Traveling to Europe in October is amazing! Save this post
Hey everyone! A 12-day European trip during the Christmas season is such a great deal! Explore Milan's Christmas events, listen to cathedral concerts, visit fairytale markets, ride the GoldenPass Express, tour Jungfrau, see Neuschwanstein Castle, enjoy seafood pasta and Italian cuisine, plus two palaces and two cruises are all arranged!
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Located at the western end of the Eurasian continent, Europe was the birthplace of the Renaissance. It is filled with vintage castles and romantic streets, which is why everyone calls it the hub of romance and art 🏰✨.
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✨ Itinerary:
Day 1–Day 2: Depart from Shanghai, arrive in Venice, visit St. Mark's Basilica, take a gondola ride, enjoy local seafood pasta, then head to Florence.
Day 3–Day 5: Explore Florence City Hall and other attractions, tour the Colosseum and other historic sites, enjoy Italian cuisine, and check out the Christmas atmosphere and cathedral in Bologna and Milan.
Day 6–Day 7: Head to Verona, stop in Innsbruck to see the Golden Roof, visit Neuschwanstein Castle, and browse the Vaduz Stamp Museum.
Day 8–Day 9: Ascend Jungfrau, take the GoldenPass Express to a French town, and visit the Palace of Versailles.
Day 10: Explore Paris city attractions, climb the Eiffel Tower, visit the Louvre, and take a Seine River cruise.
Day 11–Day 12: Return to Shanghai from Paris, trip concludes.
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Must-visit attractions:
🏟️ Colosseum: A great symbol of ancient Rome! The secret tunnels, which just reopened after restoration in September 2025, are a highlight. The conspiracy stories involving Emperor Commodus add a layer of mystery, and now you can immerse yourself in this history ✨
⛪ Milan Cathedral: The pinnacle of Gothic architecture! The interior is simple yet grand, and the dome is breathtaking. During the Christmas season, there are concerts and fairytale-like markets, making it perfect for sightseeing, eating, and taking photos 🎄
🏰 Palace of Versailles: Louis XIV's magnificent palace! There are tons of summer activities, including immersive dance parties and nighttime fountain and fireworks shows. You can even visit the old prison where Marie Antoinette was held for a full experience 🎆
🗼 Eiffel Tower: A Paris landmark! An open-air cinema actually opened on the first floor of the tower in September 2026. Who can resist the romance of watching a movie while enjoying the night view from high up? Just grab your free tickets and go 🎬
🌊 Seine River: The mother river of Paris! The swimming area reopened in July 2025 after being closed for 102 years. It has free changing rooms, showers, and lounge chairs—perfect for catching the evening breeze and playing in the water in summer ☀️
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✈️ Travel essentials:
📄 First, bring your original Schengen visa + copies, as well as your passport and flight/hotel bookings. It's safer to keep the copies and originals separate.
🔌 Plugs vary across European countries, so bring a universal adapter and a power bank for emergencies.
👕 It's cool in Europe in September, so bring a light jacket and comfortable sneakers. Walking around attractions is easier when you're comfortable.
💊 Pack common medications and sunscreen. The sun is strong on clear days, and you might not find these in smaller, niche attractions.
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Save this guide! Traveling to Europe with a tour group is super worry-free. Tag your travel buddy and let's go 🥳