10 days · 8 countries
Europe Highlights Christmas
From AED 10,118per person, twin share
Few seats left on Tue 22 Dec 2026
Explore Europe’s top cities, hidden gems and spectacular scenery over 10 days. Tick off 7 countries in one festive trip!
- Duration
- 10 Days / 9 Nights
- Route
- Starts and ends in Rome
- Countries
- France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and Vatican City
- Activity level
- Moderate (3 of 5)
- A fast-paced coach tour over the festive season, with a new hotel most nights and guided walking tours in Venice, Munich, Paris and Florence, each up to three hours on your feet
- Accommodation
- 3- and 4-star hotels for all nine nights, with a new city most nights across seven countries
- Meals
- 9 breakfasts and 5 dinners
- Group
- Small group, up to 19
- Guide
- English-speaking tour leader throughout, plus a local guide in Florence
- Transport
- Air-conditioned coach
- Best time to go
- This December departure runs over Christmas and New Year: cold, possibly snowy weather in the Swiss Alps and around Innsbruck, and cool, crisp days in Italy
Tour overview
Discover the delights of Europe at Christmas time! On this 10-day Europe Highlights Christmas tour, experience charming Christmas markets, dazzling light displays and festive cuisine. Tick Venice, Munich, Florence and Paris off your bucket-list. Cruise the Rhine River, spend Christmas Day in Amsterdam and explore the snowy Swiss Alps.
Highlights
- Explore Venice, Italy’s floating city
- Marvel at the scenery along Brenner Pass
- Visit Innsbruck; a beautiful Austrian city
- Explore Munich; capital of Bavaria
- 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 the iconic Riekermolen Windmill
Show all 18 highlightsShow fewer highlights
- Enjoy a traditional cheese and clogs demonstration
- Cruise the canals and see the displays of the Amsterdam Light Festival
- Enjoy Christmas dinner in Amsterdam
- Visit Ghent, a beautiful medieval city in Belgium
- See the sights of Paris on a driving tour
- Visit Burgundy; a French wine region
- Marvel at the views on a scenic Swiss mountain drive
- Visit the idyllic Lake Como
- See the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Explore Florence; the birthplace of the Renaissance
Route and hotels
Where the tour goes and where you sleep, night by night.
Rome
Day 1 · start
Venice
1 night · Day 1
Hotel Venezia
Innsbruck
Day 2 · on the way
Munich
1 night · Day 2
Mercure Munich Neuperlach Sued
Rhine Valley
1 night · Day 3
Mercure Hotel Frankfurt Eschborn Helfmann Park.
Amsterdam
1 night · Day 4
Hampton by Hilton Amsterdam Schiphol
Ghent
Day 5 · on the way
Paris
2 nights · Days 5–6
B&B HOTEL Paris Nord 18ème
Show all 15 stopsShow fewer stops
Burgundy
Day 7 · on the way
Swiss Alps
2 nights · Days 7–8
Alpenrose Hotel and Gardens
Lake Como
Day 9 · on the way
Tuscany South
1 night · Day 9
Antica Tabaccaia Resort
Pisa
Day 10 · on the way
Florence
Day 10 · on the way
Rome
Day 10 · end
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Start of tour in Rome – Venice
The festive journey through Europe begins today. In the morning, the group meets its tour leader in Rome and boards the coach for the journey towards Venice. Known as the floating city, Venice is best seen from its canals, so the optional Evening in Venice excursion is available, with a water taxi and a gondola cruise, followed by dinner.
Included
- Explore Venice, including St Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace and the Rialto Market
Optional extras
- An Evening in Venice · AED 535 per person
- Travel
- Rome → Venice by coach
- Overnight
- Venice
- Hotel
- Hotel Venezia
Day 2
Venice – Innsbruck – Bavaria
Meals included: BreakfastDinnerItaly is left behind, and once breakfast is finished, the tour sets off for Austria. The route crosses the Brenner Pass with striking scenery along the way. In Innsbruck, a charming city with alpine views all around, there is an orientation tour. Later, the tour travels on to Munich, the Bavarian capital, for a second orientation tour of this historic city. In the evening, dinner is served at a traditional restaurant.
Included
- Scenic drive through the Brenner Pass
- Orientation tour and free time in Innsbruck
- Orientation tour of Munich
- Dinner at a traditional Munich restaurant
- Travel
- Venice → Munich by coach, via Innsbruck
- Overnight
- Munich
- Hotel
- Mercure Munich Neuperlach Sued
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 3
Bavaria – Rhine Valley (Christmas Eve)
Meals included: BreakfastDinnerChristmas Eve is celebrated with some style, as the tour travels on to the Rhine Valley. A Rhine River cruise takes in the region’s scenery, with vineyards, medieval towns and Gothic castles coming into view. Boppard is where the cruise finishes, and the group enjoys a local wine tasting there. Tonight, a Christmas Eve dinner rounds off the day.
Included
- Rhine River cruise, past castles, vineyards and cliffs
- Wine tasting at a local merchant in the Rhine Valley
- Christmas Eve dinner in the Rhine Valley
- Travel
- Munich → Rhine Valley by coach
- Overnight
- Rhine Valley
- Hotel
- Mercure Hotel Frankfurt Eschborn Helfmann Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 4
Rhine Valley – Amsterdam (Christmas Day)
Meals included: BreakfastDinner
It is Christmas Day. The tour says Auf Wiedersehen to Germany and travels into the Netherlands, with a first stop at the Riekermolen Windmill. There is also a chance to watch Dutch cheese and clogs being made. The tour arrives in Amsterdam for a twilight canal cruise, taking in the capital’s landmarks and the displays of the Amsterdam Light Festival. Tonight, a Christmas dinner is waiting at a local restaurant.
Included
- Photo stop at the Riekermolen Windmill
- Cheese and clog making demonstration
- Christmas Day canal cruise through Amsterdam
- Christmas dinner with the group in Amsterdam
- Travel
- Rhine Valley → Amsterdam by coach
- Overnight
- Amsterdam
- Hotel
- Hampton by Hilton Amsterdam Schiphol
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 5
Amsterdam – Ghent – Paris
Meals included: BreakfastDinnerThis morning, the tour travels to Belgium, visiting the medieval city of Ghent, with an orientation tour included and time free to explore. Later, Paris, the City of Lights, is waiting to be explored, with an evening driving tour taking in icons such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. A first taste of French cuisine follows at dinner tonight.
Included
- Orientation tour and free time in Ghent
- Guided driving tour of Paris, past the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe
- Travel
- Amsterdam → Paris by coach, via Ghent
- Overnight
- Paris
- Hotel
- B&B HOTEL Paris Nord 18ème
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 6
Paris: Free Day
Meals included: Breakfast
This day is free for you to experience Paris however you choose. You can join the optional Paris Like Locals excursion, with a macaron tasting, a visit to the Fragonard Musée du Parfum, and time in the Latin Quarter. Tonight, the Evening in Montmartre excursion takes in one of the most loved neighbourhoods in Paris, or you could choose a late-night cabaret show instead.
Included
- Free day in Paris to explore at your own pace
Optional extras
- Paris Like Locals · AED 300 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 7
Paris – Burgundy – Swiss Alps
Meals included: BreakfastDinner
Leaving Paris, the tour visits Beaune, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the wine capital of Burgundy, with local wine to taste and time for lunch, or a visit to the Hospices de Beaune. Afterwards, the tour makes its way across the border to Switzerland through striking scenery. Tonight’s accommodation is in the Swiss Alps, with dinner included at the hotel.
Included
- Free time in Beaune, Burgundy’s wine capital
- Scenic drive through the Swiss Alps
- Travel
- Paris → Swiss Alps by coach, via Burgundy
- Overnight
- Swiss Alps
- Hotel
- Alpenrose Hotel and Gardens
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 8
Swiss Alps: Free Day
Meals included: BreakfastThis free day in the Swiss Alps is well spent by joining one of the better-rated optional excursions, offering a trip to what is called the Top of Europe. The trip to Jungfraujoch brings mountain views, year-round snow and an ice palace. After a full day of exploring, an optional dinner tonight brings cheesy Swiss fondue.
Included
- Free day in the Swiss Alps
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 9
Lake Como – Tuscany
Meals included: Breakfast
This morning, the tour leaves the Swiss Alps and heads back towards Italy. The first stop is Lake Como, in the Italian Lake District, with sights to discover along the banks of this lake of fresh water, during an orientation tour. Montecatini, a Tuscany spa town, is the last stop, with a free evening either to rest at the hotel or wander around the town.
Included
- Visit to Lake Como
- Travel
- Swiss Alps → Tuscany by coach, via Lake Como
- Overnight
- Tuscany South
- Hotel
- Antica Tabaccaia Resort
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 10
Pisa – Florence – Rome (New Year’s Eve)
Meals included: Breakfast
First on the agenda today is a true Italian icon, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Then the tour travels to Florence for a walking tour with a local guide, through a city known as the Jewel of the Renaissance. You can join the optional Taste of Tuscany excursion for a family-style farewell lunch. Later, the tour heads back to Rome, where it comes to an end.
Included
- Photo stop at the Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Guided walking tour of Florence with a local guide
Optional extras
- Taste of Tuscany · AED 235 per person
- Travel
- Tuscany → Rome by coach, via Pisa and Florence
- Meals
- Breakfast
Dates & prices
Prices per person, sharing a double or twin room. A single room costs the supplement shown.
FromTue 22 Dec 2026ToThu 31 Dec 2026
Few seats left
AED 10,118
Single room supplement +AED 2,479 single
What’s included
Included
- 9 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)
- 9 Breakfasts, 5 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.
An Evening in Venice
An evening in Venice with your tour leader: a water taxi cruise from Piazzale Roma to San Marco, a traditional gondola ride and a pizza or pasta dinner at a local restaurant. €125. Book it before the tour: add it to your booking notes.
AED 535 per person
Paris Like Locals
A guided walk through Paris with your tour leader: a macaron tasting, a tour of a perfume museum, time at Galeries Lafayette, lunch at a local crêperie and a walk through the Latin Quarter. €70, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 300 per person
An Evening in Montmartre
An evening in Montmartre with your tour leader: see the Moulin Rouge and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, then sit down to 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
An evening cabaret show in Paris, with cancan dancing, costumes and a glass of French champagne (a soft drink option is available). €94, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 400 per person
Jungfraujoch: Journey to the Top of Europe
A trip by cable car and train to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe, for alpine views, snow all year round and the ice palace at the top. €225, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 960 per person
Alpine Dinner Experience
A Swiss dinner that opens with a cheese fondue, followed by a hearty main course and a sweet dessert to finish. €50, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 215 per person
Taste of Tuscany
A family-style Tuscan meal in Florence: 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
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
Every country on this tour, Italy, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Switzerland, is in the Schengen area, and Vatican City has open borders with it, so one Schengen visa covers the whole trip.
UAE passport holders do not need a visa for Schengen stays of up to 90 days in any 180, though you will also need the EU’s ETIAS travel authorisation once it starts: we can tell you where it stands when you book. Most other nationalities living in the UAE need a Schengen visa, applied for in the country where you spend the most nights; nights on this tour are split fairly evenly between Italy, Germany, France and Switzerland, so our visa team can confirm which applies once your dates are set. Apply up to six months before you travel, and book your Dubai appointment early as appointments fill up before Christmas.
Your passport must be valid for at least three months after you leave the Schengen area and have been issued within the last ten years. Our visa team handles Schengen applications: ask us when you book.
Flights and timings
Flights to Rome and home aren’t included.
Day 1 starts at a hotel in Rome at 08:00; the exact hotel is confirmed closer to your departure date. The tour ends back at the hotel in Rome on day 10, New Year’s Eve, at around 19:30.
Our team can book your flights from Dubai to match.
Meals and dietary needs
Nine breakfasts and five dinners are included: breakfast every day except day 1, and dinner in Munich, a Christmas Eve dinner in the Rhine Valley, a Christmas dinner in Amsterdam, and dinner in Paris and the Swiss Alps. Lunches and other meals on free days are not included.
Tell us about any dietary needs, halal included, when you book, and we pass them on before the tour.
Money
The euro is used everywhere on this tour except Switzerland, where it is the Swiss franc. Cards are widely accepted; a card with no foreign transaction fees makes things easiest.
Optional experiences booked on tour are paid to your tour leader in cash or by card, in the currency shown.
Weather and packing
This December departure means cold weather throughout, with the best chance of snow in the Swiss Alps and around Innsbruck, and cool, crisp days in Venice, Rome and Florence. Pack warm layers, a waterproof coat, gloves and comfortable, broken-in shoes: walking tours in Venice, Munich and Florence can last up to three hours.
Modest clothing, covering shoulders and knees, is expected when entering churches such as St Mark’s Basilica in Venice and the Duomo in Florence.
Christmas and New Year on tour
This departure runs over the festive season: a Christmas Eve dinner is included in the Rhine Valley on day 3, and Christmas Day brings a canal cruise and Christmas dinner in Amsterdam on day 4. The tour ends in Rome on day 10, New Year’s Eve, so if you are staying on to see in the New Year, we can help arrange extra nights in Rome.
Many shops, restaurants and attractions in Germany and Austria close or keep shorter hours on 25 December.
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 Rome 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 Europe Highlights Christmas?
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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