12-Day Paris Austria Florence and Rome Winter Trip with Three Days in Paris

Late Morning / Arrival

From Paris–Charles de Gaulle Airport, take the RER B toward Paris—usually the simplest option for four people with manageable luggage. It takes roughly 45–60 minutes to Châtelet–Les Halles, with a short taxi or Metro connection to your hotel; a pre-booked van transfer is more comfortable if you are carrying winter bags, typically €90–140 for the group. Allow extra time on Christmas Eve for immigration, luggage, and traffic, then leave your bags at the hotel before heading out.

Afternoon: Île de la Cité

Begin at Île de la Cité, where you can see the restored exterior of Notre-Dame Cathedral and wander along the Seine’s winter-lit quays. Spend around 90 minutes here, keeping the walk relaxed after your flight. Continue to Sainte-Chapelle, ideally with a timed ticket booked in advance; its stained glass is especially beautiful when the low afternoon light comes through. Allow about an hour, but check the official holiday schedule before travelling, as Christmas Eve hours can be shorter and security queues are possible. The two sights are only a few minutes apart on foot.

Late Afternoon and Evening

Cross into Le Marais and stroll to Place des Vosges, one of the city’s prettiest historic squares, with red-brick arcades and quiet gardens. It is a good place to slow down before dinner; allow about 45 minutes, and browse the surrounding boutiques if they are still open. Eat early at L’As du Fallafel on Rue des Rosiers, where generous falafel sandwiches cost roughly €10–20 per person. Expect a queue and confirm Christmas Eve opening hours—takeaway is often the quickest choice, and nearby seating may be limited.

Finish at Hôtel de Ville for its Christmas decorations and seasonal illuminations. From Le Marais, it is an easy 10–15-minute walk, or take Metro line 1 from Saint-Paul to Hôtel de Ville. Spend around 45 minutes enjoying the lights and the Seine-side atmosphere, then return to your hotel on foot or by taxi; keep the evening unhurried, since many Paris services and restaurants close earlier on Christmas Eve.

Morning

Begin at Sacré-Cœur Basilica around 9:30am, when Montmartre is still relatively calm. Climb the steps from Square Louise-Michel—or use the funicular with a standard Metro ticket—and allow about an hour inside the basilica. Entry is free, though the dome has a separate fee of roughly €8–10 and may have reduced holiday hours. The terrace gives one of Paris’s best winter panoramas; expect cold, windy weather and potentially slippery steps.

Continue through the Montmartre streets toward Place du Tertre, taking your time along Rue de l’Abreuvoir, Place Émile-Goudeau, and Rue des Abbesses. On Christmas Day, many galleries and small shops may be closed, and the artists’ square can be quieter than usual, but that is part of its charm. Have lunch at Le Consulat on Rue Norvins, a historic spot known for onion soup, steak-frites, and traditional French dishes. Budget about €25–45 per person, and expect a possible wait; ask staff about Christmas service before settling in.

Afternoon and Evening

Take the Metro from Abbesses or Pigalle toward Galeries Lafayette Haussmann—allow around 25 minutes including the walk. The store is a good Christmas Day choice if open, but confirm its holiday hours in advance; department stores sometimes operate shortened schedules on 25 December. Spend about 90 minutes admiring the grand dome, seasonal decorations, and window displays, with the rooftop terrace only if weather and opening hours permit. From there, walk a few minutes to the Opéra Garnier exterior for photographs of its ornate Second Empire façade; the interior may be closed or restricted, so treat this as a brief architectural stop rather than a full visit.

Finish with the Christmas lights along the Champs-Élysées and the illuminated Arc de Triomphe. Reach the avenue by Metro from Opéra toward Franklin D. Roosevelt or Charles de Gaulle–Étoile, allowing roughly 25 minutes. Walk west or east for about 90 minutes, but check same-day access restrictions: Christmas Day can bring closures, crowd-control barriers, and limited shops or cafés. For a warm, easy dinner, use a brasserie near Avenue des Ternes or Rue Poncelet rather than relying on the avenue itself, and reserve ahead because many restaurants close or offer fixed Christmas menus.

Morning

Start at the Musée du Louvre when your timed entry begins, ideally around 9:00 or 9:30am. Set aside about three hours, but keep the visit focused: follow the signs for the Mona Lisa, then see the Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace, and a few rooms of French and Italian painting rather than trying to cover the entire museum. In late December, advance reservations are essential; standard admission is roughly €22, and the museum is generally open from 9:00am to 6:00pm, though holiday hours can change. Enter through the Pyramide du Louvre, arrive 20–30 minutes early for security, and use the cloakroom for bulky winter coats.

Lunch and Afternoon

Walk directly to Angelina Paris on Rue de Rivoli for lunch, allowing about an hour. Its signature thick hot chocolate and Mont-Blanc pastry are the treats to order, with light lunch and dessert usually costing around €20–35 per person; expect a queue, especially during the holiday week. Afterwards, cross into the Jardin des Tuileries for an unhurried winter walk toward Place de la Concorde. The bare trees, formal avenues, and views back toward the Louvre are particularly atmospheric in December, and you can pause at the garden chairs if the weather is dry. Continue to the Musée de l’Orangerie, where the oval rooms of Monet’s Water Lilies make a calm, intimate contrast to the Louvre; allow 60–90 minutes and check the holiday schedule before going, as museums often adjust hours around Christmas.

From Place de la Concorde, cross the Pont de la Concorde or take Metro line 12 from Concorde toward Solférino to reach the Musée d’Orsay. Give yourself about two hours for its Impressionist collection—especially Monet, Renoir, Degas, and Cézanne—and do not miss the great clock windows overlooking the Seine. The museum is usually open until 6:00pm, with later opening on some evenings, but confirm the exact 26 December schedule and reserve a timed ticket. Finish with dinner at Le Procope in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, a short walk or quick Metro ride from Solférino; this historic restaurant is a good setting for a relaxed final meal, with mains and drinks typically landing around €35–60 per person. Reserve ahead, particularly for a winter holiday evening, and take a taxi back to your hotel if everyone is tired.

Arrival and Check-in

After your morning flight from Paris (details are handled separately), expect to reach central Vienna around early afternoon, depending on luggage and airport queues. From Vienna International Airport, the City Airport Train reaches Wien Mitte in about 16 minutes; the Railjet takes roughly 15 minutes to Wien Hauptbahnhof, while a pre-booked taxi or hotel transfer is more convenient for four people with luggage. Leave your bags at the hotel, dress warmly, and keep the first afternoon compact—Vienna’s centre is very walkable, but winter light fades early.

Afternoon: Stephansplatz, Graben and Kohlmarkt

Begin at Stephansplatz, where St. Stephen’s Cathedral dominates the square. Allow about an hour to see the patterned roof, Gothic interior and, if open, the catacombs or tower viewpoints; cathedral access is generally free for the main nave, while tours and tower visits cost extra. From here, stroll west along Graben, Vienna’s grand pedestrian boulevard, then continue towards Kohlmarkt. The decorated shopfronts and illuminated streets are particularly atmospheric after 4pm, and this central route is easy on foot—roughly 10 minutes between the main sights. Christmas-season opening hours can vary after the 24th, so check the cathedral’s official schedule before setting out.

Evening: Demel and Rathausplatz

Pause at Demel on Kohlmarkt for classic Viennese coffee and cake—try the Esterházy torte or Apfelstrudel—allowing around 45 minutes and approximately €10–20 per person. It can be busy, so accept a shared table rather than waiting too long. Afterwards, take the U3 from Herrengasse to Volkstheater, then walk about 10 minutes to Rathausplatz for the Christmas market, or simply walk from Demel in about 20 minutes. The market usually operates into late December, though post-Christmas dates and hours must be confirmed for 2026; expect hot punch, food stalls and an easygoing festive atmosphere for about 1½ hours. Return to your hotel by tram, U-Bahn or taxi—keep a little cash for small stalls, as card acceptance is inconsistent.

Morning

Start at Schönbrunn Palace around 9:00am, booking a timed Imperial Tour or Grand Tour in advance—late December is busy even outside the main summer season. Allow about 2½ hours for the palace rooms and a short walk through the grounds; the gardens are free to enter, though some attractions have separate winter opening arrangements. From central Vienna, take the U4 directly to Schönbrunn—about 20 minutes from Karlsplatz—and arrive a little early for security and ticket collection. Afterward, have lunch at Café Residenz, inside the palace complex. Its apple strudel kitchen and traditional Viennese dishes make it a convenient, atmospheric stop; budget roughly €20–35 per person and reserve if possible.

Afternoon Exploring

Take the U4 back toward Karlsplatz, change for the tram or U-Bahn toward Belvedere Palace, and allow around 25–30 minutes door to door. Spend about two hours at the Upper Belvedere, prioritising Klimt’s The Kiss and the palace’s Austrian collection, then walk through the Baroque gardens toward the Lower Belvedere. Timed admission is advisable, and indoor galleries are especially welcome if the afternoon is cold. Continue to Hundertwasserhaus in Landstraße by tram or on foot in roughly 15–20 minutes; the colourful façade is best viewed from the street, while the nearby Hundertwasser Village offers a warm café stop and small shops. Keep the visit to about 45 minutes rather than lingering in the residential area.

Evening

Head by tram or U-Bahn to Naschmarkt in Wieden, arriving around 5:00pm while the remaining food stalls are still active. In winter, the market winds down earlier than in summer, so treat it as a one-hour browse rather than a late-night destination; it is good for a warm snack, spices, cheese, and casual international food. Finish with dinner at Zum Schwarzen Kameel in the Innere Stadt, around a 15-minute ride away via Karlsplatz or a pleasant 25-minute walk if the weather is clear. Order a selection of its famous open sandwiches alongside a traditional Viennese plate—allow €30–55 per person, and reserve ahead for the dining room. Vienna’s U-Bahn and trams generally run into the evening, but check the Wiener Linien app for the final connection back to your hotel.

Morning to Early Afternoon

Take the ÖBB Railjet from Wien Hauptbahnhof around 8:00–9:00am; the ride to Salzburg Hauptbahnhof takes about 2½ hours. Reserve seats together and keep coats handy—the scenery becomes increasingly Alpine as you approach Salzburg. After arrival, leave large bags at your hotel or luggage storage near the station, then take trolleybus 1 or 8 toward the centre, or use a taxi if you are travelling with four suitcases. Allow roughly 20–30 minutes to reach Mirabell Palace and Gardens, depending on your hotel.

Begin at Mirabell Palace and Gardens, spending about an hour among the formal winter gardens and the Pegasus Fountain. The palace gardens are generally open from early morning until around dusk, although fountains may be inactive in winter; palace interiors and selected rooms have separate opening hours and admission. From here, cross the Makartsteg footbridge for attractive views along the Salzach—an easy 10-minute walk brings you to Mozart Residence on Makartplatz. Allow 1½ hours for the audio-guided visit, which focuses on Mozart’s Salzburg years; check the official timetable before leaving, as late-December hours can be shortened.

Afternoon and Evening

Pause at Café Tomaselli in the Altstadt for coffee and cake, budgeting about €10–20 per person. It is one of the city’s classic cafés, so service can be leisurely; choose a slice from the cake counter and warm up indoors rather than trying to rush through. Afterwards, walk through Getreidegasse, Salzburg’s atmospheric historic shopping street. Look above the shopfronts for the wrought-iron guild signs, and take your time exploring the small lanes branching toward the river—this area is especially pretty as the Christmas decorations remain in place. Most shops generally close around 6:00–7:00pm, though holiday hours vary.

Finish with dinner at St. Peter Stiftskulinarium, beside St. Peter’s Abbey, one of Europe’s oldest restaurant settings. Reserve well ahead for the four of you and expect approximately €35–60 per person before drinks. The restaurant is atmospheric but can be formal, so smart-casual clothing works well. After dinner, your hotel is usually reachable on foot within the compact centre; otherwise, use a short taxi ride, particularly if the pavements are icy.

Morning

Start around 9:00am at Hohensalzburg Fortress, reached by the FestungsBahn funicular from Festungsgasse. The ride takes only a minute or two, but it saves you the steep climb—particularly worthwhile on icy winter mornings. Allow about two hours for the state rooms, fortress museum and viewing terraces, where Salzburg’s rooftops and surrounding mountains can look spectacular in clear weather. The fortress generally opens from around 9:30am in winter, with admission and the funicular costing roughly €15–18 per adult; check the official schedule because Christmas-period hours can vary. Walk down into the Altstadt afterward, taking care on the cobblestones.

Continue to Salzburg Cathedral for around 45 minutes, then walk a few minutes to St. Peter’s Abbey and Cemetery. The cathedral is usually open during the day outside services, while the abbey complex and cemetery may have restricted access around religious ceremonies; keep the visit quiet and dress warmly. For lunch, take the Mönchsberg Lift from Gstättengasse up to M32, rather than walking uphill. The restaurant’s large windows give you one of the best elevated views over Salzburg, and its Austrian dishes typically cost about €25–45 per person. Reserve or arrive early, as the combination of a holiday week and panoramic setting makes it popular.

Afternoon

After lunch, leave M32 for the Mönchsberg viewpoint walk. Follow the marked ridge paths toward the viewpoints above the Altstadt, allowing about 90 minutes at an easy pace. In late December, daylight fades soon after 4:00pm, and trails can be snowy or slippery, so wear proper shoes and turn back whenever visibility worsens. You can descend toward Mülln via the paths near Mönchsberg, or return by the lift and use a short taxi ride if conditions are poor.

Evening

Finish at Augustiner Bräustüberl Mülln, Salzburg’s atmospheric traditional beer hall. It is roughly a 10–15-minute walk from the lower Mönchsberg area; alternatively, take a short bus or taxi toward Lindhofstraße. Order beer from the historic self-service hall and choose hearty dishes such as roast pork, sausages, dumplings or pretzels from the food stalls. Budget around €15–30 per person, and arrive by about 5:30–6:00pm for a better chance of finding seats together. Check the holiday timetable before setting out, since opening hours can change around New Year; keep the evening relaxed and walk back through Mülln or take a taxi to your hotel.

Early Morning to Late Afternoon

Leave Salzburg around 6:00am for the long rail journey to Florence, allowing roughly 9–11 hours with connections. Keep the day deliberately simple: reserve seats together, pack breakfast and snacks, and bring water, as station food during holiday hours can be limited. Expect to arrive at Firenze Santa Maria Novella after dark; keep passports, phones and wallets secure during changes, and check the final connection carefully because New Year’s Eve services may run on altered timetables.

Evening

After checking in, take a gentle 45-minute orientation around Santa Maria Novella and its square. The basilica is especially atmospheric after sunset, though access may be restricted for the holiday; avoid lingering with luggage around the station and use a taxi if your hotel is more than a short walk away. Continue into San Lorenzo for about an hour at Mercato Centrale Firenze. The upper food hall is usually the more reliable evening option, but New Year’s Eve hours vary—check the official listing or ask your hotel before setting out. Allow roughly €10–20 per person for a casual meal and a drink.

For dinner, walk a few minutes to Trattoria Mario, a classic choice for hearty Florentine cooking such as ribollita, pasta and bistecca when available. It normally operates as a lunch-focused trattoria, so holiday opening is not guaranteed; confirm in advance and have a nearby backup reservation if needed. Budget around €20–35 per person. Later, make your way through the pedestrian streets to Piazza del Duomo for the public New Year’s Eve atmosphere around Florence Cathedral—arrive by about 10:30pm, as crowd-control measures and temporary barriers may be introduced. Around midnight, continue to Piazza della Signoria, where the central celebrations and historic buildings create a memorable setting. After the countdown, return on foot to your hotel, staying with the main lit streets; taxis can be difficult to find immediately after midnight.

Morning

Start around 9:00am at the Galleria dell’Accademia, arriving via a short walk from Santa Maria Novella through the San Marco area. Reserve a timed ticket in advance—ideally for the first available slot—because David attracts long queues even in winter. Allow about 1½ hours for Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the unfinished Prisoners, and the smaller collection of Florentine paintings. The museum is generally open from 8:15am to 6:50pm but is closed on Mondays; holiday opening hours can change, so check the official calendar before travelling. Walk roughly 15 minutes south to the Basilica of San Lorenzo, which usually takes about an hour including the church interior and the Medici connection. Entry is commonly around €9–10, with modest dress required; the surrounding market stalls may have reduced hours on New Year’s Day.

Lunch and Afternoon

Continue southwest on foot for about 20 minutes through the lanes around Via dei Calzaiuoli and Via del Proconsolo, or take a quick taxi if the weather is wet, to Osteria Santo Spirito in Oltrarno. Book ahead and expect a relaxed Tuscan meal of pasta, ribollita, seasonal vegetables, and hearty mains at roughly €25–45 per person before drinks. After lunch, spend 45 easy minutes in Piazza Santo Spirito: sit beneath the trees, browse any small stalls that are operating, and enjoy the neighborhood’s lived-in atmosphere rather than rushing between monuments. New Year’s Day schedules can be irregular, so treat the square as your flexible pause and confirm the restaurant’s holiday service in advance.

Late Afternoon and Sunset

Walk a few minutes to Palazzo Pitti, entering by around 2:30pm if possible. Allow two hours for the former Medici residence and its galleries; a combined palace ticket is usually around €16, though temporary exhibitions and holiday pricing may differ. The palace commonly closes in the early evening, so check the exact January 1 opening time and do not leave this visit too late. Finish with a 15-minute walk toward Ponte Vecchio, arriving near sunset—roughly 4:45–5:00pm in early January. Cross the bridge slowly, then step onto Ponte Santa Trinita for the best view back toward the medieval shops and riverfront. Florence is compact enough to walk this entire route; wear shoes with good grip, as the stone streets can be slick in winter.

Morning and Trevi Fountain

Take an early Frecciarossa or Italo from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Roma Termini, ideally around 8:00–9:00am. The journey takes about 1½ hours; reserve four seats together and keep your tickets ready for inspection. From Roma Termini, a taxi is easiest with luggage, while Metro Line A to Barberini followed by a 10-minute walk is the cheaper option. After dropping bags at your hotel, head to Trevi Fountain by late morning—arriving before noon gives you a better chance of enjoying the fountain without the heaviest crowds. Allow about 45 minutes, and use the nearby Via del Tritone cafés for a quick coffee if you need one. Keep wallets and phones secure in the tightest part of the square.

Pantheon and Lunch

Walk roughly 15 minutes through the narrow lanes of the Trevi and Centro Storico districts to the Pantheon. Entry is ticketed, usually around €5, and opening hours can change around religious services, so check the official schedule before setting out; allow about an hour to appreciate the enormous concrete dome, oculus, and richly decorated interior. For lunch, continue to Armando al Pantheon, one of Rome’s most respected traditional trattorias. Reserve well ahead—especially during the holiday period—and try Roman staples such as carbonara, amatriciana, or coda alla vaccinara. Expect approximately €35–55 per person before extras, with service sometimes added separately.

Afternoon and Evening Wandering

After lunch, stroll for 8–10 minutes to Piazza Navona, taking time to browse the small artisan shops and church-lined streets along the way. Spend about an hour around the square, where Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers sits beneath the open sky among Baroque façades and outdoor cafés. Continue west for another 10 minutes to Campo de’ Fiori, reaching it in the early evening as the market stalls are being cleared and the square shifts toward its restaurant atmosphere. It is a pleasant first-night introduction to Rome, but prices around the square can be high; for dinner, walk a few minutes into the quieter lanes toward Via dei Cappellari or Via del Pellegrino. Check holiday opening hours for every restaurant, as January 2 follows the New Year period and some family-run places may still be taking a break.

Morning — Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Start early at the Colosseum, ideally with a timed entry around 8:30–9:00am. From Roma Termini, take Metro Line B to Colosseo; the ride is about 10 minutes, followed by a short walk. Allow roughly two hours for the amphitheatre, including security—arrive 20–30 minutes before your slot and bring only a small bag. Combination tickets generally include the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, but confirm the exact access rules when booking.

Continue directly into the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill for another two hours. Wear shoes with good grip: the ancient paths are uneven, and winter rain can make them slippery. The Palatine viewpoints are especially worthwhile for seeing the archaeological area from above, but keep the pace comfortable rather than trying to identify every ruin. Afterward, walk about 10 minutes through Monti to La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali for lunch. Book ahead—particularly for a Sunday—and order Roman classics such as cacio e pepe, amatriciana or saltimbocca. Allow €30–50 per person, excluding wine.

Afternoon — Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano

After lunch, walk south toward Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano, around 15 minutes from the restaurant. This is one of Rome’s most atmospheric historical visits: the present basilica sits above a fourth-century church and older Roman levels, including an ancient Mithraic temple. The underground sections usually require a separate ticket and can have limited visiting hours, so check the official schedule and reserve if available. Allow about 1½ hours, and bring a light layer—the lower levels are cool and damp even in winter.

Late Afternoon and Evening — Vatican Museums and Pizzarium Bonci

Take a taxi from San Clemente to the Vatican Museums, allowing 20–30 minutes depending on traffic; public transport is possible, but the transfer is less convenient after a full morning on foot. Schedule a timed entry around 4:00pm and allow approximately three hours for the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. This is a demanding visit, so focus on the major galleries rather than rushing through every corridor. Shoulders and knees must be covered, and large backpacks may need to be checked. Advance reservations are essential for this date, with ticket prices commonly around €20–40 depending on the booking channel and guided option.

Finish in Prati at Pizzarium Bonci, about a 10-minute walk from the museums. Choose several slices of pizza al taglio by weight—the staff will warm and cut them for you—and add a simple fried starter if you are hungry. Expect roughly €10–20 per person. It is casual and usually busy, so be prepared to stand or eat quickly; after dinner, Ottaviano Metro station is nearby for the return to your accommodation.

Morning

Start around 8:30am with a quiet final walk through Villa Borghese Gardens, entering from Viale della Trinità dei Monti and following the paths towards the Pincian Hill viewpoint. In winter, the gardens are especially peaceful, and the terrace gives you a lovely last look across Rome before the centre becomes busy. Allow about an hour; the park is free and open from early morning. From the viewpoint, walk downhill to Piazza del Popolo in roughly 10 minutes. Spend 45 minutes admiring the grand oval square, its central obelisk and the twin churches—if open, Santa Maria in Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli are worth a quick look. Continue on foot along Via del Babuino towards the Spanish Steps, another 15–20 minutes through one of Rome’s most attractive shopping streets.

Late Morning and Lunch

At the Spanish Steps, take your time around Piazza di Spagna and the lanes of Spagna, but do not sit on the steps themselves—Rome enforces restrictions and fines there. This area is best enjoyed by wandering through Via dei Condotti and the quieter side streets for about 45 minutes. Around noon, walk approximately 20 minutes towards Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina near Campo de’ Fiori. Reserve ahead, especially for a group of four; lunch usually costs about €40–70 per person. Expect excellent Roman cooking and carefully chosen cured meats, cheeses and pasta—ask about the day’s carbonara or amatriciana. Allow 1½ hours, and leave a little time for the bill, as meals here are deliberately unhurried.

Departure to London

After lunch, return to your hotel, collect your luggage and leave for Rome Fiumicino Airport roughly three hours before the flight—earlier if travelling during the New Year holiday period. From near Roma Termini, the Leonardo Express takes about 32 minutes directly to the airport; a pre-booked taxi or private transfer is easier with four people and several suitcases, while the official fixed taxi fare from central Rome is generally around €55, subject to current regulations. At Fiumicino, allow time for airline check-in, security and passport control, and keep passports, boarding passes and any VAT-refund paperwork accessible. Take your afternoon or evening flight to your preferred London airport, checking the terminal carefully before leaving the hotel.