Day 1: London - Paris
Welcome to London and this Europe Christmas Taster tour! Leaving London behind, cross the English Channel and travel to Paris. Arrive in the ‘City of Lights’ in the afternoon and embark 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 and the Arc de Triomphe, with the bonus of the city being decked out for the festive season! Later, enjoy dinner at a restaurant in the city. After a fun-filled first day, it’s time to travel back to the hotel and get some rest before the free day in Paris tomorrow.
Day 2: Paris: Free Day
Enjoy a full day to explore Paris at Christmastime! The Paris optional excursion is a fantastic way to experience the highlights of this ever-popular destination - join and enjoy a macaron tasting, a guided tour of a famous perfume museum, a lunchtime cruise down the River Seine and much more! Alternatively, explore at your own pace. Stroll along the Champs-Élysées and shop at the Christmas markets. Discover famous artworks in the Louvre, visit the Eiffel Tower or try local dishes in a cosy Parisian restaurant. Tonight, choose to see the twinkling decorations on an optional evening tour of Montmartre and complete the night with an optional cabaret show. Today is the day to live the Parisian dream!
Day 3: Burgundy - Swiss Alps
Au revoir Paris! It’s Christmas Eve and time to sample a taste of small town France with a lunch stop in Burgundy. Visit the town of Beaune with free time to see the beautiful Hospices de Beaune and try the famous French wine. After lunch, admire the views on a long scenic drive across the border into Switzerland. Arrive in the heart of the Jungfrau Region at a typical Swiss mountain village which will be the tour’s home base for the next two nights. Jungfrau is one of the most-visited regions of the Alps and also a World Heritage site, containing Europe's largest glacier. The area is truly beautiful! Get into the Christmas spirit during an included group dinner tonight.
Day 4: Swiss Alps: Free Day (Christmas Day)
Merry Christmas! Embrace the festive atmosphere on a free day in the Swiss Alps. Looking for a memorable way to spend Christmas Day? The Jungfraujoch optional excursion is highly recommended. Journey to the “Top of Europe” to visit the continent’s highest train station and enjoy the snowy landscapes, incredible views, Ice Palace and Sphinx Observatory. Be sure to snap lots of photographs while there! Down at lower altitudes, visit the local shops and markets, explore nearby towns, take in the Christmas decorations or simply sit back, relax and toast to a wonderful Christmas Day spent in the Swiss Alps! Tonight, why not end the free day on a tasty note with an optional Swiss fondue dinner?
Day 5: Swiss Alps - Rhine Valley
This morning, board the coach once more and make for Germany’s famous Rhine Valley! Arrive in St Goar and relax on board a Rhine riverboat while cruising through the heart of the Rhine Valley. Here, marvel at the most concentrated stretch of castles in all of Europe, as well as vineyards, lofty cliffs and a charming medieval towns. Arrive in Boppard and visit a local wine merchants for an included wine tasting. If the harvest has been good, you may get to try eiswein (ice wine). This sweet dessert wine is produced in very small quantities and can only be harvested when the temperature drops below freezing.
Day 6: Rhine Valley - Amsterdam
It’s time to head to The Netherlands! Arrive first at a historic windmill for a photo stop. Next enjoy a traditional cheese-making demonstration, and learn about how that most quirky and quaint of footwear choices – the clog – is made, before travelling onward to Amsterdam. Check in to the hotel before joining a complimentary Amsterdam canal cruise! Get on board and get those cameras ready; this is the best way to experience the city of Amsterdam, with its 17th century architecture, fascinating museums and cafes. Watch the city drift past as you sail by, and listen out for interesting insights into the city from your tour leader. Tonight, enjoy an included farewell dinner with the group and reminisce about your incredible time on tour!
Day 7: Bruges - London
After breakfast, bid farewell to Amsterdam and travel back to London via the Belgian city of Bruges. Famous for its beer, waffles, chocolate and moules et frites, this is definitely a good place to be if you’ve brought your appetite. Bruges is a popular medieval city home to cobblestone streets, historic old churches and lofty towers, making it a great city to explore and a good spot to pick up any last-minute souvenirs. Enjoy free time before heading back to the coach for the final leg of the journey back to London.