14 Day European Jewel Xmas & New Year Tour

Amsterdam Rhine Valley

Day two and it's time for a new country! Cross the border into Germany and travel to the beautiful Rhine Valley. Arrive and enjoy a wine tasting at Boppard before embarking on a river boat cruise from Boppard to St Goar. Enjoy the scenic views along the riverbank during the cruise - this section of Germany is home to the highest concentration of medieval castles in all of Europe! Disembark and pay a visit to the fascinating local steins and cuckoo clock workshop. Travel to tonight’s accommodation and enjoy dinner with the group at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Nuremberg Prague

Today we’re off to Prague via Nuremberg, stopping in the Bavarian city for a comfort stop. Having served as a residence for German kings over many centuries, Nuremberg was an architectural marvel, and famous for its artists too. Heavily bombed during WW2, the city was painstakingly rebuilt, and today has been returned to some of its former glory – many buildings being rebuilt in the original stone. Prague is a beautiful city, boasting elaborate baroque, gothic, art nouveau and cubist architecture, and rewarding those who explore it with quirky bars, cobbled lanes and courtyards. Known for its brilliant beer and abundance of art, any exploration of Prague will be a rewarding one, and this evening we'll round off the day with an included dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Prague: Christmas Day!

Merry Christmas! The day is free for you to explore as you wish. You can choose to go for a sung mass in the morning, go to the theatre, or – if there’s snow – go skating or sledging. Alternatively, take a walk in Stromovka, visit Christmas markets in the many town squares or visit the zoo! Described by some as the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of Central Europe, you’ll find that Prague is just as engaging as Rome, London or Amsterdam, and is at least as beautiful as Paris. Let your guard down and explore today – you never know the wonders you might find! Start off with the Charles Bridge, which joins the old and the new town, and marvel at how Prague’s dramatic history is reflected in the beauty of its churches, opera houses, concert halls and of course Prague castle. You’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy an optional Christmas meal this evening.

Meals: Breakfast

Prague Bratislava Vienna

Today we head for the grandeur of Vienna, visiting Bratislava, Capital of Slovakia, for a quick comfort stop. Surrounded by mountains, vineyards, ski runs and unbridled wilderness. Bratislava is a charming city. Spot the medieval castle overlooking the old town and marvel at recent Socialist-era architecture. Next stop, the beautiful Austrian city of Vienna. A guided walking tour of the UNESCO-credited city centre. See sights like the Hofburg Palace and St Stephen’s Cathedral. Dinner is included tonight and afterwards and you could enjoy an orchestra performance. What could be better than experiencing music in one of the city's concert halls?

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Vienna Budapest

Wave Vienna goodbye as we make our way 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 with our driving tour, guided by our local guide. The trip will start on the Buda side of the river and include excursions to Fisherman's Bastion, glimpses of the Houses of Parliament & more. This afternoon you have the freedom to explore the city and all of its delights however you please. Enjoy an optional dinner cruise along the Danube this evening.

Meals: Breakfast

Lake Balaton Maribor Ljubljana

Leaving Budapest, to an iconic holiday destination in Hungary - the beautiful Lake Balaton. With nearly 200km of shoreline, it is the largest lake in central Europe. It's a great place to take a dip on a hot summer day. Next, we’ll stop in Maribor in Slovenia. While here, enjoy lunch and visit the fascinating City Museum. Then on to our 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 accompany us on a walking tour to point out all the must-see attractions. Afterwards, explore the city on your own or join an optional Slovenia Evening excursion before heading back to your hotel for the night.

Meals: Breakfast

Ljubljana Venice

Venice is our next stop, a city immortalised in literature, film and art for centuries. Its timeless waterways and artistic masterpieces (more per square kilometre than anywhere else on earth) make it truly unique – this is a city that will capture your heart and imagination. Being Italian, there’s no shortage of incredible food and culture either! Your tour leader will introduce you to the city with an orientation walk, during which you'll see sights like the world famous St Marks Square, Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore this unforgettable city on your own.

Meals: Breakfast

Venice Florence Tuscany

Journey into the hills of Tuscany today. Travel towards Florence and admire the rolling hills, vineyards and charm of the countryside along the way. Arrive and enjoy a panoramic view of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo. Next up is a locally guided walking tour of the city. Enjoy the historical landmarks of the city which will be specially decked out for the festive time of year. Learn more about the riveting history of Florence too, including stories about the Renaissance age and the De Medici family! Tonight, enjoy a traditional Italian meal during dinner at a local restaurant. After a day filled with the delights of Florence, it’s time to spend the night in a hotel in the Tuscan countryside.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Tuscany Pisa Swiss Alps (New Years Eve)

Departing Tuscany, we make for one of the world’s most famous buildings. This is also definitely a place where you’ll want to have your camera charged – Pisa! Learn the story behind the leaning tower, and be sure to take some photos! It’s time to cross over to the Alps. Is there a better way to enjoy the magic of Switzerland than staying in a typical Swiss Alpine town? Take in the beauty of the snow-capped mountains and the scenery around you. Tonight we'll celebrate the New Year!

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Swiss Alps: Free Day

The splendour of the Alps is yours today! You can make the most of your time by taking a leisurely stroll through the local villages, by crystal-clear lakes, or hitting the slopes for a spot of skiing If you’re feeling up to it. Why not take a train or cable car to higher altitudes and surround yourself with snow-capped peaks and white winter snow? If you decide to go into a local village your options are limitless! Walk through the market-stalls, indulge in the local refreshments or start celebrating the new year with some warm gluhwein.

Meals: Breakfast

Swiss Alps Paris

It’s an early start today as we make our way out of the mountains and make for the city of lights and love: Paris! Arriving in the afternoon, we'll take you on a driving tour of the French capital; get your cameras ready - you’ll be seeing some of the city’s most treasured landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe! After the driving tour we'll enjoy dinner at a restaurant in the Latin Quarter, an eclectic, bohemian and historic neighbourhood. We'll then travel back to the hotel on Paris' world famous metro system, ready to explore the city further on our free day tomorrow!

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Paris: Free Day

Today is all yours to explore as you wish. Take an optional cruise up the River Seine, head up the tower of Montparnasse for exquisite views, visit L’Opéra Garnier, the Tuileries Gardens, Place de la Concorde, Hotel de Ville, the River Seine, l’Ile de la Cite or the Louvre Museum. Get a glimpse of that most famous avenue, the Champs Elysees, overlooked by the famous Arc de Triomphe. Alternatively, why not head to the boutiques of La Marais? Or visit the graves of Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison at Père Lachaise Cemetery? Those with a taste for the macabre can even descend to the infamous catacombs! Alternatively, stay above ground and explore the museums, people-watch from a roadside café, or simply stroll the city, following in the footsteps of great painters, musicians and writers.

Meals: Breakfast

Paris Ghent Amsterdam

This festive two week tour comes to an end today with one last stop and one more new country along the way! Say au revoir  to Paris and travel on to Ghent in belgium. Enjoy a lunch stop and free time to explore the charming medieval city centre. Afterwards, it’s time to journey onwards to Amsterdam where the tour will conclude. Before saying farewell, be sure to swap contact details with your new travel friends! Arrive in Amsterdam where you will continue with your onward journey. We hope you enjoyed this Christmas and New Year tour of Europe - travel is a truly memorable way to celebrate!

Meals: Breakfast