I began the trip solo in Madeira, Portugal, a small island off the coast of Morocco. Madeira truly has a bit of everything — coastal towns, hiking trails, waterfalls, natural pools, and beautiful resorts. I rented a car to explore the island and stayed at The Views Baía, which made a perfect home base. Starting the trip there felt calm and grounding, and it was a wonderful way to ease into what would become a very full holiday season.

From Madeira, I flew to Belgium to meet my youngest sister, Caroline, and her fiancé, Peyton. Together, we explored the Christmas markets in Ghent and Bruges, traveling by train between cities. Ghent offered a more affordable place to stay, while both cities felt especially festive during the holidays. Many of our meals came straight from the markets, where we enjoyed mulled wine—called glögg depending on the country — and sampled a wide variety of local food.

From Belgium, we all traveled to the United Kingdom. We took the Eurostar from Brussels to London and then continued by train to the smaller town where my middle sister Sarah and her husband Brett live. This portion of the trip was particularly meaningful because we were celebrating Christmas together and meeting the newest member of our family, my nephew Charlie. My parents, Andrew and Diane, were there as well, making it a true family Christmas.

On Christmas Eve, we took a day trip to Cambridge to visit the Christmas market. That evening, we attended a Christmas Eve service at Great St. Mary’s Church, which is over 500 years old. After Christmas, we visited the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Seeing the original sets and props from the films was absolutely phenomenal and a highlight of the trip.

After our time in the UK, we split up. Caroline and Peyton traveled on to Paris, where Peyton proposed on New Year’s Eve. I continued on to Austria, flying to Salzburg and taking the famous Sound of Music tour, which included several iconic filming locations. From Salzburg, I took a train into the Alps to Hallstatt, arriving by ferry across the lake. I stayed at Seehotel Grüner Baum, located right on Lake Hallstatt. Ringing in the New Year there was unforgettable — sipping champagne while fireworks lit up the mountains and reflected across the water. Hallstatt is a stunning village and is thought to have inspired Disney’s Arendelle in Frozen.

I finished the trip in Vienna, staying at Hotel Wandl just behind St. Peter’s Church, with a balcony overlooking the church. While there, I visited the Austrian National Library, the Spanish Riding School, and enjoyed brunch at Palmenhaus Brasserie, a café housed inside a beautiful greenhouse. On my way home, I briefly passed through Helsinki and stopped for a meal at Olivia Central Station, an Italian restaurant located in the historic ticketing wing of the train station.

Although my husband wasn’t able to join us due to recent jaw surgery, this trip was all about family. We celebrated Christmas together, welcomed a new baby, and marked an engagement — moments that made the travel even more meaningful.

As a travel agent with Allison Sheffieck Travel, I planned the trip myself and helped my sister and parents with their arrangements. My advice for anyone considering holiday travel in Europe is to plan early, expect crowds and higher prices, and embrace the colder days — it’s worth it to see Europe dressed up for Christmas. If you’re looking for a warmer option with European charm, Madeira is a wonderful choice.

Next up, my husband and I are heading to Japan this August, inspired by a trip that reminded me how special it is to travel together.