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European Tours in Winter

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Promising cooler temperatures (maybe even a dusting of snow), a European tour in winter offers a magical, unforgettable experience.

The landscapes transform into winter wonderlands with snow-capped mountains, fog-covered forests and charming villages now covered in a gossamer layer of crystalline frost. Cities are adorned with twinkling lights and decorations, department stores delight passersby with elaborate window displays and giant Christmas trees while Christmas music floats on the breeze. In December, you'll find Christmas markets too - like the market along Champs-Elysées, Paris's iconic shopping street. It’s a wonderful place to grab those last-minute gifts!

If you're looking to escape the cold, you could visit Madeira, Portugal’s subtropical paradise captures the heart of all who visit (including our very own Winston Churchill). And thanks to its mild climate, it's a superb destination through autumn and winter. Or you could explore Turkey, a land steeped in history, from fascinating archaeological sites to classical cities - all without the scorching heat the country is known for.

To experience even more of Europe over the festive period, take a look at our Christmas Market river cruises

Find your perfect winter European tour

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Panorama of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey
Celsus library in the Roman ruins of Ephesus during sunrise in Turkey

Escorted Tour

Istanbul, Ephesus and Troy

  • Turkey
  • 4* hotels
  • Flights included
  • Daily breakfast & 3 dinners
  • 11 included experiences
  • Visit Hagia Sophia
  • Tour the Topkapi Palace
  • See the remains of Homer's Troy
View of Villa del Balbianello building from Lake Como in Italy
Isola Bella Lake Maggiore
The Villa del Balbianello and gardens overlooking Lake Como, Italy
A red train in motion curved along the Brusio Spiral Viaduct on the Bernina Railway
Sunset at Lake Lugano from wooden jetty in Switzerland

Escorted Tour

Lake Como, St Moritz and the Bernina Express

  • Italy, Switzerland
  • 3* / 4* hotels
  • Flights included
  • Half Board
  • 7 included experiences
View of St. Wolfgang waterfront
Salzburg skyline with river Salzach in springtime, Austria

Escorted Tour

Lakes and Mountains of Austria

  • Austria
  • 4* hotels
  • Flights included
  • Daily breakfast & 4 dinners
  • 7 included experiences
  • Tour of Salzburg
  • Tour of Hellbrunn Palace
  • See the Austria Lake District
The Almudena cathedral during sunset in Madrid, Spain
View of Toledo town from the Tagus river in Toledo, Spain
King Philip III statue at Plaza Mayor in Madrid, Spain

Escorted Tour

Madrid, Salamanca and Toledo

  • Spain
  • 3* / 4* hotels
  • Flights included
  • Daily breakfast
  • 5 included experiences

River Cruise

Magical Paris & Festive Seine River Cruise

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  • France
  • 5* ship
  • Flights included
  • Rail included
  • Full board dining
  • 5 included experiences
  • Visit 3 castles adorned with festive decor
  • Enjoy a musical performance in Vernon Cathedral
  • Explore Paris and the Christmas markets
St. Stephen's Cathedral basked in the glow of evening streetlights, Vienna
Entrance of Buda district at sunrise with colourful sky in Budapest, Hungary
View of Bratislava Castle from the river under a colour evening sky

River Cruise

New Year on the Danube River Cruise

  • Austria, Hungary
  • 5* ships
  • Flights included
  • 6 included experiences
  • Full board with New Year's Eve gala dinner
  • Live classical music recital
Koblenz City overlooking the Moselle River before sunset in Germany

River Cruise

New Year on the Rhine River Cruise

  • Germany
  • 5* ships
  • Flights included
  • Rail included
  • Full board dining
  • Programme of daily tours & visits
Row of brightly coloured Bryggen buildings in Bergen, Norway
View of Oslo City Hall and harbour in Oslo, Norway
Preserved wooden Hopperstad Stave Church besides a tree atop a green hill, Norway
Railway between Flam and Myrdal in Norway
View from the Vøringsfossen waterfall overlooking Mabodalen valley, Norway

Escorted Tour

Norway Tour

  • Norway
  • 3* / 4* hotels
  • Flights included
  • Daily breakfast & 2 dinners
  • 9 included experiences

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