Christmas Trips · DESSERT TOURS
The good christmas dessert tours fill weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 8 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Spend 50 minutes aboard historic Maria Croon, sailing through central Prague during Advent. You’ll hear Christmas carols, see the city’s decorations from the river, and receive traditional sweets plus mulled wine, hot chocolate, coffee, or tea. No named guide is provided.
Meet at the Opera House at 4:30 pm for a 2.5-hour English tour with guides such as Katalin, Zsuzsa, and Istvan. Walk to St. Stephen’s Basilica, three Christmas markets, and the Danube, with chimney cake, mulled wine, and local food tips along the way.
“We had a lovely afternoon discovering the Christmas markets with Zsuzsa. She gave us tips on which food we should try and which ones are prepared in the traditional or classic manner. She also gave us tips on where to buy the best pastries in town and introduced us to the section of the road where every winning "Hungarian wine of the year" is lined up. We also got the chance to try mulled wine and hot tea and we love them. They warm the stomach which helps with the freezing temperature at night.”
Walk from the Hungarian State Opera to Budapest’s Christmas markets, stopping at Szent István Square, Gresham Palace, and Vörösmarty Square. Your English-speaking guide explains Hungarian holiday customs, with mulled wine and chimney cake included. Guides have included Zoltán, Ferenc, and Odea.
“Zoltán was terrific. Ask for him. Very knowledgeable and good English. Good balance of history and Xmas markets.”
Join Welcome Tokyo at LUXURY STAND BAR & CAFE MILAS in Shibuya from 9:00 p.m. for games, music, an all-you-can-eat cake buffet, and a midnight countdown. Your ticket includes the event and cakes, but you must buy at least one ¥800 drink.
“Very good friends and good people here I talk all world people and i tak same country people and i am very happy see you again I are very happy with this event”
Spend about 2.5 hours walking Budapest’s festive center with a private English-speaking guide. Visit Vörösmarty Square, see St. Stephen’s Basilica, pass landmarks such as Gresham Palace, and enjoy mulled wine and chimney cake. Pickup is available, but plan for substantial walking.
“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…”
Join an English-speaking local guide for a fast-paced two-hour Christmas walk from Grand Army Plaza through Fifth Avenue, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and Bryant Park. Hear holiday stories, visit Home Alone 2 locations, admire the tree and lights, and finish with a festive dessert.
“Tour guide Jared was great. Knowledgeable of history and of area. It definitely was fast paced so a little difficult to maneuver with children.”
You’ll board a traditional dhow near the British Embassy by London Dairy at 10:30 pm for three hours on Dubai Creek. Enjoy a vegetarian and non-vegetarian gala buffet, live entertainment, unlimited soft drinks, tea, coffee, midnight cake, fruit champagne, and fireworks from the deck. Hotel transfers are not included.
“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 a catamaran from Alcântara, viewing Belém Tower, Cristo Rei, the Discoveries Monument, 25 de Abril Bridge, and Commerce Square. Christmas music, Portuguese cake, and local liquor are included. The group is capped at 18, with no hotel transfer or dedicated guide.
“This was a VERY nice way to spend Christmas Day! The weather was great and we had a great experience.”
Pick a market, a lights run or a night in the snow.
