2027 Germany’s Legendary Christmas Markets with Michael Phillips

We will fly into Frankfurt and board our coach for the drive to Rothenburg ob der Tauber–a beautiful small town with medieval buildings and cobbled streets. After checking into our hotel, you will have time at leisure to explore the town and we will share a wonderful traditional dinner together at a restaurant in town.

Meals : Dinner, In-flight

This morning we will have free time to explore and shop, or just relax and take in the atmosphere. In the afternoon, we will travel to Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage site, including visits to the town hall and cathedral. Then there will be free time to experience Bamberg’s charming Christmas Market—steeped in tradition. Explore the nativity scenes and over 50 market stalls offering Christmas decorations, ornaments and sweet delicacies from around the region. Return in the early evening to Rothenburg.

A place of beauty and magic any time of year, it is transformed into a Winter wonderland in the snow! Today we will travel to Kind Ludwig’s famous fairytale castle and the charming town of Fussen that sits just below. In the morning, we will visit Neuschwanstein and the then have free time for lunch and the market in Fussen. We will return in the early afternoon for Rothenburg. Free time in the evening for exploring, shopping and dinner.

In the morning, we will travel to Wurzburg and tour the stunning Residenz with its Tiepolo frescoes. After a brief walking tour of the city there will be free time for lunch and shopping at the Wurzburg Christmas Market–one of the most atmospheric in Germany held against the historical backdrop of the Gothic St. Mary’s Chapel and the Falkenhaus Rococo mansion. A delightful selection of Christmas goods is available here at the beautifully decorated wooden booths. The town hall’s historical courtyard also hosts an artists’ Christmas market. We will return to Rothenburg in the afternoon

Today we will travel to Wertheim to visit the glass museum and watch demonstrations of the production and design from the traditional to the modern. If we make it to the cathedral in time, we may be able to join the morning Advent service or you can hike up to the ruins of the fortress. From there we will continue to Miltenburg, with its half-timbered houses, where we will stop for lunch and exploring the atmosphere of this historic town and its spectacular architecture. Then we will continue on to Amorbach for a tour of the Abbey and an evening choral concert in its Benedictine chapel, accompanied by its famous baroque organ. Afterwards we will return to Rothenburg.

Today we will travel to Nuremberg and take a walking tour of the old city and visit the the Toy Museum, which has displays covering toys from antiquity to the present day. Then a more traditional visit to the Church of St Sebald, which has been on the site since 1070 and a place of pilgrimage for many to the grave of the holy Sebaldus. Then down to some serious shopping with a visit to Nuremberg’s main market square the location of Nuremberg’s ‘Christkindlesmarkt’, the most famous Christmas market in the world. Every year over two million visitors soak up the medieval atmosphere and romance of this miniature town of Christmas stalls. Delight in the delicious aromas of gingerbread, cinnamon, bratwurst, and roasted almonds. Enjoy the ‘Kinderweihnacht’ where a magnificent, traditional carousel comes complete with an upper tier, reindeer figures and Santa’s sleigh. In the evening we will enjoy a dinner of famous Nuremburger sausages at Zum Gulden Stern, a restaurant that dates from 1419. In the evening we will return in the evening happy, full and contented to Rothenburg.

Today we will have the chance to really explore the town that was our home. We will start the day with a walking tour, including the medieval wall, the cathedral, and Tilman Riemenschneiders’ Holy Blood Altar. We will then visit Käthe Wohlfahrt’s world famous Christmas museum and village shop. It is a true cavern of delight, full of decorations—you have never seen this much wonderful Christmas décor in one locations. In the afternoon and evening we will watch the Christmas decoration lights come on, the market stalls come to life and take time to browse the market and take in the sights and aromas. In the evening, we will visit a local restaurant for a traditional Bavarian Christmas dinner.

We transfer to Frankfurt airport for your return flight home, leaving you with memories to last a lifetime and perhaps a few extra items in your bags!