Europe
Saturday 27th December
We meet at Malta International Airport at 12:30 for flight KM532 to Düsseldorf, which departs at 14:55 and arrives at 17:55. Afterwards, we transfer by coach to the beautiful city of Cologne. Upon arrival, we check into the Novotel Köln (4-star hotel), followed by room allocation.
Sunday 28th December
A very interesting excursion takes us to Maastricht in the Netherlands — one of the most popular tourist cities. During our city tour, we’ll see sights such as the Stokstraat Quarter, Basilica of Our Lady, and The Ramparts. Afterward, we continue to Valkenburg aan de Geul, where we’ll stop for sightseeing. Here, you'll find many shops, bars, and restaurants. We’ll also visit the Christmas Market in Vrijthof Square. We return to the hotel.
Monday 29th December
After buffet breakfast, we will go on a guided walking city tour of Cologne with a local guide. We’ll visit key sites such as the famous Cologne Cathedral, 4711 House, Historic Rathaus, Gürzenich Hall, Old Town District, Roncalli Platz, and more. Afterwards, you’ll have free time for personal sightseeing. Those interested in shopping can visit Schildergasse and Hohe Strasse, two of the city’s most vibrant shopping streets. In the evening, an optional outing with the group leader.
Tuesday 30th December
After breakfast, you have a free day, but for those who wish, we will organise an optional full-day trip to Phantasialand, a theme park full of fun for both kids and adults. The park includes a variety of rides, roller coasters, and live shows. Return to the hotel in the evening.
Wednesday 31st December
After breakfast, we head to the Netherlands to visit the village of Roermond. First, we stop at the Roermond Designer Outlet, home to over 200 stores from popular brands. After shopping, we visit the Old Town, a protected heritage area. We’ll walk around the picturesque streets and enjoy some free time. Return to Cologne.
In the evening, for those who wish, we will celebrate New Year’s Eve (optional) with a River Cruise on the Rhine River — including food, live music, dancing, and entertainment. A magical evening to end the year and welcome the new one in a festive atmosphere.
Thursday 1st January – Happy New Year!
After breakfast, we go on a beautiful excursion to Königswinter, a picturesque village. We take a ride on Germany’s oldest railway (since 1883) to reach the summit of Drachenfels Hill. Here, we enjoy breathtaking views over the Rhine River and visit the 19th-century Drachenburg Castle, one of the most impressive in the region. We’ll also see the ruins of a medieval castle.
Friday 2nd January
Today, we offer a very interesting excursion to the city of Bonn, where we visit sights such as the Market Square, Town Hall, and Minster Church — a key landmark of the city. Ludwig van Beethoven, the famous composer, was born in Bonn. After the tour, we’ll have free time for personal sightseeing. Return to the hotel and enjoy some free time.
Saturday 3rd January
After breakfast, we head on an excursion to explore the beautiful city of Düsseldorf. We’ll visit major highlights such as Burgplatz, Schlossturm, and the Old Town (Altstadt), home to over 260 bars, restaurants, cafés, and breweries. Free time to explore. Later, we head to Düsseldorf Airport for flight KM353, which departs at 18:45 and arrives back in Malta at 21:30.
