11 Nights / 12 Days
Isn’t it nice when you find someone who shares your holiday spirit? Someone who’s equally as excited to start putting up decorations, wrapping presents, and brewing up a bowl of eggnog that packs more punch than the actual punch.
Well, lucky for France and Croatia, they have found each other. Because when it comes to planning for the season to be jolly, few do it with more festivity.
So, if your travelers are already dreaming of twinkling lights, mulled wine, and the warm glow of Europe’s most enchanting Christmas markets, this journey to France and Croatia is ready to bring in the holidays!
- 2 Nights in Opatija
- 3 Nights in Zagreb
- 1 Night in Paris
- 3 Nights in Strasbourg
- 2 Nights in Champagne
2 Nights in Opatija | Holiday Greetings on the Coast
In Croatia, seasonal greetings resonate through every corner of the country. And you’ll receive yours along none other than its elegant Adriatic Riviera.
Following your arrival in Zagreb, journey towards the coast, pausing first in nearby Rijeka, where beautifully decorated streets, festive market stalls, seasonal delicacies, and twinkling lights invite you to ease into the holiday spirit. Browse handcrafted gifts, warm your hands around a cup of mulled wine, and discover how the holidays can be just as warm and sparkling, if not more, along the Adriatic.
Continue to Opatija, whose grand Austro-Hungarian villas and seaside promenades provide a wonderfully elegant backdrop for the celebrations ahead.
The following day, local traditions take center stage. Venture into the heart of Istria and raise a glass of premium sparkling wine in the hilltop village of Vrh (don’t worry, we’ll teach you how to pronounce it). After admiring panoramic views across the rolling countryside, explore it in depth (with a bit of actual digging) on an authentic truffle hunt, before savoring a three-course lunch celebrating one of Croatia’s most prized delicacies.
More festive flavors arrive with a visit to the home of the renowned Biska brandy, something that’s guaranteed to keep you warm. There, herbal spirits, homemade liqueurs, and regional wines offer the perfect toast to the season.
Vrh
As promised, despite looking like someone forgot to buy a vowel, Vrh is very much a real Croatian village. And it’s pronounced: Vrh (vrh, approximately ‘vrrh’ with a lightly rolled ‘r’).
Amadria Park Hotel Royal
Inspired by Opatija's grand historic villas, Amadria Park Hotel Royal blends Riviera charm with modern comfort. This elegant 4-star seaside retreat invites travelers to embrace the Adriatic through palm-lined terraces, beautifully landscaped gardens, and a relaxed atmosphere that perfectly complements Croatia's festive coast.
Find Your Opatija Retreat
Keight Hotel Opatija
A contemporary 5-star retreat in the heart of Opatija, Keight Hotel pairs sleek design with Adriatic elegance. Moments from the town's celebrated promenade, it offers sophisticated accommodations, a rooftop lounge with panoramic views, an indulgent spa, and the perfect setting to unwind after a day of festive discoveries.
3 Nights in Zagreb | Always Ready for the Holidays
You know that relative who takes their holiday preparation extra seriously? In Croatia, that’s Zagreb.
Regularly recognized as one of Europe’s most beloved seasonal destinations, Zagreb embraces the festive spirit with contagious enthusiasm.
Upon arrival, join your local guide for a leisurely walk through the city’s beautifully decorated historic center. Browse the stalls of its renowned Christmas market, listen to live music echoing through centuries-old streets, and soak up the warm atmosphere that has made Zagreb’s celebrated Advent a favorite among travelers from around the world.
The following day, trade festive lights and city bustle for a genuine fairytale at the magnificent Trakošćan Castle, whose stately towers, overlooking tranquil forests and a picturesque lake, come straight out of a fantasy.
Then, find yourself in the elegant Baroque town of Varaždin. Wander its beautifully preserved streets, admire magnificent palaces, churches, and colorful squares, and discover why it simply belongs on a holiday postcard.
Round off the day with a tasting of exceptional (as if there’s any other kind) northern Croatian wines, before returning to the glowing heart of Zagreb.
And since no holiday gathering is complete without a memorable feast, learn to make one the Croatian way by stepping into a traditional kitchen for an interactive cooking class. Prepare a three-course meal using time-honored family recipes (and a pinch of seasonal culinary banter) before learning to bake a traditional Croatian holiday cake, ensuring you’ll return home with something even sweeter than souvenirs.
Amadria Park Hotel Capital | Heritage Hotel
Housed within a beautifully restored former bank, Amadria Park Hotel Capital combines Art Deco elegance with contemporary comfort. This distinctive 4-star heritage hotel offers a refined stay where historic character, thoughtful hospitality, and one of Zagreb's finest addresses come together effortlessly.
Choose Your Zagreb Stay
Met Boutique Hotel
Set in the heart of Zagreb, Met Boutique Hotel delivers contemporary 5-star luxury just steps from the city's most celebrated landmarks. Stylish accommodations, refined interiors, and panoramic dining overlooking Zagreb Cathedral create an elegant base from which to experience Croatia's vibrant capital.
Overnight in Paris | A Sparkling Interlude
You can’t talk about putting up the lights without Paris rushing in to help. After all, it’s kind of famous for being extra luminous.
Following a direct flight from Zagreb, arrive in the City of Light, where festive elegance feels right at home. Once there, spend the evening exactly as every traveler to Paris dreams of doing at least once: aboard a romantic dinner cruise along the Seine.
Clink your Champagne as you glide past the city’s illuminated landmarks, or stay shoreside and wander through one of its charming neighborhood holiday markets, which somehow make its storied streets even more enchanting, believe it or not.
However you choose to enjoy your time in the French capital, one Parisian evening is all it takes to carry the holiday spirit across the border and into the storybook lands of Alsace.
Hôtel Madison
A Saint-Germain-des-Prés landmark for over a century, Hôtel Madison combines timeless Left Bank charm with contemporary comfort. Recently reimagined, this elegant 4-star hotel places guests opposite Paris's legendary cafés, creating the perfect base for discovering the city's festive spirit.
Explore Your Parisian Overnight
Hôtel Bel Ami
Nestled in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Hôtel Bel Ami blends Parisian heritage with contemporary sophistication. This elegant 5-star retreat places travelers moments from the Left Bank's legendary cafés, galleries, and boutiques while offering refined comfort in one of Paris's most iconic neighborhoods.
3 Nights in Strasbourg | The Capital of All Things Festive
Some places don’t simply celebrate the holidays. They embody them. And few do so quite like Strasbourg.
Following a scenic TGV journey from Paris, arrive in the capital of France’s enchanting Alsace region, where festive lights reflect like candy drops across the canals of Petite France and timber-framed houses look like they’re made of gingerbread. Just try to refrain from biting into one.
Instead, join your local guide for a private walking tour through Strasbourg’s beautifully decorated historic center and let every street and square make you feel like a kid again. Grab a cheeky treat from a sweet stall. Buy yourself or that special someone a handcrafted gift. And experience the joyful atmosphere that has made Strasbourg’s celebrated holiday markets among the oldest and most beloved in Europe.
Continue the celebrations with a full-day journey through picturesque Alsace. Lose yourself among the colorful facades of Colmar before following the reds, whites, and rosés of the famous Alsace Wine Route to a local winery. There, sample celebrated Rieslings and Gewürztraminers, enjoy a traditional Alsatian lunch, and uncover villages such as Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé, which might make you feel like you’ve stumbled into a fairytale, or just had a bit too much wine.
And since the season has a wonderful habit of bringing people together, cross over into Germany for a glimpse of its own festive traditions. Explore the charming holiday markets of Freiburg and Gengenbach, and see firsthand how holiday spirit and the joy of celebration truly transcend borders.
Settle into Storybook Strasbourg
Hôtel Cour du Corbeau Strasbourg
One of Europe's oldest hotels, Hôtel Cour du Corbeau blends beautifully preserved Renaissance architecture with warm Alsatian character. Just moments from Strasbourg Cathedral, this elegant 4-star retreat offers an atmospheric stay in the very heart of the city's enchanting holiday celebrations.
2 Nights in Champagne | A Sparkling Finale
You probably saw this one coming. But what holiday gathering is complete without a glass of Champagne? Especially in the land where it was born!
Following a scenic TGV journey to Reims, settle into one of Champagne’s elegant properties before discovering a city built on celebration.
Join your private guide for a leisurely stroll through its magnificent streets, admire the breathtaking Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral, and browse the city’s beloved holiday market, where locals have been embracing the festive season and all its bubbliness for generations.
Then comes the time for a toast.
Journey through the rolling vineyards of Champagne, where some of the world’s finest sparkling wines begin their story. Visit the legendary village of Hautvillers, often regarded as the birthplace of Champagne, before enjoying exclusive tastings at both a prestigious Champagne House and a family-run winery. Along the way, discover the craftsmanship, tradition, and quiet passion that have made this remarkable region the first name when it comes to popping bottles.
And when your stay in Champagne comes to a close, take a moment to raise one final glass to a journey filled with festive traditions, unforgettable flavors, and newfound joy. Because if ever there was a reason to do so, it’s a journey like this one.
Your Champagne Escape Awaits
La Caserne Chanzy
Overlooking the magnificent Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral, La Caserne Chanzy places travelers at the heart of Champagne's historic capital. Contemporary luxury, impeccable service, and an unrivaled location make this elegant 5-star hotel the perfect base for discovering France's celebrated sparkling wine region.
Departure | Home for the Holidays
Feeling the holiday spirit?
France and Croatia certainly are. And as your journey draws to a close, you too will leave with far more than handcrafted gifts, treasured keepsakes, and perhaps a bottle or two of something worth saving for a special occasion.
Following a private transfer to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, bid farewell to Europe knowing that some journeys don’t simply fill an itinerary. They become part of your own holiday traditions, promising to keep you warm long after the decorations have come down.
Are your travelers ready to share the joy of the season across two of Europe’s most enchanting destinations? Then request a quote below, or contact France by Travelive at france@travelive.com or Croatia+ by Travelive at croatia@travelive.com, and let our local specialists craft a holiday escape they’ll be talking about well into the new year.