Light the Advent candles – cosy and heart-warming in the Baltic region. This winter cruise on the HANSEATIC nature features literary highlights and is a celebration of the typical feeling of hygge in atmospheric destinations. The Scandinavian recipe for contentment can be felt in all kinds of different ways: walking in wintry natural landscapes, strolling through historic streets with Christmas decorations, museum visits or enjoying a warm mug of glogg at the Christmas market. Crowned perhaps by a good book in which you lose yourself completely? Let yourself be inspired by literature: during literary activities and encounters ashore as well as during stimulating presentations by Professor Rainer Moritz, your literature expert on board, who will take you on a journey into the world of Scandinavian literature. Look forward to the special magic of the run-up to Christmas. As soon as you leave Hamburg on an evening cruise on the Elbe, the brightly lit houses along the banks will light the way.

It’s all about relaxation today as we continue with a daytime passage through the Kiel Canal. Use the time for yourself – for example, by exploring our on-board library, relaxing in the spa or getting active in the Sports Club. On deck, you can enjoy the best views as the marshes, the hilly countryside and the Eider-Treene Depression glide by, with knowledgeable commentary from your experts on board.

A visit to Copenhagen, with its Amalienborg Palace, is on the wish list for all culture lovers. Explore the city at a relaxed pace – with a quick visit to the Christmas market in Nyhavn. Maybe you’d like to try the Danish Christmas pudding while you’re there? If you are the one who finds the almond hidden within, it is said to bring luck for the year ahead. You will experience Copenhagen’s sights in a fantastic way when you go on the Copenhagen literary tour*: Hans Christian Andersen and follow the life of the famous Danish writer. In his younger years, the author had a go at ballet, among other things, and auditioned at the Royal Theatre, which you will pass. Of course, a stop at the beautiful bronze statue of the Little Mermaid, which would never have existed without his famous fairy tale, is not to be missed. As for crime fiction lovers, the vibrant and young district of Norrebro promises plenty of thrills. Explore the setting of the exciting crime series by Jesper Stein on the Copenhagen crime tour*: in the footsteps of Inspector Axel Steen. By contrast, you can enjoy a cosy welcome at Zeeland’s fairy-tale castles* or with glogg and a pastry on the winter canal cruise*. Alternatively, immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the winter wonderland in the Tivoli Gardens*, with Christmas lights, a nostalgic carousel, beautiful parkland and the Christmas market. The HANSEATIC nature has an Advent gift in store for you, as the ship will stay late into the evening. This means that you can relax and soak up the atmosphere to your heart’s content. After all, hygge is also about making time for the best things in life.

Before you explore Sweden’s capital, you will have a perfect 360-degree view from the many open deck areas as you cruise through the Stockholm Archipelago. The archipelago is magical in the December light. Lagom is the Swedish equivalent of the Danish hygge and it’s all about finding the right balance in life. So discover the balance between romance and action as you spend an unforgettable evening in Stockholm. How about starting with the ABBA museum, followed by dinner in the historic city centre and a drink at the Icebar? Your travel concierge will help you make a plan in advance. The next day, you can explore the network of narrow streets with their little cafes and boutiques on a winter walk* through Stockholm’s enchanting old town with its numerous Christmas wonderlands. Make sure you try the Lussekatter saffron buns or go skating in the middle of the city. A winter visit to the Skansen open-air museum* with its traditional Christmas market is shrouded in the magic of centuries past. Likewise, the Stockholm literary tour*: Castle Gripsholm and Kurt Tucholsky immerses you in historical times. During the Second World War, the German author Kurt Tucholsky wrote “a summer story” whilst in exile in Sweden, named after the place where it took place in Mariefred: Castle Gripsholm. You can also visit Tucholsky’s grave not far from the idyllic estate. Crime fiction fans, however, can look forward to the thrilling Stockholm crime tour*: Stieg Larsson and his Millennium trilogy that takes you through Stockholm’s trendy district of Södermalm. Learn interesting facts about the writer and his novels, works that were only published posthumously and became international bestsellers. 

Slowing down, Swedish-style: the “summer destination” of Gotland also has a special appeal in winter. You will have this enchanting island almost to yourself as you explore and enjoy the friendly hospitality and Swedish way of life in the medieval streets of the dreamy Hanseatic town of Visby*, beautifully lit up with Christmas lights. Alternatively, the snow-covered landscape and blue Baltic Sea paint a magical picture on a winter hike along Gotland’s coastline*.

Another well-kept secret as a winter destination is Gdansk. As you arrive in the third week of Advent, the morning bells of the city’s many churches will ring in your experiences. Look forward to special tones accompanying you on the Gdansk literary tour*: Günter Grass through the old town as you follow in the footsteps of the renowned writer. Born in Gdansk, Grass achieved international renown with his post-war literature and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1999. In addition to his former home and school, this walk takes you to places from his novel The Tin Drum – an inspiring urban experience! The legacy of the Hanseatic period, with buildings in the Gothic, Renaissance and baroque styles, is illuminated in all its colour and glory at this time of year. Your eyes will light up as your heart and soul are warmed by the atmosphere at the Christmas market – decorated with almost 100 Christmas trees and an enormous hand-made Christmas pyramid. You are sure to find gifts for your loved ones at the 80 or so stalls here. Alternatively, follow in the footsteps of the Teutonic Order to Malbork Castle*, Europe’s largest brick building, while a heart-warming Advent concert in Oliwa* will get you in the mood for Christmas.

An insider tip welcomes you to Sweden’s southern coast: the small town of Ystad with its picturesque lanes and pastel-coloured houses. The town gained worldwide fame through Henning Mankell’s bestselling novels. Known and lesser-known facts about the crime series will be revealed on your Southern Sweden crime tour*: in the footsteps of Inspector Kurt Wallander. Stroll along Mariagatan, past the police station, the Hotel Continental and Fridolf’s cafe. Or choose to enjoy some mulled wine and gingerbread once again at one of the atmospheric Christmas markets in Skane*. Alternatively, you can visit Malmö*, where Scandinavian Christmas flair and fascinating architecture await you directly on the Öresund. 

Enjoy the special feeling of hygge on the HANSEATIC nature once again before your ship arrives in Hamburg the next morning after an evening passage through the Kiel Canal – and you disembark with a new sense of vitality.