Atlas Cruises and Tours has an 8-day escorted London tour with daily excursions to nearby sites. Tourists have an afternoon to marvel at the lavish Christmas decorations at Harrods department stores or purchase hot chestnuts in Trafalgar Square before checking into Holiday Inn Regents Park.
Holiday Inn London -- Regent's Park
Carburton St.
London W1W5EE
England
011-44-871-942-9111
holidayinn.co.uk
There are guided tours to the Winter Wonderland site where tourists can skate across London's largest ice rink, visit Santa in Santa Land and peruse over 100 stalls where arts and crafts are sold. Other daily excursions include visiting Shakespeare's home as well as Bath to see the baths that have existed since the days of Roman rule. If so desired, the company can arrange for tourists to attend a Christmas service at Westminster Abbey.
Atlas Cruises and Tours
1-800-942-3301
atlastravelweb.com
Global Active Travel is an Australian-based company that specializes in winter holiday tours throughout Europe. All tours have professional escorts. The company prides itself on including excursions in the base price so that guests are not caught off guard by hidden extras. One of its specialized cruises kicks off in Munich and ends with a stay at an Italian castle in Milan. Luxury vans are the mode of transportation.
After leaving Munich, the tour arrives in Austria where tourists lunch besides Lake Mondsee before visiting the same church used for the "Sound of Music" wedding scene. On day three the tour stops in Oberndorf village where "Silent Night" was written. From there, the tour continues to Salzburg, an Austrian city near the German border, where guests can shop and sample local favorites such as hot chestnuts, Gluhwein (mulled wine) and Punsch (glogg).
Global Active Travel Pty Ltd
43 Glen Cairn Rd
Glen Cairn QLD 4342
07-3841-1444
globalactivetravel.com.au
On day 6, guests arrive at CastelBrando in Italy. Built by Romans 2000 years ago, it sits above the town of Cison di Valmarino in northeast Italy. There are 42 rooms with fireplaces and balconies and 2 royal suites with loft bedrooms and kitchenettes. To unwind from travels, tourists can visit the wellness centre where there is a thermal health spa, Turkish baths and massage services. The hotel serves a dinner on Christmas Eve and a 5-course lunch on Christmas day.
Hotel CastelBrando
castelbrando.com
Free-spirited travelers can mix organized tours with independent wanderings in the City of Lights. French Adventures is a company that provides thematic escorted tours. During the holiday season, tourists can sign up for Paris at Night and view the many trees wrapped in twinkling lights that line up towards the Arch de Triumph. Other tour options are the Paris Christmas Shopping Tour where a chauffeur takes visitors to boutiques of their choice. The company can also arrange for those on holiday to indulge in an Eiffel Tower Christmas lunch or dinner where menus feature duck foie gras, baked filet of sea bass and a plethora of champagne choices.
French Adventures
33-1-46-80-17-66
frenchadventures.com
Options abound for adventurers who prefer to set their own schedule. There are Christmas markets such as Christmas Market at La Defense that is near the Grand Arche or the Christmas Market and Santa's Village at place Saint-Germain des-Pres. According to the website Why Go Paris, a stroll along the Rue Montorgueil and Rue Mouffetard is the best way to view holiday lights while Notre Dame Cathedral has a superlative Christmas Tree.
