Best of Scandinavia & the Baltics Christmas & New Year

Your Best of Scandinavia and the Baltics Christmas tour begins today in wintery Copenhagen! Meet up with your tour leader at the hotel in Copenhagen this morning for an overview of the exciting upcoming itinerary. Then, join an expert local guide and discover Denmark’s enchanting capital city! Tick off some of the city’s top sights including the Little Mermaid Statue and the picture-perfect Nyhavn Waterfront. Enjoy some free time afterwards to explore on your own. Why not visit Tivoli Gardens and admire their magical Christmas displays? This evening, enjoy an included welcome dinner with the group and get to know your fellow travellers.

Look forward to a free day to spend in Copenhagen as you wish! This charming city is full of colour and creativity. Choose to revisit some of the places seen on yesterday’s orientation tour, stroll along the waterfront, spend time at Tivoli Gardens or enjoy sweeping city views from the Rundetaarn astronomical observatory. Alternatively, join today’s optional excursion and look forward to a canal cruise, learn more about Denmark’s history with a visit to the National Museum and enjoy free time for lunch at a local market. This is the best way to experience Copenhagen’s local culture.

Leaving Copenhagen after breakfast, more Danish delights await today! Today’s first stop is Odense, Denmark’s third-largest city which is famously the birthplace of fairytale author Hans Christian Anderson. Discover this charming city on an orientation tour and during your free time. Next stop is Denmark’s second-biggest city, Aarhus. Embark on an orientation tour of this buzzing city which offers a blend of contemporary architecture, Viking history and an open-air museum which will give you a taste of old Denmark. Finally, arrive at the Hirtshals ferry port and settle in for an overnight ferry cruise towards Bergen, Norway!

Hei Norway! Wake up aboard the ferry and admire the beauty of Norway’s nature while cruising towards Bergen. Upon arrival in Bergen, join your tour leader on an orientation tour. See the UNESCO-listed Bryggen Quay, which will be decorated with sparkling Christmas lights, and the picturesque city centre. The afternoon is free to stroll the charming streets of Bergen on your own, visit the city’s Christmas market or join in on an adventure to some quaint fishing villages near Bergen. This optional excursion offers a fascinating glimpse into local life and an included Christmas Eve lunch with the group. This is the best way to spend Christmas Eve in Bergen.

Merry Christmas! Or, as they say in Norway “God Jul”. Look forward to a full free day to experience this magical city in all its festive glory. Be sure to visit the Pepperkakebyen (Gingerbread town), the world’s largest of its kind! Or, do some souvenir shopping at Bergen’s Christmas market. To truly explore the wonders of Bergen, join the ever-popular Bergen+  optional excursion. Embark on a guided Bryggen tour and a funicular ride on the Fløibanen up Fløyen mountain which, when covered in snow, is a real winter wonderland! End this festive day with a drink at Bergen’s incredible Magic Ice Bar before an included Christmas dinner. You’ll never forget your Christmas in Norway!

Get ready to discover majestic Norwegian natural scenery today! After breakfast, leave Bergen behind and head to today’s first stop. Arrive in Gudvangen, a breathtaking village which sits at the end of Nærøyfjord, one of Norway’s most sought-after fjords. Here, choose to embark on an exciting optional excursion to a Viking village followed by a true highlight of Norway tour packages - a fjord cruise through the Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjorden fjords! Have your cameras at the ready for spectacular sights all around. Later, arrive in Flam and enjoy some free time here before hopping back on the coach to tonight’s accommodation in scenic Gudvangen. Dinner is included at the hotel tonight.

Today, travel towards Oslo, Norway’s effortlessly cool capital city. En route, stop at the fascinating Gol Stave Church and snap some pictures of this unique structure! Upon arrival in Oslo, set off on an insightful walking tour of this compact city. Join an expert local guide in discovering this city which is home to the Norwegian royal family. Admire the Royal Palace and Akershus Castle among many more Oslo highlights. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore at your own pace. Ask your tour leader for suggestions on things to do, places to see and what to eat this evening!

Tick the next country off your bucket list as the tour travels to Sweden today! Look forward to some Swedish hidden gems on the way to Stockholm, the captivating capital of Sweden. Halfway between Oslo and Stockholm lies the city of Karlstad. Sitting on the shores of Lake Vänern, Karlstad is beloved for its natural beauty, outdoor activities and Viking history! Next stop is Sigtuna, Sweden’s oldest town! Stroll down the town’s main street and learn about the importance this city held until the 13th century. After, enjoy some free time to grab lunch or wander around. In the evening, arrive in Stockholm and check into the hotel. Dinner is included tonight and traditional Swedish meatballs are on the menu!

God morgon, Stockholm! Today is free to experience this vibrant city as you wish, but first, join a local guide for a tour of some of Stockholm’s most iconic sights including the Royal Palace and Gamla Stan (the old town). After, explore the cobblestoned streets and colourful buildings of Gamla Stan or visit one of Stockholm’s celebrated museums. Some of the best museums in Stockholm include the entertaining ABBA Museum and the insightful Nobel Prize Museum. Today also offers the opportunity to join an optional excursion which includes a cruise and a visit to the fascinating Vasa Museum! However you spend this free day, be sure to make time for a Fika - a relaxing coffee and pastry break.

Adjö Sweden! After breakfast, wave goodbye to Stockholm and prepare to set off on a journey to the next country - Finland! Enjoy some free time in Stockholm before departing. Do some last minute souvenir shopping or find a cosy local spot to enjoy lunch. Arrive at the ferry port this afternoon and hop aboard the overnight ferry from Sweden to Helsinki. Enjoy a range of onboard entertainment and admire the views as you cruise. Tonight, why not indulge in an optional Swedish buffet dinner?

It’s the last day of the year and the first day in Helsinki! Welcome to the seaside capital city of Finland. Known for its islands, saunas and minimalistic architecture, Helsinki is wonderfully quirky and innovative. Upon arrival at the Helsinki hotel, set off on a walking and driving tour with a knowledgeable local guide. Discover some of the many highlights of Helsinki including Senate Square, the towering Helsinki and Upsenski cathedrals and Havis Amanda. Take the rest of the afternoon to explore the city at your own pace. Why not warm up in one of the city’s popular saunas? Tonight, sit down for an included group dinner and celebrate the last night of the year together!

Greet the brand new year in Helsinki! After last night’s celebrations, take it easy today and enjoy a free day to wander around the city, relax or sightsee. You could pay a visit to the nearby Suomenlinna island and its impressive museum! Alternatively, explore the city. Did you know that Finland consumes more coffee than any other country in the world? Helsinki is home to a wide range of coffee shops, many of which also offer enticing pastries. Be sure to make some time to sample these sweet treats along with a warm cup of coffee.

The next country awaits! Depart Helsinki this morning and catch a ferry to Tallinn, Estonia’s enchanting capital city. Sail across the Gulf of Finland and arrive in the Baltics this afternoon. Upon arrival in Tallinn, soak up the city’s unmatched medieval atmosphere at a historic restaurant located in the Old Town square. Then, join a local guide on a walking tour of this fairytale city which is sure to captivate with its striking spires, colourful houses and incredible viewpoints. The rest of the evening is free. Why not warm up with some mulled wine as you wander Tallinn’s cobblestone streets? In contrast to the Old Town, the hip and artsy Kalamaja area is also worth a visit.

Enjoy one more stop in Estonia before the tour travels to the next country. This morning, head to Pärnu, a resort city. Aside from its popular beach, Pärnu is home to picturesque houses, creative street art and a relaxing atmosphere. Then, travel onwards to Riga, Latvia. First stop is the Latvian Military Cemetery, a national monument that honours the over 2,000 Latvian soldiers who lost their lives during WWI. After checking into the hotel, depart for an orientation tour through Riga’s Old Town which is renowned for its exceptional Art Nouveau architecture which is best displayed in the iconic facade of the House of the Black Heads. The evening is free to relax, grab dinner or explore more.

Tick off your third country in three days! The last (but certainly not least) of the Baltic capitals is just waiting to be explored today. Cross the border from Latvia into Lithuania this morning and pay a visit to the mysterious Hill of Crosses. Finally, arrive in Vilnius, the vibrant capital of Lithuania. Set off on an orientation tour of this city which boasts a UNESCO-listed Old Town, over 700 years of history and exquisite Baroque architecture. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore Užupis, a self-proclaimed artists republic or wander the cobbled streets of the Old Town, which is one of the largest in Europe, before sitting down for dinner at a traditional restaurant this evening.

Bye-bye, Baltics! The next, and last, country of this festive tour is on the cards today. Before leaving Lithuania, travel to Trakai, a quaint town home to a magnificent island castle which is particularly magical in winter. Then, sit back and relax as the coach makes its way across the border into Poland. Admire the wintry landscapes along the way. Arrive in Gdansk, a vibrant and scenic port city,  this evening. After freshening up at the hotel, embark on an orientation tour and marvel at Gdansk’s blend of architectural styles before sitting down for an included buffet dinner.

Discover the many highlights of Gdansk with this full day. Begin the day with a locally guided walking tour of this beautiful city which underwent extensive reconstruction after WWII. Uncover the history of Gdansk while experiencing its top attractions including the Old Town and Long Market Square. The rest of the day is free to spend however you wish. Take a stroll along the Motława riverside, admire the ornate interior of the Gdansk Town Hall or take in the views from the Amber Sky ferris wheel! Gdansk has so much to offer its visitors that you’ll be spoilt for choice when deciding how to spend this free day.

Say goodbye to Gdansk and wave to Warsaw later today. But first, take a trip to Malbork Castle. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the world’s largest castle! Embark on a guided tour of this awe-inspiring 13th-century castle and fortress. The next stop is the medieval town of Toruń, yet another UNESCO site to add to the list! Toruń is known as the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus, a renowned astronomer as well as being home to the endearing Museum of Gingerbread. Look forward to making fun memories with an interactive gingerbread demonstration. Then, head to Warsaw and check into the hotel for the evening.

Witam Warsaw! Discover Poland’s historic and enigmatic capital city this morning on a walking and driving tour with a knowledgeable local guide. Learn about Warsaw’s fascinating and at times turbulent past while admiring top sights including the Royal Castle, Old Town (which was rebuilt after WWII) and the Palace of Culture. The rest of the day is free to explore at your own pace or to join the Highlights of Warsaw optional excursion. Dive deep into Warsaw’s dazzling architecture, beautiful parks, delicious cuisine and hidden gems on this unmissable tour. For dinner this evening, celebrate the last night on tour with one last group dinner.

After a jam-packed 20-day festive journey through Scandinavia & the Baltics, the tour comes to an end this morning after breakfast. Don’t forget to exchange content details with your newfound travel buddies before travelling onwards to your next destination. Expat Explore wishes you a safe trip home and cannot wait to see you on tour again with us soon!