Europe – Christmas & New Year 13 days 7 Countries

Welcome to Rome, the Eternal City. Today is a free day for you to explore this historic city at your own pace or relax at your hotel. There are no planned activities for the day, so you can take your time to settle in and get acclimated to the Italian way of life. Overnight stay will be at a hotel in Rome (or similar).

Today, we officially kick off our Europe Escape Christmas & New Year tour. We'll leave Rome and journey through the picturesque Italian countryside, filled with vineyards and orchards, on our way to Venice. Upon arrival, prepare to be amazed by this unique city, built on over 100 islands and crisscrossed by numerous canals. We'll have a welcome meeting and then set out for some sightseeing. Overnight stay will be at a hotel in Venice (or similar).

Bid farewell to Italy as we continue our journey to Innsbruck, Austria. We'll travel through the stunning Brenner Pass, taking in the beautiful countryside along the way. After a brief stop in Innsbruck, we'll head to Munich, Germany. Here, we'll embark on an orientation tour of the city, learning about its history and its most famous event - Oktoberfest. In the evening, we'll enjoy an authentic German dinner at a local beer hall. Overnight stay will be at a hotel in Bavaria (or similar).

On Christmas Eve, we'll leave Munich and travel to the picturesque Rhine Valley. Upon arrival, we'll embark on a Rhine River cruise, admiring the dramatic cliffs, medieval towns, and castles along the river banks. After the cruise, we'll visit a local wine merchant for a complimentary Rhine Valley wine tasting. The rest of the evening is free for you to explore the local sights or visit the nearby Boppard Christmas market. Overnight stay will be at a hotel in the Rhine Valley (or similar).

Merry Christmas! We'll start the day in the Rhine Valley before heading to Amsterdam, Netherlands. We'll make a photo stop at a traditional Dutch windmill before reaching Amsterdam. In the evening, we'll embark on a twilight canal cruise, offering the best views of the Amsterdam Light Festival. After a group Christmas dinner, you'll have the rest of the evening free to explore this popular city. Overnight stay will be at a hotel in Amsterdam (or similar).

Today, we'll leave Amsterdam and visit a local farm to learn about Dutch cheese and clogs. Then, we'll head to Ghent, Belgium, a picturesque city known for its well-preserved medieval architecture. After exploring Ghent, we'll continue to Paris, the 'City of Lights'. Upon arrival, we'll embark on a driving tour of the city, seeing landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and the Arc de Triomphe. The day ends with a group dinner. Overnight stay will be at a hotel in Paris (or similar).

Today is a free day for you to explore Paris at your own pace. You might want to visit the Eiffel Tower, explore the city's Christmas markets, or spend a few hours in one of its many museums. Alternatively, you can join the optional 'Paris +' excursion for a full day of sightseeing, including a macaron tasting, photo stops at the Arc de Triomphe and Opéra Garnier, a visit to a renowned perfume museum, a River Seine lunch cruise, a visit to the Montparnasse Tower, and free time in the Latin Quarter. Overnight stay will be at a hotel in Paris (or similar).

Today, we'll leave Paris and head to Burgundy, the heart of French wine country. After a lunch stop, we'll cross the border into Switzerland and marvel at the stunning views of the Swiss Alps. We'll spend the next two days in this breathtaking region, surrounded by snow-capped peaks, Alpine forests, and crystal-clear lakes. Overnight stay will be at a hotel in the Swiss Alps (or similar).

Enjoy a free day in the Swiss Alps. You can join the optional 'Jungfraujoch: Journey to the Top of Europe' excursion for a breathtaking journey to the highest train station in Europe. At Jungfraujoch, you can play in the snow, visit the Sphinx Observatory, and explore an Ice Palace. If you prefer to stay at lower altitudes, you can wander through a local village and enjoy the festive atmosphere. Overnight stay will be at a hotel in the Swiss Alps (or similar).

Today, we'll leave the Swiss Alps and head to Italy. We'll make a lunch stop at the beautiful Lake Como before continuing to Pisa to see the iconic Leaning Tower. After taking some memorable photos, we'll head to Tuscany, a region famous for its food, wine, art, and architecture. We'll spend the night in Montecatini, a spa town northwest of Florence. Overnight stay will be at a hotel in Tuscany (or similar).

On New Year's Eve, we'll visit the enchanting city of Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. We'll join a local guide for a walking tour of the city, seeing top sights like the Ponte Vecchio and Florence Cathedral. After some free time in Florence, we'll return to Rome for La Festa di Roma, the city's New Year's celebration. We'll ring in the new year with a group dinner and watch the fireworks from Palatine Hill. Overnight stay will be at a hotel in Rome (or similar).

Start the new year with a full free day in Rome. You can visit iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Pantheon, stroll through the famous piazzas, climb the Spanish Steps, or find a local trattoria to enjoy a delicious Italian meal. You could also join the ongoing La Festa di Roma celebrations or head to St. Peter's Square for the Pope's New Year's Day blessing. Overnight stay will be at a hotel in Rome (or similar).

After 13 days of festive Christmas and New Year fun, our tour comes to an end after breakfast today in Rome. We hope you've enjoyed this festive trip and look forward to welcoming you back to Europe in the future. Don't forget to exchange contact details with your fellow travellers before you say goodbye.