Welcome to Vienna, the majestic former capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The City of Music comes to life during the Christmas season, its streets illuminated with twinkling lights and lined with festive markets. Upon arrival, a private transfer will greet you off your flight and whisk you away to your hotel in the city. Meet your fellow travellers and guide at the hotel, then you’re off into the Old Town. Your first evening will see you meander through the Christmas markets, with a warming mug of mulled wine (our recommendation) to ease you into the spirit, before dining at a nearby restaurant.

This morning, you’ll explore Vienna on a relaxed walking tour. The city’s architecture is a sight to savour, from Art Nouveau facades to Baroque cathedrals. For lunch, be sure to explore Vienna’s ample street food opportunities, with Christmas markets serving up everything from schnitzel to wurst. You’ll then meet the world-famous stallions at the Spanish Riding School, before settling into an afternoon cooking class with a local chef. Learn how to make Vienna’s signature dishes, from apfelstrudel to wienerschnitzel. In the evening, you’ll have the chance to enjoy a Viennese opera, or relax in the hotel sauna. We’ll leave it up to you.

Today, you’re off to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Check into your new hotel, then you’ll get your first taste of your new city on a walking tour of the Old Town. Sample some traditional mead (a local speciality made of honey wine), explore the city’s Christmas markets and admire picturesque views of the Danube from the vantage point of Bratislava Castle. Find lunch from one of the many Christmas market stalls or cafes (we’d recommend bryndzové halušky: a typical Slovak dish consisting of gnocchi-like dumplings sprinkled with sheep’s cheese and bacon). This evening, you’ll then enjoy an exclusive beer tasting at one of the city’s breweries.

You’re heading to Besenova, a small town located in the Low Tatras National Park. Upon arrival, you’ll check into your hotel, before taking a horse and carriage through the countryside. Admire scenic views of the mountains rising around you (where you’ll be hiking tomorrow), slowly making your way to a wilderness bonfire, where you’ll enjoy some sausages, wine and tea. Back at the hotel, the rest of the evening is yours to relax, before dining with your fellow travellers in the hotel restaurant.

You’ll return to the national park this morning, where you’ll be hiking the Low Tatras Mountains. Situated in the valley between two rivers (the Vah and the Hron), these picturesque mountains are home to dense green forests, caves and waterfalls, and offer beautiful views over the neighbouring High Tatras. Depending on the levels of snowfall, you may have to don snowshoes to navigate the Dumbier and Chopok peaks. Back at the hotel, you’ll have all afternoon to relax in the thermal springs and saunas.

Leave Slovakia behind as you cross the border into Poland, heading straight to the city of Krakow. If you are on our December departure you will check into the hotel before exploring the city on an introductory walking tour. Christmas brings a vibrant warmth to the city, it’s streets lively with market stalls and festive locals. If you are booked onto our November departure, you will stop en-route to Krakow to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. A sombre yet vital historic landmark, the museum and memorial offer a chance to reflect upon the tragedy and horrors of the past.

Today is all about immersing yourself in Krakow’s history. If you are on our December departure you will uncover a truly unique sight: the subterranean tunnels of Wieliczka Salt Mines. Spread over nine levels underground, these labyrinthine walkways are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you are booked onto our November departure you will spend the morning exploring the city of Krakow and it’s lively Christmas markets. Your afternoon will be the same on both departures where you will visit the Nowa Huta District. A concrete neighbourhood built on Soviet architectural ideals, this was constructed with the intention of being a model communist city. Delve into a nuclear bunker for a communist-style cold buffet lunch (paired with vodka, naturally) and then cruise through the neighbourhood in an old-school Eastern Bloc Trabant. Follow this up with an exclusive vodka tasting and closing feast at a traditional Polish restaurant.

On your final day, it will be up to you to make your own way to the airport – your guide will be on hand to help you arrange a transfer. If you would like to combine this trip with one of our other European adventures, you can find the full list of trips here, from Sicily to Croatia.