Tours Christmas & New Year Tours Europe Taster New Year

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  • Pay the remaining balance off in instalments
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Summary

Ever thought of ringing in the New Year in Europe? It is the ideal time to explore this magical continent and make memories to treasure forever. Discover the delightfully festive streets of Paris. Cross the incredible scenic countryside of Switzerland and make for the Swiss Alps. Here, celebrate New Year's day and choose to top it off with the train ride to the top of Europe - Jungfraujoch! Tour the breathtaking scenery of Germany, taste ice wine and cruise the Rhine River. Finally, explore the canals of Amsterdam and see the sights. It’s time to kick the New Year off with the wonder of travel!

Highlights

  • Celebrate the New Year in the Swiss Alps
  • Explore Paris with a full free day
  • Visit Amsterdam and the Rhine Valley 

Start Point

Outside Novotel London Greenwich hotel | 06:30 AM
Hotel lobby at Holiday Inn Express London - Greenwich | 07:00 AM
Hotel in Paris | 05:00 PM (approx.)

End Point

Outside Novotel London Greenwich hotel | 08:00 PM
DAY 1: London - Paris

Welcome to Expat Explore’s Europe New Year Taster tour! Depart London and head for the bright lights of Paris, crossing the English Channel en route. In the afternoon, arrive in the famous “City of Lights” and take a driving tour of the French capital. Look forward to seeing iconic landmarks including the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe! Complete the driving tour and visit Paris’ Latin Quater to enjoy a group welcome dinner. This Parisian neighbourhood is eclectic, bohemian and historic! After a great group meal, travel back to the hotel on Paris' world famous metro system. Get some rest and be ready to explore the city further on tomorrow’s free day!

Meals: Dinner

DAY 1: London - Paris

Welcome to Expat Explore’s Europe New Year Taster tour! Depart London and head for the bright lights of Paris, crossing the English Channel en route. In the afternoon, arrive in the famous “City of Lights” and take a driving tour of the French capital. Look forward to seeing iconic landmarks including the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe! Complete the driving tour and visit Paris’ Latin Quater to enjoy a group welcome dinner. This Parisian neighbourhood is eclectic, bohemian and historic! After a great group meal, travel back to the hotel on Paris' world famous metro system. Get some rest and be ready to explore the city further on tomorrow’s free day!

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

Embrace the festive atmosphere in Paris, with a full free day to explore the city! Looking for the best way to experience the highlights of this famous destination? Joining the Paris+ excursion is highly recommended! It includes a guided, in-depth tour of the city with a River Seine lunchtime cruise, macaron tasting, perfume museum tour and more! Alternatively, take it easy and explore at your own pace. Admire the art in the Louvre, stroll along the Champs-Élysées or climb the famous Eiffel Tower! Later, choose to explore the romantic Montmartre neighbourhood and see the famous Moulin Rouge and beautiful Sacré-Cœur church. Tonight, the Cabaret show excursion is a great option to finish off a fun-filled day in Paris!

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel

On Tour Excursions

DAY 3: Burgundy - Swiss Alps (New Year’s Eve)

Say au revoir to Paris as the tour continues into Burgundy - France’s famous wine region! Visit Beaune where there will be free time to sample local wine and visit the beautiful Hospices de Beaune. Hop back aboard the coach and enjoy the scenic drive to Switzerland! Admire the alpine scenery as the coach travels into the Swiss Alps. Arrive in the heart of the Jungfrau region which is one of the most visited destinations in the Alps as well as a World Heritage Site. Tonight, it’s New Year’s Eve! Although most traditional celebrations in the region happen on New Year's Day, there are activities nearby to get involved with. Celebrate and enjoy 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 (New Year’s Day)

Happy New Year! Start the new year on an unforgettable note by joining the optional excursion to Jungfraujoch! Travel to the “top of Europe” to Europe’s highest train station. The trip to the top is a real highlight; you might find yourself pressed up against the windows as the picture-perfect Swiss countryside rolls beneath you. Look out for quaint villages nestled in the valleys beneath snow-capped peaks and tumbling mountain waterfalls. At the top, enjoy the snowy landscapes and breathtaking views of the surrounding glaciers and craggy mountaintops - don’t forget your cameras! Down at lower altitudes, spend the rest of the day as you wish. Why not take the chance to head into nearby Interlaken to see the celebrations, including a spectacular fireworks display and a festive market?

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel

On Tour Excursions

DAY 5: Swiss Alps - Rhine Valley

This morning, enjoy the last few views of the snowy Swiss Alps as the tour continues to the next stop: Germany’s Rhine Valley. Experience the beautiful scenery while onboard a Rhine River cruise. Sail from St Goar to Boppard and admire views of the charming medieval towns, vineyards and lofty cliffs. This river is also home to the most concentrated stretch of castles in all of Europe! Next, enjoy an included tasting at a local wine merchant. This is the place to try eiswein - a sweet dessert wine that is produced in small quantities as it can only be harvested when the temperatures reach 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 travel to the Netherlands! Cross the border and make a stop at the Reikermolen Windmill. Next, visit a local farm to enjoy a traditional cheese-making demonstration and learn about how Dutch clogs are made. Afterwards, continue on to Amsterdam. Freshen up at the hotel before getting to know the city on a canal cruise. Jump on board the canal boat and see Amsterdam’s iconic waterways and 17th-century architecture. The evening is yours to spend as you wish – explore the canals and Dam Square, try local food and see the sights. Enjoy free time in this fascinating city.

Experiences

Visit the Riekermolen WindmillEnjoy 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

The last day of the tour has arrived but that doesn’t mean the adventure slows down! Bid farewell to Amsterdam as the tour gets ready to travel back to London. On the way, enjoy a stop in the Belgian city of Bruges. This medieval city is famous for its architecture, historic old churches and cobblestone streets. While here, sample famous Belgian beer, chocolate and waffles! This is also a great place to pick up some last-minute souvenirs. Finally, board the coach for the last leg of the journey back to London where the tour ends tonight.

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

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
  • Indulge in a wine tasting 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

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.

Paris

Photos of the tour

Paris+

Join your tour leader on an unforgettable day out in Paris! Look forward to enjoying classic French experiences. These include tasting macarons at the world-famous Ladurée, strolling through the beautiful Place Vendôme and a guided tour of the Fragonard Musée du Parfum. You’ll also visit Montparnasse Tower for panoramic views of Paris, take in the impressive views of the Eiffel Tower from Champ de Mars, enjoy a sightseeing River Seine cruise with food and drinks on board, and visit the vibrant Latin Quarter where the tour ends. Here, you’ll have free time to explore and glimpse the reconstruction of the Notre Dame Cathedral!

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

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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
29 Dec 2023 - 04 Jan 2024Flexible booking date for 29 Dec 2023 - 04 Jan 2024Last 2 seats left - Book Now!€ 1,590 € 1,230
29 Dec 2023 - 04 Jan 2024Flexible booking date for 29 Dec 2023 - 04 Jan 2024Last seat left - Book Now!€ 1,590 € 1,230
29 Dec 2024 - 04 Jan 2025Flexible booking date for 29 Dec 2024 - 04 Jan 2025Seats selling fast - Book now!€ 1,590 € 1,230
29 Dec 2024 - 04 Jan 2025Flexible booking date for 29 Dec 2024 - 04 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

14 reviews
C
Chad Verified Buyer 2023-01-14
Great Tour and Guide!!
Steve was a 1st class guide. The tour was well organized and gave a big bang for your money. We will for sure be back on a expat tour in the future.
L
Lizette Verified Buyer 2020-01-14
Europe New Years Taster Tour - Excellent!
What an unforgetable tour we have had! First time travelling with Expat Explore and definitely not the last. Our tour guide, Gustavo, did an amazing job, he was professional, well prepared, friendly, always on time and efficient. Our driver, Craig, also did an incredible job by getting us safely to our destinations, always with a smile on his face and a clean and neat coach everyday. Between Gustavo and Craig, they have created a trip that will always be remembered.
T
T Verified Buyer 2020-01-07
Great Experience
Wonderful experience on our New Years European Tour with our Tour Guide Gustavo and our Driver Craig. They ensured all of our needs were met and that we were safe.
D
DiveSh4rk Verified Buyer 2020-01-06
Perfect way to get a 'taste' of Europe!
The European Taster tour was perfect for what my wife and I were looking for - exposure to as many different countries/cultures as possible in a weeklong vacation. Our tour guide Gustavo did a fantastic job of keeping everything on schedule while making sure we saw as much as possible. He was very knowledgeable about both the cultures of each location & the details like where to go for specific souvenirs or to use a rest room. Craig the driver was always punctual and did a wonderful job of navigating & dealing with traffic issues. Though it was a lot of time on the bus, we were expecting this and the stops/breaks were frequent enough that it didn't at all detract from the experience. Can't wait to book our next ExpatExplore tour!
R
Rose Verified Buyer 2020-01-05
Amazing experience!
Gustavo (tour leader) was very helpful, organised and looked after us throughout the tour. Craig (driver) was also the best. He made sure we travelled safely