City ESCAPES
Quaint and pretty towns, fascinating history and mouthwatering cuisine make Northern Europe the go-to destination for city breaks this winter with P&O Cruises
MAKE winter a season to look forward to with a tour of Northern Europe’s great cities. When winter rolls in, the cultural centres of Northern Europe come alive with dramatic morning skies, frosty cobbled streets and Christmas markets filled with the sound of carols – an event you’ll be able to enjoy on one of P&O Cruises winter cruises on Iona.
But that’s not all there is to look forward to. Each of the region’s cities exudes its own individual charm at this time of year. And, by setting off on a cruise with P&O Cruises newest ship, Iona, you can experience everything that each of these great urban centres has to offer.
BRUGES
DEFINED by its myriad canals and winding streets of medieval houses, Bruges is a fairytale location, particularly during the winter months –and it’s easily accessible from the dock in Zeebrugge.
With its towering iced spires and lights glowing through windows, this picture-perfect city is perfect for those looking to wind down after a fun-packed summer. Hitch a ride on a local river cruise so you can absorb all the surroundings under pretty pink skies. Then, once you’re back on land, get comfortable in one of the city’s bars with a local beer and enjoy authentic beef casserole or moreish beef and pork meatballs.
ROTTERDAM
NOT far from peaceful Bruges is the buzzing city of Rotterdam, one of Holland’s major ports. Home to the iconic Cube House, the Erasmus Bridge and other outstanding architectural landmarks, this is the ideal place to explore on foot over the course of two days.
While you’re wandering around, keep your eyes peeled for the local pancake boat. Here, you can gorge on an a supply of pancakes to your heart’s content and top up your energy levels so you can make the most of the designer shopping districts, local craft stores and maritime museums. Then, when evening rolls in, try the local beer or sign up for an exclusive gin workshop.
AMSTERDAM
THE liberal, cultural hub of Amsterdam is wonderful all year round, but by the time winter arrives, it’s positively magical. Plus, from Rotterdam, Amsterdam is just a short train trip away, so you can dedicate one of your two days to checking it out.
Tourist passes for the city can guarantee you free or discounted access to the city’s famous museums during this season, such as the Rijksmuseum, so you can become well acquainted with Amsterdam’s enthralling history while staying warm.
Seven nights’ Northern European City Escape from £499pp† G028
If you’re lucky, your visit may coincide with the freezing over of the canals, so you can get your skates on and slide about with the distinctive townhouses towering above you. Then, once the sun has set, head to Pesca, Amsterdam’s popular fish joint, for some seafood and wine before returning to Rotterdam.
HAMBURG
PERHAPS one of the most exciting stops on your tour is Hamburg, Germany’s second-largest city. During winter, Hamburg brings in millions of visitors who trawl the fantastic shops in search of that perfect festive gift – but there’s so much more to do here at this time of year.
Whether you’re dropping by a local church, visiting the grand Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall with its stunning mirrored façade to listen to live orchestras, or simply savouring some soul-warming glühwein and gingerbread as you potter about, this city has a wealth of activities to occupy the wintertime explorer. While you’re docked in port here in the evening, make the most of an on-shore experience and take part in a beer tour.
You’ll get to see all the famous sights in the twinkling lights of night, like the century-old Warehouse Quarter, Speicherstadt, and also The Indra Club, where The Beatles played their first Hamburg concert back in 1960.