Tyrolean Christmas & Italian New Year - JG Explorer

Ferry to Calais and overnight stay in France.

Continue to Hotel Krone in Oberperfuss, where we spend the next four nights.

This morning, we head to the Tyrolean capital of Innsbruck, beautifully set beneath the snow-capped peaks of the Nordkette mountains. Be sure to visit the colourful Old Town, taking in highlights such as the famous Golden Roof and the elegant medieval alleyways that give Innsbruck its distinctive character. You may wish to browse the Christmas market on Maria-Theresien-Strasse too, full of seasonal treats and special gifts.

Next, we travel to the historic Tyrolean town of Kufstein, set beneath dramatic alpine scenery. On arrival, there is time to explore the charming Old Town and its Christmas market, where traditional wooden stalls offer seasonal treats and local crafts. We also visit the impressive Kufstein Fortress, reached by panoramic cable car and included in our visit. Perched high above the River Inn, the fortress offers wonderful views across the town and surrounding mountains and is home to the world’s largest open-air organ.

As dusk falls, we experience a magical torchlight walk, leading us through the winter landscape and culminating in a village square filled with festive music and seasonal atmosphere – a truly memorable way to mark Christmas Eve in the Tyrol. We return to our hotel in time to enjoy an authentic Austrian-style Christmas Eve dinner.

Christmas Day is a lovely day of leisure and celebration at our hotel. This evening, we come together for a traditional Christmas turkey dinner with a Tyrolean twist, followed by a fun and sociable ten-pin bowling competition at the hotel.

We enjoy a relaxed morning at leisure today, with time to unwind at the hotel or take a gentle stroll in the surrounding village. Later, we make the short drive to nearby Axams, where our festive afternoon begins. Here, we step back in time with a traditional horse-drawn sleigh ride, travelling through the pretty villages of Axams, Birgitz and Götzens, collectively known as the ‘Pearls of the Low Mountains’. Wrapped up warm, we pass snow-dusted scenery and charming alpine houses, enjoying the peaceful pace of this quintessential Tyrolean experience. Along the way, we stop to see the beautiful pilgrimage church in Götzens and warm up with a hearty schnapps.

Returning to the hotel, dinner is served before we round off Boxing Day with an evening of lively Tyrolean music. It’s a fun and convivial way to end the day, sharing in local traditions and festive cheer.

Today, we check out of our hotel and travel from Austria into Italy, crossing the Alps via the scenic Brenner Pass. Our journey takes us through impressive mountain landscapes as we make our way south, with comfort stops along the route. Around lunchtime, we pause in the attractive town of Bolzano for a short stop, allowing time to find lunch at your own leisure. Set between the Dolomites and the vineyards of South Tyrol, Bolzano reflects a fascinating blend of Austrian and Italian influences, seen in its architecture, cafés and central piazza. With sleepy Sunday vibes, this is a relaxed opportunity to stretch your legs, enjoy lunch and take in the atmosphere of the town. We then continue our journey, arriving at our hotel later this afternoon, ready to settle in and enjoy the next stage of our holiday in Italy.

Today is a free day to relax. With no planned excursions, this is an ideal opportunity to unwind at the hotel and enjoy its facilities at your own pace.

Today we enjoy a full-day guided tour exploring the northern shores of beautiful Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake, surrounded by dramatic mountains and picturesque lakeside towns. Our tour takes us to Riva del Garda, attractively set at the water’s edge and framed by steep cliffs, where there is time to admire the historic centre and enjoy the lakeside setting. We continue to Malcesine, one of Lake Garda’s most charming towns, with its cobbled streets, colourful harbour and impressive medieval castle overlooking the lake.

Later, we visit Bardolino, where there is time to explore, browse local shops or enjoy a coffee while taking in the views across the water. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the varied character and scenery of Lake Garda before returning to our hotel this evening.

Today we travel to Venice, driving to Tronchetto, where we board a boat transfer into the heart of this extraordinary city. Arriving at St Mark’s Square, we begin our visit with a guided walking tour. Our guide introduces us to Venice’s unique layout and rich history as we explore some of its most atmospheric streets and squares, discovering hidden corners alongside famous landmarks. Following the tour, there is free time to explore at leisure. Perhaps visit St Mark’s Basilica, enjoy lunch in a local café or soak up the city’s unmistakable atmosphere. Later this afternoon, we return by boat from St Mark’s Square to Tronchetto, before travelling back to the hotel this evening.

This morning, we make the short drive to the historic city of Verona, famous for its Roman heritage and romantic setting. On arrival, we enjoy a guided walking tour, introducing us to the city’s highlights, including the impressive Roman Arena and the elegant piazzas of the Old Town. After the tour, there is free time to explore Verona at leisure. You may wish to enjoy lunch in one of the city’s cafés, browse the shops or simply soak up the atmosphere as the city prepares for New Year celebrations. We return to the hotel later in the day, where this evening we come together for a special New Year’s Eve dinner. The celebrations continue with live music and a midnight toast to welcome the New Year.

We enjoy a leisurely day today, with time to relax and make use of the hotel’s facilities, or take a gentle local walk and explore the surrounding area.

Today, we check out of our hotel and continue our journey north, travelling through impressive alpine scenery as we make our way into Switzerland. We stop at the lakeside city of Lugano for a break in our journey. Set on the shores of Lake Lugano and surrounded by mountains, the town has a distinctly Mediterranean feel. We have free time here to stretch our legs, explore the centre and enjoy lunch at leisure, perhaps at one of the cafés overlooking the lake or in the town’s elegant piazzas. Later this afternoon, we continue our journey, crossing back into France and travelling on to our overnight hotel. 

We continue our journey through eastern France, travelling to the historic city of Nancy. On arrival, we enjoy free time to explore at leisure and find lunch. Nancy is best known for its elegant 18th-century architecture, centred around the magnificent Place Stanislas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You may wish to take a stroll around the square, admiring its grand façades and gilded gates. After our visit, we continue our journey to our overnight hotel, located in the Reims area, ready for our final night on tour.

After breakfast, we begin our journey back to Calais. Travelling north through France and assuming we make good progress, there should be time to pause along the way at a local town, where there's an opportunity to stretch your legs and enjoy lunch at your leisure. We then continue to Calais, arriving mid-afternoon for our return ferry crossing to the UK.