Europe Taster New Year
Europe Taster New Year
$1980
Europe Taster New Year
7 Days Starting and ending in Hotel in Paris
Visiting: London, Paris, France, Switzerland, Swiss Alps, Burgundy, Rhine Valley, Amsterdam, Bruges
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ETNY
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
10 - 51
Age range:
10-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Dive headfirst into the enchantment of Europe with this Europe Taster New Year tour and make it a fresh start like never before! Explore the festive streets of Paris and the majestic Swiss Alps, where you’ll celebrate New Year’s Day. Breathe in the crisp mountain air as another year goes by and start it with unforgettable moments you’ll cherish for years to come. Cruise the scenic Rhine River in Germany and Amsterdam’s iconic canals. Make a stop in the medieval city of Bruges and get a taste of Belgium's delights.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: London - Paris
Location: London, Paris
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to London and the start of this Europe Taster New Year tour! Depart from London and travel across the English Channel to the dazzling “City of Lights”. Upon arrival in Paris, set off on a driving city tour of the French capital to see the city's iconic landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. Afterwards, visit the Latin Quarter and enjoy an included welcome dinner with the group. After getting to know your fellow travellers and indulging in a local meal, head back to the hotel on the world-famous Parisian metro. Rest up and get ready to explore the city further on tomorrow’s free day!
Embark on a driving tour of Paris
Enjoy a welcome dinner in Paris
Day 2: Paris: Free Day
Location: France, Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast
Get ready for a full free day in Paris to embrace the festive atmosphere and explore this famous city! Join the optional Paris+ excursion to embark on a guided, in-depth tour of the city and experience the highlights. Featuring a lunchtime cruise on the River Seine, macaron tasting, a tour of a renowned perfume museum and more, this optional comes highly recommended! Alternatively, wander the streets at your own pace discovering quaint local shops and cafés. Later, opt for the An Evening in Montmartre excursion to see the iconic Moulin Rouge and beautiful Sacré-Cœur church in the neighbourhood of Montmartre. End the day with a truly Parisian experience by joining the optional cabernet show!
Day 3: Burgundy - Swiss Alps (New Year’S Eve)
Location: Switzerland, Swiss Alps, Burgundy
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Bid farewell to Paris as the tour continues to Burgundy, one of the most famous wine regions of France! Visit the wine capital, Beaune, and enjoy free time to taste the local wines and visit the beautiful Hospices de Beaune. Afterwards, enjoy a scenic drive to Switzerland and admire the alpine scenery as the coach journeys into the Swiss Alps. Arrive in the heart of the Jungfrau region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited destinations in the Alps. It’s New Year's Eve tonight and although most traditional celebrations happen on New Year’s Day in the region, there are nearby activities to get involved in. Tonight, celebrate the occasion with an included group dinner!
Explore Burgundy, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Enjoy a scenic mountain drive in Switzerland
Day 4: Swiss Alps: Free Day (New Year’S Day)
Location: Switzerland, Swiss Alps
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s New Year’s Day and what better way to celebrate than by reaching new heights on the optional excursion to Jungfraujoch? Travel to the “Top of Europe” and step foot in the highest train station, offering views of the picture-perfect Swiss countryside below. Take in the breathtaking views at the top of the surrounding glaciers and snow-capped peaks and see if you can spot quaint villages nestled in the valleys below. Back at lower altitudes, enjoy the freedom to spend the rest of the day as you wish! Why not warm up with an optional Swiss Fondue Dinner tonight? A perfect way to end the start of a new year!
Day 5: Swiss Alps - Rhine Valley
Location: Swiss Alps, Rhine Valley
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Take in the last views of the snowy Swiss Alps this morning before heading to the next destination, Germany’s Rhine Valley! Upon arrival, embark on a Rhine River cruise and sail from St. Goar to Boppard, admiring the scenery of charming medieval towns, lofty cliffs and beautiful vineyards along the river's edge. Boasting the most concentrated stretch of castles in all of Europe, the Rhine River cruise is a true highlight of any German tour. Afterwards, enjoy an included wine tasting at a local wine merchant and if the harvest has been good, a taste of Germany’s famouseisweinawaits!
Cruise along the Rhine River
Taste German wine in the Rhine Valley
Day 6: Rhine Valley - Amsterdam
Location: Rhine Valley, Amsterdam
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, the tour crosses the border and heads to the Netherlands! The first stop is at the Riekermolen Windmill to capture the iconic sights of the region. Next is a visit to a local farm for a traditional cheese-making demonstration and to learn about how clogs, traditional Dutch shoes, are made. Then, it’s off to Amsterdam! Upon arrival, check into the hotel and freshen up before embarking on a canal cruise to view the city from the water. The evening is yours to spend as you wish. Explore the streets and Dam Square, walk along the canals, or get a taste of local food, the choice is yours!
Visit the Riekermolen Windmill
Enjoy a Dutch cheese and clogs demonstration
Cruise the canals and see the displays of the Amsterdam Light Festival
Enjoy dinner in Amsterdam
Day 7: Bruges - London
Location: Bruges, London
Meals Included: Breakfast
The last day of this Europe Taster New Year tour has arrived but the adventure isn’t over just yet! Leaving Amsterdam behind, make a stop in the Belgium city of Bruges before continuing on to London. Enjoy free time in the medieval town of Bruges which is famous for its historic churches, architecture, and cobblestone streets. Explore at leisure and take the opportunity to sample some local delights such as their waffles, beer, or chocolate while here. This is also the perfect place to pick up any last-minute souvenirs. Afterwards, board the coach and head back to London where the tour will come to an end tonight.
Visit Bruges, a medieval city in Belgium
What's Included
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Accommodation
6 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability) -
Transport
Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days) -
Meals
6 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners
*Vegetarian options available for all meals on request -
Tour Leader
Fully guided tour with experienced tour leader
Tour leader will accompany group throughout and manage all logistical details
What's Not Included
International flightsTravel to the start point and from the end point is not included. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.Travel insuranceFor a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries.
All passengers travelling on an Expat Explore tour are required to have valid travel insurance cover and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance.
Mode of Transport
Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)
Accommodation
6 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)
Traveller Comfort - *COACH* tours
We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.
Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.
We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.
For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.
With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.
For more information regarding traveller fitness please see our Terms and Conditions.
Experiences
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
Taste German wine in the Rhine Valley
Visit the Riekermolen Windmill
Enjoy a Dutch cheese and clogs demonstration
Cruise the canals and see the displays of the Amsterdam Light Festival
Enjoy dinner in Amsterdam
Visit Bruges, a medieval city in Belgium
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting point for the first day of your tour. Please see the meeting point information for details on how to reach the meeting point.
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No, entrance fees are not included.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No, visas are each traveler’s personal responsibility, and we recommend that plenty of time is allowed for visas to be applied for. When applying for your visa, please ensure that the proper research is carried out before you apply, and that you deal directly with the embassies or certified agents with regard to acquiring correct and timely information. We cannot take responsibility for customers
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children, so we set a minimum age limit of 10 years old.
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Are flights included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting destination for the first day of your tour. Make sure you keep departure times and possible delays in mind when booking flights.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
All our tours are conducted in English.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
We are committed to curating excellent travel experiences and to do so we need all of our travelers to feel safe.
In order to ensure the peace of mind and safety of our travelers and staff on board the coach, we are still requesting that all travellers, regardless of their vaccination status, produce a negative Covid test. This test can be a PCR test -
Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Certain nationalities may require a visa(s) for this tour.
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
All of the hotels on this tour offer Wi-Fi, which is available free of charge as part of your Expat Explore tour.
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes, Full air-conditioning
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Due to weight and space limitations, you are allowed to bring one main piece of luggage weighing no more than 20kg, and one small soft bag for hand luggage weighing a maximum of 7kg. On all tours, you will have to carry your own luggage (e.g. into hotels and up to your room if hotels don’t have elevators). Please bear this in mind when you are deciding what to pack
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our customer services team. Please note that the room provided may be a single room with a single bed.
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Yes, As detailed in the itinerary
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
All travellers are required to carry their own bags, get on and off the coach, and use public transport. Our city walking tours can last up to 3 hours and certain places involve walking up and down lots of steps. We want you to enjoy your tour, so read through the itinerary thoroughly and make your own conclusions as to whether you feel that you are fit and healthy enough.
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What is the maximum group size?
It depends on how many other people book! There could be up to 51 other passengers, so you will have the opportunity to make lots of friends!
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
We have searched and invested in excellent accommodation options, either located in cities or well placed with public transport connections. Clean linen, towels is always included. Toiletries (shampoo, shower gel etc) and hair dryers are not always included, so you may wish to bring these with you. Accommodation is provided in twin share en-suite rooms. We use a mix of mostly 2, 3 & 4-star hotels.
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What is the tipping policy?
Whilst we fully understand that some nationalities are not accustomed to tipping, this is a normal part of the culture in many of the countries we visit. Tipping has become an increasingly accepted practice in all areas of the service industry, but particularly in restaurants, bars and taxis worldwide. Expat Explore crew members
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
A full list of confirmed accommodation names and addresses for your particular departure will be emailed to you around 1 week before the tour starts.
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
Our travelers come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests.
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Our tour leaders come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests. They are all confident and well-travelled with an in-depth knowledge of the destinations they are working in, and a passion for helping you make the most out of your Expat Explore tour.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
If you are travelling alone there is no compulsory charge - you will share a twin room with another passenger of the same gender. There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our team.
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Children on tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children which is why we have a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email. Minors (between 10 and 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts full responsibility for them. Unaccompanied minors will not be accepted on tour. Expat Explore reserves the right to decline any booking at our discretion. Any minor (between 10 and 18 years of age) is priced the same as an adult.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
The health and safety of our travellers and employees are our top priority. Which means, when you travel with us, our enhanced hygiene protocols will ensure you do so in a safe and responsible way - ask for details of current policies.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Expat Explore we value responsible travel and are committed to exploring the world consciously and kindly. We are proud to make responsible travel possible with a number of our sustainable travel practices!
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Relate is a South African based not-for-profit organisation that Expat Explore supports. The group aims to help those less fortunate create better lives for themselves through a variety of fundraising initiatives. On our South Africa tours, each passenger will receive an Expat Explore branded Relate bracelet. We donate the cost of these bracelets to our chosen Relate charity: the Nelson Mandela Sc
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Dec 29, 2024 - Jan 04, 2025Monday - Sunday
Dec 29, 2025 - Jan 04, 2026Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Expat Explore Travel allows you to make 5 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 91 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Expat Explore Travel requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of expat explore travel charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 20% of booking price.
At 44 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.