Christmas Trips · WINE TOURS
The 15 best festive wine tastings you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Cruise Leipzig’s harbor and western canals for 60 minutes with mulled wine or hot tea, cookies, blankets, and a German-speaking guide. You’ll pass the Baedeker villa, Palmengartenwehr, Buntgarnwerke, and Karl Heine Canal, with some departures led by the lively skipper Uwe.
“Sehr unterhaltsame Tour mit einem gut gelaunten, anekdotensprudelnden Bootsführer. Unbedingt empfehlenswert.”
Spend one hour with Krakow’s Royal Chamber Orchestra in the historic Dębinski tenement house at Sławkowska 14. Expect polished classical and Christmas music, a small glass of wine, and an intimate concert setting near the Old Town. The hall is reached by stairs and is not wheelchair accessible.
“A very accomplished ensemble of musicians who demonstrated considerable skill in this short concert. Selection of music ranged from well-known classical music to familiar Christmas pieces. The arrangements were very good and of a high standard, played exceptionally well. The programme was somewhat dry and would have benefitted from some introduction and explanation as nobody spoke or introduced the musicians or the mysical items.”
Take a 50-minute winter cruise from Heidelberg’s Neckar pier, passing the Old Bridge, Heidelberg Castle, Neuenheim, Philosophers’ Walk, and Wieblingen Weir Bridge. Your ticket includes one cup of mulled wine or a non-alcoholic version. Choose the open upper deck or a heated indoor seat.
Spend 60 minutes aboard a Silverline Cruises boat beside Budapest’s Elizabeth Bridge. Enjoy unlimited mulled wine in seven flavors, non-alcoholic winter drinks, indoor seating, and views of Parliament, Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, and the Chain Bridge. Bring earphones for the nine-language audio guide app.
“Amazing views. Comfy seating and cozy vibes. Drinks are regularly brought to you. It was absolutely amazin.”
Start at Neumarkt and follow a German-speaking guide through Dresden’s Christmas markets and Old Town sights, including the Frauenkirche, Fürstenzug, Royal Palace, Semper Opera, Zwinger, and Striezelmarkt. You’ll taste Dresden Stollen and mulled wine while learning about Saxon holiday customs.
Spend three to four hours with an English-speaking guide visiting Munich’s Marienplatz, Residenz, Wittelsbacherplatz, and Theresienwiese markets. Sample glühwein, mulled beer, festive snacks, and local traditions in a group capped at 15 people. Guides such as Victoria, Katrina, and Lockie have earned warm praise.
“Great guide! Wonderful time seeing the Christmas markets and trying out all the food and drinks. The tour guide provided great suggestions. A must do when in Munich!”
Walk from Covent Garden to Trafalgar Square with a guide such as Tom, Henry, Carlos, or Jack. Expect Christmas lights, market stalls, street performers, tucked-away corners, London history, holiday folklore, and a glass of hot spiced mulled wine in a small group of no more than 10.
“Jack was so personable and we had lots of fun. This tour was so lovely! We really learned so much about Christmas and saw some areas we would have completely missed. Well worth the money, highly recommend!”
Cruise Wrocław’s Oder River for 45 minutes aboard a Christmas-decorated ship with heated lower-deck seating, seasonal music, and one included hot mulled wine or another hot drink. An onboard audio guide uses a QR code, but there is no live guide. The cruise starts near Market Square.
“No audio guide - no information whatsoever . Ship was supposed to be heated but was freezing. Mulled wine was pretty undrinkable. Not good value - don’t bother.”
See Old Riga’s main sights from a small heated electric bus, with an English audio guide, a friendly English-speaking driver, blankets in cold weather, and a welcome drink. The ride starts and ends at Jēkaba Barracks on Torņa Street and suits first-time visitors short on time.
“Tour path itself (via city center) was good and we seen interesting places and buildings. However, the information we got about the places was mostly basic and obvious, e.g. we seen the castle and got information that president lives there, but no information about who is the president, what political system they have, what taxes they pay, how school system works or some curiosities or interesting non comonly known local stories. Compering to tours in other cities, this was below average. But considering the price, if you do not have too high expectations, could be ok.”
Join a 60 to 70 minute German-language cruise on Lake Cospuden aboard the heated passenger ship Cospuden. You’ll hear about the lake and nearby area, listen to Christmas music, and buy mulled wine, punch, cake, sausages, or pretzels. Blankets are available, but food and drinks cost extra.
“Super entspannt super nettes Personal war einen Ausflug wert”
Spend two hours with a bilingual guide such as Arno exploring Strasbourg’s illuminated Christmas markets and decorated squares. Sample Alsatian specialties, browse artisan stalls, and finish with mulled wine or hot juice. Groups are limited to 10, with French, English, and Spanish available.
“Très beau moment convivial avec un guide attentionné et la découverte d’une famille australienne au travers des 7 marchés de Noel visités. Vraiment plaisant de découvrir Strasbourg sous cet angle”
You’ll spend one hour on a round-trip Christmas cruise from Koblenz, with music, one glass of mulled wine, and views of Deutsches Eck, Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, and Stolzenfels Castle. German and English assistance is available, and food and extra drinks can be bought onboard.
“We celebrated my mother's birthday with a large group of people. Everything was excellent, the atmosphere was pleasant, there were no crowds, and you could sit outside or go inside to warm up. We give it a 10 out of 10. Thank you to the organizers.”
Join City Cruises York for a one-hour River Ouse trip with live captain’s commentary, Christmas songs, and your choice of mulled wine, tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. A mince pie is included, and the heated saloon, toilet, and onboard bar make this a practical winter outing.
“The trip itself was lovely, with great views and very friendly staff on the boat. Unfortunately, the boat did not arrive at the scheduled time and there was no communication to explain this. When we called the office, we were told it was because we were late to boarding, which wasn’t true – we were very early, and other families said the original boat had left due to mechanical issues. The next trip wasn’t for another hour, leaving us standing in freezing rain with a baby, although we were thankfully allowed to board slightly early. Separately, I had booked the wrong day initially. I had emailed well in advance to…”
Join Walsh Tours for a 90-minute Christmas walk through Winchester, from a 12th-century gate and King Arthur-linked castle remains to the cathedral. Your English-speaking comedian guide, including Bryan on some departures, adds stories, humor, festive lights, and a serving of mulled wine.
“An excellent tour by Bryan! A lovely walk around Winchester with some humour and interesting stories thrown in alongside a delicious mulled wine. I’d thoroughly recommend!”
Set out from Bonn’s Alter Zoll for a 90-minute winter cruise along the Rhine. You’ll pass Oberkassel, the Bonner Bogen, Bad Godesberg, and Königswinter, with Drachenfels and the Siebengebirge ahead. Your ticket includes one mug of mulled wine, but no sightseeing commentary or food.
“Nicht. Mogelpackung: SCHIFF WIRKT OLL:Dürftigst adventlich geschmückt.Kalt.Kalter Tiefkühlkuchen. DIE Adventliche Hintergrundmusik, war playlist mit Popsongs, noch nicht mal die amerikanischen WeihnachtsKlassiker. Auch keinerlei Erklärungen zu dem was man sah. Muffeliger Stewart. Nette Bedienung. Guter Glühweininclusive. Bei Nachbestellung 7 Euro. BViel zu teuer. Insgesamt: Nicht empfehlensert.”
Pick a market, a lights run or a night in the snow.
