Tours Christmas & New Year Tours Europe Escape Christmas & New Year

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Summary

Celebrate the 12 days of Christmas in style with this Europe Escape Christmas & New Year tour! Enjoy the best winter holiday on a fun, affordable and convenient Europe coach tour. Taste traditional festive foods, admire the twinkling lights and wander the many Christmas markets. Discover some of Europe’s most famous destinations including Paris, Venice and Munich. And that's not all, visit Germany's fairytale Rhine Valley, spend Christmas Day in Amsterdam, ring in the New Year in Rome and explore the majestic Swiss Alps. This is the best way to celebrate the festive season in Europe!

Highlights

  • Celebrate Christmas in Amsterdam and ring in the New Year in Rome
  • Enjoy free days in Paris, the Swiss Alps and Rome 
  • Visit Burgundy, Florence, Innsbruck, and Ghent
  • Cruise along the canals of Amsterdam

Itinerary View Full ItineraryDownload PDF

Start Point

Hotel in Rome | 07:30 AM

End Point

Hotel in Rome | 10:00 AM
DAY 1: Start of tour in Rome - Venice

Ciao! Welcome to this Europe Escape Christmas & New Year tour. Meet up with your tour leader and the rest of the group and get ready to hit the road. Relax and enjoy the scenery of vineyards, orchards and countryside on the journey to Venice. Arrive in Venice and prepare to be wowed! This famous floating city is perched across over 100 islands and connected by numerous canals. Explore the city on an orientation tour with your tour leader. See St. Mark’s Square, the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal. Tonight is free to spend as you wish. Enjoy the piazzas, art, food and unique Venetian vibe! Embark on a gondola ride optional excursion to see Venice the traditional way.

DAY 1: Start of tour in Rome - Venice

Ciao! Welcome to this Europe Escape Christmas & New Year tour. Meet up with your tour leader and the rest of the group and get ready to hit the road. Relax and enjoy the scenery of vineyards, orchards and countryside on the journey to Venice. Arrive in Venice and prepare to be wowed! This famous floating city is perched across over 100 islands and connected by numerous canals. Explore the city on an orientation tour with your tour leader. See St. Mark’s Square, the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal. Tonight is free to spend as you wish. Enjoy the piazzas, art, food and unique Venetian vibe! Embark on a gondola ride optional excursion to see Venice the traditional way.

Experiences

Orientation tour of Venice: Your tour leader will take the group into the heart of this unique floating city perched across 118 islands for an orientation tour. Start off by tasting some gelato and then set off to see St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, St. Mark’s Museum, Campanile, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Bridge and Scuola Grande di San Rocco.

Accommodation

Hotel

On Tour Excursions

DAY 2: Innsbruck - Munich - Bavaria

Say farewell to Italy for now and continue onto the next exciting destination on the itinerary - Innsbruck in Austria! Take a trip through the spectacular Brenner Pass and admire the gorgeous countryside en route. Make a comfort stop in Innsbruck before arriving in Munich, Germany, this afternoon. Set off on an orientation tour of the city with your tour leader and discover more about Munich which was largely rebuilt after WW2. See the highlights and find out more about Munich’s most famous event - Oktoberfest! This evening, enjoy an authentic taste of Germany during an included dinner at a local beer hall. Prost!

Experiences

Scenic drive along Brenner Pass: Cross spectacular mountain passes and experience some amazing mountain vistas en route to Innsbruck in Austria.

Visit Innsbruck: Enjoy a comfort stop to experience this beautiful Austrian city that lies in a valley between high mountains, making for an incredible backdrop.

Munich orientation tour: Enjoy an orientation tour of Munich, the capital and largest city in the German state of Bavaria, with your tour leader. See highlights such as Karlsplatz and Marienplatz, New Town Hall, Church of our Lady, and (if you visit in winter) the traditional German Christmas markets.

German beer hall: Tonight, enjoy dinner in a traditional German Beer Hall. Sample German beer, along with traditional German cuisine. Prost!

Meals

BreakfastDinner

Accommodation

Hotel


DAY 3: Bavaria - Rhine Valley (Christmas Eve)

It’s Christmas Eve and the German adventures continue today as the tour travels onwards to the picturesque Rhine Valley! Arrive and embark on a Rhine River cruise en route to the hotel located in the heart of the region. Admire the views of the dramatic cliffs, medieval towns and castles along the river banks. After the cruise, visit a local wine merchant for a complimentary Rhine Valley wine tasting where you may even get to taste eiswein (ice wine). This evening, celebrate Christmas Eve with an included dinner at a local restaurant! Afterwards, settle into the hotel for the evening.

Experiences

Rhine River cruise: Cruise down the Rhine River and see the beautiful scenery and the largest concentration of gothic castles (Sterrenberg, Liebestein, Katz and Fortress Rheinfels) in Europe. Learn the story of the castles, many of which are now in ruins since the river barons left long ago.

Rhine Valley wine tasting: Visit a local wine merchant in one of Germany’s most famous wine-growing regions, and sample several types of delicious German wine. Popular varieties include Riesling, Spätburgunder and Pinot Noir. The region is also well known for eiswein (ice wine). It is a very sweet dessert wine made from grapes harvested in the freezing winter months.

Meals

BreakfastDinner

Accommodation

Hotel


DAY 4: Rhine Valley - Amsterdam (Christmas Day)

Merry Christmas! Celebrate this festive holiday with the unique gift of travel! Start the day in the Rhine Valley before travelling onwards to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Enjoy a photo 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 later today. Then, head to the centre of the city for a twilight canal cruise. This is an ideal way to be introduced to this famous destination! Better yet, the Amsterdam Light Festival is out in full blast at this time of year, and a cruise offers the best views of the elaborate displays. Join the group for a delicious Christmas dinner before enjoying a free night in this ever-popular city!

Experiences

Windmill photo stop: Enjoy a photo stop at the Riekermolen Windmill. No visit to the Netherlands is complete without some fun photos of the iconic Dutch windmills!

Cheese and clogs demonstration: See how these famous shoes are traditionally made by hand. You can also taste some fantastic cheeses and get the chance to shop and stock up on unique Dutch souvenirs.

Cruise along the canals in Amsterdam: Sail along Amsterdam’s stunning canals at twilight and see the iconic sights that sit along the waterside - this is a perfect, relaxing introduction to Amsterdam! Better yet, you’ll get to see the elaborate displays of the Amsterdam Light Festival!

Christmas Dinner in Amsterdam: Celebrate Christmas alongside your new travel friends with an included group dinner in Amsterdam

Meals

BreakfastDinner

Accommodation

Hotel


DAY 5: Amsterdam - Ghent - Paris

This morning, get ready to experience Ghent, Belgium. This picturesque port city is renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture and is also a cultural hub! Grab a bite to eat and stroll through the historic city centre. Next up on the itinerary is Paris! Arrive in the “City of Lights'' and embark on a driving tour of the French capital. See iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum and the Arc de Triomphe. Finish up the driving tour as the group heads out for an included dinner tonight.

Experiences

Visit Ghent: Experience the beautiful city of Ghent - one of Belgium’s oldest cities! This cultural hub and university town is filled with magnificent medieval architecture. Enjoy some free time to explore and taste some authentic Belgian cuisine! 

Driving tour of Paris: Enjoy a driving tour and discover the beauty of the “City of Lights”! Spot the Tuileries Gardens, the River Seine, l'Île de la Cité, the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Lovers Bridge, Sacré Cœur, Montmartre, Pigalle (the Red Light District) and the Moulin Rouge!

Meals

BreakfastDinner

Accommodation

Hotel


DAY 6: Paris: Free Day

Today is yours to explore Paris any way you like. Whether you’re after a trip to the Eiffel Tower, a chance to explore the city’s Christmas markets or a few hours in one of its countless museums – Paris awaits! Join the highly recommended “Paris +” optional excursion for a fun-filled day tour complete with a macaron tasting, photo stops at the Arc de Triomphe and Opéra Garnier, a visit to a renowned perfume museum, a River Seine lunch cruise, a visit to the Montparnasse Tower for incredible views of the city and free time in the Latin Quarter. It’s a fabulously French outing! The evening is yours to spend as you wish. Why not finish off with an evening in Montmartre? C'est magnifique!

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel

On Tour Excursions

DAY 7: Paris - Burgundy - Swiss Alps

It’s time to depart the “City of Love”. But our love affair with France is not over! Enjoy a lunch stop in Burgundy which is the heart of French wine country. Here, try the famous wine or visit the beautiful Hospices de Beaune. After lunch, cross the border into Switzerland. Prepare to be amazed by the views of the Swiss Alps! Later, arrive at the home-base in the Swiss Alps for the next two days. Breathe in that fresh Alpine air and take in the magnificent views. Snow-capped peaks, Alpine forests and crystal-clear lakes are all around! Enjoy the surroundings and festive spirit!

Experiences

Visit Beaune in Burgundy: Enjoy a stop in Beaune, a UNESCO World Heritage site and famous wine-producing region. Take some free time to explore the beautiful medieval town centre and try some local food and wine.

Scenic Swiss Mountain Drive: Admire the spectacular views as the coach drives through mountain passes and alongside lakes, breathtaking mountain vistas and scenic views of quaint Swiss towns.

Meals

BreakfastDinner

Accommodation

Hotel


DAY 8: Swiss Alps: Free Day

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! With the snowy landscapes, magnificent scenery and a breathtaking journey to the highest train station in all of Europe, this excursion is what bucket list experiences are made of! At Jungfraujoch, you can play in the snow, visit the Sphinx Observatory and even explore an Ice Palace! Back at lower altitudes, why not wander through a local village and see what winter-time festivities you can find? Sip gluhwein, enjoy the snowy surroundings and absorb Switzerland’s festive atmosphere – it doesn’t get much more Christmassy than this! Warm up tonight with the optional Swiss Dinner.

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel

On Tour Excursions

DAY 9: Lake Como - Pisa - Tuscany

Wave goodbye to the Swiss Alps this morning. Today, the trip continues to Italy! Make a lunch stop at the famous Lake Como. This beautiful destination is complete with picturesque lakeside villages, sparkling blue waters and impressive mountain backdrops. Next stop today is the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa. Be sure to have your best poses prepared and snap some pics! Afterwards, it’s onwards to Tuscany. This region of Italy is famous for its food, wine, art and architecture. Settle in at the hotel for tonight in Montecatini which is a spa town north-west of Florence. Why not sip on a glass of something local tonight?

Experiences

Lake Como lunch stop: Enjoy free time for lunch at Lake Como, one of the most beautiful and glamorous destinations visited on this tour! 

See the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa: See the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s most famous cultural landmarks. Take some iconic pictures of you ‘holding up’ the tower!

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel

On Tour Excursions

DAY 10: Tuscany - Florence - New Year's Eve in Rome

It’s New Year's Eve and this morning after breakfast, it’s time to visit the enchanting city of Florence. Join an expert local guide for a walking tour of Florence and learn more about the city that was the birthplace of the Renaissance. See top sights including the Ponte Vecchio and Florence Cathedral! Enjoy free time in Florence before the final leg of the journey back to Rome. Excitement will be in the air as La Festa di Roma begins tonight! Ring in the new year with your new travel friends during an included dinner tonight! Be sure to watch the midnight fireworks which go off from Palatine Hill. Circus Maximus is the best place to take in the show!

Experiences

Florence guided tour: A local guide will take the group on an orientation walking tour to introduce Florence’s main sights, including the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Della Signoria and the replica statue of David.

New Year’s Eve dinner in Rome: 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.

Meals

BreakfastDinner

Accommodation

Hotel

On Tour Excursions

DAY 11: Rome: Free Day

Kick off the brand new year with a full free day in Rome. Known as “The Eternal City”, Rome was once at the centre of the Roman Empire. Today, it is a destination filled with ancient history, culture and world-famous cuisine. Experience the city decked out in its finest festive decorations today! View the facades of iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Pantheon while exploring the city. Stroll through the famous piazzas, climb the Spanish Steps and find a local trattoria to enjoy a delicious Italian meal. La Festa di Roma continues on until this evening and you could also venture to St. Peter’s Square where thousands gather to celebrate and receive the Pope’s New Year’s Day blessing.

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel

On Tour Excursions

DAY 12: End of tour in Rome

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 have 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!

Meals

Breakfast

What's Included

Accommodation

  • 11 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
  • Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room

Meals

  • 11 Breakfasts, 6 Dinners
    *Vegetarian options available for all meals on request

Transport

  • Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
  • Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)

Tour Leader

  • Fully guided tour with experienced tour leader
  • Tour leader will accompany group throughout and manage all logistical details

19 Experiences!

  1. Explore Venice on an orientation tour
  2. Marvel at the scenery along Brenner Pass
  3. Visit Innsbruck; a beautiful Austrian city
  4. Explore Munich; capital of Bavaria
  5. Enjoy dinner and drinks in a traditional German beer hall
  6. Cruise along the Rhine River
  7. Indulge in a wine tasting in the Rhine Valley
  8. Visit the iconic Riekermolen Windmill
  9. Enjoy a local cheese and clogs demonstration in the Netherlands
  10. Cruise the canals and see the displays of the Amsterdam Light Festival
  11. Enjoy Christmas dinner in Amsterdam
  12. Visit Ghent, a beautiful medieval city in Belgium
  13. See the sights of Paris on a driving tour
  14. Visit Burgundy; a French wine region
  15. Marvel at the views on a scenic Swiss mountain drive
  16. Stop at idyllic Lake Como
  17. See the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa
  18. Discover Florence with a local guide
  19. Spend New Year’s Eve in Rome

Accommodation

Hotels are chosen closer to departure date. We do use a variety of hotels in each destination, so you may stay in a hotel different to that listed here.

Rome

Photos of the tour

Venice Gondola Ride

A gondola ride is the perfect way to appreciate the beauty and charm of Venice. Feel part of an ancient Venetian tradition and experience Venice as the locals have for more than a thousand years. Your visit isn't complete until you have experienced this!

Please Note: Gondolas can take up to 5 people, so you will be sharing your experience with other members of your Expat Explore group. After 19:00 hrs the cost will increase by an additional €5.00 per person.

Optional Excursions

Unless marked as “Pre-Book”, all optional excursions can be booked on tour and paid for in cash (in the stated currency) to your tour leader.
Prices and availability are subject to change

Dates & Rates

Our Price Beat Promise is to give you the lowest prices for our tours - guaranteed! Show us the lower price and we’ll do more than match it, we’ll beat it! Learn More

Our pricing model: Lowest-priced seats are sold first, then the price increases slightly. The quicker you book, the less you pay. Select a date below to secure your seat.
Years
Start Date / End DateFlexible BookingStatusPrice Per Person
22 Dec 2023 - 02 Jan 2024Flexible booking date for 22 Dec 2023 - 02 Jan 2024Last 3 seats left - Book Now!€ 2,110 € 1,975
22 Dec 2024 - 02 Jan 2025Flexible booking date for 22 Dec 2024 - 02 Jan 2025Seats selling fast - Book now!€ 2,110 € 1,975
22 Dec 2023 - 02 Jan 2024Flexible booking date for 22 Dec 2023 - 02 Jan 2024SOLD OUT!
22 Dec 2024 - 02 Jan 2025Flexible booking date for 22 Dec 2024 - 02 Jan 2025SOLD OUT!
22 Dec 2024 - 02 Jan 2025Flexible booking date for 22 Dec 2024 - 02 Jan 2025SOLD OUT!

Number of travellers

Payment option

Flexible booking: flexible booking

Additional Information

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.

Additional Information Help Centre

Reviews

Reviews powered by: Power Reviews

31 reviews
E
Eating Travelling Verified Buyer 2023-01-08
Fantastic, but…
This was a great opportunity to pack an enormous amount into just 12 days and we thoroughly enjoyed it, ticking a lot of things off the bucket list. A big part of this was a sensational tour lead in Diarmaid (the William Tell story was amazing) and driver extraordinaire Alessandro who worked together to make things smooth. We thought the accommodation was a step down since our last Expat tour, but overall was ok. We were a bit surprised that we started in Rome, but just drove all day to get to Venice, perhaps it would have been better to start there and have time during the day to look around Venice. Paying for the options in cash was a bit of a pain in this day and age, so prepaying when we book or some other card facility would be great. Overall, this was a great trip with some lovely surprises (like the Rhine Cruise and Christmas Eve dinner). As Diarmaid stressed it important to remember that this is travelling and not a holiday (with long hours on the bus), something easy to gl
M
Margot Verified Buyer 2023-01-07
Amazing Vacation
Good experience as we are able to see all the iterinaries in a well planned time frame. Our tour leader Diarmaid and tour driver Alessandro were excellent in their field.Both very nice and professional.
N
Nancy Chitray Verified Buyer 2023-01-02
Incredible and unforgettable tour!
Diarmaid and Alessandro make a truly exceptional team. Having I could not have asked for a better or safer driver than Alessandro who drove us through Europe. Diarmaid was amazing, knowledgable and always ensured he created the best and most unforgettable experiences. I'm so grateful to Expat for a brilliant tour and I hope to be back soon.
A
Ana Verified Buyer 2023-01-02
Spectacular tour
This tour is a great taste test or sampler of some of the best locations Europe has to offer. It is not a leisure stay, be prepared to walk often and travel early in the mornings.
M
Momo Verified Buyer 2022-12-31
Amazing tour, few setbacks!
I enjoyed the tour, learnt a lot from it. My best cities were Paris & Switzerland. This is a must do tour and I will definitely tell my friends about it and ask them to do it.