In Germanic cities, towns and villages you will find all kinds of Christmas merchandise and gifts. In France's Alsace region you will be enchanted by villages.

The festive season is a very special time in Europe and each year the traditional Christmas markets draw millions of visitors, opening before the first Sunday of Advent, (around the time of Thanksgiving in the U.S.) and usually continuing until Christmas Eve. 

Prices & Rates

PD = Preferred Departure

• Tour prices and dates are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking.
• All tour information is correct at time of tours going live, however is subject to change, please confirm all details at time of booking.

8 days
Priced from A$1835
European Winter Holidays
Departs from & returns to Frankfurt

8 Days ~ Christmas Market Special

Itinerary

DAY 1 – ARRIVE FRANKFURT
‘Frohe Weihnachten’ (Merry Christmas) and welcome to Germany! Transfers from Frankfurt Airport to the tour hotel depart at 09:30 & 12:00. Later, enjoy an orientation tour before joining your Tour Director for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Sheraton Congress. (D)

DAY 2 – FRANKFURT – COLMAR
Follow the scenic Rhine and Moselle Rivers to the former Roman town of Trier. Visit the festive Christmas market in front of the cathedral before skirting the Vosges Mountains to your hotel in Colmar, which has prospered from the wine trade since the 13th century. Hotel: Best Western Grand Hotel Bristol. (BB,D)

DAY 3 – COLMAR SIGHTSEEING
Today is devoted to Colmar’s Old Town, site of the illuminated Christmas Market. Admire the picturesque old houses along Rue des Marchands (Merchants Street) and Rue Merciére (Haberdasher Street) and also see the imposing Dominican church. Maybe even join in the fun at the open-air ice-rink? (BB)

DAY 4 – COLMAR – STRASBOURG
Explore the Christmas markets of the Alsace today! Follow part of the wine road to the small towns of Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé where you can sample the local specialties on offer. Continue to Obernai. At this time of year it is transformed into a magical winter wonderland. Stroll through the narrow, winding streets past high gabled houses to the Marché de la Gastronomie (food market). Home for the next two nights is Strasbourg. Enjoy a Highlight Dinner tonight. Hotel: Hilton. (BB,HD)

DAY 5 – STRASBOURG
Spend a day in the capital of Alsace, seat of the Council of Europe and Court of Human Rights. Strasbourg Christmas market is France’s oldest and one of the largest with more that 100 stalls. You also visit La Petite France, a cosy neighbourhood of timbered fairy-tale buildings with Christmas shops and a gingerbread bakery. (BB)

DAY 6 – STRASBOURG – HEIDELBERG
Travel through part of the Black Forest on your way to Heidelberg, city of the 'Student Prince'. Look out over the River Neckar from the castle heights before exploring the Christmas Markets in the town centre. Hotel: Best Western Leonardo. (BB,D)

DAY 7 – HEIDELBERG – FRANKFURT
Visit the Christmas Shop and celebrated Christmas market in the charming medieval walled city of Rothenburg. Return to Frankfurt in the late afternoon. Hotel: Sheraton Congress. (BB)

DAY 8 – FRANKFURT
After breakfast, your transfer to Frankfurt Airport’s Terminal 1 arrives at 09.00 and Terminal 2 at 09:15. (BB)