to a close. Enjoy breakfast on board, disembark the ship and make your own way to Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) for your onwards journey.