NORTHERN LIGHTS & LAPLAND WITH MAGNIFICENT EUROPE

Welcome to Helsinki. You’ll be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. This evening, come together for a welcome reception.
Stay: Helsinki, Hotel Kamp

This morning after breakfast, board your included flight to Rovaniemi and travel out to your accommodation, where you will stay in a glass igloo for two nights. This evening, be shown how to take the best pictures on your own camera, which will come in handy should you see the Northern Lights. Later, snuggle in and feel as if you’re sleeping in the open air, while being warm and cosy inside. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the ethereal Northern Lights from your igloo.

Stay: Two Nights, Rovaniemi, Arctic Snow Hotel & Glass Igloos

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE: Visit a reindeer farm and set out on a sleigh ride before feeding the reindeer.

This morning, visit the Arktikum, a science museum that provides an insight into the history of the region. You will also enjoy a short presentation, ‘The Land of Snow and Northern Lights’. Enjoy lunch in a traditional Sami hut, where you can sample the local coffee, unique crowberry juice and homemade pastries.

The choice is yours when it comes to today’s sightseeing. Later, pay a visit to Santa Claus Village before returning to the centre of Rovaniemi. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant known for its traditional Lappish cuisine.

FREEDOM OF CHOICE: Perhaps embark on an active snowshoe excursion. A local expert guide will lead you along an incredible series of snow-covered forest trails. Alternatively, set out for an ice fishing excursion at a nearby lake.

Stay: Two Nights, Rovaniemi, Arctic Light Hotel

Today enjoy a special experience. Later return to Rovaniemi, where you will have the evening at leisure. SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE: Take in the serene beauty of the Lappish wilderness on an unforgettable husky safari. Be enchanted as a team of affectionate and friendly huskies effortlessly pull your sleigh along a three-kilometre track through the glistening snow.

Transfer to Rovaniemi airport for your included return flight to Helsinki. On arrival, take a guided tour of the Iittala & Arabia Design Centre, where you’ll learn about the history of Finnish ceramic art and glass design.

Stay: Two Nights, Helsinki, Hotel Kamp

Enjoy a guided exploration of Helsinki’s best sites today, starting with a visit to Temppeliaukio, the famous ‘Rock Church’. In Sibelius Park, view the Sibelius Monument before moving on to the Olympic Stadium and the impressive Oodi Library. Stroll along the city’s main street, Mannerheimintie, and see its many exquisite buildings, including the Opera House, Alvar Aalto and the National Museum. Tonight, savour a farewell dinner.

Take an included flight to Budapest, then board your ship for your Magnificent Europe river cruise.

Stay: 14 Nights, APT Solara or APT Ostara

Start the day with a choice of tours. Later, set sail for Vienna. FREEDOM OF CHOICE: Perhaps take a guided discovery of Budapest and delve into its most fascinating sights, then get into the festive spirit with a visit to two of the city’s charming Christmas markets, where you’ll have the chance to sample mulled wine and some local delicacies. Alternatively, board a funicular to Castle Hill, then walk to Fisherman’s Bastion. Or you may wish to relax in the thermal water pools at one of Budapest’s thermal baths.

Take in Vienna’s Ringstrasse, plus enjoy a visit to St Stephen’s Cathedral. Afterwards, wander through the Christmas markets and perhaps pick up a souvenir or two. As the scent of mulled wine and gingerbread fills the wintry air, you’ll be reminded that the festive season in Europe is nothing short of magical.

Spend this morning on your preferred activity and this evening on a Signature Experience. FREEDOM OF CHOICE: Perhaps visit the 1,441-room Schonbrunn Palace and its gardens, including the traditional Christmas market in the Parade Court. Or tick another country off your list and journey to Slovakia’s Bratislava. SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE: After dinner, head to the princely family of Liechtenstein’s City Palace in the heart of Vienna, where we have arranged an exclusive cocktail party and private recital, just for you. A full orchestra will perform classical masterpieces by Mozart and Strauss, and you will also be enchanted by an operatic recital.

Enjoy free time to explore Durnstein, before sailing through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk. Here, visit the statuary-adorned Melk Abbey, one of the finest Baroque buildings in the world.

Take a guided tour of Salzburg before a Signature Experience. SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE: Be welcomed by a Jagdhornblaser – a hunting horn blower – into a rustic, traditional restaurant on the Gaisberg mountain overlooking Salzburg. Enjoy a welcome drink as you soak in the scenery before savouring a delicious lunch, followed by show featuring music from the classic film, ‘The Sound of Music’.

Discover Regensburg today. Explore its atmospheric World Heritage-listed city centre. With a history dating back to the Roman times, this incredible city was the first capital of Bavaria. Afterwards, one of Bavaria’s most beautiful Christmas Markets in the courtyard at Thurn and Taxis palace. Wander the various stalls selling handicrafts from the region and enjoy a tasting of local delicacies.

Set out on a guided exploration to discover Nuremberg’s history, with its Gothic churches and World War II sites. Afterwards, explore the Christmas market, one of the oldest and most well-known Christmas markets in the world. You’ll also have the opportunity to sample gluhwein, traditional German spiced wine.

On arrival into Bamberg, join an exploration with a local expert to uncover everything this World Heritage-listed city has to offer. Bamberg is a town in northern Bavaria, Germany, laid out over 7 hills where the Regnitz and Main rivers meet. Its old town preserves structures from the 11th to 19th centuries including the muraled Altes Rathaus (town hall), which occupies an island in the Regnitz reached by arched bridges. The Romanesque Bamberg Cathedral, begun in the 11th century, features 4 towers and numerous stone carvings. ―

Würzburg is a city in Germany’s Bavaria region. It’s known for lavish baroque and rococo architecture, particularly the 18th-century Residenz palace, with ornate rooms, a huge fresco by Venetian artist Tiepolo and an elaborate staircase. Home to numerous wine bars, cellars and wineries, Würzburg is the centre of the Franconian wine country, with its distinctive bocksbeutel (bottles with flattened round shapes). Choose from three exciting activities today. FREEDOM OF CHOICE: Embark on a tour of Wurzburg Residence or perhaps journey to Rothenburg. Alternatively, join a hike to Marienberg Fortress.

Step ashore in Miltenberg today and set out on a guided exploration. Wander through cobblestoned streets and admire the town’s enchanting half-timbered houses before time at leisure to explore on your own.

Dock in Rudesheim, where you’ll choose your activity, followed by free time to enjoy the festive atmosphere or perhaps sample a local Rudesheimer coffee in a cosy cafe. Later, cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge. FREEDOM OF CHOICE: Enjoy a gondola ride or a visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Alternatively, visit a historic wine cellar for a tasting of Rhine Valley wines.

Today enjoy a Signature Experience. The afternoon will be spent sailing onwards to the Netherlands. SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE: Princess Heide von Hohenzollern will graciously welcome you into her home, Namedy Castle. Wander through the castle and its manicured gardens, before savouring a morning tea, where a pianist sets the mood.

Arrive in Amsterdam and set out on your chosen activity. Tonight, enjoy the Captain’s farewell dinner. FREEDOM OF CHOICE: Perhaps cruise the canals on a glass-top boat or visit the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store for a cheese tasting matched with wine.

Disembark your river ship and transfer to the airport. Interested in extending your European holiday? Ask our Travel Advisors about our incredible range of accommodation, touring and cruise packages.