CHRISTMAS WORLDWIDE
A festive trip always has one evening too few. These 7 dessert tours earn the slot, priced and timed so you can decide quickly and get back to the mulled wine.
Board the historic Maria Croon at Pier 16 for a 50-minute Advent cruise through central Prague. Christmas carols, traditional Czech sweets, and one hot drink are included. Choose mulled wine, hot chocolate, black or white coffee, or tea. Bring warm clothing and arrive 15 minutes early.
Start at the Hungarian State Opera House at 4:30 pm and walk with an English-speaking guide through three Budapest Christmas markets. You’ll visit St. Stephen’s Basilica, see its facade light show, stroll beside the Danube, and sample treats such as chimney cake, lángos, mulled wine, and hot tea. Groups are limited to 14 people.
“Katelin was a great guide. She was knowledgeable, gracious and friendly. We thoroughly enjoyed St Stephens cathedral, all 3 Christmas markets, our snacks and mulled wine. I also appreciated her positive attitude regarding my ticket snafu. I highly recommend this tour.”
Walk from the Hungarian State Opera through Budapest’s Christmas markets with a local English-speaking guide. You’ll visit Szent István Square, the Gresham Palace area, and Vörösmarty Square, with chimney cake, mulled wine, snacks, and practical city tips included. Guides such as Zoltán, Ferenc, and Odea have led especially personal tours.
“Zoltán was terrific. Ask for him. Very knowledgeable and good English. Good balance of history and Xmas markets.”
Spend about two and a half hours exploring Budapest’s Christmas season with a private English-speaking guide. Meet at your hotel or apartment, walk through Vörösmarty Square, visit the area around St. Stephen’s Basilica, and sample mulled wine and chimney cake. The pace can be adjusted for your group, but this is mainly a walking tour, not a vehicle tour.
“The only complaint I have is in the description of the actual tour. We were a party of 9, ages 4 to 85. When I read that "Pickup" for our "private tour" would be at our hotel, I assumed we would be transported around in a vehicle to various Christmas Markets, this was not the case. Our tour guide Frank was wonderful, he accommodated us the best he could with the amount of walking that had to be done, putting us on public transportation and allowing us to go a little slower pace. We enjoyed our tour with Frank, he even went above and beyond to make Dinner Reservations and…”
Walk from Grand Army Plaza along Fifth Avenue to Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park with an English-speaking guide. Hear Christmas stories, visit Home Alone 2 locations, see St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Radio City, and the famous tree, then finish with dessert. Guides named Jared and Tom have earned strong praise for their storytelling.
“The tour was amazing, highly recommend the tour for anyone wanting a great holiday experience!”
Start at 10:30 pm near the British Embassy and London Dairy for a three-hour dhow cruise on Dubai Creek. Enjoy a vegetarian and non-vegetarian international buffet, live entertainment, unlimited soft drinks, tea and coffee, fruit champagne, midnight cake, and fireworks from the open deck or air-conditioned lower deck.
“This is not the first time, I am getting a good service from Mr Sadique. When the experience is repeated, would like to recommend him to others too. Thanks a lot for the wonderful service.”
Spend about two hours on the Tagus aboard a small catamaran, with room for up to 18 people. You’ll pass Belém Tower, Cristo Rei, the Discoveries Monument, the 25th of April Bridge, and Commerce Square while Christmas music plays. Portuguese Christmas cake and local liquor are included. Miguel may be among the crew, though staffing can vary.
“Great Christmas Day boat ride on the Tagus! Everyone was so friendly and it was beautiful and smooth and not cold at all. The best crew and their English was amazing. Miguel was an absolute delight and made it a fantastic day!”
Pick a market, a light show or a sleigh.
