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German Christmas Markets
8 Day German Christmas Market Tour from Frankfurt to Berlin
Travel to the enchanting land of Germany's Christmas markets, sharing the festive season spirit and Gemütlichkeit of the locals, amidst magical fairy lights, rousing oompah music and the spicy scents of Glühwein.
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Trip code
WMAR
German Christmas Markets
8 Day German Christmas Market Tour from Frankfurt to Berlin
Travel to the enchanting land of Germany's Christmas markets, sharing the festive season spirit and Gemütlichkeit of the locals, amidst magical fairy lights, rousing oompah music and the spicy scents of Glühwein.
Tame your festive wanderlust with the smells of Glühwein and Stollen on this magical journey that begins in Frankfurt. After checking in this afternoon, join your Travel Director on an orientation tour of the city's dynamic financial centre and medieval Römerplatz. Later, join your fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception with drinks and a light meal.
Stunning Bavarian landscapes line your journey to the medieval walled town of Rothenburg where you’ll enjoy an orientation walk with your Travel Director past picture-perfect half-timbered houses and the Old Town Hall. Savour a mouthful or two of Schneeballen or shop for gifts at the Reiterlesmarkt before continuing to Nuremberg with its mighty ramparts and St. Sebald’s Church. Our next stop is the famous Christkindlesmarkt where sweet gingerbread hearts hang from the stalls and the famous Zwetschgenmännle prune men pose in all their Christmas splendour.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Congress Mercure
Embrace hundreds of years of festive spirit at the Eisenach Christmas market* held in the UNESCO World Heritage Wartburg Castle. Ramble past sizzling Bratwurst and steaming vats of Glühwein as you soak up the magical atmosphere. Next on our Christmas wish list is Erfurt’s medieval market – its Weinachtspyramiden is the gateway to delicious aromas of schnitzel, gingerbread and egg punch, enjoyed against the backdrop of St. Mary's Cathedral and St. Severus Church. See the market Ferris wheel and Merchants’ Bridge, the longest inhabited bridge in Europe. Our final stop on our festive foray today is the UNESCO World Heritage town of Weimar, where we dine at our hotel. (*Sat/Sun only)
Enjoy a leisurely morning in Weimar before travelling to Dresden, the 'Florence on the Elbe'. Spend the day admiring the magnificent restoration of a city that was all but destroyed during World War II. Consider indulging in traditional German cuisine this evening at a local restaurant.
Join our Local Specialist for an evening introduction to this fairy-tale city on private transport and with a little strolling. You’ll discover the magical Charles Bridge, enjoy a drink in one of the old town’s quaint restaurants while a musician entertains, journey through the Old Town and gaze at the panoramic views of the city.
Adult Price: €47.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
The Buchenwald Memorial Site
Outside the town of Weimar, we'll visit the memorial and museum of the Buchenwald concentration camp. Constructed in 1937, it wasn't long before Buchenwald became synonymous for the entire Nazi concentration camp system and, by the end of the war, was the largest camp in the German Reich.
Adult Price: €28.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 5
Discover the Festive Atmosphere at Dresden Christmas Markets
Germany’s Christmas traditions take centre stage today as we Dive Into Culture and wander through Dresden’s Striezelmarkt, Germany’s oldest Christmas market. Admire the dazzling display of twinkling lights, handcrafted decorations and Christmas carols. If you’re lucky enough to visit on the second weekend in advent, pay homage to the original Dresdner Christstollen.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Scenic Vltava Cruise with Lunch
Take a relaxing cruise on the beautiful River Vltava and we’ll tell you about the legends, myths, culture and hidden secrets of this enchanting city. During the cruise you’ll enjoy a lunch of local specialities. n.b. There is a minimum of 20 guests required for the cruise to operate.
Adult Price: €58.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 6
Admire Magical Leipzig and on to Berlin
Immerse yourself in centuries of Yuletide traditions at Leipzig's Christmas market as you wander past more than 250 decorated stalls in the Marktplatz. Take a trip back in time as you savour the scents of Glögi wine and admire the traditional crafts in ‘Ancient Leipzig’. We leave vibrant Leipzig for Berlin where we’ll spend the next two nights.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Sheraton Grand Esplanade
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Berlin by Twilight with Dinner
Come along for a fun night of hearty food, wine, beer and music before we drive through the city as the sun goes down and the landmarks of this impressive German Capital illuminate.
Adult Price: €60.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 7
Explore Berlin
You won't need Santa's reindeer to ascend hundreds of metres into the air as you admire 360° views of the city from the Berlin TV Tower. Your Local Specialist will share insights into old East and West Berlin during a sightseeing tour, see the Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden, the Reichstag building, the Tiergarten and the shopping and entertainment district of Kurfürstendamm. The rest of the day is yours to explore on your own or consider joining an Optional Experience delving into 'Berlin's Secret Past'. Our memorable Christmas journey almost at its end, you’ll spend the evening at an exclusive Be My Guest experience and Farewell Dinner as you Connect With Locals in their home.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest
Optional Experience
Berlin's Secret Past Revealed
Uncover secrets of Berlin’s past with your Local Specialist on a guided tour of the city. View the Holocaust Memorial, touch a remaining section of the Berlin Wall, see the site of Checkpoint Charlie, and learn more about Berlin’s WWII and Cold War past.
Adult Price: €32.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Historic Potsdam
Today we'll take a trip outside Berlin with our Local Specialist to Potsdam. En route, we’ll stop off at Wannsee Villa, the setting for the infamous 1942 Conference to plan the 'Final Solution'. Then, it's off to Glienicke Bridge, scene of the Cold War 'spy swaps' and the inspiration for the 2015 film Bridge of Spies, starring Tom Hanks.
Adult Price: €44.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 8
Farewell to Germany
For now, it’s time to bid a festive farewell to our travel companions as we return home filled with magical memories. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
All optional experiences for this trip
Book with your travel director when you travel
Available on day 4
Beautiful Prague By Night
Join our Local Specialist for an evening introduction to this fairy-tale city on private transport and with a little strolling. You’ll discover the magical Charles Bridge, enjoy a drink in one of the old town’s quaint restaurants while a musician entertains, journey through the Old Town and gaze at the panoramic views of the city.
Adult Price: €47.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 4
The Buchenwald Memorial Site
Outside the town of Weimar, we'll visit the memorial and museum of the Buchenwald concentration camp. Constructed in 1937, it wasn't long before Buchenwald became synonymous for the entire Nazi concentration camp system and, by the end of the war, was the largest camp in the German Reich.
Adult Price: €28.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 5
Scenic Vltava Cruise with Lunch
Take a relaxing cruise on the beautiful River Vltava and we’ll tell you about the legends, myths, culture and hidden secrets of this enchanting city. During the cruise you’ll enjoy a lunch of local specialities. n.b. There is a minimum of 20 guests required for the cruise to operate.
Adult Price: €58.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 6
Berlin by Twilight with Dinner
Come along for a fun night of hearty food, wine, beer and music before we drive through the city as the sun goes down and the landmarks of this impressive German Capital illuminate.
Adult Price: €60.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 7
Berlin's Secret Past Revealed
Uncover secrets of Berlin’s past with your Local Specialist on a guided tour of the city. View the Holocaust Memorial, touch a remaining section of the Berlin Wall, see the site of Checkpoint Charlie, and learn more about Berlin’s WWII and Cold War past.
Adult Price: €32.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 7
Historic Potsdam
Today we'll take a trip outside Berlin with our Local Specialist to Potsdam. En route, we’ll stop off at Wannsee Villa, the setting for the infamous 1942 Conference to plan the 'Final Solution'. Then, it's off to Glienicke Bridge, scene of the Cold War 'spy swaps' and the inspiration for the 2015 film Bridge of Spies, starring Tom Hanks.
Adult Price: €44.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
All Optional Experiences
The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Notepad Icon You must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel
About this trip
About this trip
What's included
Trip Summary Accomodation Icon
7 nights
Accommodation
Trip Summary Meals Icon
11 Meals
1 Be My Guest, 1 Welcome Reception, 7 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners
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On-trip Transport
All transport shown. VIP private door-to-door UK airport transfers included. *This service is excluded from UK-based trips.
The Trafalgar difference
Connect With Locals
Join the locals for an exclusive Be My Guest experience and Farewell Dinner at Wiesenstein Victoria Luise, filled with Swabian and south German flavours.
Dive Into Culture
Experience the delights of Germany's oldest and most traditional Christmas market - Dresden's Striezelmarkt. The blaze of lights, the scent of mulled wine and Christmas music make this once-in-a-lifetime visit a pleasure for all the senses.
Sightseeing highlights
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Explore Berlin with a Local Specialist
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Discover Frankfurt, Rothenburg, Nuremberg, Weimar, Dresden and Leipzig
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Visit the Christmas Markets of Rothenburg, Nuremberg, Wartburg Castle in Eisenach (Sat/Sun only), Erfurt, Weimar, Dresden, Leipzig and ascend the Berlin TV Tower
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View the Opera House and Zwinger Palace in Dresden and the Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag Building in Berlin
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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Optional Experiences and free time
Live, unedited & independent traveller reviews
German Christmas Markets trip reviews
Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, their feedback fuels our innovation, inspiring us to improve continuously and craft Simply The Best vacations. That's why we ask each of our guests to leave a third-party verified, independent review after every trip. As testament to our commitment we have been given the Trusted Service Award from Feefo, recognising we deliver exceptional experiences as rated by real guests.
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Based on 178 independent reviews
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Trip Rating
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5
All hotels were excellent and the itinerary was very complete!
Variety, is one of the things I enjoy on tours and this tour had many things to see, do and experience. the tour was busy but not crazy rushed and we enjoyed all aspects of the tour, tour director Maria, the local expert guides who were excellent as well and the diverse history that Maria brought to life for us from her personal experiences. Well done!
Maria our tour director was the life of the tour, literally she made everyone laugh, sing, dance and have a fabulous time. The coach driver was excellent and his lighted tie was the hit of the Christmas bus. The coordination it takes to round up everyone and stay on track is tough but she pulled it off like the pro she is! Kudos to Maria, Sultan and Trafalgar for another wonderful experience. Happy repeat client here.
The tour director Maria was not only knowledgeable but funny and made the trip very special for us all. The areas visited were very nice and we enjoyed the tour very much.
Hotel in Berlin should have been centrally located and optional tour to Postdam should have been included in the price Apart from these,Overall great experience
This was my first trip with Trafalgar.The itinerary was really good and accordingly places were covered as per schedule .The coach and accomodations/hotels were comfortable but most of them were not centrally located, I got a very good roommate which made me feel comfortable, As i was the only Indian and only vegetarian on this trip,I think our Trip coordinator Ulf was not happy with this idea.He was quite biased ( this is out of my personal experience) and his behavior and actions were disappointing,.After 2/3 days I had to convey this to Trafalgar booking office in Delhi. Things went better after that. Overall I enjoyed in this trip, comfortable and value for money. Will definitely travel with Trafalgar again. Thank you Trafalgar for giving me a lifelong friend from Singapore
Christmas Markets: Are generally open from the beginning of Advent until 24 December 2022. Trafalgar reserves the right to substitute sites and Christmas market inclusions in keeping with the events of the season.
Drinking Water: Tap water is safe to drink in all of the destinations on this trip. Please remember to bring a water bottle.
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA). Does not apply to trips operated by Inspiring Journeys & our Mini-stays.
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling as part of a family group.
VIP private door-to-door UK airport transfers included. *This service is excluded from UK-based trips.
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Your selected departure date will feature some seasonal itinerary changes to what is displayed. Click 'VIEW ITINERARY' below to see full details.
Active Trip Details
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What is an Active Trip? This is an "Active" lifestyle itinerary, with walks and hikes most days. Hikes will range from easy/moderate to strenuous. No technical climbing skills are required but a reasonable level of fitness is required to make the trip more enjoyable. Understanding that not all people want to hike at the same pace or even on the same trail we will, where possible, host map orientation and then let everyone disperse to enjoy the trails best suited to them.
What to Pack Guests should bring lightweight hiking shoes or boots, broad brimmed sun hats, sunglasses, layered clothing, reusable water bottle(s), a hiking day pack and hiking poles (optional) Weather & Altitude While the itinerary is laid out below, we are at the mercy of the weather and so reserve the right to adjust the program as necessary. Please keep in mind that the higher elevations and possible variations in weather and temperature can increase the perceived level of difficulty of our activities. Elevation ranges up to 9,000 feet for Utah’s Mighty Five and up to 11,000 feet for California High Country Adventure.
Everyone reacts differently to altitude and so if you do have any health issues you should check with your doctor that this trip is suitable for you.
