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Christmas & New Year Vacations
Uncover the magic of the holiday season in winter wonderlands

Christmas & New Year Rail Tours & Vacations

There is something about the holiday season that brings cities to life. Twinkling lights and yuletide cheer add another level of excitement and splendor to already fascinating destinations. From the United States to Canada and Europe, Christmas vacations are an opportunity to soak in the holiday traditions and winter customs of other destinations all while ringing in the most wonderful time of the year.

Holiday packages traveling to Europe may include time in Germany, home to some of the largest and most impressive Christmas markets in the world.  Travel through Bavaria, where the landscapes and cities seemingly spring from the pages of a storybook, to explore the Christmas markets in Nuremberg, Regensburg and the medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Additional holiday getaways in Europe explore destinations like Scotland, where Christmas getaways take guests through the majestic Cairngorm Mountains and the Scottish Highlands on world-renowned rail lines, and  Italy for Christmas on the shores of Lake Como. 

Spend Christmas in Canada and celebrate the holiday season in a true winter wonderland. Admire the prairies and plains blanketed in freshly fallen snow, waterfalls frozen in midstream along the mountainsides and snow-capped mountains from the warmth of your train car as you travel to favorite winter destinations throughout Western Canada. Visit Toronto's Christmas Markets and see Vancouver's Stanley Park twinkle under holiday lights. Enjoy stays in cozy lodges in Jasper and Banff, bedecked with holiday décor and surrounded by pristine nature. Revel in winter activities like dog sledding, canyon ice walks, skiing and snowshoeing. And connect all of these destinations with a classic overnight train journey aboard VIA Rail's Canadian.

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German Christmas Markets of the Rhine River Cruise

Feel the spirit of Christmas on this cruise along the beautiful Rhine. Discovering Germany at the most magical time of the year, we stop at traditional Christmas markets along the way. Strolling through the stalls, admire the craftsmanship of local artisans and savor the flavors that define the season.

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17 results matching: Christmas & New Years

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River CruiseRiver Cruise
Cologne Christmas MarketsCologne Christmas MarketsCologne Christmas MarketsCologne Christmas MarketsCologne Christmas Markets
4.5 stars(211 reviews)
Escorted
2026Dec
2027NovDec
Escorted

Feel the holiday spirit on this cruise along the beautiful Rhine. Discovering Germany at the most magical time of the year we stop at traditional Christmas markets along the way, including Cologne, Bonn, Koblenz and Rüdesheim. Strolling through the stalls, admire the craftsmanship of local artisans and savor the flavors that define the...

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5 days from
$1,499 pp
per person
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River CruiseRiver Cruise
Heidelberg Heidelberg Heidelberg Heidelberg Heidelberg
2026Dec
2027Dec

Embark on a breathtaking Rhine cruise through some of Germany's most picturesque towns and cities at this most magical time of year. From the historic charm of Mainz and Koblenz to the storybook streets of Strasbourg and Rüdesheim, experience scenic beauty and rich culture at every stop. Onboard, enjoy a festive atmosphere with a Christmas Day...

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7 days from
$1,399 pp
per person
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River CruiseRiver Cruise
4.3 stars(28 reviews)
Escorted
2026NovDec
2027NovDec
Escorted

Embark on a festive cruise through Europe's most enchanting Christmas destinations on the Rhine river. Scenic landscapes and charming towns come alive with seasonal cheer in Germany and France during the most wonderful time of the year. From the twinkling lights of Koblenz's historic streets to the captivating markets of Rüdesheim,...

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5 days from
$1,299 pp
per person
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Brocken RailwayBrocken RailwayBrocken RailwayBrocken RailwayBrocken Railway
4.2 stars(52 reviews)
Escorted
2026Dec
2027NovDec
Escorted

The Harz Mountains' medieval towns and picturesque landscapes are perfect for soaking up the magic of Advent in Germany. Experience the festive atmosphere of three of the region's traditional Christmas markets - Wernigerode, Quedlinburg and Goslar - where twinkling lights and sumptuous aromas delight the senses. Discover the captivating...

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6 days from
$2,199 pp
per person
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River CruiseRiver Cruise
BaselBaselBaselBaselBasel
Escorted
2026Dec
2027Dec
Escorted

Celebrate the start of a new year on this unforgettable Rhine cruise, visiting charming towns and cities steeped in history and culture. From the picture-perfect streets of Mainz and Strasbourg to the romantic allure of Heidelberg and Rüdesheim, experience fascinating sights and a warm welcome at every stop. Relax onboard as you take in...

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8 days from
$2,599 pp
per person
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NurembergNurembergNurembergNurembergNuremberg
4.5 stars(23 reviews)
Escorted
2026Dec
2027NovDec
Escorted

Prepare to be swept away by the romance of Bavaria's world-renowned Christmas markets. Experience the captivating atmosphere of three unique markets - in Nuremberg, Regensburg and Rothenburg - each with its own distinct character and enjoy a scenic journey along Germany's famous Romantic Road. Staying in enchanting Nuremberg, discover...

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5 days from
$2,199 pp
per person
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River CruiseRiver Cruise
Vienna Christmas MarketsVienna Christmas MarketsVienna Christmas MarketsVienna Christmas MarketsVienna Christmas Markets
Escorted
2027Nov
Escorted

Embark on a festive cruise along the Danube, exploring five of the region's magical Christmas markets at the most wonderful time of year. Traveling by rail from London to Vienna via Stuttgart, spend a day in Austria's elegant capital, visiting the Christmas markets at the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace. Marvel at the 11th-century Melk Abbey...

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7 days from
$3,295 pp
per person
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River CruiseRiver Cruise
Escorted
2027Dec
Escorted

Embark on a festive cruise along the Danube, uncovering the beauty and culture of this scenic river at the most wonderful time of year. Arriving by rail via Frankfurt, spend a day in magical Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, or explore Passau, a charming city on three rivers. On Christmas Day, marvel at the 11th-century Melk Abbey in Austria's...

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9 days from
$3,799 pp
per person
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Glacier Express at ChristmasGlacier Express at ChristmasGlacier Express at ChristmasGlacier Express at ChristmasGlacier Express at Christmas
4.6 stars(20 reviews)
Escorted
Escorted

Snow-bound views and seasonal scenery have made the Glacier Express famous at this time of year as the Swiss Alps' glistening peaks and sugar-frosted forests provide picture-postcard backdrops. Journey through the Swiss Grand Canyon and over the Oberalp Pass on the world-renowned Glacier Express. Spend Christmas Day in historic Chur on...

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River CruiseRiver Cruise
ViennaViennaViennaViennaVienna
Escorted
2027Nov
Escorted

Embark on a festive cruise along the Danube, exploring the region's magical Christmas markets at the most wonderful time of year. Spend a day in elegant Vienna, visiting the Christmas markets at the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, and marvel at the 11th-century Melk Abbey in Austria's scenic Wachau Valley. Experience the magic of Christmas at...

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7 days from
$1,995 pp
per person
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Innsbruck at ChristmasInnsbruck at ChristmasInnsbruck at ChristmasInnsbruck at ChristmasInnsbruck at Christmas
4.3 stars(14 reviews)
Escorted
2027Dec
Escorted

Celebrate the festive period in two of Europe's most spectacular winter destinations. Shimmering Lake Garda at Christmas is truly enchanting, while traditional Innsbruck is the perfect place to enjoy New Year's celebrations. Enjoy guided tours of historic Verona and timeless Venice, discovering iconic sights and beautiful architecture. Experience...

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13 days from
$5,999 pp
per person
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Sydney at New YearsSydney at New YearsSydney at New YearsSydney at New YearsSydney at New Years
Save $500pp
Escorted
2027Dec
Escorted

 From Australia's Great Barrier Reef and its Red Center to its fantastic cities, experience the country's diverse landscapes and iconic landmarks during the holidays on a vacation that includes a Christmas Eve wine-tasting and lunch in the Barossa Valley and a beach-style Christmas Day in Adelaide.    After starting in Cairns, this...

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Save $500pp
19 days from
$10,299 pp $9,799 pp
per person
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Our customers love our Christmas & New Years tours
German Christmas Markets of the Rhine
10/Jan
Ian
5 stars
“A magical pre-Christmas trip, organised and delivered to Great Rail Journey's usual high standards! The crew, cabin, facilities and food on the Amadeus Cara were fantastic, and the views as we cruised the Rhine gave us some amazing memories. We did get a little 'Christmas market overload' at times, but...
Collected by Trustpilot
Harz Mountains Christmas Markets
26 Dec 2025
Brian
5 stars
“Beautiful historic towns and the best Christmas Markets.
Collected by Trustpilot
Festive Markets of the Rhine & Alsace
18 Dec 2025
david turpie
5 stars
“My daughter and I had an amazing trip. The staff were brilliant and the catering staff dealt with my daughters allergies superbly. We loved all the trips and the help we received with getting on and off the boat with my daughters walker. have recommended it to several friends!
Collected by Trustpilot
Classic Italian Christmas & Austrian New Year
11/Jan
M Coulson
4 stars
“Fantastic hotels, including the two stop over hotels in Turin and Cologne. Unfortunately the food in the Italian hotel was disappointing and did not live up to the standard of the hotel.
Collected by Trustpilot
Classic Glacier Express at Christmas
9/Jan
Mick
4 stars
“Good company. Good scenery. An exciting trip.
Collected by Trustpilot
Bavarian Christmas Markets
25 Dec 2025
Neil
4 stars
“Generally a very good short holiday. Hotel in Nuremberg , central and convienent
Collected by Trustpilot