Enjoy a winter getaway in Europe like no other. This culture-filled trip takes in five European capitals: Vilnius in Lithuania, Riga in Latvia, Tallinn in Estonia, Helsinki in Finland, and Stockholm in Sweden. Along the way, soak up atmospheric old towns and visit unforgettable landmarks, while also learning about different traditions every time we cross a border. Join from late November to early January to experience the nostalgia-soaked Christmas markets – enjoying delicious local foods and soul-warming hot drinks under twinkling lights and sparkly decorations.

The hotels typically used are found in the day-to-day itinerary. However, below is a selection of the notable places we stay. Vilnius: Comfort Hotel LT – Rock’n’Roll Vilnius (nights 1-2) With an industrial style and music theme, our Vilnius hotel has plenty of personality. The 80 rooms are all air conditioned with underfloor heating in the bathroom, plus the Mellow restaurant serves a menu packed with local produce. Other nice additions are a free-to-use gym and a lobby shop selling beers, snacks, sandwiches and more. Riga: Islande Hotel (nights 3-4) Near the Daugava River, the Islande has a magnificent panoramic view of Riga Old Town. It’s located in a green area of Kipsala island, a 12-minute walk from the Old City, and offers a wide range of amenities, including a bowling alley, sauna, gym, two restaurants and a summer terrace. Helsinki to Stockholm: Overnight ferry (night 8) On our journey between the Finnish and Swedish capitals, we stay on the Silja Symphony or Silja Serenade ferries. Both offer a comfortable stay on the Baltic Sea, with modern cabins, a variety of restaurants and cafes, plus a spa. Stockholm: ProfilHotels Riddargatan (night 9) An excellent location near the action and Scandi style makes ProfilHotels Riddargatan an ideal spot to explore the Swedish capital. There’s also a library for some downtime plus a lobby bar for a glass of wine.