Make this festive season unforgettable




Created with all the essential ingredients and regional flair to make your Christmas or New Year special, our festive tours offer the perfect way to experience seasonal travel. Each itinerary is set in superb destinations, where traditions are complemented by spectacular winter scenery.
Spend your Christmas on Lake Garda and your New Year in picturesque Innsbruck on an Italian Christmas & Austrian New Year, ring in the New Year on the iconic Glacier Express, or embark on a luxurious river cruise holiday that highlights multiple locations along Europe's beautiful waterways. Stay close to home with a Wonderful Wiltshire Christmas, featuring the best of British tradition, with all the trimmings for a charming holiday, or travel deeper into Europe to experience the magic of Bavarian Christmas Markets. With well-planned holidays for every type of traveller, there is no better way to spend the festive season than with Great Rail Journeys, your trusted rail expert for more than 50 years.
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Travel through snow-clad landscapes, frost-dusted forests and across frozen rivers on the Brocken Railway to a mountain summit with a fascinating history, before exploring enchanting UNESCO World Heritage towns huddled at the feet of the Harz Mountains.
Appetising aromas drift through charming market square all across Germany from November to Christmas, while stalls are filled with traditional gifts. From Bavaria to the Rhine, you can soak up the festive spirit on rail adventures or luxury cruises.
Walking through the 'Jewel of Germany', Rothenburg, in winter feels as if you have entered a fairytale. Cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses lead to romantic town walls. At Christmas, the main square is awash with seasonal treats and handmade crafts.
Gathering with friends old and new for Christmas dinner with all the trimmings is a wonderful way to honour the season wherever you are. Add wintry views of Ben Nevis from Fort William into the mix and the day becomes even more exceptional.





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, including Cologne, Bonn, Koblenz and Rüdesheim. Strolling through the stalls, admire the craftsmanship of local artisans and savour the flavours that define...





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,...





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 the...





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...





Celebrate Christmas in the charming rural county of Wiltshire, with everything taken care of as you settle into a welcoming traditional hotel in the historic cathedral city of Salisbury. Enjoy a nostalgic journey in decorated carriages aboard the Swindon & Cricklade Railway with a festive afternoon tea, along with atmospheric visits to the...





Experience the snow-capped Swiss Alps at the most wonderful times of the year, staying in the traditional village of Wilderswil, where dinner and drinks are served each evening. This GRJ All-Inclusive winter break includes a trip on the Jungfrau Express, a masterpiece of Swiss rail engineering, to the 'Top of Europe' where the Sphinx...





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...





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. This wonderful holiday includes day trips to historic Verona and timeless Venice, two heritage rail journeys, a visit...





Enjoy an iconic Christmastime journey from Montreux on the Swiss Riviera to mountainous Interlaken, passing frozen rivers, icy lakes and festive scenes. Tour Lake Geneva's fairytale Château de Chillon before travelling on the Mont Blanc Express on Christmas Day. Follow the cutting-edge GoldenPass Express route through wintry scenes to ...





Discover the magic of Switzerland at New Year on this GRJ All Inclusive seasonal holiday based in the scenic Albula Valley. Experience the country's most spectacular train journeys from a family-run hotel, including drinks with dinner each evening. Travel across the Swiss Alps and past enchanting glaciers to Italy on the UNESCO-listed route...





Discover the timeless enchantment of Switzerland at Christmas on this GRJ all-inclusive festive holiday, based in the scenic Abula Valley. Experience spectacular rail journeys from a family-run hotel, including drinks with dinner each evening. Travel across the Swiss Alps, past glistening glaciers to Italy on the World Heritage route of...





Snowbound views and seasonal scenery have made the Glacier Express famous at this time of year as the Swiss Alps' glistening peaks provide picture-postcard backdrops to an unforgettable journey. Enroute to Switzerland, visit Strasbourg's Christmas market and marvel at Matterhorn views from Zermatt, before travelling through the 'Swiss...