Light the Advent candles – cosy and heart-warming in the Baltic region. This winter cruise on the HANSEATIC spirit 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 festive decorations, a museum visit or enjoying a warm mug of glogg at the Christmas market. 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 – perhaps browsing through 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, as you listen to knowledgeable commentary from your experts on board.

A visit to Copenhagen, with Amalienborg Palace, is on every culture lover’s wish list. 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 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.

As you walk through the picturesque baroque city of Karlskrona, you will find the perfect balance between culture and relaxation – in accordance with the Swedish lagom way of life. In the clear winter air, the main street Ronnebygatan beckons with a wealth of shops, cafes and restaurants. The Naval Museum is also worth a detour for an overview of Sweden’s different periods of seafaring history.

The “summer destination” of Gotland 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, the morning bells of the city’s many churches will ring in your 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, or enjoy nature on a winter hike through Kashubian Switzerland*.