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Christmas Markets of Northern Europe: Amsterdam to Stockholm

Duration: 11 days
Group size: 15-38

Journey north to uncover a new side of Europe at its most festive.

This one-of-a-kind tour brings you to renowned cities that were once important centers of trade and emigration. Take in sparkling lights and local festivities as you explore historic Amsterdam and the port of Hamburg. Then, cross the Baltic Sea and join in seasonal traditions in a pair of fascinating Scandinavian capitals: Copenhagen and Stockholm.

Your tour package includes

9 nights in handpicked hotels
9 breakfasts
4 dinners with beer or wine
5 guided sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides

Included highlights

Christmas markets from Amsterdam to Stockholm
Van Gogh Museum
Dam Square
Bremen
Rosenborg Castle

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Day-by-day itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Amsterdam today.

Amsterdam3 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Amsterdam

Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to the Netherlands! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Amsterdam & Christmas market visit

Included meal: Breakfast

Today’s panoramic sightseeing tour introduces you to Amsterdam’s iconic canals and unique character.

• View Dam Square, home of many landmarks including the neoclassical Royal Palace, the 15th-century New Church, and the National Monument

• Pass the Anne Frank House, where the young diarist and her family hid during World War II

• Enter the Van Gogh Museum to admire the largest collection of Vincent Van Gogh’s masterpieces, including the famous Sunflowers

• Explore the city’s Christmas markets before making your way to Amstelveen to visit the Winter Village, where stalls sell everything from seasonal food to handmade crafts

Spend a free evening in Amsterdam or add an excursion.

Canal Cruise & Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 4: Free day in Amsterdam

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a full free day in Amsterdam or add an excursion.

A Day in Charming Delft

Excursion (additional cost)

Hamburg2 nights

Day 5: Hamburg via Bremen

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Journey from the Netherlands to Hamburg, Germany, today. Stop en route in the Hanseatic city of Bremen for free time.

Later, sit down to an included dinner with your group.

Day 6: Sightseeing tour of Hamburg & Christmas market visit

Included meal: Breakfast

Join a local expert on a guided tour of Hamburg, Germany’s second-largest city.

• Pass by the neo-Renaissance Rathaus, the city hall

• Admire St. Michaelis Church, the largest Baroque church in northern Germany, and stroll through the historic warehouse district

• Get acquainted with Hamburg’s Christmas markets, then wander through the stalls in search of handcrafted decorations from German artists and craftsmen

Enjoy a free evening in Hamburg or add an excursion.

Hanseatic Lübeck

Excursion (additional cost)

Copenhagen2 nights

Day 7: Travel to Copenhagen

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Board a ferry to cross the Fehmarn Belt and arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark.

This evening, sit down to an included dinner with your group.

Day 8: Sightseeing tour of Copenhagen & Christmas market visit

Included meal: Breakfast

Take a guided tour of the bustling maritime city with a local guide.

• Step inside the 16th-century Rosenborg Castle, a royal residence built in the Dutch Renaissance style

• View the iconic Little Mermaid statue and marvel at the wharfside homes and stores in the beautifully preserved Nyhavn district

• Pass by the Amalienborg Palace and Christiansborg Palace, seat of the Danish Parliament

• Visit Tivoli Gardens to see the spectacular lighting display, taste seasonal Danish specialties, and explore the Christmas markets on your own

Stockholm2 nights

Day 9: Flight to Stockholm

Included meal: Breakfast

After a short flight, arrive in Sweden’s vibrant capital city. Then, enjoy a free afternoon in Stockholm or add an excursion.

Drottningholm

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 10: Sightseeing tour of Stockholm

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Explore Sweden’s sophisticated capital on a guided tour led by a local expert.

• Enter the architecturally unique Stockholm City Hall, site of the annual Nobel Prize banquet

• Step inside the Vasa Museum to see a 1628 warship that once sat at the bottom of Stockholm harbor

• Stroll through the medieval Old Town and view the Baroque Royal Palace

Celebrate your trip with your fellow travelers at a farewell dinner this evening.

Flight Home

Day 11: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Hotels, flights, & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Hampshire Hotel - Rembrandt Square Amsterdam

This modern hotel is located in the Canal Ring. Guests enjoy room service, free Wi-Fi, and a bar. Nearby, you’ll find the Amstel river, Willet-Holthuy...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare package and you'll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

This tour visits the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden. In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for about 1.5 hours daily across mostly flat terrain, including paved roads and cobblestone streets, with few hills.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of trains, ferries, and small boats.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Amsterdam and depart from Stockholm. When you first arrive, a representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
A ferry from Puttgarden to Copenhagen and a flight from Copenhagen to Stockholm are included in the price of your tour.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers.
Please note that there are often baggage restrictions during internal transfers, including ferry rides and flights, and packing light is recommended.
One carry-on bag of 45 total inches (length + width + height) is also permitted.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

Winters in the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden are generally cold. To ensure you’re comfortable for outdoor sightseeing and Christmas market visits, we recommend packing a warm coat, hat, and gloves, as well as rainwear.
We also suggest packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can easily be layered.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes, sneakers, or winter boots is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to the countries on this tour.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

In the Netherlands, simply prepared meat and fish dishes, substantial soups, and hearty stews are local staples. Snack food traditionally features fish—you might try maatje, raw green herrings served with onions—but pancakes, french fries, doughnuts, and waffles are just as plentiful.
German food is hearty and substantial. Among the specialties are dumpling stews, sauerkraut, sausages, smoked cheeses, and dark breads. Bavaria produces some of the world’s purest beers, and white German wines are exceptionally good.
When in Denmark, try the beloved open-faced sandwich called smørrebrød: a slice of rye bread topped with local favorites that could include smoked fish, prawns, mayonnaise, horseradish, or caviar. The country is also known for the popular Carlsberg and Tuborg beers.
Sweden’s famous meatballs are typically served with a brown sauce and tart lingonberry jam. Smoked salmon and pickled herring are popular eats, especially atop a crisp bread. Snack on the country’s many kinds of pastry and breads during fika, a social coffee hour that occurs mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

Electricity & air conditioning

All destinations visited on this tour operate on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C or F plugs with two small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though charges may apply.
There is no internet access on the motor coach.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden are all one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of EST.
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.

Currency

You will use the euro in the Netherlands and Germany, the Danish krone in Denmark, and the Swedish krona in Sweden.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased inadvance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information. International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.

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2 Departures

Tour prices are per person, before flights from your departure city, and based on two travelers per hotel room. Tour prices include on-tour flights where applicable.

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