Classic Europe Christmas & New Year Tour

Today marks the start of an unforgettable Christmas and New Year tour of Europe! Start the exploration with a London city tour to behold landmarks like Tower Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral. Then, enjoy an included pub lunch before visiting Westminster where you'll find Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. See Buckingham Palace and wave to the royal family from the gates. Explore more spectacular London sights on the way back to the hotel. Choose to join the exciting optional excursion this evening, and be immersed in the crimes and tales of the infamous Jack the Ripper!

Driving tour of London: See London’s top sights and learn more about its history on a driving tour of the city! London is home to rich history, royal relics and buzzing modern areas! See some of the city’s most popular boroughs, keep an eye out for landmarks like Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Trafalgar Square, and enjoy an included lunch at a local pub. Plus, enjoy an included tour of Westminster - this borough is home to London icons such as Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the Palaces of Westminster. You’ll also get to tick “See Buckingham Palace” off your bucket list! 

Lunch in a traditional British pub: This afternoon, enjoy an included lunch at a historic local pub, where you can try typical British dishes like fish and chips, bangers and mash (sausages and mashed potato) or a seasonal vegetarian dish.

Journey from London to Paris this morning. To reach the French capital, cross the English Channel. Upon arrival, embark on a driving tour of Paris to see the top attractions, including the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, to name a few. This evening, enjoy an included dinner with the tour group at a local Parisian restaurant. While you unwind, start thinking about what to visit on tomorrow's free day in Paris. The options are plentiful, and the day is sure to be adventure-filled!

Driving tour of Paris: See the highlights of this famous travel destination on a driving tour of Paris. Arrive in the city and set off. See the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées, the Luxembourg Gardens, l'Île de la Cité, the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, the Pantheon, Bastille Square, Montmartre, the Latin Quarter and the Palais Royal!

No matter when you visit Paris, the "City of Lights" always offers a host of attractions and experiences! Today, choose to explore solo at leisure or join the full-day optional excursion around Paris. The optional Paris+ excursion highlights the very best things to see in Paris, including the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Opéra Garnier and more! Additionally, enjoy a River Seine cruise including lunch before soaking up the incredible vantage point of the city from the Montparnasse Observation Deck. This afternoon, choose to enjoy the tour of Montmartre before joining the fabulous optional excursion this evening, complete with cabaret and drinks.

It's time to bid Paris adieu! Spend the day before Christmas enjoying a slice of life in small-town France as the tour stops for lunch in Burgundy. Take some time to explore the beautiful town of Beaune – make sure to visit the Hospices de Beaune and try some of the region's famous wines! Next, embark on the picturesque journey across the border into Switzerland towards the Swiss Alps. Marvel at the alpine forests, stunning lakes and impressive mountains before arriving in the Swiss Alps, where the tour will touch down for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Visit Beaune in Burgundy: Enjoy a stop in the town of Beaune in France’s Burgundy region. Beaune is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the wine capital of Burgundy so wine lovers are in for a treat! Enjoy free time to explore this beautiful medieval town centre and the opportunity to try local food and wine.

Scenic Swiss Mountain Drive: Marvel at the spectacular views on a drive through mountain passes and alongside lakes, breath-taking mountain vistas and scenic views of quaint Swiss towns.

Frohe Weihnachten! Enjoy a visit to Jungfraujoch for a guaranteed white Christmas, as the area is covered in snow year-round! Arrange with your tour leader to join the day-long optional excursion to see the spectacular sights from the “Top of Europe”! Even the journey to the top offers unmatched panoramic views of the area's natural landscape. Traverse the local town, see the top sights, enjoy some souvenir shopping and be sure to tuck into some Swiss chocolate! Alternatively, spend the free day exploring the Alpine region at leisure. This evening, join the optional excursion for an authentic taste of traditional Swiss fondue to celebrate the festive season!

Today, swap the icy Alps for some Italian gelato! As the tour continues through Europe, soak up the spectacular views of Italy and add the Leaning Tower of Pisa to your photo album! This iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site is visited by countless travellers from around the world, making it one of Europe's most popular cultural landmarks. Then, the journey continues towards the stunning Tuscany region known for its architecture, art, food and wine. Upon arrival in the stunning spa town of Montecatini Terme, enjoy some time to settle into the hotel and even try some local wine. Tonight, choose to join the optional excursion to Montecatini Alto, including a delectable three-course meal!

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

Explore more of the captivating Tuscany region as the journey continues. Along the way, enjoy a stop in Florence and embark on an orientation tour of this renowned city known for its iconic art and rich history. After, see how real Italian leather is made and take advantage of your free time to explore. Or, choose to join the Taste of Tuscany optional excursion to enjoy a Florentine feast of family-style Tuscan dishes. Next up is the Italian capital of Rome! After arriving, discover the delights of this ancient city at leisure. This evening, join the tour group for an included dinner.

Orientation tour of Florence: Explore this historic city which is famous for its Renaissance art with your tour leader today. See highlights such as the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Della Signoria, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the replica statue of Michelangelo’s David.  

Enjoy a free day in Rome to explore the rich history, ancient culture and famous food! Today offers two unmissable optional excursions. This morning, choose to uncover ancient Rome on an optional excursion to the Colosseum and the ruins of the ancient Roman Forum. Then, join 'Conquer the Capital' for spectacular sightseeing, including the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and Pantheon, as well as a delectable local lunch and gelato tasting! Alternatively, venture off on your own. Consider a visit to the Vatican to tick the world's smallest country off your bucket list and marvel at the renowned Sistine Chapel (be sure to look up at the marvellous ceiling painted by Michelangelo).

The tour continues towards Venice today. Marvel at the diverse Italian landscape along the way! This undeniably unique city known for canals, gondolas, Venetian masks, piazzas and art is spread over 118 islands. Embark on an orientation tour to learn about this popular world city and marvel at its must-see sights, including the iconic St. Mark’s Square, Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge. Next, learn about traditional glass-blowing at a local factory near Piazza San Marco. The evening is free to explore at leisure or join the unmissable optional excursions. Experience a gondola ride and enjoy a unique vantage point of this floating city. Then, arrange with your tour leader to take an optional evening water taxi ride!

Orientation tour of Venice: Your tour leader will take the group into the heart of this unique floating city for an orientation tour. See top sights including St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, Campanile, Doge’s Palace, the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari and Scuola Grande di San Rocco.

Say Guten Tag to Germany today! Travel to the capital of the German Bavaria region - Munich! This vibrant city is best known for hosting the annual Oktoberfest. But beyond that, Munich has a rich history and fascinating stories to explore. See some of the highlights of the city that blends modernity and ancient history on an orientation tour with your tour leader. This evening, enjoy a traditional German dinner at a local beer hall before settling into tonight's hotel.

Munich orientation tour: Explore Munich with your tour leader on an orientation tour. Learn more about this wonderful German city and see highlights like Marienplatz and the Residenz.

Dinner in a German beer hall: Say Prost and eat and drink like the locals do in a traditional German beer hall. Try classic German cuisine and sip on German beer.

Guten Rutsch! As the German exploration continues, Spend New Year's Eve in the picturesque Rhine Valley! After arriving in one of the most magical areas, take a breathtaking cruise along the Rhine River, which is home to the most concentrated strip of castles in all of Europe! While cruising along the Rhine River, be sure to soak up the stunning views of cliffs, castles and vineyards that line the river banks. Conclude the cruise in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Boppard. Try some of the wines this region is famous for and gain expert knowledge of the Rhine Valley varietals. This evening, settle into the hotel for an included dinner and an exciting New Year’s Eve abroad!

Rhine River Cruise: Hop aboard and enjoy a cruise along the Rhine River in Germany. This area is home to truly breathtaking scenery, take it all in and learn about the history of this marvellous region of Germany as you cruise. See Gothic castles including 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. If the harvest has been good, you may even get to try eiswein (ice wine), a very sweet dessert wine that is produced in very small quantities as it can only be harvested when the temperature drops below freezing.

Frohes neues Jahr! This morning, the tour continues towards the Netherlands with a stop in the Dutch countryside along the way to discover Dutch products revered worldwide. Try some delectable Dutch cheese and witness how authentic clogs are made! The next stop is the Riekermolen Windmill to capture some incredible photos of this memorable Dutch symbol. Once in Amsterdam, get to know this energetic capital of the Netherlands. Embark on a canal cruise to relax and sightsee from a unique vantage point. Explore at leisure during some free time before this evening's included dinner at a local restaurant. What better place to start the year than in Amsterdam?

Cheese and clogs demonstration: See how these famous shoes are traditionally made by hand, and taste a variety of fantastic Dutch cheese. Purchase some unique and authentic Dutch souvenirs during the visit!

Amsterdam canal cruise: Cruise through Amsterdam’s iconic canals. The city is famous for its waterways. Enjoy a unique way of sightseeing while you admire the city’s top landmarks from the water.

Today, depart Amsterdam en route to London! Enjoy a stop in Bruges, Belgium - a medieval city with stunning cobbled streets and historic buildings to explore. Be sure to stock up on some Belgian chocolate or sample a traditional Belgian waffle! Bid Bruges farewell as the tour continues to its final destination - London. Cross back over the English Channel before arriving in London later today. Why not join tonight’s optional excursion to enjoy a delicious British curry dinner on the famous Brick Lane? This is the perfect way to say farewell to this tour!

Visit Bruges: Enjoy a stop and some free time in Bruges. This beautiful medieval city is home to well-preserved historic buildings, picturesque canals and quaint cobblestone lanes! Belgium is also famous for its beer, chocolate and waffles so be sure to sample some (or all!) while you visit.

Two memorable weeks of exploring Europe over the festive season come to an end this morning. After breakfast at the hotel, say goodbye to your new travel companions and exchange details if you wish to stay in touch. Expat Explore wishes you a Happy New Year and a safe journey ahead!