Itinerary
- Day 1
Rome
You have the day to yourself in Rome. Walk around at your own pace, check out whatever catches your interest, or just relax at the hotel if that's what you need.
- Day 2
Rome to Venice
Your Europe Escape Christmas & New Year tour kicks off today. You'll meet your tour leader and the group, then drive through vineyards, orchards, and rolling countryside on the way to Venice. The route takes you across more than 100 islands connected by canals, so you'll get your first sense of this floating city by evening.
Included Activities
- Welcome meeting
- Sightseeing
- Day 3
Venice to Munich
After leaving Venice this morning, you'll travel through the Brenner Pass heading toward Munich. There's a comfort stop in Innsbruck, Austria along the way. By afternoon you'll arrive in Munich and get an orientation tour with your leader covering the city's highlights and its connection to Oktoberfest. Dinner tonight is at a traditional beer hall where you can try authentic German food and atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Authentic German dinner at a local beer hall)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing
- Orientation tour of Munich
- Dinner at a local beer hall
- Day 4
Munich to Rhine Valley
Christmas Eve you're heading to the Rhine Valley. You'll board a Rhine River cruise and see dramatic cliffs, medieval towns, and castles lining the banks. After the cruise, visit a wine merchant for a Rhine Valley wine tasting that includes eiswein. Later you'll have free time to explore the area and walk through the Boppard Christmas market to soak in the holiday feel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing
- Rhine River cruise
- Complimentary wine tasting at a local wine merchant
Optional Activities
- Boppard Christmas market
- Day 5
Rhine Valley to Amsterdam
On Christmas Day, travel to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. You'll make a photo stop at a Dutch windmill before reaching the city. The afternoon brings a twilight canal cruise so you can see the Amsterdam Light Festival's light displays. Then gather for an included Christmas dinner and have free time to wander the city afterward.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Christmas dinner)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing
- Photo stop at an iconic Dutch windmill
- Twilight canal cruise
- Christmas dinner
- Day 6
Amsterdam to Ghent to Paris
This morning check out two Dutch traditions: visit a local farm to see how cheese and clogs are made. Then travel to Ghent, Belgium, a port city with well-preserved medieval buildings. Grab lunch and explore the historic centre, then continue on to Paris for a driving tour passing the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Arc de Triomphe. Dinner is included this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sightseeing
- Visit to a local farm to discover cheese and clog crafting
- Driving tour of Paris
- Dinner
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Louvre Museum Arc de Triomphe - Day 7
Paris
You have a free day in Paris. Visit the Eiffel Tower, walk through Christmas markets, or spend time in museums if that appeals to you. If you prefer a structured day, there's an optional tour that includes macaron tasting, photo stops at the Arc de Triomphe and Opéra Garnier, a perfume museum, a River Seine lunch cruise, views from Montparnasse Tower, and time in the Latin Quarter. The evening is yours to spend however you like, maybe in Montmartre.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional Paris day tour with macaron tasting, photo stops at Arc de Triomphe and Opéra Garnier, perfume museum visit, River Seine lunch cruise, Montparnasse Tower, and Latin Quarter free time
Landmarks Arc de Triomphe Opéra Garnier Montparnasse Tower Latin Quarter Montmartre - Day 8
Paris to Swiss Alps
Depart Paris today and stop for lunch in Burgundy, the centre of French wine country, where you can taste wine or visit the Hospices de Beaune. Cross into Switzerland and you'll start seeing the Swiss Alps with snow-capped peaks. You'll settle into your Alpine base for the next couple of days, surrounded by forests and clear lakes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing
- Lunch stop in Burgundy wine country
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting or visit to Hospices de Beaune
Landmarks Hospices de Beaune - Day 9
Swiss Alps
This is a free day in the Swiss Alps. You can join an optional excursion to Jungfraujoch to ride the train to Europe's highest station, play in the snow, check out the Sphinx Observatory, and explore an Ice Palace. Or walk through a local village, have hot gluhwein, and soak in the festive setting. There's an optional Swiss dinner available in the evening to warm up.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Jungfraujoch: Journey to the Top of Europe excursion including snow play, Sphinx Observatory visit, and Ice Palace exploration
- Local village exploration with gluhwein and festive activities
- Optional Swiss Dinner
Landmarks Jungfraujoch Sphinx Observatory - Day 10
Swiss Alps to Tuscany
Head to Italy this morning leaving the Swiss Alps behind. Stop at Lake Como for lunch and see the picturesque lakeside villages and mountain views. Continue to the Leaning Tower of Pisa for photos, then travel to Tuscany. You'll check in to your hotel in Montecatini, a spa town northwest of Florence.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing
- Lunch stop at Lake Como
- Visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Landmarks Lake Como Leaning Tower of Pisa - Day 11
Tuscany to Rome
On New Year's Eve, travel to Florence after breakfast. Walk through this Renaissance city with a local guide, seeing the Ponte Vecchio and Florence Cathedral along with other key sights. After free time to explore, head back to Rome for the final stretch. La Festa di Roma kicks off tonight. You'll have an included dinner with your group and then watch midnight fireworks from Palatine Hill or Circus Maximus for the best views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (New Year's Eve dinner)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing
- Walking tour of Florence with expert local guide
- New Year's Eve dinner
Landmarks Ponte Vecchio Florence Cathedral Palatine Hill Circus Maximus - Day 12
Rome
Start the new year with a free day in Rome, the Eternal City. The city is decorated for the holidays. See the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Pantheon. Walk through famous piazzas, climb the Spanish Steps, and find local trattorias for authentic Italian food. La Festa di Roma continues all evening, and you can visit St. Peter's Square where the Pope gives a New Year's Day blessing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Colosseum Roman Forum Pantheon Spanish Steps St. Peter's Square - Day 13
Rome
After 13 days of Christmas and New Year celebrations across Europe, the tour ends in Rome following breakfast. Exchange contact information with other travellers before everyone heads out.
- Meals
- Breakfast
