Europe Jewel Christmas & New Year

Cheese and clogs demonstration: This family-run farm is over 160 years old and gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how Dutch cheese and clogs are made. 

Visit Zaanse Schans: This is the place to see the scenery that the Netherlands is famous for - windmills, wooden houses and green hills.

Visit Volendam: Enjoy some seafood from the vendors in the beautiful harbour as you explore the lakeside Dutch town.

Amsterdam Canal Cruise: Sail along Amsterdam's stunning canals. Cruising along Amsterdam’s atmospheric canals is the perfect introduction to the Dutch capital.

Cruise down the Rhine River: Admire the beautiful scenery as you cruise. This area is home to the largest concentration of Gothic castles in all of Europe; Sterrenberg, Liebestein, Katz and Fortress Rheinfels.

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. Riesling, Pinot Noir and Spätburgunder are popular varieties. If it is the right time of year and the harvest has been good, you may even be able to try eiswein (ice wine); a sweet dessert wine made of grapes which need to be harvested in the freezing winter months!

Today, travel to Prague via Nuremberg, enjoying a comfort stop in the Bavarian city. Having served as a residence for German kings over many centuries, Nuremberg was an architectural marvel, and famous for its artists too. The city was painstakingly rebuilt following heavy bombing during WW2 and today it has been restored to some of its former glory – many buildings using the original stone. Later, arrive in Prague. This beautiful city boasts elaborate Baroque, Gothic, Art Nouveau and Cubist architecture, and is home to many quirky bars, cobbled lanes and courtyards. Known for its brilliant beer and abundance of art, any exploration of Prague will be a rewarding one. Tonight, round off the day with a festive Christmas Eve dinner!

Orientation tour in Nuremberg: Your tour leader will highlight all the iconic sights in this Bavarian city. Start at Kaiserburg and finish in Hauptmarkt.

Prague guided walking tour: This morning, enjoy a locally guided walking tour of the capital city of the Czech Republic. See the Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, Charles Bridge, Church of Our Lady before Týn, Rudolfinum (concert hall) and a view of Prague Castle.

Bratislava orientation tour: Join your tour leader for an orientation tour of Bratislava to see some of the landmarks and historic sights of the city. Catch a glimpse of the magical Bratislava Castle, which overlooks the city.  

Walking tour of Vienna: On the drive into Vienna, Austria’s capital city, see the Schonbrunn Palace before reaching the Inner City and one of the best vistas from Belvedere Hill. Vienna is known as the 'City of Music’ due to its classical heritage and the prodigies that worked there including Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Brahms to name a few. The tour starts at the Golden Mile on the RingStrasse (Parliament, City Hall, Burgtheater). Then, discover the courtyards and passages around the Hofburg (Imperial Castle) and St. Stephen’s Cathedral which is Vienna’s geographic and historic centre. 

Dinner in a Viennese wine cellar: Enjoy dinner in a special location tonight! Tuck into a delicious meal in a historic Viennese wine cellar.

Wave goodbye to Vienna and travel to the striking Hungarian capital of Budapest. Sitting astride the Danube River, this scenic city is known for its singular mix of Baroque, Neoclassical and Art Nouveau architecture. On arrival in Budapest, get an overview of this historic city on a driving tour, headed up by a local guide. The trip will start on the Buda side of the river and includes glimpses of the Houses of Parliament and much more. This afternoon you have the freedom to explore the city and all of its delights however you wish. Why not enjoy an optional dinner cruise along the Danube this evening?

Leaving Budapest, travel onwards to an iconic holiday destination in Hungary - the beautiful Lake Balaton. With nearly 200 km of shoreline, it is the largest lake in central Europe! Next, stop in Maribor in Slovenia. Embark on a quick orientation tour and enjoy a local wine tasting before taking some free time to grab lunch. Then it’s on to the final stop of the day, the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana. It's filled to the brim with fairytale castles, beautiful architecture and plenty of natural beauty! An expert local guide will lead a walking tour to point out all the must-see attractions. Afterwards, enjoy free time or join the optional Ljubljana Food & Wine Tour to discover local eateries and cuisine!

Visit Lake Balaton: Meander around the beautiful Lake Balaton and tick the largest lake in central Europe off your bucket list!

Lunch stop in Maribor: Explore the beautiful city of Maribor in Slovenia and enjoy a local wine tasting and free time to find a spot for lunch. 

Guided walking tour in Ljubljana: Join an expert local guide for a tour of Ljubljana - the City of Dragons! Encounter the inimitable scenery of the medieval old town, Preseren Square, the City Centre, the Riverfront, Dragon Bridge and Cobblers Bridge. When the formal tour is done, there will still be some time to explore on your own. We recommend that you make your way to the 13th-century St. Nicholas Church - its Baroque architecture is truly spectacular!

Say farewell to Slovenia and ciao to Italy! Today’s destination is Venice. This floating city is famous around the world for its canals, gondolas and artistic masterpieces! It is truly a destination that will capture your imagination and leave its mark on your heart. Learn more about Venice and its top sights on an orientation tour with your tour leader. Look forward to seeing highlights like Piazza San Marco, Basilica di San Marco, Palazzo Ducale and more. Later, enjoy free time to explore. This is your chance to enjoy a classic Venetian experience - a gondola ride or water taxi trip along the canals!

Orientation tour of Venice: Your tour leader will take you into the heart of this unique floating city for an orientation to help you explore and see Piazza San Marco, Basilica di San Marco, Palazzo Ducale, Campanile di San Marco museum, Rialto Market and Scuola Grande di San Rocco.

Locally guided walking tour of Florence: Follow a local guide on a walking tour and discover the main sights, including the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Della Signoria and the replica statue of David. 

Italian leather-making demonstration: Learn about the traditional art of Italian leather-making at Leonardo Leather & Gold.

Dinner in Florence: Indulge in a delicious Italian meal at a local restaurant in Florence.

View the Leaning Tower of Pisa: This is your chance to see the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, or even take some iconic pictures of you ‘holding up’ the tower.

Scenic Mountain Drive: Enjoy spectacular views as we drive through mountain passes and alongside lakes, breathtaking mountain vistas and scenic views of quaint Swiss towns.

Discover the magic of Paris at your own pace today! To delve deeper into the city, join the Paris+ optional excursion. This exciting tour includes visits to a world-famous macaron shop and parfumerie as well as photo stops at the Champs-Élysées and Opéra Garnier. Then, see the city from the water with a lunch cruise along the River Seine. Finally, admire the views from the Montparnasse Tower and explore the Latin quarter! As the sun sets, the city bursts with exciting activities! Why not experience an evening in Montmartre, a charming village home to the Moulin Rouge? Afterwards, choose to experience an authentic Parisian Cabaret! C’est la vie!