Embrace the magic of January 2001 with over 1,600 specially curated tours across Europe. From snow-capped mountains to cozy cultural experiences, discover winter's unique charm through 10,600 traveler stories.
I knew from the description that it would be a fast paced trip and that we would sleep in a different place each night and that’s exactly what I wanted = an overview so I could see whether I wanted to go back anywhere. If you’re like me, who enjoys going out for dinner and drinks each night, you would be very tired at the end of trip. However, many chose to stay in and go to bed and I believe for them the trip was not tiring, even for the older ones. Morning starts are reasonable - we left at 8am each day. Simon was a fabulous tour guide and the local guides were all wonderful. Do take small euro bills = you definitely need them. (also take coins for toilet stops). Definitely have a revolut, or similar, card. The optional activities, whilst nice,, are highly, highly over-priced, shame on the travel specialist! One thing I missed, was more. recommendations to authentic local food with local prices. All in all, a fabulous trip and I’m so glad I did it. I will use this agency again for their professionalism.
Sightseeing Tours
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-75 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Sofia, Belgrade, Sarajevo, Trebi
Sofia, Belgrade, Sarajevo, Trebinje, Budva, Ohrid, Skopje
Basically a perfect week in a beautiful part of the world, good food, great companions, great walks, excellent guide, great weather and fantastic views and experiences...
Trekking and HikingBeach
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This tour is fast-paced but if you're up for it it's absolutely worth it. We had the chance to see and do so much. The optional excursions were great. Both our tour guide and driver were very nice and knowledgable. I will definitely be looking forward to my next expat explore tour.
Good experience as we are able to see all the iterinaries in a well planned time frame. Our tour leader Diarmaid and tour driver Alessandro were excellent in their field.Both very nice and professional.
Loved the whole experience- visited all the best countries in Europe, tasted wines, spirits and other European alcohol In cheapest prices. It’s not suitable for asians with dark skin and if you’re over 34 yrs old unless you have a thick skin to not give any reaction to the comments some people make as a joke- only because they are white and still young. Not sure what they are so proud about in those moments. Other than that I enjoyed my time with rest of them. The price was on discount- I had to add on some extra adventures which worth it. Honestly 24 days is finished so quickly. Recommend to all the people who like explore Europe more in less time in cheaper price. Great work contiki, I am on my second one now- in Thailand, this group of approx 30 people is much better than European escapades (just my personal experience).
The Christmas & New Year's Eastern Highlights Tour with Expat Explore was an unforgettable experience, offering a perfect blend of festive charm, cultural discovery, and breathtaking scenery. At times, it felt like stepping into a fairy tale or being inside a snow globe, with picturesque landscapes, twinkling lights, and charming old towns covered in snow.
Our guide, Mica, was truly exceptional—organized, knowledgeable, and incredibly empathetic. She made sure everyone felt comfortable while ensuring a smooth and well-paced journey. Our driver, Alex, was fantastic as well, navigating long distances with skill and safety, making the journey stress-free.
One of the highlights of the tour was experiencing the Christmas markets across different countries. Each market had its own unique charm, from the festive decorations to the delicious seasonal treats, making the holiday spirit even more magical.
Beyond the well-known cities, I appreciated the opportunity to explore lesser-known yet s
Art and architecture
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
10-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Rome, Venice, Bavaria, Rhine, Am
Rome, Venice, Bavaria, Rhine, Amsterdam, Paris, the Swiss Alps, Tuscany
Best bang for your buck. The only way to see as much of Europe as we did in 18 days. Often times you do not have very much time in certain cities/towns, but the travel directors do their best to make sure you hit the highlights and have a good experience. You just have to know going in that this is an introductory trip to all the wonders of Europe. That being said, we had a fantastic time. No real complaints other than feeling short on time in some locations,, as expected. Would highly recommend for someone’s first experience in Europe and I even enjoyed it as a repeat traveler as this tour went to some unique places such as Saint Paul de Vence and Colmar. Optional excursions were also all excellent and included meals at hotels were surprisingly good.
City sightseeingCruise
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
5-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Paris, Amsterdam, Bay Of Naples
Paris, Amsterdam, Bay Of Naples, Florence, French Riviera, Beaune, Rhine, Lucerne, Venice, Rome
