14 days · 11 countries
Classic Europe Christmas & New Year
From AED 13,570per person, twin share
Experience a classic European Christmas & New Year. Explore 8 iconic countries in Europe and see snow on Christmas Day!
- Duration
- 14 Days / 13 Nights
- Route
- Starts and ends in London
- Countries
- England, Great Britain, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany and Vatican City
- Activity level
- Moderate (3 of 5)
- A fast-moving coach tour with a hotel change most nights, guided walking tours of up to three hours and some sites with plenty of steps. You carry your own bags, including up hotel stairs where there is no lift
- Accommodation
- 13 nights in 3- and 4-star hotels throughout
- Meals
- 13 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 6 dinners
- Group
- Group tour, up to 53
- Guide
- English-speaking tour leader throughout, with a local guide in Florence
- Transport
- Air-conditioned coach
- Best time to go
- Runs in December over Christmas and New Year: cold across Europe, with a good chance of snow in the Swiss Alps and possibly in Munich and Venice too
Tour overview
This Europe Christmas & New Year tour explores top European destinations! Enjoy a guaranteed white Christmas in the Swiss Alps. Cruise along Amsterdam’s canals and Germany’s Rhine River on New Year’s Eve. Behold iconic attractions like Pisa’s Leaning Tower and Paris’s Eiffel Tower. Try Tuscan cuisine, German beer and Belgian waffles!
Highlights
- Explore London’s top sights with your tour leader
- Enjoy a roast lunch at a traditional British Pub
- See the highlights of Paris on a driving tour
- Visit Beaune; wine capital of Burgundy
- Marvel at the views on a scenic Swiss mountain drive
- See the Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Discover Florence, the ‘Jewel of the Renaissance’
- Explore Venice, Italy’s floating city
Show all 16 highlightsShow fewer highlights
- Visit the captivating Austrian city of Innsbruck
- Discover Munich on an orientation tour
- Enjoy a German meal in one of Munich's historic restaurants
- Cruise along the Rhine River
- Indulge in a wine tasting in the Rhine Valley
- Visit a local Dutch cheese farm and clog factory
- Cruise the canals and see the displays of the Amsterdam Light Festival
- Visit Ghent, a medieval Belgian city
Route and hotels
Where the tour goes and where you sleep, night by night.
London
1 night · Day 1
Hampton by Hilton London City
Paris
2 nights · Days 2–3
B&B HOTEL Paris Nord 18ème
Burgundy
Day 4 · on the way
Swiss Alps
2 nights · Days 4–5
Alpenrose Hotel and Gardens
Pisa
Day 6 · on the way
Tuscany South
1 night · Day 6
Antica Tabaccaia Resort
Florence
Day 7 · on the way
Rome
2 nights · Days 7–8
Excel Roma Montemario
Show all 15 stopsShow fewer stops
Venice
1 night · Day 9
Hotel Venezia
Innsbruck
Day 10 · on the way
Munich
1 night · Day 10
Mercure Munich Neuperlach Sued
Rhine Valley
1 night · Day 11
Mercure Hotel Frankfurt Eschborn Helfmann Park.
Amsterdam
1 night · Day 12
Hampton by Hilton Amsterdam Schiphol
Ghent
Day 13 · on the way
London
1 night · Day 13
Hampton by Hilton London City
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Start of tour in London
Meals included: Lunch
The Christmas and New Year tour of Europe begins today in London, with a city tour that takes in Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. A traditional pub lunch is included. In the evening, you can join the optional Thames, Towers & Tastes excursion: a cruise on the Thames, a look at nearby attractions, and a fish and chips dinner to finish.
Included
- City tour of Westminster, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace
- Traditional British pub lunch with your group
Optional extras
- Thames, Towers & Tastes · AED 300 per person
- Overnight
- London
- Hotel
- Hampton by Hilton London City
- Meals
- Lunch
Day 2
London – Paris
Meals included: BreakfastDinner
In the morning, the group crosses the English Channel on the way from London to Paris. On arrival, a driving tour takes in the city’s top attractions, among them the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. In the evening, a first taste of French cuisine comes with a group dinner at a Parisian restaurant.
Included
- Driving tour of Paris past the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe
- Dinner at a local Parisian restaurant
- Travel
- London → Paris by coach
- Overnight
- Paris
- Hotel
- B&B HOTEL Paris Nord 18ème
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 3
Paris: Free Day
Meals included: BreakfastToday is free to explore Paris solo or on an optional excursion. The optional Paris+ excursion combines a macaron tasting, a stop at a perfume museum, a cruise on the River Seine and free time in the Latin Quarter. In the afternoon, you can visit Montmartre for a tour and a three-course dinner, followed later by the optional Parisian cabaret excursion.
Included
- Free day in Paris to explore at your own pace
Optional extras
- Paris+ · AED 230 per person
- An Evening in Montmartre · AED 235 per person
- Parisian Cabaret with drinks · AED 400 per person
- Overnight
- Paris
- Hotel
- B&B HOTEL Paris Nord 18ème
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 4
Paris – Burgundy – Swiss Alps (Christmas Eve)
Meals included: BreakfastDinner
Small-town France offers a slice of life in Burgundy today. In Beaune, there is time to visit the Hospices de Beaune or try some of the region’s well known wines. From there, a picturesque route crosses the border into Switzerland towards the Swiss Alps, where a festive Christmas Eve dinner awaits at the accommodation.
Included
- Stop in Beaune, Burgundy’s wine capital, with free time to explore
- Scenic drive through the Swiss mountains
- Christmas Eve dinner at your hotel in the Alps
- Travel
- Paris → Burgundy → Swiss Alps by coach
- Overnight
- Swiss Alps
- Hotel
- Alpenrose Hotel and Gardens
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 5
Swiss Alps (Christmas Day): Free Day
Meals included: BreakfastA visit to Jungfraujoch brings a guaranteed white Christmas, since the area holds snow all year round. The optional day-long excursion here takes in panoramic views and Alpine scenery from the Top of Europe. In the evening, a further optional excursion serves traditional Swiss food, a fitting way to mark the festive season.
Included
- Christmas Day free in the Swiss Alps, with snow on the ground year-round
Optional extras
- Jungfraujoch: Journey to the Top of Europe · AED 960 per person
- Alpine Dinner Experience · AED 215 per person
- Overnight
- Swiss Alps
- Hotel
- Alpenrose Hotel and Gardens
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 6
Swiss Alps – Pisa – Tuscany
Meals included: BreakfastToday trades the icy Alps for Italian gelato, with views of Italy along the way and a photograph at the Leaning Tower of Pisa. From there, the route heads into the Tuscany region, where architecture, art, food and wine are all on offer, before arriving at the spa town of Montecatini Terme. In the evening, the optional excursion to Montecatini Alto includes a three-course meal.
Included
- Photo stop at the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Optional extras
- An Evening in Montecatini · AED 230 per person
- Travel
- Swiss Alps → Pisa → Tuscany by coach
- Overnight
- Tuscany South
- Hotel
- Antica Tabaccaia Resort
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 7
Tuscany – Florence – Rome
Meals included: BreakfastDinner
The morning stop is Florence, with a locally guided tour taking in a city shaped by Renaissance art and history. Afterwards, there is free time to wander, or the optional Taste of Tuscany excursion offers a family-style Florentine feast instead. The day continues to the Italian capital, Rome, with a group dinner for the evening.
Included
- Guided tour of Florence with a local guide, including Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo
- Dinner with the group on arrival in Rome
Optional extras
- Taste of Tuscany · AED 235 per person
- Travel
- Tuscany → Florence → Rome by coach
- Overnight
- Rome
- Hotel
- Excel Roma Montemario
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 8
Rome: Free Day
Meals included: BreakfastRome offers a free day, with two optional excursions worth considering. In the morning, an optional excursion to the Colosseum and the ruins of the Roman Forum uncovers ancient Rome. Later, the Conquer the Capital excursion covers sights including the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, together with a local lunch and gelato tasting.
Included
- Free day in Rome to explore at your own pace
Optional extras
- Rome Conquer the Capital · AED 255 per person
- Colosseum & Roman Forum Guided Tour · AED 365 per person
- Overnight
- Rome
- Hotel
- Excel Roma Montemario
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 9
Rome – Venice
Meals included: Breakfast
Today the tour continues towards Venice, a city whose sights include St. Mark’s Square, the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge. The optional Evening in Venice excursion offers a gondola and water taxi ride for a different view of this floating city, before the group gathers for dinner at a local restaurant.
Included
- Orientation walk in Venice, taking in St Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge
Optional extras
- An Evening in Venice · AED 535 per person
- Travel
- Rome → Venice by coach
- Overnight
- Venice
- Hotel
- Hotel Venezia
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 10
Venice – Innsbruck – Munich
Meals included: BreakfastDinnerGermany is today’s destination, reached by way of the Austrian city of Innsbruck. There is time to see the Golden Roof Museum before free time for lunch. From there, the day moves on to Munich, where an orientation tour covers highlights of a city that blends modernity with ancient history. In the evening, a traditional German dinner is served at a local restaurant.
Included
- Orientation tour of Innsbruck, including the Golden Roof
- Orientation tour of Munich with your tour leader
- Dinner at a historic Bavarian restaurant
- Travel
- Venice → Innsbruck → Munich by coach
- Overnight
- Munich
- Hotel
- Mercure Munich Neuperlach Sued
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 11
Munich – Rhine Valley (New Year’s Eve)
Meals included: BreakfastDinnerNew Year’s Eve is spent in the Rhine Valley, reached by a cruise on the Rhine River, which holds the densest run of castles anywhere in Europe. The cruise ends in the UNESCO-listed town of Boppard, where local wines and the valley’s varietals are there to learn about. In the evening, a New Year’s Eve dinner is served at the hotel.
Included
- Scenic cruise on the Rhine, past castles and vineyards
- Wine tasting with a local merchant in Boppard
- New Year’s Eve dinner at your hotel
- Travel
- Munich → Rhine Valley by coach
- Overnight
- Rhine Valley
- Hotel
- Mercure Hotel Frankfurt Eschborn Helfmann Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 12
Rhine Valley – Amsterdam
Meals included: BreakfastDinner
The tour makes its way towards Amsterdam with a stop in the Dutch countryside, where there is a chance to try Dutch cheese and see how clogs are crafted. From there, the Riekermolen Windmill is the next stop for photographs. Once in Amsterdam, a canal cruise offers a different vantage point for sightseeing, with free time before dinner at a local restaurant this evening.
Included
- Cheese and clog-making demonstration in the Dutch countryside
- Canal cruise in Amsterdam
- Travel
- Rhine Valley → Amsterdam by coach
- Overnight
- Amsterdam
- Hotel
- Hampton by Hilton Amsterdam Schiphol
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 13
Amsterdam – Ghent – London
Meals included: BreakfastThe route heads back to London, with a stop in Ghent, Belgium, on the way. This medieval city has cobbled streets and historic buildings to see, along with Belgian chocolate or a Belgian waffle to try. Later in the day, London is reached, where the optional excursion for the evening is a British curry dinner on Brick Lane.
Included
- Free time in Ghent to see the medieval centre
Optional extras
- Brick Lane Farewell Dinner · AED 175 per person
- Travel
- Amsterdam → Ghent → London by coach
- Overnight
- London
- Hotel
- Hampton by Hilton London City
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 14
End of tour in London
Meals included: BreakfastThis festive fortnight through Europe draws to a close with breakfast at the hotel this morning. It is time to say goodbye to the travel companions made along the way, with contact details to exchange for those who wish to stay in touch.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Dates & prices
Prices per person, sharing a double or twin room. A single room costs the supplement shown.
FromMon 21 Dec 2026ToSun 3 Jan 2027
Available
AED 13,570
Single room supplement +AED 4,206 single
What’s included
Included
- 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)
- 13 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 6 Dinners *Vegetarian options available for all meals on request
- Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
- Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)
- Fully-guided tour
Not included
- Flights: Arrange your own flights for the start and end of the tour
- Travel insurance: Purchase a suitable policy that meets your needs
Optional extras
Excursions and upgrades you can add to the tour. Prices are per person.
Thames, Towers & Tastes
A Thames cruise past the Shard, the London Eye and St Paul’s Cathedral, then a walk to Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, finishing with a fish and chips dinner at a traditional pub. £60. Book it before the tour: add it to your booking notes.
AED 300 per person
Paris+
A day out with your tour leader: a macaron tasting at a well-known patisserie, a visit to a perfume museum, lunch, a cruise on the Seine and free time in the Latin Quarter. €53, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 230 per person
An Evening in Montmartre
An evening in Montmartre, past the Moulin Rouge and up by funicular to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, followed by a three-course French dinner with vegetarian options available. €55, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 235 per person
Parisian Cabaret with drinks
A cabaret show at one of Paris’s best-known venues, with elaborate costumes, music and dance, and a glass of champagne or a soft drink included. €94, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 400 per person
Jungfraujoch: Journey to the Top of Europe
A cable car and train journey to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe, with snow-covered views, the Aletsch Glacier and an ice palace to explore. €225, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 960 per person
Alpine Dinner Experience
A cheese fondue starter, a hearty Swiss main course and a sweet finish, in the traditional style of the Alps. €50, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 215 per person
An Evening in Montecatini
A return trip on the Montecatini funicular with views over the town, followed by a three-course Tuscan dinner with vegetarian options available. €54, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 230 per person
Taste of Tuscany
A family-style Tuscan meal in Florence, with bistecca alla Fiorentina, bruschetta al pomodoro, a glass of Chianti and a traditional dessert. €55, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 235 per person
Rome Conquer the Capital
A walking tour through central Rome taking in the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, with lunch and a gelato tasting included. €60, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 255 per person
Colosseum & Roman Forum Guided Tour
A walking tour with a local guide through the Colosseum and the ruins of the Roman Forum, with entrance included. €85. Book it before the tour: add it to your booking notes.
AED 365 per person
An Evening in Venice
A water taxi from Piazzale Roma to San Marco and a gondola ride through Venice’s canals, with pizza or pasta for dinner at a local restaurant. €125, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 535 per person
Brick Lane Farewell Dinner
A three-course British curry dinner on Brick Lane, with a choice of dishes including chicken tikka masala, and a kulfi dessert to finish. £35, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 175 per person
To add an extra, mention it in your booking notes, and we confirm it with your seats before you pay. Some are booked with your tour leader on the day instead: their description says so.
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Good to know
Practical details to read before you travel.
Passport & visas
This tour visits the United Kingdom, then France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, all in the Schengen area, plus Vatican City, which has open borders with Schengen.
UAE passport holders do not need a visa for the Schengen countries for stays of up to 90 days, and will need the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), applied for online before you travel. Most other nationalities living in the UAE need both a UK Standard Visitor visa and a Schengen visa: apply for the Schengen visa in the country where you spend the most nights, which on this tour is Italy.
Apply up to six months before you travel. Dubai appointments fill up quickly before Christmas, so start early. Your Schengen passport must be valid for at least three months after you leave the area and have been issued within the last ten years, with two blank pages; your UAE residence visa must be valid for at least three months after you return.
Our visa team handles both the UK and Schengen applications: ask us when you book.
Flights and timings
Flights to and from London aren’t included: our team can book your flights from Dubai to match the tour.
Day 1 starts at a hotel in London, where your tour leader will meet you at 10:00. If you arrive outside this time, look for the welcome information in the hotel lobby. The tour ends in London on day 14, after breakfast, with checkout by 10:00.
Meals and dietary needs
The tour includes 13 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 6 dinners, with the welcome lunch in London on day 1 and dinners falling in Paris, the Swiss Alps (including a Christmas Eve dinner), Rome, Munich, the Rhine Valley (including a New Year’s Eve dinner) and Amsterdam.
Tell us about any dietary needs, halal included, when you book, and we pass them on before the tour.
Money
Pound sterling in the UK. Euro in France, Italy, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. Swiss franc in Switzerland. A card without foreign transaction fees is the easiest way to pay in most of Europe.
Optional experiences booked on tour are paid to your tour leader in cash or by card, in the currency shown.
Weather and packing
Running in December, this tour is cold throughout, with a good chance of snow in the Swiss Alps, where Jungfraujoch has snow year-round, and a possibility of snow in Munich and Venice too.
Pack warm layers, a waterproof coat, gloves and comfortable, broken-in shoes with a good grip. Several days include walking tours of up to three hours, and some sites have a fair number of steps.
Christmas and New Year on tour
This tour runs over the festive season, so expect Christmas markets, lights and decorations in London, Paris, Munich and Amsterdam, and a change to the usual rhythm: some shops, restaurants and attractions close or run shorter hours on 25 December and 1 January.
Christmas Eve dinner is included in the Swiss Alps, and a New Year’s Eve dinner is included in the Rhine Valley. Your tour leader will confirm exact timings for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day once you are on tour.
Plan your trip
Our Dubai team arranges what goes around the tour, so it is booked in one place.
Visas
One Schengen visa covers the Schengen countries on this route. Our visa team in Dubai applies for UAE residents once the tour is booked.
Flights
Flights are not included. We can book them with the tour: Dubai to London and back. Tick “Flights” when you book and we quote them with your confirmation.
Pay in instalments
Split the cost with Tabby or Tamara, or over 3 to 12 months on a UAE bank credit card for bookings from AED 1,000.
Book this tour
Book online in a few minutes. Your seats are held as soon as you book, and you pay once we have confirmed them.
- Choose your date, travellers and roomsPrices are per person, and the total updates as you choose.
- Name each traveller as in their passportYour seats are held and your booking reference is emailed straight away.
- Pay by secure link once confirmedOur Dubai team confirms the seats with the tour operator, then emails your payment link. Nothing is charged when you book.
Questions before you book? Our support team is on WhatsApp +971 58 582 4488.
Questions about this tour
What will my days actually look like?
Full days, zero filler. Most mornings start with breakfast before heading out to the main sights with your Tour Leader or a local guide. Afternoons often include free time to wander, find a coffee or join an Optional Experience. Expect a good amount of walking too. On some days, you could spend two to three hours on your feet. Comfortable shoes are your best friend.
Who will I be travelling with?
People from all over the world. Different ages, different backgrounds, same instinct to see more. Groups have on average between 35-45 travellers. By day three, you’ll already know everyone's name.
What are the hotels like?
Clean, comfortable and well located. Mostly 3 to 4 star, with private en-suite bathrooms. They're chosen so you can sleep well and feel ready for the next day. They're not the centrepiece. The destinations are. But they're never an afterthought.
How active is this tour?
All travellers carry their own bags, including up hotel stairs where needed. Walking tours can last up to three hours, and some sites involve a fair number of steps. Read through the itinerary to decide if the pace is right for you.
How do Optional Experiences work?
Optional Experiences happen during your tour's free-time slots, and your Tour Leader will tell you about what's on offer during the tour. Most can be booked on the day, but some are pre-sold and must be purchased before your tour begins, so it's worth checking the tour page beforehand to see what's available and get in touch with our team to book anything in advance.
Will I have time to explore on my own?
Yes. Free time is built into the itinerary, giving you space to wander and explore at your own pace. Your Tour Leader can point you towards the places worth your time, so you're never left completely to figure it out yourself.
What support do I have while I'm on tour?
Your Tour Leader is there to look after you during your tour. They know the places most people walk straight past, they'll have a restaurant recommendation ready before you've asked, and they'll sort anything that comes up along the way. All transport and accommodation are arranged for you.
You'll also have a 24-hour emergency contact number and the Holidayys team in Dubai.
How do I book Classic Europe Christmas & New Year?
Press Book now, choose a date and your rooms, and enter each traveller as their passport shows. We hold your seats and email your booking reference straight away. Our Dubai team confirms the seats with the tour operator, then emails you a secure payment link. Nothing is charged when you book.
When do I pay?
Once the tour operator confirms your seats. We email you a secure payment link for the total in AED, and your booking is complete when it is paid. To pay in instalments, say so in your booking notes.
Is the price per person?
Yes. Prices are per person sharing a double or twin room. Travelling alone? A single room costs the supplement shown next to each date.
Are flights included?
Only when the tour lists them under what is included. We can book flights from the UAE to the start city and home from the end city with your tour.
Do I need a visa?
That depends on your passport and the countries on the route. Our visa team arranges Schengen and other visas for UAE residents, and can apply for yours once the tour is booked.
Payment plans
Pay over time, at 0% interest
Every booking qualifies, from holidays and tours to visas. Pay later with a credit card instalment plan or a buy-now-pay-later account; some banks charge a one-time processing fee.
- Credit card plans from AED 1,000
- Tabby and Tamara, no minimum
- Terms from 3 to 12 months
Find your bank’s plan
Credit cards, from AED 1,000
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