Europe Highlights Christmas

Your festive journey through Europe begins today! Meet up with your tour leader and fellow travellers in Rome early this morning and hop aboard the coach. Experience some stunning scenery while travelling towards Venice. After checking into tonight’s accommodation, set off on an orientation tour of this iconic floating city! See top Venice attractions including St. Mark’s Square, the Rialto Bridge and the enchanting grand canal. Then, enjoy a traditional glass-blowing demonstration. The evening is free to explore some of the Christmas markets and soak up the festive Venetian vibe! Venice was made to be viewed from the canals so why not cruise on an optional gondola ride or water taxi?

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.

Arrivederci Italy! After breakfast, the tour makes its way to Austria. Marvel at the beautiful countryside as we travel through the incredible Brenner Pass. Arrive in Innsbruck and enjoy an orientation tour of this charming city which is surrounded by breathtaking alpine nature. Later, travel onwards to the third country of the day; Germany! The tour will arrive in Munich, the Bavarian capital, later in the afternoon. Discover this fascinating and historic city and see some of its highlights on an orientation tour. This evening, get a taste of what Munich is perhaps best known for - Oktoberfest! Enjoy dinner in a traditional beer hall and say “Prost!” with some local beer.

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!

The festive adventures continue in Germany today! Get ready to celebrate Christmas Eve in style as the tour makes its way to the gorgeous Rhine Valley. Experience this region’s striking scenery on a cruise along the Rhine River! Look forward to magical views of vineyards, medieval towns and Gothic castles. The cruise comes to an end in Boppard where the group will enjoy an included wine tasting. You may even get a taste of eiswein, a sweet dessert wine only harvested in freezing temperatures. Tonight, indulge in a delicious Christmas Eve dinner.

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.

It’s Christmas Day! What better way to celebrate this special day than with more memorable travel moments? Bid Auf Wiedersehen to Germany and travel onwards to the Netherlands this morning. First stop is the iconic Riekermolen Windmill! Snap some fun pictures and then, see how Dutch cheese and clogs are made! Finally, arrive in Amsterdam, the vibrant capital of the Netherlands. Make your way into the city centre for a twilight canal cruise and admire the city’s famous landmarks from the water. The Amsterdam Light Festival takes place during this time of the year which means you’ll get to see some of the impressive light displays! Tonight, an included Christmas dinner awaits at a local restaurant.

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 and taste some fantastic cheeses. Take this opportunity 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.

Today features another day jam-packed with bucket-list experiences! This morning, leave the Netherlands behind for Belgium. Visit Ghent and enjoy an orientation tour of this enchanting medieval city. Enjoy free time to get lunch - this is also the perfect time to try a Belgian waffle! Then, the “City of Lights and Love” is just waiting to be explored. Arrive in Paris in the evening and embark on a driving tour which will showcase icons of the city such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. Get your first taste of French cuisine with an included dinner tonight.

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!

Paris offers so much to those who visit, from bucket-list attractions and world-class cuisine to charming cafés and fascinating museums. This day is free to experience Paris in whichever way you choose! Wander through the Christmas markets, get a hot chocolate in a café or do some shopping, the choice is yours. To tick multiple Parisien experiences off your bucket-list, join the Paris+ optional excursion! Indulge in a macaron tasting, visit the Fragonard Musée du Parfum, enjoy a lunch cruise along the River Seine, admire the unmatched city views from Montparnasse Tower and more! Tonight, why not join the Evening in Montmartre optional excursion and experience one of the most beloved neighbourhoods in Paris? Or, experience an optional cabaret show!

There’s one more French stop on the agenda before the tour travels onwards to Switzerland. Visit Beaune, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the wine capital of the Burgundy wine region. Here, taste some local wine, grab some lunch or visit the Hospices de Beaune. Afterwards, look forward to some truly spectacular scenery as the tour crosses the border into Switzerland. Admire the alpine surroundings, snow-capped mountain peaks and sweeping countryside views. Arrive at tonight’s accommodation and enjoy an included dinner at the hotel.

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.

Good morning Switzerland! Make the most of this full free day in the Swiss Alps by joining one of our highest-rated optional excursions - a journey to the “Top of Europe”! Travel to Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe and look forward to exceptional mountain vistas, year-round snow, an enchanting ice palace and many more fun activities and photo opportunities. Alternatively, stay in Interlaken and explore some of the surrounding villages and get a taste of authentic Swiss life. After a memorable day of explorations, choose to join the optional dinner tonight and indulge in delicious, cheesy Swiss fondue!

This morning, leave the Swiss Alps and head back to Italy! This time, the tour travels to the region of Tuscany which is known for its unique cuisine and wine culture as well as its historic art and architecture. First stop is the glamorous Lake Como. Discover some of the dazzling sights on the banks of this freshwater lake on an orientation tour. The next stop is a true icon of Italy - the Leaning Tower of Pisa! Be sure to get some creative pictures of you “holding up” the tower. The last stop of the day is Montecatini, a Tuscan spa town. Settle into the hotel for the evening or choose to join the Evening in Montecatini optional excursion.

Lake Como lunch stop: Enjoy free time for lunch at Lake Como in Italy, 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!

It may be the last day of tour but the journey isn’t over yet! First up on today’s agenda is Florence. This majestic city, known as the “Jewel of the Renaissance”, is home to many artistic masterpieces from this time period, including Michaelangelo’s David. Embark on a walking tour with a local guide and learn more about what makes Florence a top travel destination. Then, enjoy some free time to explore Florence on your own. Or, join the Taste of Tuscany optional excursion and have a delicious farewell lunch with the group. Later this afternoon, head back to Rome where this 10-day festive Europe tour will come to an end. Expat Explore hopes to see you again soon!

Guided walking tour of Florence: Join an expert local guide on a walking tour and see the main sights, including the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Della Signoria and the replica statue of David.