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Europe Taster Christmas
Countries: 6 Days: 7 Per Day: US$ 202
Start Point:London/
Paris
Paris
End Point:London
Transport:Private coach
Accommodation:Hotel
Ages:10 - 75+
From US$ 1,415
Flexible booking: 10-day money-back guarantee Price per person in twin share room
2025 dates for this tour are now available to book online! Scroll down to view and pay just a 10% deposit to secure the lowest price
More reasons to book with us
- Flexible bookings: 10-day money-back guarantee & free date changes
- Low deposit secures your booking
- Services of your Expat Explore tour leader
- Pay the remaining balance off in instalments
- FREE Wi-Fi in hotels
Summary
Enjoy a short but sweet European Christmas adventure! There's nothing like a winter exploration of some of the continent's most popular and enchanting cities. Walk along the vibrant streets of Paris and Amsterdam - they are just as magical as you can imagine during the festive season! Celebrate a Swiss Christmas while soaking up the splendour of the snow-clad Alps. Explore castles and drink wine among the rolling hills of Germany's Rhine Valley and explore a medieval Belgian city. This tour is sure to be an unforgettable taste of Europe at Christmas!
Highlights
- Enjoy a white Christmas in the snowy Swiss Alps
- Explore Paris with a full free day
- Visit the beautiful Rhine Valley in Germany
- Cruise through Amsterdam’s iconic canals and see the festive sights
Itinerary View Full Itinerary Download PDF
Start Point
Outside Novotel London Greenwich hotel | 05:30 AMHotel lobby at Holiday Inn Express London - Greenwich | 06:00 AM
Paris - meet the group at Restaurant Bouillon Republique | 06:00 - 06:30 PM (approx.)
End Point
Outside Novotel London Greenwich hotel | 08:00 PM - 09:30 PM (approx.)
DAY 1: London - Paris
Welcome to London and this Europe Taster Christmas tour! Leaving London behind, cross the English Channel and travel to Paris. Arrive in the ‘City of Lights’ in the afternoon and embark on a driving tour of the French capital; get your cameras ready - you’ll be seeing some of the city’s most treasured landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, with the bonus of the city being decked out for the festive season! Later, enjoy dinner at a restaurant in the city. After a fun-filled first day, it’s time to travel back to the hotel and get some rest before the free day in Paris tomorrow.
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: Paris: Free Day
Enjoy a full day to explore Paris at Christmastime! The Paris+ optional excursion is a fantastic way to experience the highlights of this ever-popular destination - join and enjoy a macaron tasting, a guided tour of a famous perfume museum, a cruise down the River Seine and much more! Alternatively, explore at your own pace. Stroll along the Champs-Élysées and shop at the Christmas markets. Discover famous artworks in the Louvre, visit the Eiffel Tower or try local dishes in a cosy Parisian restaurant. Tonight, choose to see the twinkling decorations on an optional evening tour of Montmartre and complete the night with an optional cabaret show. Today is the day to live the Parisian dream!
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3: Burgundy - Swiss Alps (Christmas Eve)
Au revoir Paris! It’s Christmas Eve and time to sample a taste of small town France with a lunch stop in Burgundy. Visit the town of Beaune with free time to see the beautiful Hospices de Beaune and try the famous French wine. After lunch, admire the views on a long scenic drive across the border into Switzerland. Arrive in the heart of the Jungfrau Region at a typical Swiss mountain village which will be the tour’s home base for the next two nights. Jungfrau is one of the most-visited regions of the Alps and also a World Heritage site, containing Europe's largest glacier. The area is truly beautiful! Get into the Christmas spirit during an included group dinner tonight.
Meals: BreakfastDinner
DAY 4: Swiss Alps: Free Day (Christmas Day)
Merry Christmas! Embrace the festive atmosphere on a free day in the Swiss Alps. Looking for a memorable way to spend Christmas Day? The Jungfraujoch optional excursion is highly recommended. Journey to the “Top of Europe” to visit the continent’s highest train station and enjoy the snowy landscapes, incredible views, Ice Palace and Sphinx Observatory. Be sure to snap lots of photographs while there! Down at lower altitudes, visit the local shops and markets, explore nearby towns, take in the Christmas decorations or simply sit back, relax and toast to a wonderful Christmas Day spent in the Swiss Alps! Tonight, why not end the free day on a tasty note with an optional Swiss fondue dinner?
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5: Swiss Alps - Rhine Valley
This morning, board the coach once more and make for Germany’s famous Rhine Valley! Arrive in St. Goar and relax on board a Rhine riverboat while cruising through the heart of the Rhine Valley. Here, marvel at the most concentrated stretch of castles in all of Europe, as well as vineyards, lofty cliffs and charming medieval towns. Arrive in Boppard and visit a local wine merchant for an included wine tasting. If the harvest has been good, you may get to try eiswein (ice wine). This sweet dessert wine is produced in very small quantities and can only be harvested when the temperature drops below freezing.
Meals: BreakfastDinner
DAY 6: Rhine Valley - Amsterdam
It’s time to head to The Netherlands! Arrive first at a historic windmill for a photo stop. Next enjoy a traditional cheese-making demonstration, and learn about how that most quirky and quaint of footwear choices – the clog – is made, before travelling onward to Amsterdam. Check in to the hotel before joining a complimentary Amsterdam canal cruise! Get on board and get those cameras ready; this is the best way to experience the city of Amsterdam, with its 17th century architecture, fascinating museums and cafes. Watch the city drift past as you sail by, and listen out for interesting insights into the city from your tour leader. Tonight, enjoy an included farewell dinner with the group and reminisce about your incredible time on tour!
Meals: BreakfastDinner
DAY 7: Bruges - London
After breakfast, bid farewell to Amsterdam and travel back to London via the Belgian city of Bruges. Famous for its beer, waffles, chocolate and moules et frites, this is definitely a good place to be if you’ve brought your appetite. Bruges is a popular medieval city home to cobblestone streets, historic old churches and lofty towers, making it a great city to explore and a good spot to pick up any last-minute souvenirs. Enjoy free time before heading back to the coach for the final leg of the journey back to London where the tour will come to an end.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 1: London - Paris
Welcome to London and this Europe Taster Christmas tour! Leaving London behind, cross the English Channel and travel to Paris. Arrive in the ‘City of Lights’ in the afternoon and embark on a driving tour of the French capital; get your cameras ready - you’ll be seeing some of the city’s most treasured landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, with the bonus of the city being decked out for the festive season! Later, enjoy dinner at a restaurant in the city. After a fun-filled first day, it’s time to travel back to the hotel and get some rest before the free day in Paris tomorrow.
Experiences
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'Ile de la Cité, the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Lovers Bridge, Sacre Coeur, Montmartre, Pigalle (the Red Light District) and the Moulin Rouge!
Paris dinner: Enjoy a delicious Parisian meal. Take some time to chat to your tour leader about which optional excursions to join on the free day tomorrow.
Meals
Dinner
Accommodation
Hotel
DAY 2: Paris: Free Day
Enjoy a full day to explore Paris at Christmastime! The Paris+ optional excursion is a fantastic way to experience the highlights of this ever-popular destination - join and enjoy a macaron tasting, a guided tour of a famous perfume museum, a cruise down the River Seine and much more! Alternatively, explore at your own pace. Stroll along the Champs-Élysées and shop at the Christmas markets. Discover famous artworks in the Louvre, visit the Eiffel Tower or try local dishes in a cosy Parisian restaurant. Tonight, choose to see the twinkling decorations on an optional evening tour of Montmartre and complete the night with an optional cabaret show. Today is the day to live the Parisian dream!
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel
On Tour Excursions
Paris+
Spend the day ticking off Parisian highlights! Today includes top attractions, macarons, perfume, a River Seine Cruise and much more.
An Evening in Montmartre
Explore the vibrant Montmartre neighbourhood by night! See the Moulin Rouge and the Sacré-Cœur basilica and indulge in a three-course French dinner.
Parisian Cabaret with drinks
Be amazed by colours, costumes and cancan at one of Paris’ top cabaret venues!
DAY 3: Burgundy - Swiss Alps (Christmas Eve)
Au revoir Paris! It’s Christmas Eve and time to sample a taste of small town France with a lunch stop in Burgundy. Visit the town of Beaune with free time to see the beautiful Hospices de Beaune and try the famous French wine. After lunch, admire the views on a long scenic drive across the border into Switzerland. Arrive in the heart of the Jungfrau Region at a typical Swiss mountain village which will be the tour’s home base for the next two nights. Jungfrau is one of the most-visited regions of the Alps and also a World Heritage site, containing Europe's largest glacier. The area is truly beautiful! Get into the Christmas spirit during an included group dinner tonight.
Experiences
Burgundy lunch stop: Enjoy a stop in Burgundy, a UNESCO World Heritage site and famous wine-producing region. You will have some free time to explore this beautiful medieval town centre and the opportunity to try local food and wine.
Scenic mountain drive of Switzerland: Spectacular views as during a drive through this amazing country alongside lakes, breath-taking mountain vistas and scenic views of quaint Swiss towns.
Meals
BreakfastDinner
Accommodation
Hotel
DAY 4: Swiss Alps: Free Day (Christmas Day)
Merry Christmas! Embrace the festive atmosphere on a free day in the Swiss Alps. Looking for a memorable way to spend Christmas Day? The Jungfraujoch optional excursion is highly recommended. Journey to the “Top of Europe” to visit the continent’s highest train station and enjoy the snowy landscapes, incredible views, Ice Palace and Sphinx Observatory. Be sure to snap lots of photographs while there! Down at lower altitudes, visit the local shops and markets, explore nearby towns, take in the Christmas decorations or simply sit back, relax and toast to a wonderful Christmas Day spent in the Swiss Alps! Tonight, why not end the free day on a tasty note with an optional Swiss fondue dinner?
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel
On Tour Excursions
Jungfraujoch: Journey to the Top of Europe
Travel to the “Top of Europe” - Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe! Enjoy exceptional views, year-round snow and a magical ice palace.
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?
DAY 5: Swiss Alps - Rhine Valley
This morning, board the coach once more and make for Germany’s famous Rhine Valley! Arrive in St. Goar and relax on board a Rhine riverboat while cruising through the heart of the Rhine Valley. Here, marvel at the most concentrated stretch of castles in all of Europe, as well as vineyards, lofty cliffs and charming medieval towns. Arrive in Boppard and visit a local wine merchant for an included wine tasting. If the harvest has been good, you may get to try eiswein (ice wine). This sweet dessert wine is produced in very small quantities and can only be harvested when the temperature drops below freezing.
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 6: Rhine Valley - Amsterdam
It’s time to head to The Netherlands! Arrive first at a historic windmill for a photo stop. Next enjoy a traditional cheese-making demonstration, and learn about how that most quirky and quaint of footwear choices – the clog – is made, before travelling onward to Amsterdam. Check in to the hotel before joining a complimentary Amsterdam canal cruise! Get on board and get those cameras ready; this is the best way to experience the city of Amsterdam, with its 17th century architecture, fascinating museums and cafes. Watch the city drift past as you sail by, and listen out for interesting insights into the city from your tour leader. Tonight, enjoy an included farewell dinner with the group and reminisce about your incredible time on tour!
Experiences
Visit the Riekermolen Windmill: 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: Enjoy a visit to a local farm and see how these famous shoes are traditionally crafted by hand. You will also see how Dutch cheese is made and get to taste some fantastic cheeses! This is a great place to shop for some unique 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!
Dinner in Amsterdam: Enjoy dinner alongside your new travel friends with an included group dinner in Amsterdam.
Meals
BreakfastDinner
Accommodation
Hotel
DAY 7: Bruges - London
After breakfast, bid farewell to Amsterdam and travel back to London via the Belgian city of Bruges. Famous for its beer, waffles, chocolate and moules et frites, this is definitely a good place to be if you’ve brought your appetite. Bruges is a popular medieval city home to cobblestone streets, historic old churches and lofty towers, making it a great city to explore and a good spot to pick up any last-minute souvenirs. Enjoy free time before heading back to the coach for the final leg of the journey back to London where the tour will come to an end.
Experiences
Visit Bruges: Make a stop in this beautiful medieval town with some free time so you could try the signature national dish of moules et frites, see or even climb the Belfry Tower, have a Belgian beer or buy some amazing Belgian chocolate.
Meals
Breakfast
What's Included
Accommodation
- 6 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 (subject to availability)
Meals
- 6 Breakfasts, 4 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
11 Experiences!
- Driving tour of Paris
- Enjoy dinner in Paris
- Explore Burgundy, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Scenic mountain drive in Switzerland
- Cruise along the Rhine River
- Taste German wine in the Rhine Valley
- Visit the Riekermolen Windmill
- Enjoy a Dutch cheese and clogs demonstration
- Cruise the canals and see the displays of the Amsterdam Light Festival
- Enjoy dinner in Amsterdam
- Visit Bruges, a medieval city in Belgium
Accommodation
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 London, click here to book pre and post-tour accommodation through our partner Booking.com.
Paris
B&B Hotel Paris 17 Batignolles
B&B Hotel Paris 17 Batignolles
B&B HOTEL Paris Nord 18ème
B&B HOTEL Paris Nord 18èmeSwiss Alps
Hotel Merkur
Hotel Merkur
Hotel Baren Wilderswil
Hotel Baren Wilderswil
Hotel Alpina Kandersteg
Hotel Alpina Kandersteg
Alpenrose Hotel and Gardens
Alpenrose Hotel and GardensRhine Valley
Wyndam Garden Koblenz
Wyndam Garden Koblenz
Super 8 by Wyndham Koblenz
Super 8 by Wyndham KoblenzAmsterdam
Hampton by Hilton Amsterdam Schiphol
Hampton by Hilton Amsterdam Schiphol
Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam Schiphol
Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam SchipholPhotos of the tour
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.
Paris+
Spend the day ticking off Parisian highlights! Today includes top attractions, macarons, perfume, a River Seine Cruise and much more.
More Info
Paris+
Join your tour leader on an unforgettable day out in Paris! Look forward to enjoying classic French experiences including tasting macarons at the world-famous Ladurée and a guided tour of the Fragonard Musée du Parfum. You’ll also visit Montparnasse Tower for panoramic views of Paris, enjoy an included lunch and embark on a River Seine cruise to admire the sights from the water. Later, visit the vibrant Latin Quarter where the tour ends. Here, make the most of your free time to explore and see the Notre Dame Cathedral!
Please Note: Minimum numbers required.
An Evening in Montmartre
Explore the vibrant Montmartre neighbourhood by night! See the Moulin Rouge and the Sacré-Cœur basilica and indulge in a three-course French dinner.
More Info
An Evening in Montmartre
Spend an evening in the beautiful Montmartre neighbourhood, affectionately referred to as the ‘last village in Paris’. See the Moulin Rouge, stroll the cobbled streets and visit the charming village shops and romantic terraces. Admire views of the spectacular Sacré-Cœur Basilica before enjoying a three-course dinner filled with authentic French options (vegetarian options are available) finished off with a delicious local dessert!
Parisian Cabaret with drinks
Be amazed by colours, costumes and cancan at one of Paris’ top cabaret venues!
More Info
Parisian Cabaret with drinks
Experience a fantastic show and the famous French Cancan at one of the top Paris cabaret venues. The shows are lively, colourful and tastefully produced. With striking decor, beautiful costumes and a variety of classic and modern choreography this is a show you will not want to miss! The price includes the show and a glass of French champagne (soft drink option also available).
Jungfraujoch: Journey to the Top of Europe
Travel to the “Top of Europe” - Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe! Enjoy exceptional views, year-round snow and a magical ice palace.
More Info
Jungfraujoch: Journey to the Top of Europe
Experience a highlight of European travel when you journey to Jungfraujoch - the top of Europe! Take the Eiger Express cable car to 3,454m above sea level. Get ready for breathtaking mountain views as you go, the trip is part of the adventure! Arrive at Jungfraujoch which is the highest train station in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy the year-round snow, take in the panoramic alpine scenery, marvel at the massive Aletsch Glacier and explore the magical ice palace and Sphinx Observatory! Return by cable car or Jungfraubahn train for even more spectacular mountain vistas. This optional excursion has been voted number one by Expat Explore travellers for several years and comes highly recommended!
Please Note: Certain departures will stay in a different region of the Swiss Alps, with the 'Swiss Alps Mountain Experience' excursion offered in place of Jungfraujoch. Please contact us for more information.
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?
More Info
Swiss Fondue Dinner
What better way to enjoy an evening in Switzerland than with a traditional Swiss fondue dinner? Fondue is a dish popular in Switzerland, France and Italy, with friends and family gathering around a communal table to dip pieces of bread into a pot of melted cheese. Enjoy a taste of Switzerland with this classic fondue dinner.
Dates & Rates
2025 dates for this tour are now available to book online! Scroll down to view and pay just a 10% deposit to secure the lowest price
Our pricing model: Whether you book early or take advantage of our special promotions, you’ll always get fantastic value when you choose to travel with us.
Years
Months
| Start Date / End Date | Flexible Booking | Status | Price Per Person |
| 22 Dec 2025 - 28 Dec 2025 |  | Book now with low deposit | US$1,415 |
Number of travellers
Payment option
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 .
Reviews
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27 reviews
T
The Real Pinocchio Verified Buyer 2024-01-02
Love the GO GO GO
I love to make the most out of my trips so getting up early and go go go see everything I can in a small amount of time is my kind of adventure. My one piece of advice is to at LEAST do the "Pairs Plus" and the "Jungfraujoch" (the Alps in Switzerland) options. I know it is a lot of money but definitely 100% worth it, and you came all that way.
I have to give a huge shout out to Bobby our driver he made the trip for many of us with this sense of humour.
The only con that I had for the entire trip was the river rhine cruise in Germany. We drove along the river while our tour guide Steve told us all about the buildings, castles and the story of Lorelei. We then got on the cruise down the same river in the opposite direction and saw everything all over again.
I as well as many others in our group thought that it would have been time better spent to stop in little towns all the way to our hotel and experience Germany.
But all in all, it was a Fantastic trip.
S
Sam Verified Buyer 2023-12-31
Christmas Blast!
I toured with Firo Borges and Ivo Fernando and they make a spectacular team (believe me). They provided a great balance of group and independent sight seeing and offered excellent advice when it came to saving costs while touring. Organization was spot on and excellent - never had any problems anywhere throughout the trip. The guides were excellent in being flexible if we couldn't make it somewhere on time (very seamless travel). They also made sure that everyone on the group make connections with each other and we really became a family. Anyone who travels with them is in for a fantastic adventure and you won't regret it one bit! Schedules were posted in advance and menus for meals went around beforehand. We usually ended our nights on 9 pm and began at 6:45 a.m - the time is enough for you to sleep while travelling back to back! I recommend this tour and these two tour guides specifically to everyone! I will definitely do it again. Had a total blast!
S
Sarah Verified Buyer 2023-12-27
Wonderful
This tour is fast-paced but if you're up for it it's absolutely worth it. We had the chance to see and do so much. The optional excursions were great. Both our tour guide and driver were very nice and knowledgable. I will definitely be looking forward to my next expat explore tour.
J
Jessy Verified Buyer 2023-12-26
Beyond Amazing!!
It has been a delightful experience! Our tour guide Firo and Ivo our driver have been amazing! It's the perfect duo for a fun, safe and amazing experience.
My family and I have enjoyed it and would definitely book again with Expat for another wonderful experience!
D
Dan & Nea Verified Buyer 2023-03-02
Great Experience
We went as a couple, and this was our first trip with Expat. Pleasantly surprised with the organisation of the entire trip, and the comfort of the coach. Our tour leader Steve did amazing work, such a great storyteller,our driver Alex made sure we had a smooth ride and an undisturbed sleep :D.
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