FROM KIEL TO HAMBURG

Treat all your senses to an exceptional winter cruise with the HANSEATIC spirit to welcome in the New Year. Glittering landscapes and illuminated cities, shimmering stars and maybe even the magical Northern Lights: this route is packed with the very best that Swedish and Finnish Lapland have to offer. Your festive days for true explorers begin on Gotland: “God Jul” – or merry Christmas. The Swedish summer destination also has a special appeal in winter. In Visby, you can enjoy the Nordic Christmas spirit as you stroll through the narrow streets with their festive decorations.

Today you will celebrate Christmas Eve as never before: in a cosy, personal and maritime atmosphere on board the HANSEATIC spirit, with views over the wide expanse of the northern extension of the Baltic Sea, the Gulf of Bothnia. Your best present will be time to yourself, perhaps to go on a culinary voyage of discovery, visit the OCEAN SPA or attend fascinating expert presentations. With a little luck, you will also be able to see the Northern Lights in the clear northern sky.

On Boxing Day, you will leave Kemi in Finland and head for Rovaniemi¹ to visit Santa Claus in his official home town. Lit up with Christmas lights, the town on the Arctic Circle is enchanting with its arts and crafts and “Elves Forest”. Activities like snowshoe hiking¹ in the snowy spruce forest or a snowmobile safari¹ through Finnish Lapland are a gift for nature lovers.

There is also plenty to do and see in Lulea. Winter hike or ice trail? Frozen waters make it easy to make the transition. If you’re looking for a sense of pure adventure, go for a ride on a fat bike¹ across the ice and snow or enjoy a winter experience with huskies¹. Perhaps here you will get another chance to see the mysterious Northern Lights. Shed light on the Gammelstad Church Town¹ UNESCO World Heritage Site on an atmospheric guided tour with torches.

A winter wonderland also awaits you around Umea, the cultural capital of northern Sweden, surrounded by wild nature. Cross-country skiing¹ in snowy Tavelsjo or a dog sled ride¹ – where will the mood take you today?

The centre of Sundsvall is a well-preserved district from the late 19th century. Explore the “Stone City” at your leisure or, if you’re feeling energetic, climb the local hill.

Experience Stockholm in a special way: on a winter walk¹ through the magical old town or on a winter visit to the Skansen open-air museum¹ with its traditional Christmas and arts and craft market. Your travel concierge will arrange your individual activities and cultural programmes in the Swedish capital in advance on request.

A cosy atmosphere, glogg and pastries will accompany your visit to Copenhagen. Without the many visitors of the high season, enjoy a relaxed stroll through the charming lanes and pay flying visits to the Little Mermaid and Amalienborg Palace. Alternatively, visit Zeeland’s fairy-tale castles¹, which conjure up a very special atmosphere in the snow-covered landscape in winter.

Reflect on your many unforgettable impressions and experiences during the daytime passage through the Kiel Canal with the best views of marshes, forests and meadows from the many open deck areas. What a great start to the New Year.