7 days · 8 countries
Europe Taster Christmas
From AED 6,850per person, twin share
Get a taste of Europe over the festive season! Celebrate Christmas in the snowy Swiss Alps, explore iconic cities, & more!
- Duration
- 7 Days / 6 Nights
- Route
- Starts and ends in London
- Countries
- France, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, United Kingdom, Great Britain and England
- Activity level
- Moderate (3 of 5)
- A fast-paced coach tour over Christmas, with an early start, a new hotel most nights and guided walking tours in Paris and Amsterdam, each up to three hours on your feet
- Accommodation
- 3- and 4-star hotels for all six nights, with a new hotel most nights as the tour moves between cities
- Meals
- 6 breakfasts and 4 dinners
- Group
- Group tour, up to 53
- Guide
- English-speaking tour leader throughout
- Transport
- Air-conditioned coach
- Best time to go
- This December departure runs over Christmas: expect cold, possibly snowy weather in the Swiss Alps, and cool, crisp days in Paris and Amsterdam
Tour overview
This 7-day winter exploration of Europe during Christmas will leave you with lifelong memories! Admire the twinkling lights of Paris and Amsterdam. Celebrate a Swiss Christmas while soaking up the snow-clad Alps. Drink wine among the rolling hills of Germany's Rhine Valley and explore a medieval Belgian city!
Highlights
- Embark on a driving tour of Paris
- Enjoy a welcome dinner in Paris
- Explore Burgundy, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Enjoy a scenic mountain drive in Switzerland
- Cruise along the Rhine River
- Enjoy a Rhine Valley wine tasting
- Visit the iconic Riekermolen Windmill
- Enjoy a local cheese and clogs demonstration in the Netherlands
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- Cruise the canals and see the displays of the Amsterdam Light Festival
- Enjoy a farewell dinner in Amsterdam
- Visit Ghent, a medieval city in Belgium
Route and hotels
Where the tour goes and where you sleep, night by night.
London
Day 1 · start
Paris
2 nights · Days 1–2
B&B HOTEL Paris Nord 18ème
Burgundy
Day 3 · on the way
Swiss Alps
2 nights · Days 3–4
Alpenrose Hotel and Gardens
Rhine Valley
1 night · Day 5
Wyndam Garden Koblenz
Amsterdam
1 night · Day 6
Hampton by Hilton Amsterdam Schiphol
Ghent
Day 7 · on the way
London
Day 7 · end
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
London – Paris
Meals included: Dinner
The tour’s Christmas edition leaves London behind and crosses the English Channel to Paris. It arrives at the City of Lights for a driving tour through the French capital, taking in landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, all decorated for the festive season. Later, dinner is served at a local restaurant.
Included
- Guided driving tour of Paris, past the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, decorated for the festive season
- Welcome dinner in Paris
- Travel
- London → Paris by coach
- Overnight
- Paris
- Hotel
- B&B HOTEL Paris Nord 18ème
- Meals
- Dinner
Day 2
Paris: Free Day
Meals included: Breakfast
This full day lets you explore Paris at Christmastime. The optional Paris+ excursion is a good way to take in its highlights: a visit to a perfume museum, a macaron tasting, and a cruise down the River Seine, among other things. In the evening, the twinkling decorations are worth seeing on an optional tour of Montmartre, before the night finishes with a cabaret show.
Included
- Free day in Paris to explore the festive city 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 3
Burgundy – Swiss Alps (Christmas Eve)
Meals included: BreakfastDinner
The tour bids goodbye to Paris and heads into small-town France, stopping in Burgundy. In the town of Beaune, there is free time to see the Hospices de Beaune and taste the region’s famous French wine. Afterwards, a scenic drive leads into Switzerland. The tour arrives in the Jungfrau Region, where the group is based for the following two nights, with a Christmas Eve dinner tonight.
Included
- Free time in Beaune, Burgundy’s wine capital
- Scenic drive through the Swiss Alps
- Christmas Eve dinner in the Swiss Alps
- Travel
- Paris → Swiss Alps by coach, via Burgundy
- Overnight
- Swiss Alps
- Hotel
- Alpenrose Hotel and Gardens
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 4
Swiss Alps: Free Day (Christmas Day)
Meals included: Breakfast
It is Christmas, and this free day in the Swiss Alps has a festive atmosphere. The Jungfraujoch excursion is a popular choice, with a journey to what is called the Top of Europe, where you can see snowy landscapes, striking views, the Ice Palace and the Sphinx Observatory. You could end the free day with the optional Alpine Dinner Experience, for a sweet finish.
Included
- Free day in the Swiss Alps on Christmas Day
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 5
Swiss Alps – Rhine Valley
Meals included: BreakfastDinnerThis morning, the tour heads to Germany’s well-known Rhine Valley. It arrives in St Goar, where there is time to unwind aboard a Rhine riverboat cruise, passing one of the most concentrated stretches of castles anywhere in Europe, along with vineyards and high cliffs. The tour then arrives in Boppard for a local wine tasting, where there is sometimes a chance to try eiswein as well. An included dinner follows tonight.
Included
- Rhine River cruise from St Goar to Boppard, past castles and vineyards
- Wine tasting at a local merchant in the Rhine Valley
- Travel
- Swiss Alps → Rhine Valley by coach
- Overnight
- Rhine Valley
- Hotel
- Wyndam Garden Koblenz
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 6
Rhine Valley – Amsterdam
Meals included: BreakfastDinner
It is time to head into the Netherlands. The first stop is a historic windmill for photographs, followed by a traditional cheese-making demonstration and a look at how clogs are made, on the way to Amsterdam. After checking in to the hotel, there is an Amsterdam canal cruise to join. In the evening, a memorable farewell dinner is shared with the group.
Included
- Photo stop at the Riekermolen Windmill
- Dutch cheese and clogs demonstration
- Canal cruise past the Amsterdam Light Festival displays
- Farewell dinner in Amsterdam
- Travel
- Rhine Valley → Amsterdam by coach
- Overnight
- Amsterdam
- Hotel
- Hampton by Hilton Amsterdam Schiphol
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 7
Ghent – London
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast, the journey back to London passes through the Belgian city of Ghent, a popular medieval city known for historic churches, cobblestone streets and lofty towers, as well as local waffles, beer and chocolate. There is free time here before the tour continues to London, where it comes to an end.
Included
- Free time in Ghent to see its medieval streets
- Travel
- Amsterdam → Ghent → London by coach
- Meals
- Breakfast
Dates & prices
Prices per person, sharing a double or twin room. A single room costs the supplement shown.
FromTue 22 Dec 2026ToMon 28 Dec 2026
Available
AED 6,850
Single room supplement +AED 1,561 single
What’s included
Included
- 6 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)
- 6 Breakfasts, 4 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.
Paris+
A day out with your tour leader covering Paris classics: a macaron tasting, a guided visit to a perfume museum, lunch, a cruise on the Seine and free time in the Latin Quarter to see Notre-Dame Cathedral. €53, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 230 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
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 starts and ends in London and crosses into France, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, all in the Schengen area, so one Schengen visa covers the whole continental leg, alongside UK entry permission for the London days.
UAE passport holders travel to the UK on an Electronic Travel Authorisation, applied for online before you travel, and need no visa for Schengen stays of up to 90 days in any 180, though the EU’s ETIAS travel authorisation will also be needed once it starts: we can tell you where it stands when you book. Most other nationalities living in the UAE need a UK Standard Visitor visa, applied for in Dubai and allowing 15 to 20 working days after the appointment, as well as a Schengen visa.
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 both applications: ask us when you book.
Flights and timings
Flights to London and home aren’t included.
Day 1 starts at 06:30 outside the Novotel London Greenwich hotel. The tour ends in London on day 7, outside the Moxy London Stratford Hotel, after the coach returns from Ghent; no exact finishing time is set, so allow some flexibility for a flight home that evening.
Our team can book your flights from Dubai to match.
Meals and dietary needs
Six breakfasts and four dinners are included: breakfast every day except day 1, and dinner on your welcome night in Paris, a Christmas Eve dinner in the Swiss Alps, dinner in the Rhine Valley and on your farewell night in Amsterdam. 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
You will use pounds sterling in London at the start and end of the tour, euros in France, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, and Swiss francs in the Swiss Alps. Cards are widely accepted, though it is worth carrying some cash for smaller purchases.
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. Pack warm layers, a waterproof coat, gloves and comfortable, broken-in shoes: walking tours in Paris and Amsterdam can last up to three hours.
A day bag for the coach and a warm hat for the Swiss Alps are worth packing, whatever else you bring.
Christmas on tour
This departure runs over Christmas, with a Christmas Eve dinner in the Swiss Alps on day 3 and a free Christmas Day on day 4, when many shops, restaurants and attractions in Switzerland close or keep shorter hours. On day 6, the canal cruise in Amsterdam passes the lit displays of the Amsterdam Light Festival.
Pack a festive outfit if you would like one for the Christmas Eve dinner.
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 Europe Taster 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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