Flexible about where to go, but looking at trying to do something after fall semester ends and before semester starts. So December. But who are some good reputable tour companies? And what are some countries that would be okay weather wise in December for touring? Any personal experiences?
Editing to add more info- by a tour- I mean someone else (a tour operator) plans the whole trip and we go as part of a tour group! Not necessarily a huge tour group, but I want to have the hotels, meals, sights to see, transportation etc taken care of.
Need a little more info- what does a ātourā mean to you?
Northern lights? https://www.authentic-scandinavia.com/themes/christmas-new-years-tours
Chrismas markets? (Europe's Most Magical Christmas Markets - Avalon Waterways Blog)
Winter sun? Explore Spain & Portugal | Intrepid Travel
More info will help us give better advice!
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With the right clothing, all European countries are OK for touring in December! 
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Right! We were in Brussels in December following two weeks in summer Africa. We had so much fun! And it never felt cold.
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Weāve been to Berlin and Stockholm in winter months. No issues! We had a blast both times.
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Europe? Absolutely Christmas markets in December!
River cruises 
are big on the Christmas markets. I hear Gate 1 has Christmas market tours. I loved our November river cruise so thatās what I would do. We were there the week the markets opened so saw lots of the set ups. Beautiful!
Not Europe but we went to the Cayman Islands in December. It was so fun to see Christmas lights in the tropics.
We were in Rome in late November. The weather was nice but I preferred the festive atmosphere of the German Christmas markets.
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Thanks, I edited my post. Iām looking for a tour company that has the whole trip packaged and planned, and we just sign up and go 
Iām looking for a reputable tour company who puts together good trips with decent lodging, sightseeing activities included, tour guides, responsive, etc.
Rick Steves has been mentioned here many times. I think @busdriver11 went on some of his tours.
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Tauck tours is top of the line according to my folks. We have never used them, but any time dadās client said choose any tour and client wanted to pay, my folks would choose Tauck.
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We have traveled with Trafalgar and Collette and both had well put-together tours.
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@BunsenBurner is right, Rick Steves tours has been mentioned many a time on this forum. Weāve been on four, going on another one soon. As far as, āIām looking for a tour company that has the whole trip packaged and planned, and we just sign up and go Iām looking for a reputable tour company who puts together good trips with decent lodging, sightseeing activities included, tour guides, responsive, etcā, thatās exactly what Rick Steves is. I hate planning, they figure out all of it (even when you might need a snack ).
I donāt, however, know if they have tours in December. But as far as what you listed, Rick Steves tours fit the bill. They also include quite a bit of walking (Iāve never gained weight on a tour), there is plenty of wine drinking for those who imbibe, friendly and well traveled company, and fairly small groups on a tour bus. The last trip I remarked that these tours are so much like being a kid. Nothing to worry about, only fun things, someone takes care of you and all you have to do is enjoy yourself and be entertained, no responsibility (except for show up when they tell you to) and no stress. Here, you must be hungry, try this pastry. I love the guides.
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Gee, sounds like we need to try Rick Steveās tours next. We are going on our 3rd packaged tour ever, 1st with this LA-based company, Supera. So far, Iām not impressed.
Air & Sea tours out of Honolulu do a lot of very nice tours and arrange everything. We have done 2 of their tours and know folks who have been on many more.
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If you read the fine print, on Rick Steves tours one has to be able to porter their own luggage and possibly haul it up stairs in hotels that lack elevators. And they are very active with lots of walking. We LOVE walking, but not everyone is capable of doing so.
Other tour companies may pamper you more, just be aware.
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S and I were in Berlin and Stockholm late December/early January. You do need warm clothing (especially for Stockholm) but it was not bitterly cold. Places were not overrun by tourists which was nice.
Definitely recommend the Christmas markets.
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Regarding weather, it all depends on the year. About five years ago Ds and I went to London shortly after Xmas, then flew to Malaga for hopefully warmer weather followed by southern France. Uh, it was quite chilly everywhere and I was very happy for my downcoat. But I am very much a fan of offseason travel.
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You are correct, these tours are active, though you do not have to be ultra fit, just able to take care of yourself. Europe is covered in hills, steps and sometimes no elevators. Elderly people go on these tours, but they can all walk well. You are not pampered and carried around, but the prices are decent, they figure out the best of every country for you and all details. My husband will have had a knee replacement 4 1/2 months prior to the tour, and it will be fine.
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I think it depends on what you want.
We had friends who did a land tour and then cruise in Alaska. They did not like the land portion.
They did not like getting up very early every morning, having your suitcase packed and ready to go. Breakfast, bus to the next city. Afternoon check in at the next city.
The one thing thatās nice about a river cruise is that you unpack once. Have the ability to take an afternoon nap if you wish. Get a taste of different places and things.
So what do you want from a tour? Explore a couple of cities and stay in one or two hotels? Explore a different place every day? Port your own baggage? Ultimate luxury? A guide the entire time? Explore on your own?
We love travel in the off season. Because of the holidays, almost everywhere is off season in December.
Also we found that there are lots of tour companies. Finding the tour you want in the off season can be challenging. We want to travel another river cruise next year mid to end of November. Pretty much Viking is our only choice as most of the other lines are limited in the fall. They have Christmas market tours which we donāt want. But more of history sightseeing is what we are looking for.
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Update on our travel with Supera tours to Japanāit was fabulous and I highly recommend them. We had 3 tour guides for most of our trip: the VP of the company, a tour guide who knows Japan well and a tour guide who normally does Chinese-speaking tours and wanted to practice her English.
We had top tier hotels and meals everywhere. Trip evacuation insurance was included in your purchase of the tour.
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Can anyone recommend a tour company they like that is similar to Rick Steves but maybe slightly less arduous in terms of walking?
Quite high end but maybe Tauck?