Day by day, with prices. Each one is reshaped around you.
Eight nights by first-class train from Munich to Berlin in December: a day in Salzburg, Rothenburg, Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt and Dresden's Striezelmarkt. Old-town 4-star hotels within walking distance of the stalls.
From €2,299 per person
Six nights in December: two in Colmar for the markets and wine villages, one at the Hôtel-Dieu in Lyon with dinner at Paul Bocuse, three in Val d'Isère with two full ski days. First-class train, 4- and 5-star hotels.
From €2,099 per person
Our designers’ take
01European Christmas markets run from the last week of November to December 23 or 24, and the two regions that do them best are Germany and Alsace. Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt and Dresden's Striezelmarkt have been held since the 16th and 15th centuries; Strasbourg calls itself the capital of Christmas and Colmar's old town turns into five linked markets among half-timbered houses. The first two weeks of December are the calmest; weekends and the last ten days are packed.
Our Germany Christmas Markets by Train covers Munich (with a train day to Salzburg), Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Nuremberg, Dresden and Berlin in nine days, first class with 4* hotels inside each old town so you can go back after dinner when the lights are on. Private market tours in Munich and Nuremberg explain Lebkuchen, Glühwein and the Christkind; the Berlin days add the Wall, Kreuzberg and the Gendarmenmarkt market. From 2,299 € per person.
In France, French Christmas in 7 Days starts in Colmar, spends a day with a private guide in Eguisheim, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg (whose farmers' market is the one locals go to), takes the train to Lyon for the traboules and a Paul Bocuse dinner, then finishes with three nights of early-season skiing in Val d'Isère. From 2,099 € per person. Aurélie, who grew up in Alsace, designs both trips and knows which market stalls are worth the line.
We also combine the two: Strasbourg and Colmar are 2 h 30 from Munich by train via Stuttgart, and Basel's market is 1 h 20 from Colmar, so a 12-day Alsace-to-Berlin route is easy to build. Zermatt or Grindelwald add snow and skiing at either end. For market timing and weather by country, see our Germany and France guides. Book by late August: old-town hotels in Nuremberg and Colmar sell out for December weekends months in advance.
Barcelona to Nice along the Mediterranean
We had a wonderful time making the journey along the Mediterranean coast. Starting in Barcelona we were able to visit the newly opened Sagrada de Familia with a wonderful guide - one of the highlights our trip. We had an early entry so the crowds were easily managed and we were able to enjoy both inside and out. The next day we had another great guide who showed us the Jewish history and historical presence in Barcel…
We had a wonderful time making the journey along the Mediterranean coast. Starting in Barcelona we were able to visit the newly opened Sagrada de Familia with a wonderful guide - one of the highlights our trip. We had an early entry so the crowds were easily managed and we were able to enjoy both inside and out. The next day we had another great guide who showed us the Jewish history and historical presence in Barcelona. After Barcelona, we went to Girona, which was a wonderful surprise. We stayed at a lovely hotel in the old town that was a converted palace. Our tour here of the old town focusing on Jewish history was incredible. The next day we had an all day small group tour of Dali's house and museum - both well worth the travel including the incredible views along the Costa Brava. Travelling by car along the southern coast of France was relatively easily finding great things to see - Pone du Gard, Baux de Provence town and castle, St. Paul de Vence and finally Nice. An electric bike ride in Nice was also wonderful.
Wonderful trip, handled expertly by Mathilde
Wonderful trip! Everything was handled expertly by Mathilda! Our guides in Nuremberg, Justina, and Munich, Renata, were absolutely fantastic. We had a fantastic time, enjoyed every place we visited. Hotels and arrangements were hassle free. Overall beautiful and care free experience. Will most assuredly do again!!
An educational journey across Germany
Our trip to Germany was very educational. We visited Berlin, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Nuremberg, Munich, and Wiesbaden. We also went to the Dachau concentration camp. The food tour guide in Berlin, Anna, was simply excellent. She chose simple but delicious foods such as currywurst and doner kebabs that had a particular meaning to Berlin. She also provided historical information as we walked from location to location…
Our trip to Germany was very educational. We visited Berlin, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Nuremberg, Munich, and Wiesbaden. We also went to the Dachau concentration camp. The food tour guide in Berlin, Anna, was simply excellent. She chose simple but delicious foods such as currywurst and doner kebabs that had a particular meaning to Berlin. She also provided historical information as we walked from location to location that were meaningful and educational. Max, Niklas, Amir, and Connie were also very good and knowledgeable guides. We learned a lot from all of them. Amir was particularly accommodating as well as being a good driver.
Alsace Christmas markets 2026: official dates for Strasbourg, Colmar, Eguisheim, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg, crowd tips, where to stay and a 5-day plan.
Plan a Beaujolais wine tour with a team based in Villefranche: the ten crus, the golden-stone villages, a day from Lyon, Beaujolais Nouveau and tastings.
Christmas market river cruise vs train: evening markets, docks, water levels, hotels, cost and accessibility compared, with 2026 dates and train routes.
Most German markets open in the last week of November and close on December 23 or 24; a few in Berlin run to New Year. Strasbourg and Colmar open the last weekend of November and close December 24, with Colmar reopening briefly between Christmas and New Year. Early December has the same markets with half the people.
Nuremberg for tradition and the Christkind opening ceremony, Dresden for the oldest market and Stollen, Munich for the Marienplatz setting and the Kripperlmarkt nativity stalls, Rothenburg for the medieval backdrop, Berlin's Gendarmenmarkt for elegance. Our 9-day train route visits all five plus Salzburg in Austria.
Expect 0 to 5 °C (32 to 41 °F) by day, below freezing at night, and damp air. Markets are outdoors for two or three hours at a stretch: a warm coat, waterproof boots, gloves, a hat and layers. Glühwein helps. Hotels, trains and museums are warm, so you can thaw between markets.
Yes. Val d'Isère opens in late November, Zermatt and Grindelwald ski from early December, and Garmisch is 90 minutes from Munich. Our French Christmas itinerary pairs Colmar and Lyon with three nights in Val d'Isère; we build similar Germany-to-Zermatt or Alsace-to-Grindelwald routes on request.
By the end of August for December travel. Hotels inside the old towns of Nuremberg, Dresden and Colmar fill first, especially for Friday and Saturday nights, and first-class train seats on popular departures go early. If you can travel Sunday to Thursday in the first two weeks of December, options stay open longer.
Two minutes, three steps. Free and without obligation.
Scenic train itineraries across Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and France: Glacier Express, Bernina, GoldenPass, Gornergrat, ICE and TGV. From 1,999 € pp.
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Wheelchair accessible trips to Paris and the French Riviera: adapted transfers, accessible 4* hotels, step-free boats, priority entry. Specialist designer.
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Two- and three-country Europe itineraries by train, run by one DMC in France: Belgium to Switzerland, Switzerland to Italy, Alps and lakes. From 2,999 €.
Mountain and lake itineraries by Alpine-born experts: Zermatt, Jungfraujoch, Lucerne, Chamonix, Annecy, Lake Como and Maggiore, Val d'Isère. From 1,299 €
Self-drive itineraries by local experts: Bordeaux and Dordogne with balloon and oysters, or Germany from Heidelberg to Neuschwanstein. From 1,299 € pp.
