Europe Jewel Christmas & New Year
Europe Jewel Christmas & New Year
Vienna, Austria
The beauty of Tuscany. Asciano, Tuscany, Italy
Paris
$2665
Europe Jewel Christmas & New Year
14 Days Starting in Hotel in Amsterdam and ending in Amsterdam
Visiting: Amsterdam, Rhine Valley, Nuremburg, Prague, Bratislava, Vienna, Budapest, Lake Balaton, Maribor, Ljubljana, Venice, Florence, Tuscany, Pisa, Swiss Alps, Swiss Alps:, Paris, Ghent
Tour operator:
Tour code:
EJXMASNY
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
10-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Are you keen for winter travel? Europe in winter is a wonderland! Starting in Amsterdam, admire the canal-side sights before travelling to the scenic German Rhine Valley and the historic city of Nuremberg. Enjoy a magical Christmas Day in the must-see city of Prague! Travel between Bratislava, Budapest, Vienna and Ljubljana. Get immersed in the Italian charms in Tuscany, toast the New Year in Switzerland and marvel at the festive atmosphere in Paris. What better way to spend Christmas than exploring enchanting Europe over two weeks?
Highlights
Itinerary
DAY 1: Start of tour in Amsterdam
Location: Amsterdam
Meals Included: Dinner
Are you ready to kick off this captivating Christmas and New Year tour of Europe? Today, the seasonal experiences begin in Amsterdam after meeting up with your tour leader and group. Two Dutch staples are first up on the attractions list – cheese and clogs! After a demonstration of how these Dutch classics are made, enjoy a visit to Zaanse Schans, known for its iconic windmills and historic wooden houses. This afternoon, journey to Volendam and enjoy lunch and free time to explore before heading back to Amsterdam. Experience the city from the best vantage point – its canals! Tonight, get further acquainted with your travel companions over an included welcome dinner.Enjoy a cheese and clogs demonstration in the NetherlandsMarvel at the stunning scenery in Zaanse SchansVisit the lakeside town of VolendamCruise the canals of Amsterdam
DAY 2: Amsterdam - Rhine Valley
Location: Amsterdam, Rhine Valley
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Visit a new country today! After breakfast, cross the German border en route to the breathtaking Rhine Valley. Upon arrival, savour a wine tasting at Boppard and board a riverboat to St Goar. Marvel at the picturesque views as you cruise and pay special attention to the section that's home to the most concentrated stretch of medieval castles in the entire Europe! Back on land, visit a captivating stein and cuckoo clock workshop. Arrive at this evening's accommodation before enjoying an included dinner at the hotel with the group.Cruise along the Rhine RiverIndulge in a wine tasting in the Rhine Valley
DAY 3: Nuremberg - Prague (Christmas Eve)
Location: Nuremburg, Prague
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Journey to Prague through Nuremberg today and enjoy a rest stop in this Bavarian city en route. This city used to be the residence of many German kings over the centuries and is also considered a pinnacle of architecture and art. After extensive damage during WWII, this city has been tenaciously rebuilt to reflect some of its former self. Next, journey to the beautiful city of Prague, known for ornate Baroque, Gothic, Art Nouveau and Cubist architecture. This lively city is home to many clubs, cobbled streets and charming squares. It's also renowned for its beer and local art scene, so you're bound to find something exciting around each turn. This evening, celebrate Christmas Eve with a festive group dinner!Visit Nuremberg, a historic Bavarian city
DAY 4: Prague (Christmas Day): Free Day
Location: Prague
Meals Included: Breakfast
The Czech Republic wishes you aVeselé Vánoce! This morning, start the festivities with a guided walking tour around the fairytale city of Prague. A local guide will teach you more about some of the top attractions, including Old Town Square and Charles Bridge. The rest of the day is free to explore as you wish. Spend Christmas Day discovering the best of picturesque Prague! Choose to join the Prague+ optional excursion for a tour of the Prague Castle complex and the enchanting Mala Strana neighbourhood before enjoying a cruise on the Vltava River including a buffet lunch. This evening, you have the option to take part in a true Czech experience, complete with traditional cuisine, folk music and dancing!Discover Prague on a guided walking tour
DAY 5: Prague - Bratislava - Vienna
Location: Prague, Bratislava, Vienna
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, Vienna awaits! Journey to the capital of Austria with a stop in Bratislava, the Slovakian capital, en route. Bratislava is a truly captivating city, with marvellous mountains, vineyards, ski slopes and unbridled nature on the one hand and an impressive medieval castle overlooking the old town as well as Socialist-era architecture on the other. Up next is Vienna! Upon arrival in this UNESCO-listed Austrian capital, embark on a guided walking tour of the stunning city centre. Marvel at the top attractions such as the Hofburg Palace and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. This evening, enjoy dinner in a historical Viennese wine cellar before choosing to join the optional orchestra performance excursion in the Schönbrunn Palace Orangery!Visit Bratislava, capital of SlovakiaEmbark on a walking tour of Vienna, Austria's capitalEnjoy dinner in a Viennese wine cellar
DAY 6: Vienna - Budapest
Location: Vienna, Budapest
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, leave Vienna behind and journey onwards to the stunning capital of Hungary, Budapest! Located astride the Danube River, this is truly a spectacular city with a blend of natural beauty and impressive architecture, including Baroque, Neoclassical and Art Nouveau. Arrive in Budapest and embark on a locally-guided driving tour of the city. Start on the Buda side of the Danube and see marvellous sights such as the Houses of Parliament. Afterwards, enjoy free time in the city to wander at leisure. This evening's optional dinner cruise on the Danube river comes highly recommended!See the best-loved sights of Budapest on a driving tour
DAY 7: Budapest - Lake Balaton - Maribor - Ljubljana
Location: Lake Balaton, Maribor, Ljubljana
Meals Included: Breakfast
Say goodbye to Budapest and journey towards the widely popular holiday destination of Lake Balaton in Hungary! It's considered central Europe's largest lake, with around 200km of shoreline. Up next is a stop in Maribor, Slovenia. Enjoy a short orientation tour and a delicious local wine tasting before free time for lunch. Today's final stop is the capital of Slovenia - Ljubljana. It's a world of its own, comprising a fairytale castle, dreamy architecture and boundless natural beauty! Join an expert local guide on a walking tour of the top sights. Next, enjoy free time or make the most of this stunning capital city on the optional Taste of Ljubljana excursion; an unmissable exploration of local wine and traditional cuisine!Visit Lake Balaton in HungaryExplore the city of Maribor in SloveniaEnjoy a locally guided walking tour of Ljubljana
DAY 8: Ljubljana - Venice
Location: Ljubljana, Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
Depart Slovenia in exchange for one of Italy's must-see destinations, Venice! Nicknamed the "Floating City", this unmissable destination is known worldwide for its stunning canals, Gondola rides and masterworks of art. Not to mention its famous landmarks such as Piazza San Marco, Basilica di San Marco and Palazzo Ducale. This destination is bound to capture your heart and leave you with lasting memories! This evening, explore during some free time or take the opportunity to head out on the Venetian canals for a Gondola ride and water taxi trip on the An Evening in Venice optional excursion!Explore Venice, Italy’s floating city
DAY 9: Florence - Tuscany
Location: Florence, Tuscany
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The hills of Tuscany are calling today! Journey towards Florence and soak up the scenery en route. Once in Florence, marvel at the panoramic city views from Piazzale Michelangelo. Meet up with an expert local guide for a guided walk through the city. Tick top historical landmarks off your bucket list, all of which will be even more magical during the festive season! Learn more about the Renaissance history of Florence before attending a leather-making demonstration to see fine Italian leather being crafted. This evening, tuck into a traditional Italian meal at a local restaurant before spending the night in a Tuscan countryside hotel.Explore Florence; the ‘Jewel of the Renaissance’Enjoy a delicious local dinner in Florence
DAY 10: Pisa - Swiss Alps (New Year's Eve)
Location: Pisa, Swiss Alps
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, leave Tuscany behind and travel towards the mountains! But first, enjoy a photo stop at arguably one of the world's best-known buildings, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Have your cameras ready and get creative with vantage points to look like you're "holding" it up. Next, it's time to journey into the Alps. After crossing the Swiss border and soaking up the scenic drive, arrive in a quaint Swiss Alpine town where the tour touches down for the night to celebrate the arrival of the new year! Enjoy an idyllic New Year's Eve with the group in the breathtaking Swiss Alps!See the Leaning Tower of PisaEnjoy a scenic mountain drive to Switzerland
DAY 11: Swiss Alps free day
Location: Swiss Alps:
Meals Included: Breakfast
Happy New Year in the stunning Swiss Alps! Hit the new year running by enjoying the grandeur of the Alps on today's free day. Spend the day as you wish; why not stroll through the local villages and along the crystal-clear lakes? Or, strap in for some skiing if you're brave! For the ultimate Alps experience, join today's optional excursion - it's one of the most popular on tour! Journey to the top of Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest train station, for the most striking views of the ever-snowy mountain peaks. What a way to ring in the new year. This evening, enjoy a cosy end to the day by joining the optional Swiss fondue dinner!
DAY 12: Swiss Alps - Paris
Location: Swiss Alps
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Say so long to Switzerland because it's time to peruse Paris! After an early start, journey along the French countryside and admire the views before this afternoon's arrival in Paris. Get ready to take some incredible photos of the "City of Lights"! Enjoy a driving tour of the top attractions, including the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. Afterwards, enjoy an included group dinner at a Parisian restaurant. After a true taste of French cuisine, travel back to the hotel and rest up for an exciting day tomorrow.See the sights on a driving tour of Paris
DAY 13: Paris: Free Day
Location: Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast
Seize the opportunity to soak up the ambience of Paris at leisure today! Or, for the ultimate immersion into the city, join today's Paris+ optional excursion. Visit a world-renowned macaron shop, delight your senses at a parfumerie and hop aboard a River Seine cruise for unmatched city views. Lastly, soak up the incredible vistas from the Montparnasse Tower and visit the Latin Quarter. After the excursion, the city still has much to explore! Why not join an optional evening in Montmartre? This vibrant village is home to the Moulin Rouge! End the day by choosing to join an authentic Paris Cabaret.Ce'st la vie en rose!
DAY 14: Paris - Ghent - Amsterdam
Location: Paris, Ghent, Amsterdam
Meals Included: Breakfast
After two weeks of festive fun, this tour comes to an exciting end today with a last stop in one more country! Bid Paris “adieu”and journey to Ghent, Belgium. Here, use your free time to explore the medieval city or grab lunch. Next, continue onwards to Amsterdam - the tour's final stop. Remember to exchange contact details with your newfound tour family before parting ways! We hope this Christmas and New Year tour of Europe made all of your festive dreams come true.Visit Ghent, a medieval Belgian city
What's Included
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Accommodation
13 nights hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms. The majority of our accommodations are of a 3- and 4-star standard, offering excellent value, comfort and convenience
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability) -
Transport
Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days) -
Meals
13 Breakfasts, 7 Dinners
*Vegetarian options available for all meals on request -
Tour Leader
Fully guided tour with experienced tour leader
Tour leader will accompany group throughout and manage all logistical details
What's Not Included
International flightsTravel to the start point and from the end point is not included. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.Travel insuranceFor a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries.
All passengers travelling on an Expat Explore tour are required to have valid travel insurance cover and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance.
Mode of Transport
- Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
- Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)
Accommodation
- 13 nights hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms. The majority of our accommodations are of a 3- and 4-star standard, offering excellent value, comfort and convenience
- Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)
Traveller Comfort - *COACH* tours
We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.
Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.
We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.
For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.
With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.
For more information regarding traveller fitness please see our Terms and Conditions.
Experiences
- Enjoy a cheese and clogs demonstration in the Netherlands
- Marvel at the stunning scenery in Zaanse Schans
- Visit the lakeside town of Volendam
- Cruise the canals of Amsterdam
- Cruise along the Rhine River
- Indulge in a wine tasting in the Rhine Valley
- Visit Nuremberg, a historic Bavarian city
- Discover Prague on a guided walking tour
- Visit Bratislava, capital of Slovakia
- Embark on a walking tour of Vienna, Austria's capital
- Enjoy dinner in a Viennese wine cellar
- See the best-loved sights of Budapest on a driving tour
- Visit Lake Balaton in Hungary
- Explore the city of Maribor in Slovenia
- Enjoy a locally guided walking tour of Ljubljana
- Explore Venice, Italy’s floating city
- Explore Florence; the ‘Jewel of the Renaissance’
- Enjoy a delicious local dinner in Florence
- See the Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Enjoy a scenic mountain drive to Switzerland
- See the sights on a driving tour of Paris
- Visit Ghent, a medieval Belgian city
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting point for the first day of your tour. Please see the meeting point information for details on how to reach the meeting point.
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No, entrance fees are not included.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No, visas are each traveler’s personal responsibility, and we recommend that plenty of time is allowed for visas to be applied for. When applying for your visa, please ensure that the proper research is carried out before you apply, and that you deal directly with the embassies or certified agents with regard to acquiring correct and timely information. We cannot take responsibility for customers
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children, so we set a minimum age limit of 10 years old.
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Are flights included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting destination for the first day of your tour. Make sure you keep departure times and possible delays in mind when booking flights.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
All our tours are conducted in English.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
We are committed to curating excellent travel experiences and to do so we need all of our travelers to feel safe.
In order to ensure the peace of mind and safety of our travelers and staff on board the coach, we are still requesting that all travellers, regardless of their vaccination status, produce a negative Covid test. This test can be a PCR test -
Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Certain nationalities may require a visa(s) for this tour.
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
All of the hotels on this tour offer Wi-Fi, which is available free of charge as part of your Expat Explore tour.
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes, Full air-conditioning
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Due to weight and space limitations, you are allowed to bring one main piece of luggage weighing no more than 20kg, and one small soft bag for hand luggage weighing a maximum of 7kg. On all tours, you will have to carry your own luggage (e.g. into hotels and up to your room if hotels don’t have elevators). Please bear this in mind when you are deciding what to pack
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our customer services team. Please note that the room provided may be a single room with a single bed.
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Yes, As detailed in the itinerary
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
All travellers are required to carry their own bags, get on and off the coach, and use public transport. Our city walking tours can last up to 3 hours and certain places involve walking up and down lots of steps. We want you to enjoy your tour, so read through the itinerary thoroughly and make your own conclusions as to whether you feel that you are fit and healthy enough.
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What is the maximum group size?
It depends on how many other people book! There could be up to 51 other passengers, so you will have the opportunity to make lots of friends!
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
We have searched and invested in excellent accommodation options, either located in cities or well placed with public transport connections. Clean linen, towels is always included. Toiletries (shampoo, shower gel etc) and hair dryers are not always included, so you may wish to bring these with you. Accommodation is provided in twin share en-suite rooms. We use a mix of mostly 2, 3 & 4-star hotels.
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What is the tipping policy?
Whilst we fully understand that some nationalities are not accustomed to tipping, this is a normal part of the culture in many of the countries we visit. Tipping has become an increasingly accepted practice in all areas of the service industry, but particularly in restaurants, bars and taxis worldwide. Expat Explore crew members
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
A full list of confirmed accommodation names and addresses for your particular departure will be emailed to you around 1 week before the tour starts.
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
Our travelers come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests.
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Our tour leaders come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests. They are all confident and well-travelled with an in-depth knowledge of the destinations they are working in, and a passion for helping you make the most out of your Expat Explore tour.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
If you are travelling alone there is no compulsory charge - you will share a twin room with another passenger of the same gender. There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our team.
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Children on tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children which is why we have a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email. Minors (between 10 and 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts full responsibility for them. Unaccompanied minors will not be accepted on tour. Expat Explore reserves the right to decline any booking at our discretion. Any minor (between 10 and 18 years of age) is priced the same as an adult.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
The health and safety of our travellers and employees are our top priority. Which means, when you travel with us, our enhanced hygiene protocols will ensure you do so in a safe and responsible way - ask for details of current policies.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Expat Explore we value responsible travel and are committed to exploring the world consciously and kindly. We are proud to make responsible travel possible with a number of our sustainable travel practices!
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Relate is a South African based not-for-profit organisation that Expat Explore supports. The group aims to help those less fortunate create better lives for themselves through a variety of fundraising initiatives. On our South Africa tours, each passenger will receive an Expat Explore branded Relate bracelet. We donate the cost of these bracelets to our chosen Relate charity: the Nelson Mandela Sc
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Monday - Sunday
Dec 22, 2025 - Jan 04, 2026Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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Terms and Conditions