German Christmas Markets

If you want to fill your heart with Christmas cheer, your senses with the aroma of roasted chestnuts and your suitcase with lovingly hand-crafted gifts, then this is the tour for you.

Included Premium Highlights

    * Visit Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber, Germany's best preserved medieval town.

Included Personal Insights

    * Learn about the traditional German Christmas Pyramid

Included Other Excursions & Sights

    * Spend time as you wish at the Christmas markets in Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden, Nuremberg, Rothenburg and Munich.
    * See Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, State Opera House, Berlin Wall, Unter den Linden, Potsdamer Platz and Reichstag Building.
    * Visit Leipzig's Thomas-Kirche.
    * See Dresden's Frauenkirche, mosaic mural, Cathedral, Opera House and Zwinger Palace.
    * See the city walls and Old Town of Nuremberg.
    * See Munich's Olympic Stadium, Victory Arch, Town Hall and Glockenspiel in the Marienplatz.

Included First Class Services

    * Escorted by a professional Tour Director
    * Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended legroom and onboard restroom
    * Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
    * Insight Traveller document wallet, Welcome on Tour book and information pack
    * Airport arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 1 and Day 8. (Should your flights not coincide with these arrival and departure transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport or you can purchase a transfer)

Included Quality Dining

    * Bavarian Highlight Dinner at a Munich restaurant (HD)
    * 7 full Breakfasts (B), 1 Lunch (L) and 2 three-course table d'hote dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
 

Tour details based on Nov 2011 - Apr 2012 departures.

Day 1 - BERLIN AT LEISURE

Welcome to Germany! On arrival at Berlin's Tegel Airport, your airport shuttle service leaves for your tour hotel at 10.30 and 12.00. This afternoon, perhaps start exploring one of Berlin's 50 Christmas markets, before joining your Tour Director this evening for a Welcome Drink.

Hotel: Marriott Berlin.

Day 2 - BERLIN SIGHTSEEING

Your guided sightseeing tour includes views of the Brandenburg Gate, State Opera House, the remnants of the Berlin Wall, Unter den Linden, Potsdamer Platz and restored Reichstag Building. At the Gendarmenmarkt, one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, you are at leisure to experience the Weihnachts Zauber, (Christmas Magic). (BB)

Day 3 - BERLIN - LEIPZIG - DRESDEN

Travel through the former East Germany to Leipzig. On arrival visit Bach's Thomas-Kirche and the medieval Market Square, where Christmas market tradition dates back to 1767. Renowned for its musical and culinary delights, the Leipzig Market is home to the largest free-standing Advent calendar in the world. Perhaps stop by the Old Town Hall to hear the trumpeters before continuing on to Dresden.

Hotel: Pullman Dresden Newa/Radisson Blu Park Hotel Dresden - Radebeul. (BB,D)

Day 4 - DRESDEN SIGHTSEEING

See the resurrected Frauenkirche on your guided sightseeing tour before a stroll past the colossal Procession of the Dukes mosaic. See also the Cathedral, Semper Opera House and baroque Zwinger Palace. This afternoon Germany's oldest Christmas market is yours to enjoy. The Strietzelmarkt is home to the delicious fruity Christollen, a Christmas cake recipe dating back to medieval times! Don't miss the record breaking Christmas pyramid as well as traditional wood carving, pottery and gingerbread. (BB)

Day 5 - DRESDEN - NUREMBERG

Journey south to Nuremberg, where the stalls of the Christkindlmarkt are festooned in red and white cloth. Surrounded by ancient ramparts and watchtowers, look out for the 'Nuremberg Plum People' while you explore or shop for Rostbratwurste, Lebkuchen or traditional hot Gluhwein.

Hotel: Hilton Nuremburg. (BB,D)

Day 6 - NUREMBERG - ROTHENBURG - MUNICH

Venture through the heart of Germany to Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber, one of the best preserved medieval towns in all of Europe. Why not stroll through the cobbled streets to the year-round Christmas Shop, where it is Christmas 365 days of the year! Enjoy freshly made 'Bratwurst' and potato salad before taking the meandering Romantic Road, which brings you to Bavaria's fun-filled capital of Munich.

Hotel: Hilton Munich Park. (BB,L)

Day 7 - MUNICH

An orientation tour takes you past the Olympic Stadium, along Ludwigstrasse to the Victory Arch and concludes in the Marienplatz by the soaring Town Hall, famous for its Glockenspiel. Here, by the gigantic Christmas tree, Munich's traditional Christmas market is an entrancing festival of light and music. This evening, enjoy a highlight Farewell Dinner in the heart of this festive Bavarian capital. (BB,HD)

Day 8 - MUNICH

Bid farewell to Germany's traditional festivities. Your departure transfer arrives at Munich's airport at 09.30. (BB)

The optional excursions for this tour are not available at this time.