Explore Europe over the festive season and enjoy the ultimate winter holiday! Discover Europe’s most famous destinations over 12 days.
Celebrate the 12 days of Christmas in style with this Europe Escape Christmas & New Year tour! Discover some of Europe’s most famous destinations including Paris, Venice and Munich. Visit Germany's Rhine Valley, spend Christmas Day in Amsterdam, celebrate the New Year in Rome and explore the majestic Swiss Alps!
Hotel in Rome
Hotel in Rome
11 Nights, (3 & 4 star hotels)
11 Nights
(3 & 4 star hotels)
11 Breakfasts | 6 Dinners
11 Breakfasts
6 Dinners
Air-conditioned coach
Air-conditioned coach
Fully-guided tour
Fully-guided tour
Hotel in Rome | 07:30 AM
Hotel in Rome | 10:00 AM
Ciao! Meet up with your tour leader and group in Rome and hit the road. Arrive in Venice and prepare to be wowed! Keep an eye out for St. Mark’s Square, the Rialto Bridge and Grand Canal. Enjoy a free evening. See Venice the traditional way on a water taxi and gondola ride by joining the Evening in Venice excursion!
Experience the magic of Venice, Italy’s floating city. Visit must-see sights like St Mark’s Square, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Market, and more for an unforgettable experience.
Experience the magic of Venice, Italy’s floating city. Visit must-see sights like St Mark’s Square, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Market, and more for an unforgettable experience.
Take a water taxi cruise and gondola ride of Venice’s iconic waterways. Soak up the romantic sights from the canals and enjoy an included dinner.
Take a water taxi cruise and gondola ride of Venice’s iconic waterways. Soak up the romantic sights from the canals and enjoy an included dinner.
Continue onto the next exciting destination. Take a trip through the spectacular Brenner Pass and admire gorgeous countryside en route. Stop in Innsbruck before arriving in Munich, Germany, this afternoon. Set off on an orientation tour of this Bavarian capital to see the highlights. This evening, enjoy an authentic taste of Germany during an included dinner at a local restaurant.
Cross spectacular mountain passes and experience some amazing mountain vistas en route to Austria.
Cross spectacular mountain passes and experience some amazing mountain vistas en route to Austria.
Enjoy a comfort stop and orientation tour in this beautiful Austrian city that lies in a valley between high mountains, making for an incredible backdrop.
Enjoy a comfort stop and orientation tour in this beautiful Austrian city that lies in a valley between high mountains, making for an incredible backdrop.
Explore Munich with your tour leader. Learn more about this fascinating and beautiful Bavarian city and see highlights like Karlsplatz and Marienplatz.
Explore Munich with your tour leader. Learn more about this fascinating and beautiful Bavarian city and see highlights like Karlsplatz and Marienplatz.
Munich welcomes you with a delicious, three-course German dinner at a local restaurant. Indulge in traditional dishes like pork knuckle (eisbein). Vegetarian options available.
Munich welcomes you with a delicious, three-course German dinner at a local restaurant. Indulge in traditional dishes like pork knuckle (eisbein). Vegetarian options available.
It’s Christmas Eve and the adventures continue to the picturesque Rhine Valley! Arrive and embark on a Rhine River cruise. Admire the views of the dramatic cliffs, medieval towns and castles along the river banks. After, visit a local wine merchant for a Rhine Valley wine tasting. This evening, celebrate Christmas Eve with an included dinner at a local restaurant!
Admire beautiful scenery and the largest concentration of gothic castles (Sterrenberg, Liebestein, Katz and Fortress Rheinfels) in Europe on a cruise along the Rhine River.
Admire beautiful scenery and the largest concentration of gothic castles (Sterrenberg, Liebestein, Katz and Fortress Rheinfels) in Europe on a cruise along the Rhine River.
Visit a local wine merchant in this famous wine region, and sample German wine varietals. You may even get to try eiswein, a rare dessert wine.
Visit a local wine merchant in this famous wine region, and sample German wine varietals. You may even get to try eiswein, a rare dessert wine.
Merry Christmas! En route to Amsterdam, stop at an iconic Dutch windmill before discovering two Dutch icons: cheese and clogs! Visit a local farm to learn how these items are crafted. Arrive in Amsterdam and embark on a twilight canal cruise and admire the Amsterdam Light Festival displays! After, join the group for a delicious Christmas dinner.
Travel through the Dutch countryside and enjoy a photo stop at an iconic Dutch windmill.
Travel through the Dutch countryside and enjoy a photo stop at an iconic Dutch windmill.
See how these traditional shoes are made by hand, and taste Dutch cheese. Purchase some unique and authentic Dutch souvenirs during the visit!
See how these traditional shoes are made by hand, and taste Dutch cheese. Purchase some unique and authentic Dutch souvenirs during the visit!
See Amsterdam’s iconic sights that sit along the waterside at twilight. Better yet, admire the elaborate displays of the Amsterdam Light Festival!
See Amsterdam’s iconic sights that sit along the waterside at twilight. Better yet, admire the elaborate displays of the Amsterdam Light Festival!
Celebrate Christmas alongside your new travel friends with an included group dinner in Amsterdam.
Celebrate Christmas alongside your new travel friends with an included group dinner in Amsterdam.
This morning, experience Ghent, Belgium. This picturesque port city is renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture! Grab a bite to eat and stroll through the historic centre. Next up is Paris! Embark on a driving tour of the French capital. See iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum and the Arc de Triomphe before enjoying a local dinner.
Look forward to free time in this Belgian port city which enchants with its medieval market squares. Take this opportunity to taste authentic Belgian cuisine!
Look forward to free time in this Belgian port city which enchants with its medieval market squares. Take this opportunity to taste authentic Belgian cuisine!
Take a guided drive through Paris, spotting iconic sights like L’Opéra Garnier, the Tuileries Gardens, the Seine, Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and more!
Take a guided drive through Paris, spotting iconic sights like L’Opéra Garnier, the Tuileries Gardens, the Seine, Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and more!
Today is yours to explore Paris as you wish. Join the highly recommended Paris Like Locals optional excursion for a fun-filled day tour complete with a macaron tasting, visits to a perfume museum and Galeries Lafayette as well as free time in the Latin Quarter. Why not finish off with an evening in Montmartre and a Cabaret show? C'est magnifique!
Explore the many highlights of Paris! Stroll among top attractions, taste macarons, smell perfume, discover the Latin Quarter and more.
Explore the many highlights of Paris! Stroll among top attractions, taste macarons, smell perfume, discover the Latin Quarter and more.
Explore the vibrant Montmartre neighbourhood by night! See the Moulin Rouge and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica and indulge in a three-course French dinner.
Explore the vibrant Montmartre neighbourhood by night! See the Moulin Rouge and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica and indulge in a three-course French dinner.
Be amazed by colours, costumes and cancan at one of Paris’ top cabaret venues!
Be amazed by colours, costumes and cancan at one of Paris’ top cabaret venues!
Departing Paris, enjoy a lunch stop in Burgundy in the heart of French wine country. Here, try the famous wine or visit the beautiful Hospices de Beaune. After, prepare to be amazed by the views of the Swiss Alps where the tour will stay for the next two days. Soak up the spectacular alpine surroundings and festive spirit!
Stop in Beaune, Burgundy’s UNESCO-listed wine capital. Enjoy free time to explore the medieval town or sample regional cuisine and wines.
Stop in Beaune, Burgundy’s UNESCO-listed wine capital. Enjoy free time to explore the medieval town or sample regional cuisine and wines.
Marvel at the spectacular views on a drive through mountain passes and alongside lakes, breathtaking mountain vistas and scenic views of quaint Swiss towns.
Marvel at the spectacular views on a drive through mountain passes and alongside lakes, breathtaking mountain vistas and scenic views of quaint Swiss towns.
Make the most of a free day in the Swiss Alps! Don’t miss the chance to join the ‘Jungfraujoch: Journey to the Top of Europe’ optional excursion! At Jungfraujoch, you can play in the snow, admire the breathtaking panoramas, visit the Sphinx Observatory and even explore an Ice Palace! Warm up tonight with the optional Swiss Fondue Dinner.
Get an authentic taste of Switzerland and warm up with an authentic Swiss fondue dinner! Is there anything better than a pot of melted cheese?
Get an authentic taste of Switzerland and warm up with an authentic Swiss fondue dinner! Is there anything better than a pot of melted cheese?
Travel to the “Top of Europe” - Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe! Enjoy exceptional views, year-round snow and a magical ice palace.
Travel to the “Top of Europe” - Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe! Enjoy exceptional views, year-round snow and a magical ice palace.
The trip continues to Italy! Stop at Lake Como, a beautiful destination in the Italian Lake District complete with picturesque lakeside villages, sparkling blue waters and impressive mountain backdrops. Find a spot for lunch and soak up the dreamy scenery. Afterwards, head to Tuscany, a region famous for its food, wine, art and architecture. Settle in at the hotel.
This is one of the most beautiful and glamorous destinations in Italy! Lake Como is famous for its dramatic scenery and luxury resorts.
This is one of the most beautiful and glamorous destinations in Italy! Lake Como is famous for its dramatic scenery and luxury resorts.
Start celebrating New Year's Eve with a visit to the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa! Then, head to the enchanting city of Florence for a locally-guided walking tour of the birthplace of the Renaissance. Join the Taste of Tuscany excursion for a delicious lunch before journeying back to Rome. Ring in the new year with your group during dinner tonight!
Tick the Leaning Tower of Pisa off your bucket list and snap iconic photos of yourself ‘holding up’ this world-famous landmark!
Tick the Leaning Tower of Pisa off your bucket list and snap iconic photos of yourself ‘holding up’ this world-famous landmark!
Explore this historic, Renaissance city. See highlights like Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, the Duomo, and the replica of Michelangelo’s David.
Explore this historic, Renaissance city. See highlights like Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, the Duomo, and the replica of Michelangelo’s David.
Say goodbye to the year in style! Before ringing in the new year in bella Roma, enjoy a delicious Italian meal at the hotel with the group.
Say goodbye to the year in style! Before ringing in the new year in bella Roma, enjoy a delicious Italian meal at the hotel with the group.
Get a true taste of Tuscany with this culinary experience in Florence! Sit down for a family-style meal and indulge in classic Tuscan dishes.
Get a true taste of Tuscany with this culinary experience in Florence! Sit down for a family-style meal and indulge in classic Tuscan dishes.
Kick off the brand new year with a free day in Rome. Known as “The Eternal City”, Rome was once at the centre of the Roman Empire. Join the Conquer the Capital excursion to tick off multiple Rome highlights including the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and the Colosseum followed by a delicious local dinner and gelato tasting!
See Rome’s iconic sites on a bucket-list treasure hunt through the city! See the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and more. Plus, enjoy dinner and a gelato tasting.
See Rome’s iconic sites on a bucket-list treasure hunt through the city! See the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and more. Plus, enjoy dinner and a gelato tasting.
After 12 days filled with festive Christmas and New Year fun, the tour comes to an end after breakfast today in Rome. We hope you enjoyed this festive trip and that we can welcome you back to Europe again in the future! Be sure to swap details with your fellow travellers before you say farewell for now!
Take a water taxi cruise and gondola ride of Venice’s iconic waterways. Soak up the romantic sights from the canals and enjoy an included dinner.
Travel to the “Top of Europe” - Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe! Enjoy exceptional views, year-round snow and a magical ice palace.
Admire beautiful scenery and the largest concentration of gothic castles (Sterrenberg, Liebestein, Katz and Fortress Rheinfels) in Europe on a cruise along the Rhine River.
See how these traditional shoes are made by hand, and taste Dutch cheese. Purchase some unique and authentic Dutch souvenirs during the visit!
See Rome’s iconic sites on a bucket-list treasure hunt through the city! See the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and more. Plus, enjoy dinner and a gelato tasting.
This tour is available in multiple options – choose your preferred option using the buttons below:
This 12-day tour starts and ends in Rome, and includes 2 nights accommodation in Rome. Celebrate Christmas in Amsterdam and New year's Eve in Rome. The rest of the itinerary is the same as the Christmas-only tour.
You'll Love
Enhance your tour with these carefully selected optional experiences. Each one is designed to add depth and excitement to your journey, allowing you to customize your adventure according to your interests.
Take a water taxi cruise and gondola ride of Venice’s iconic waterways. Soak up the romantic sights from the canals and enjoy an included dinner.
Explore the many highlights of Paris! Stroll among top attractions, taste macarons, smell perfume, discover the Latin Quarter and more.
Explore the vibrant Montmartre neighbourhood by night! See the Moulin Rouge and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica and indulge in a three-course French dinner.
Be amazed by colours, costumes and cancan at one of Paris’ top cabaret venues!
Travel to the “Top of Europe” - Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe! Enjoy exceptional views, year-round snow and a magical ice palace.
Get an authentic taste of Switzerland and warm up with an authentic Swiss fondue dinner! Is there anything better than a pot of melted cheese?
Get a true taste of Tuscany with this culinary experience in Florence! Sit down for a family-style meal and indulge in classic Tuscan dishes.
See Rome’s iconic sites on a bucket-list treasure hunt through the city! See the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and more. Plus, enjoy dinner and a gelato tasting.
If you are planning to travel a different year, please select here to view the relevant itinerary:
Price is based on a sharing twin room. Single room (optional).
We partner with a range of hand-picked hotels in each destination. The hotels listed below are those we stay at most frequently. However, you may stay at different hotels of a similar standard.
A confirmed list of hotels is emailed to all travellers prior to their tour departure. To extend your stay in Rome, click here to book pre and post-tour accommodation through our partner Booking.com.
My girlfriend and I were a bit hesitant before on going on a guided tour/excursion due to time constraints and tight schedule, BUT our expectations were proven wrong, and beyond! I...
The tour was incredible, the sights we saw, the attractions we went on and the people we meet were amazing.
Our tour leader Luke was very engaging and informative throughout our time with him. He made the most out of each day with his endless energy and passion for history.
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For pre-departure and visa information, as well as frequently asked questions regarding preparing for and travelling on this tour, please visit our Help Centre.
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting destination for the first day of your tour. Make sure you keep departure times and possible delays in mind when booking flights. Please click here to visit Skyscanner - a useful tool for comparing prices from the vast majority of airlines.
When you book for more than one person, we will by default group you together in the same room(s), unless you request single supplements or specifically request us not to.
If there are unequal numbers (3, 5, 7 etc.) then the remaining traveller will be roomed with another passenger of the same gender. Please note that minors under the age of 18 cannot share with another traveller outside of your group's booking.
If you are making separate bookings and would like to share the same room(s), please send us an email with the booking references for each of the travellers and the details of your preferred rooming allocation.
Yes, and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance. Passengers and their personal property travel with Expat Explore solely at their own risk. A suitable insurance policy should provide adequate cover for medical expenses arising through illness or accident prior to or during the holiday, and loss of holiday monies through cancellation or curtailment of the holiday or other insurable reasons. Clients should ensure that there are no exclusion clauses limiting protection for the type of activities in their tour.
For a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with the peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries. To receive a quote from our preferred travel insurance partner please visit World Nomads*.
For more information on what to look for in a travel insurance policy, click here.
While Expat Explore cannot assist with booking pre or post-tour accommodation, we have partnered with Booking.com for affordable accommodation options prior to and after the tour.
If you would like to receive the hotel list in advance so that you can book accommodation at or nearby the start hotel, please request this by sending an email to info@expatexplore.com with your booking reference.
Expat Explore can provide travellers requiring visas with visa support documents on a request basis. Please note that you are required to pay for your tour in full in order to receive the documents. This is an embassy/consulate requirement by law. Once you have received confirmation that your booking has been paid in full, you can request your visa support documents by emailing info@expatexplore.com - please allow up to 10 working days to receive these documents.
All travellers are required to carry their own bags. Our walking tours can last up to 3 hours and certain places involve walking up and down stairs. We want you to enjoy your tour, so read through the itinerary thoroughly and make your own conclusions as to whether you feel that you are fit and healthy enough.
Our tours are not suitable for young children, so we set a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email for consideration. Expat Explore reserves the absolute right to accept or decline a booking at our discretion.
Your deposit secures your spot on tour and locks in the price you pay. Although the deposit you pay at the time of booking is non-refundable, you're protected by our 10-Day Money-Back Guarantee – a full refund if you cancel within 10 days of making your booking.
For more information, please refer to the 10-Day Money-Back Guarantee in our Terms & Conditions.
Before the tour starts, you will receive an email from us requesting your dietary requirements. There is always a vegetarian option available. We try as much as we can to offer you the traditional local cuisine.
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting point for the first day of your tour. We have partnered with Welcome Pickups to secure a hassle-free service. You will be met at the arrivals gate by your driver. Your driver will track your flight, so they'll wait for you even if it's delayed. Please click here to book an airport transfer.
This is up to you and will vary depending on how much you wish to spend on snacks, drinks, souvenirs etc. We do not include entrance fees to attractions and museums. We do, however, provide you with free time to see everything you want, and our tour leaders will have all the information on pricing and locations so you can manage your own budget. Please refer to your tours specific pre-departure information and optional excursions guide for further details.