FROM HAMBURG TO HAMBURG

Kiel Canal is an impressive waterway connecting the North Sea to the Baltic. It was opened in 1895 and is around 98 km (61 mi.) long. The canal allows large cargo and passenger ships to avoid the dangerous journey around Scandinavia, saving time and money. Every year, more than 30,000 ships pass through the canal, making it the one of the busiest waterways in the world. The impressive locks and beautiful countryside on its banks make a journey along the canal a truly fascinating experience.

A visit to Copenhagen is on every culture lover’s wish list. Outside of peak season without all the crowds, your eyes will light up in this major Scandinavian city. With the Little Mermaid, the city’s tiny landmark at 125 cm (50 inches) tall, and Amalienborg Palace, your individual discoveries will be like something out of a fairy tale. The Tivoli Gardens at Christmas and the picturesque harbour district of Nyhavn will ensure that typical feeling of hygge as you experience the Scandinavian way of life with its cosiness and hospitality. Perhaps you will round off your stay with some traditional glogg and smorrebrod. Make the most of the long lay time to take an evening stroll through the atmospheric streets lit up with Christmas lights. They say that the Danes are the happiest people in the world – in any case, this fun-loving city with its intoxicating atmosphere is sure to draw you under its spell.

A natural open-air museum awaits as you cruise through the Stockholm Archipelago. The archipelago of around 24,000 islands is magical in the low sun. The many open deck areas offer perfect 360-degree views and your experts will provide a knowledgeable commentary. Small and manoeuvrable, your ship will take you on a flexible voyage of discovery past little islands, smoothly polished granite rocks and red wooden houses.

Lagom is the Swedish equivalent of the Danish hygge and it’s all about finding the right balance in life. There are plenty of opportunities to find it in Stockholm. A true peal of the Baltic Sea, Stockholm was built on 14 islands, connected to each other by more than 50 bridges. The city is as old and distinguished as it is youthful and modern. As you explore, which is also easily done on your own, this “Venice of the North” will show you the best sides of a history going back almost 700 years – with a rich variety of architecture you won’t find anywhere else. In contrast to the historic Gamla Stan with its Gothic churches and Royal Palace, the Moderna Museet houses some important art works of the 20th and 21st centuries. The old town – a maze of narrow alleys with little cafes and boutiques – comes to life in winter with a special kind of magic. Make sure you try the Lussekatter saffron buns or go skating in the middle of the city. The overnight lay time also gives you plenty of opportunities to enjoy the evening in the Swedish capital.

The wind in your face, salt on your lips – the Swedish island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea is also enchanting in winter. Its coastlines and fields, forests and meadows are cloaked in a wintry hue, while the island’s capital will awaken your pioneering spirit: without the summer crowds, Visby is like something out of a magical fairy-tale. Its cobbled streets and medieval city walls and turrets are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and they exude a special kind of charm in the glow of the lights. Enjoy a relaxing stroll around the Hanseatic city as you get the beautifully illuminated little streets almost to yourself. As you explore the old town and admire its classic beauty, you will be following the trail of Hanseatic traditions that still live on today.

Once a leading Prussian and Hanseatic city, today Gdansk is like an open-air museum dedicated to the historic Hanseatic League. Amber and shipbuilding once brought glory to Poland’s most famous port. The city’s old town, with its architecture dating from the 13th to 18th centuries, is one of the most beautiful in the country. The Long Lane with its magnificent houses and Neptune fountain stands as testament to the city’s golden age. But the spirit of the flourishing Hanseatic League era in Gdansk mainly lives on in the merchant houses and the world-famous Crane – a splendid panoramic view to be captured on camera. Don’t miss the Christmas market with its festive lights and traditional wooden huts: here you are sure to find one or two Christmas gifts for your loved ones at home.

Picturesque Kalmar, still a hidden gem on the Baltic Sea, welcomes you to southern Sweden. Founded in the Middle Ages, it became an important centre of power and trade in the north. In the 13th century, the city’s trade in butter, iron and limestone flourished, involving many German merchants. In the narrow cobbled streets of the old town, you can sense the history of the place at every turn. Well-preserved 18th and 19th century buildings line the streets and in the Gamla Stan district you can see some charming wooden houses. Your experts will sharpen your eye for the details of the city’s 1,000-year history. A real highlight is the majestic Renaissance Kalmar Castle. In the run-up to Christmas, the Christmas market is also a wonderful place to spend time.