Where to go · DESSERT TOURS
Good christmas dessert tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 8 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Board the historic Maria Croon at Pier 16 for a short Advent cruise through central Prague. Christmas carols, Czech sweets, and your choice of mulled wine, hot chocolate, coffee, or tea come included. The 50-minute sailing runs Thursday through Sunday during Advent and returns to the same pier.
Join an English-speaking guide such as Katalin, István, Zsuzsanna, or Vickie for a 2.5-hour Budapest Christmas walk. Visit St. Stephen’s Basilica, watch its facade light show, explore three markets, stroll beside the Danube, and sample chimney cake, lángos, mulled wine, and hot tea.
“My guide was great. I was the only person and honestly if you know where to look you can explore the different markets on your own though this tour also includes a tour of st Stephen’s basilica as there is a large market nearby. That alone is worthwhile addition. Learned about the local traditions and the town. Exploring at night is a must do. Sampled chimney cake - knowing where to go is key and other treats.”
Walk from the Hungarian State Opera to Budapest’s Christmas markets with a local English-speaking guide. Visit Szent István Square, Vörösmarty Square, and the Gresham Palace area, with chimney cake and mulled wine included. Guides such as Zoltán, Ferenc, and Odea have led warm, flexible tours focused on food, customs, and city stories.
“The Christmas Markets and the Opera house were very, very impressive, and the guide was well informed.”
Meet locals and international participants at Luxury Stand Bar & Cafe Milas in Shibuya from 9:00 p.m. Enjoy a welcome drink, UNO and Jenga, a one-hour cake buffet, pop music, a group photo, and a midnight countdown. The entrance fee is $39.50, but one drink costing ¥800 is required separately.
“Too crowded but very lively. Lots of foreigners enjoy chatting with different people.”
Spend about two and a half hours exploring Budapest’s Christmas season with a private English-speaking guide. Visit Vörösmarty Square and St. Stephen’s Basilica, pass Gresham Palace, and enjoy mulled wine and Hungarian chimney cake. Hotel or apartment pickup is offered, but this is mainly a walking tour, not a chauffeured market trip.
“We had an incredible personalised tour of the Jewish quarter that not only showed us the synagogues but also covered so much more of the history and culture of the city. Our guide Kinga was so knowledgeable and our discussions went far beyond the scope of the tour. She introduced us to the ruin bars and local restaurants that we visited many times afterwards. It left us understanding much more about the great city of Budapest and wanting to return. Thanks again Kinga.”
Join an English-speaking local guide for a brisk two-hour Christmas walk from Grand Army Plaza through Fifth Avenue, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and Bryant Park. You’ll hear holiday history, visit Home Alone 2 locations, see the tree and Channel Gardens, and finish with a festive dessert. Guides have included Jared and Tom.
“Tour guide Jared was great. Knowledgeable of history and of area. It definitely was fast paced so a little difficult to maneuver with children.”
Board a traditional dhow near the British Embassy at 10:30 p.m. for a three-hour Dubai Creek cruise. You’ll have an international vegetarian and non-vegetarian buffet, live entertainment, soft drinks, tea, coffee, midnight cake, fruit champagne, and fireworks viewed from the boat. 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 small catamaran from Doca de Alcântara, sailing past Lisbon’s major riverside sights with Christmas music, a typical Portuguese cake, and local liquor. Miguel and the crew provide a friendly welcome, but this is sightseeing rather than a fully guided tour.
“This was a VERY nice way to spend Christmas Day! The weather was great and we had a great experience.”
Pick a market, a sleigh, a stage or a river.
