Discover the magic of Northern Europe over the festive season! Spend Christmas Day in Helsinki and New Year in Berlin.
Celebrate Christmas and New Year on the Northern Europe Christmas & New Year tour! Cruise canals in Amsterdam, and visit charming Christmas markets. Explore fascinating cities like Copenhagen, Helsinki, Warsaw, Tallinn, Vilnius and Riga. Spend Christmas Day in Helsinki. Top it all off by ringing in the New Year in Berlin!
Hotel in Amsterdam
Hotel in Amsterdam
17 Nights, (3 & 4 star hotels & ferry)
17 Nights
(3 & 4 star hotels & ferry)
17 Breakfasts | 1 Lunch | 6 Dinners
17 Breakfasts
1 Lunch
6 Dinners
Air-conditioned coach | Ferry
Air-conditioned coach
Ferry
Fully-guided tour
Fully-guided tour
Hotel in Amsterdam | 10:00 AM
Hotel in Amsterdam | 10:00 AM
Arrive in Amsterdam and meet up with the tour leader at the hotel this morning. Begin with a trip to a local farm and learn how Dutch cheese and clogs are crafted before enjoying a welcome lunch in Amsterdam. Afterwards, set out on a canal cruise! Then, join the optional trip to three charming Dutch towns.
See how these traditional shoes are made by hand, and taste Dutch cheese. Purchase some unique and authentic Dutch souvenirs during the visit!
See how these traditional shoes are made by hand, and taste Dutch cheese. Purchase some unique and authentic Dutch souvenirs during the visit!
Celebrate the first day on tour and get to know your fellow travellers with a welcome lunch at a restaurant in the centre of town.
Celebrate the first day on tour and get to know your fellow travellers with a welcome lunch at a restaurant in the centre of town.
Cruise through Amsterdam’s iconic canals. Enjoy a unique way of sightseeing while you admire the city’s top landmarks from its beloved waterways.
Cruise through Amsterdam’s iconic canals. Enjoy a unique way of sightseeing while you admire the city’s top landmarks from its beloved waterways.
Capture the Dutch windmills of Zaanse Schans and Volendam’s vibrance. After a scenic ferry ride, savour a delicious coastal dinner in Marken.
Capture the Dutch windmills of Zaanse Schans and Volendam’s vibrance. After a scenic ferry ride, savour a delicious coastal dinner in Marken.
Wave Amsterdam farewell and embark on a scenic countryside drive to Hamburg, Germany. At this time of year, Hamburg is filled with glorious Christmas markets. Explore the inviting stalls along the Town Hall Square. Grab a mug of glühwein, spiced hot wine, to warm your heart and body as you explore all the sights. After, head north to tonight’s hotel.
Browse the festive stalls, try German Christmas snacks and be sure to get some traditional German glühwein to keep you warm and cosy!
Browse the festive stalls, try German Christmas snacks and be sure to get some traditional German glühwein to keep you warm and cosy!
Cross the border into Scandinavia and travel towards Copenhagen, crossing over Øresund Bridge - Europe's longest bridge! Arrive in Denmark’s capital and embark on an orientation tour to 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 free time to wander around Copenhagen’s beautiful Christmas market.
Embark on an orientation tour of Copenhagen and see top sights including the impressive Frederick's Church, Rosenborg Castle, Town Hall, and the Little Mermaid statue.
Embark on an orientation tour of Copenhagen and see top sights including the impressive Frederick's Church, Rosenborg Castle, Town Hall, and the Little Mermaid statue.
Set off at dawn towards the port of Helsingør. Enjoy views of Kronborg Castle, the setting of Shakespeare's Hamlet, aboard a ferry to Sweden. Then, travel through rural Swedish scenery filled with lakes and forests towards Gothenburg, Sweden’s second city, for an orientation tour. Then, cross the border into Norway, arriving in Oslo, the capital for a free evening.
Cruise across the Øresund to Helsingborg in Sweden. Admire the views of Kronborg Castle on the Danish side of the bay!
Cruise across the Øresund to Helsingborg in Sweden. Admire the views of Kronborg Castle on the Danish side of the bay!
Admire the views of Sweden’s beautiful rural scenery during a drive from Helsingborg to Gothenburg.
Admire the views of Sweden’s beautiful rural scenery during a drive from Helsingborg to Gothenburg.
Enjoy a visit to Sweden’s second-largest city which is well-known for its rich heritage, historical sites and for being the birthplace of Volvo cars!
Enjoy a visit to Sweden’s second-largest city which is well-known for its rich heritage, historical sites and for being the birthplace of Volvo cars!
Grab breakfast before joining a locally-guided tour of Oslo! See some of Oslo’s top attractions such as Akershus Castle, the Royal Palace and the Oslo Opera House. The rest of the day is free. Get to know more about this captivating Scandinavian city on the Oslo+ optional excursion. Explore the Vigeland Sculpture Park, the Fram Museum and more!
Embark on a walking tour and gain deeper insight into Oslo’s history. Highlights include the Opera House, Parliament building, Akershus Castle and Royal Palace.
Embark on a walking tour and gain deeper insight into Oslo’s history. Highlights include the Opera House, Parliament building, Akershus Castle and Royal Palace.
Explore top Oslo sights with your tour leader! Visit Vigeland Sculpture Park, the scenic Bygdøy peninsula and the Fram and Kon Tiki museums.
Explore top Oslo sights with your tour leader! Visit Vigeland Sculpture Park, the scenic Bygdøy peninsula and the Fram and Kon Tiki museums.
Return to Sweden today. Travel through diverse landscapes to Örebro. Wander through the historic centre, admire its stunning castle and grab lunch. Next, visit Sigtuna, Sweden’s oldest town, for an orientation tour. See highlights including Stora Gatan, Sigtuna’s main street. Finally, continue to Stockholm, the capital! Enjoy a locally-guided walking and driving tour before a delicious group dinner.
This beautiful city is the sixth largest in Sweden and is steeped in history! Explore the stunning city centre and admire Örebro Castle.
This beautiful city is the sixth largest in Sweden and is steeped in history! Explore the stunning city centre and admire Örebro Castle.
Founded by King Erik the Victorious in 970 AD, Sigtuna is Sweden’s oldest town and is home to the oldest Main Street in the country.
Founded by King Erik the Victorious in 970 AD, Sigtuna is Sweden’s oldest town and is home to the oldest Main Street in the country.
Sit down for a group dinner in Stockholm and enjoy the festive atmosphere of the city!
Sit down for a group dinner in Stockholm and enjoy the festive atmosphere of the city!
Embark on a guided tour this morning before enjoying a free afternoon to explore Stockholm! Discover the Royal Palace, the AF Chapman ship and experience the history of Gamla Stan. After, the day is free to spend as you wish! Get into the Christmas spirit, do some last-minute Christmas shopping or simply soak up the festive atmosphere.
See the top sights of Sweden’s capital city including the Royal Palace, the AF Chapman ship and Gamla Stan, the city’s historic heart.
See the top sights of Sweden’s capital city including the Royal Palace, the AF Chapman ship and Gamla Stan, the city’s historic heart.
This morning, learn about Sweden’s nautical and royal history on the Royal Stockholm optional excursion, including a visit to the fascinating Vasa Museum. In the afternoon, travel towards Finland! Take an overnight ferry, enjoy a buffet dinner on board and spend Christmas Eve admiring the views from the water. Wake up in Helsinki, Finland’s capital, tomorrow, on Christmas Morning!
Travel from Stockholm to Helsinki and spend the night on the water! Hop aboard, enjoy stunning scenery and onboard entertainment. Arrive in Finland tomorrow morning.
Travel from Stockholm to Helsinki and spend the night on the water! Hop aboard, enjoy stunning scenery and onboard entertainment. Arrive in Finland tomorrow morning.
Experience Stockholm’s royal and maritime history! Marvel at the Royal Palace, the Royal Apartments and the Vasa Museum’s famed warship.
Experience Stockholm’s royal and maritime history! Marvel at the Royal Palace, the Royal Apartments and the Vasa Museum’s famed warship.
Merry Christmas or hyvää joulua! Arrive in Helsinki and set off on a city tour with a local guide. Discover the many architectural and design delights of Helsinki and see top attractions such as the Helsinki Cathedral and Senate Square. The afternoon is free to experience the Finnish Christmas spirit! This evening, look forward to a memorable festive dinner.
Visit Havis Amanda Fountain, neoclassical Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral, and Kauppatori Market for Finnish crafts and souvenirs.
Visit Havis Amanda Fountain, neoclassical Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral, and Kauppatori Market for Finnish crafts and souvenirs.
Join the group for what promises to be a memorable evening full of delicious food and festive memories in Helsinki!
Join the group for what promises to be a memorable evening full of delicious food and festive memories in Helsinki!
Bid farewell to Finland and head to the Baltic States! Board a ferry and cross the Gulf of Finland to Tallinn, Estonia’s magical capital. Explore the city’s highlights with a local guide! Tallinn is one of Europe's most enchanting cities, with an exceptionally well-preserved medieval Old Town. Tonight, choose to enjoy a festive meal at a historic restaurant.
Enjoy a comfortable cruise across the Gulf of Finland to Estonia. Take in the scenic views as the ferry makes its way to Tallinn.
Enjoy a comfortable cruise across the Gulf of Finland to Estonia. Take in the scenic views as the ferry makes its way to Tallinn.
Filled with medieval architecture, cobbled walkways and a vibrant culture, Tallinn is a photographer's dream. Highlights include St Olav's church and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
Filled with medieval architecture, cobbled walkways and a vibrant culture, Tallinn is a photographer's dream. Highlights include St Olav's church and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
Delight in a three-course meal and taste authentic Estonian food in Tallinn during the festive season.
Delight in a three-course meal and taste authentic Estonian food in Tallinn during the festive season.
Travel towards Riga, Latvia’s capital. On the way, stop over in Pärnu in Estonia. Then, learn about Latvian history at the Latvian Military Cemetery, dedicated to the soldiers who fought in WWI. Later, embark on an orientation tour of Riga to seek out the city's exquisite Art Nouveau architecture and impressive landmarks such as its massive central market.
Enjoy a stop in the resort city of Pärnu, a seaside city overlooking Pärnu Bay which is beloved for its colourful houses and scenic beach.
Enjoy a stop in the resort city of Pärnu, a seaside city overlooking Pärnu Bay which is beloved for its colourful houses and scenic beach.
Also called the Brothers' Cemetery, this national monument commemorates 2,000+ Latvian soldiers who fought in World War I and the Latvian War of Independence.
Also called the Brothers' Cemetery, this national monument commemorates 2,000+ Latvian soldiers who fought in World War I and the Latvian War of Independence.
Admire Riga’s striking Art Nouveau architecture and top sights including the Riga Dom Cathedral and the House of the Black Heads on an orientation tour.
Admire Riga’s striking Art Nouveau architecture and top sights including the Riga Dom Cathedral and the House of the Black Heads on an orientation tour.
This morning, hit the road to Lithuania. The first stop is the Hill of Crosses. This famous pilgrimage site features 100,000+ crosses, the first of which were placed here in 1831 after a local rebellion. Continue to Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital. Arrive and enjoy an orientation tour followed by free time to explore Vilnius’s cathedrals, churches, artist republics, and more!
Pilgrims have been flocking to this religious sight for centuries and today there are 200,000+ crosses, carvings and shrines.
Pilgrims have been flocking to this religious sight for centuries and today there are 200,000+ crosses, carvings and shrines.
Embark on an orientation tour of Vilnius. Learn about the city's storied history, discover Cathedral Square and marvel at the Old Town’s, UNESCO-listed Baroque architecture.
Embark on an orientation tour of Vilnius. Learn about the city's storied history, discover Cathedral Square and marvel at the Old Town’s, UNESCO-listed Baroque architecture.
Depart Vilnius and travel towards Warsaw, Poland’s capital. Along the way, stopover in Trakai. Have your cameras ready to snap unforgettable photos of Trakai Castle, a 14th-century fortress in the middle of Lake Galvė. Back on the coach, look forward to a driving tour en route to Warsaw. Arrive and check into the hotel before enjoying a group dinner.
Stop at Trakai National Park, home to lush forests with the crowning jewel being Trakai Island Castle, located in the centre of a beautiful lake.
Stop at Trakai National Park, home to lush forests with the crowning jewel being Trakai Island Castle, located in the centre of a beautiful lake.
Discover Poland’s colourful capital! Warsaw astounds with modern skyscrapers, a charming Old Town, impressive monuments and world-class museums.
Discover Poland’s colourful capital! Warsaw astounds with modern skyscrapers, a charming Old Town, impressive monuments and world-class museums.
Explore Warsaw’s charming Old Town this morning with a local guide. See the market square which dates back to the 13th century, admire the Royal Castle, the Presidential Palace and more. Afterwards, make the most of your free day in Warsaw. Join one of the exciting optional excursions on offer to experience Warsaw’s royal history, culture and cuisine!
Discover Poland’s colourful capital! Warsaw astounds with modern skyscrapers, a charming Old Town, impressive monuments and world-class museums.
Discover Poland’s colourful capital! Warsaw astounds with modern skyscrapers, a charming Old Town, impressive monuments and world-class museums.
Savour authentic pierogi at a local restaurant! Then, explore Warsaw’s 14th-century Royal Castle, rich in history and architectural splendour.
Savour authentic pierogi at a local restaurant! Then, explore Warsaw’s 14th-century Royal Castle, rich in history and architectural splendour.
Experience a Chopin concert in Warsaw’s Royal Castle, followed by a three-course Polish dinner at a cosy restaurant in the Old Town.
Experience a Chopin concert in Warsaw’s Royal Castle, followed by a three-course Polish dinner at a cosy restaurant in the Old Town.
Head west, stop in Ponzań, Poland. Grab lunch in the historic old town. Continue on to Germany and bustling Berlin! Take an insightful driving and walking tour and see famous sights like the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie. Check into the hotel and get ready to ring in the new year with dinner at a Bavarian-style beer hall!
Faithfully reconstructed following the Second World War, this beautiful square is home to the Town Hall, colourful townhouses and the Pranger, a 16th-century punishment device.
Faithfully reconstructed following the Second World War, this beautiful square is home to the Town Hall, colourful townhouses and the Pranger, a 16th-century punishment device.
Uncover this vibrant city’s turbulent past with a local guide and discover must-see sights, including Alexanderplatz, Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Wall and Reichstag.
Uncover this vibrant city’s turbulent past with a local guide and discover must-see sights, including Alexanderplatz, Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Wall and Reichstag.
Ring in the New Year in a Bavarian-style beer hall! Try some traditional German food and a pint of German beer if you’d like! Prost!
Ring in the New Year in a Bavarian-style beer hall! Try some traditional German food and a pint of German beer if you’d like! Prost!
Wake up to a brand-new year in the heart of Berlin. Today is yours to explore as your wish. Join the optional Berlin+ guided tour to journey into the past. Discover the Eastside open-air gallery along the Berlin Wall and visit the exceptional museum in the old Jewish quarter. This guided trip is the best way to explore Berlin!
Discover Berlin’s fascinating history and vibrant modern culture. Visit top sights and taste currywurst at a local beer hall!
Discover Berlin’s fascinating history and vibrant modern culture. Visit top sights and taste currywurst at a local beer hall!
Say Auf Wiedersehen to Berlin as the tour leaves Germany for the Netherlands. Enjoy the scenery as the coach travels through various landscapes. Later, arrive back in Amsterdam. After checking in to the hotel, choose to celebrate the last night of this magical and festive tour with an optional farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Enjoy a delicious two-course dinner and wine tasting with diverse dishes at a local restaurant in Amsterdam.
Enjoy a delicious two-course dinner and wine tasting with diverse dishes at a local restaurant in Amsterdam.
After an incredible 18 festive-filled days, your Northern Explorer Christmas & New Year tour comes to an end after breakfast. Swap contact details with your new tour mates so you can share photos and memories after returning home! We hope to see you back aboard an Expat Explore coach soon!
Cruise through Amsterdam’s iconic canals. Enjoy a unique way of sightseeing while you admire the city’s top landmarks from its beloved waterways.
Experience Stockholm’s royal and maritime history! Marvel at the Royal Palace, the Royal Apartments and the Vasa Museum’s famed warship.
Discover Poland’s colourful capital! Warsaw astounds with modern skyscrapers, a charming Old Town, impressive monuments and world-class museums.
Stop at Trakai National Park, home to lush forests with the crowning jewel being Trakai Island Castle, located in the centre of a beautiful lake.
Discover Berlin’s fascinating history and vibrant modern culture. Visit the East Side Gallery, the Hackescher Markt, the Berlin TV Tower and more.
You'll Love
Enhance your tour with these carefully selected optional experiences. Each one is designed to add depth and excitement to your journey, allowing you to customize your adventure according to your interests.
Capture the Dutch windmills of Zaanse Schans and Volendam’s vibrance. After a scenic ferry ride, savour a delicious coastal dinner in Marken.
Explore top Oslo sights with your tour leader! Visit Vigeland Sculpture Park, the scenic Bygdøy peninsula and the Fram and Kon Tiki museums.
Experience Stockholm’s royal and maritime history! Marvel at the Royal Palace, the Royal Apartments and the Vasa Museum’s famed warship.
Delight in a three-course meal and taste authentic Estonian food in Tallinn during the festive season.
Savour authentic pierogi at a local restaurant! Then, explore Warsaw’s 14th-century Royal Castle, rich in history and architectural splendour.
Experience a Chopin concert in Warsaw’s Royal Castle, followed by a three-course Polish dinner at a cosy restaurant in the Old Town.
Discover Berlin’s fascinating history and vibrant modern culture. Visit top sights and taste currywurst at a local beer hall!
Enjoy a delicious two-course dinner and wine tasting with diverse dishes at a local restaurant in Amsterdam.
If you are planning to travel a different year, please select here to view the relevant itinerary:
Price is based on a sharing twin room. Single room (optional).
We partner with a range of hand-picked hotels in each destination. The hotels listed below are those we stay at most frequently. However, you may stay at different hotels of a similar standard.
A confirmed list of hotels is emailed to all travellers prior to their tour departure. To extend your stay in Amsterdam, click here to book pre and post-tour accommodation through our partner Booking.com.
The Christmas aspect of this tour was the cherry on top! Because there isn't much going on in a few of the countries the Christmas markets made each country even more interesting. ...
This tour is lovely to explore some of the less seen parts of Europe - looping through Scandinavia and the Baltic states before returning through Central Europe. There is a huge am...
Tour was awesome! Loved all the countries we went to. It was tiring at times because of freezing temps and we had to wake up very early in the morning most of the time but overall ...
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For pre-departure and visa information, as well as frequently asked questions regarding preparing for and travelling on this tour, please visit our Help Centre.
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting destination for the first day of your tour. Make sure you keep departure times and possible delays in mind when booking flights. Please click here to visit Skyscanner - a useful tool for comparing prices from the vast majority of airlines.
When you book for more than one person, we will by default group you together in the same room(s), unless you request single supplements or specifically request us not to.
If there are unequal numbers (3, 5, 7 etc.) then the remaining traveller will be roomed with another passenger of the same gender. Please note that minors under the age of 18 cannot share with another traveller outside of your group's booking.
If you are making separate bookings and would like to share the same room(s), please send us an email with the booking references for each of the travellers and the details of your preferred rooming allocation.
Yes, and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance. Passengers and their personal property travel with Expat Explore solely at their own risk. A suitable insurance policy should provide adequate cover for medical expenses arising through illness or accident prior to or during the holiday, and loss of holiday monies through cancellation or curtailment of the holiday or other insurable reasons. Clients should ensure that there are no exclusion clauses limiting protection for the type of activities in their tour.
For a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with the peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries. To receive a quote from our preferred travel insurance partner please visit World Nomads*.
For more information on what to look for in a travel insurance policy, click here.
While Expat Explore cannot assist with booking pre or post-tour accommodation, we have partnered with Booking.com for affordable accommodation options prior to and after the tour.
If you would like to receive the hotel list in advance so that you can book accommodation at or nearby the start hotel, please request this by sending an email to info@expatexplore.com with your booking reference.
Expat Explore can provide travellers requiring visas with visa support documents on a request basis. Please note that you are required to pay for your tour in full in order to receive the documents. This is an embassy/consulate requirement by law. Once you have received confirmation that your booking has been paid in full, you can request your visa support documents by emailing info@expatexplore.com - please allow up to 10 working days to receive these documents.
All travellers are required to carry their own bags. Our walking tours can last up to 3 hours and certain places involve walking up and down stairs. We want you to enjoy your tour, so read through the itinerary thoroughly and make your own conclusions as to whether you feel that you are fit and healthy enough.
Our tours are not suitable for young children, so we set a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email for consideration. Expat Explore reserves the absolute right to accept or decline a booking at our discretion.
Your deposit secures your spot on tour and locks in the price you pay. Although the deposit you pay at the time of booking is non-refundable, you're protected by our 10-Day Money-Back Guarantee – a full refund if you cancel within 10 days of making your booking.
For more information, please refer to the 10-Day Money-Back Guarantee in our Terms & Conditions.
Before the tour starts, you will receive an email from us requesting your dietary requirements. There is always a vegetarian option available. We try as much as we can to offer you the traditional local cuisine.
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting point for the first day of your tour. We have partnered with Welcome Pickups to secure a hassle-free service. You will be met at the arrivals gate by your driver. Your driver will track your flight, so they'll wait for you even if it's delayed. Please click here to book an airport transfer.
This is up to you and will vary depending on how much you wish to spend on snacks, drinks, souvenirs etc. We do not include entrance fees to attractions and museums. We do, however, provide you with free time to see everything you want, and our tour leaders will have all the information on pricing and locations so you can manage your own budget. Please refer to your tours specific pre-departure information and optional excursions guide for further details.