European Christmas Markets

Day 1 | Tuesday 8 December
Arrival
Bern’s Old Town, recognised as a UNESCO World-Heritage site, preserves one of the most complete medieval urban plans in Europe, its arcaded streets and sandstone facades shaped by centuries of life along the Aare River. Meeting at Zurich Airport in the early afternoon, we transfer by private coach to Bern and check into our hotel before setting out on an orientation walk through the festively decorated historic centre. The arcades – known as the Lauben – provide a continuous sheltered promenade for our exploration. Dinner is then enjoyed in a local restaurant, followed by a glühwein tasting that introduces the seasonal traditions of the region. There is time afterwards to explore the Christmas markets at leisure before making our way back to the hotel. Overnight Bern (D)

Day 2 | Wednesday 9 December
Festive Bern
Bern’s enduring historical character lies in the remarkable preservation of its medieval core, where civic, religious and commercial life have unfolded within a largely unchanged urban framework. Following a morning talk in the hotel, we set out for an in-depth exploration of the Old Town. Here we visit the Bern Münster, begun in the 15th century, whose intricate Gothic detailing and commanding spire reflect the city’s ambitions in the late medieval period. Our walk also includes entry to the Zytglogge, a medieval clock tower built in the early 13th century that has served as a guard tower, prison, timekeeper and civic memorial. Lunch is then enjoyed in a local restaurant before we visit the Einstein Museum, where exhibits trace Albert Einstein’s years in Bern and the development of his 1905 ‘Annus Mirabilis’ papers. In the late afternoon, we make our way to the Christmas markets at Münsterplatz, where stalls gather beneath the cathedral. Overnight Bern (B, L)

Day 3 | Thursday 10 December
Basel & Strasbourg
Basel has long occupied a strategic position on the Rhine, developing as a centre of trade, scholarship and artistic exchange at the meeting point of Switzerland, France and Germany. Departing Bern by coach today, we first arrive in Basel and begin with a visit to the Kunstmuseum, home to the oldest public art collection in the world. Its holdings span the late Middle Ages to the modern period, reflecting the city’s enduring engagement with European artistic traditions. A guided walk through the Old Town follows, including the Basel Münster, whose red sandstone towers rise above the Rhine and have defined the skyline since the 12th century. From the cathedral precinct, we trace the city’s development through its principal squares and buildings. We then break for lunch at the Christmas markets, offering an opportunity to explore Basel’s seasonal stalls at leisure. In the afternoon, we continue by coach across the border into France, arriving in Strasbourg and transferring to our hotel. After time to settle in, we visit the nearby Christmas markets before dinner at Maison Kammerzell, one of the city’s most historic restaurants, set within a richly decorated timber-framed building overlooking the cathedral square. Overnight Strasbourg (B, D)

Day 4 | Friday 11 December
Strasbourg & Colmar
Strasbourg’s reputation as the ‘Capital of Christmas’ rests on a tradition dating back to the 16th century, when its markets first emerged as part of the city’s winter life. Following a morning talk in the hotel, we set out to explore the historic centre, including a visit to the Strasbourg Münster. Its richly articulated Gothic facade and soaring spire speak to the city’s medieval wealth and ambition. Lunch is then enjoyed in a local restaurant before we travel to Colmar, one of Alsace’s most distinctive towns. On arrival, we walk to the Musée Unterlinden, housed in a 13th-century Dominican convent and home to an important collection of medieval art. A guided walk through the Old Town follows, where timber-framed houses, canals and decorated squares reflect the region’s architectural traditions. The afternoon is then devoted to Colmar’s Christmas markets before returning to Strasbourg in the early evening. Here there is time to further explore the local markets, including those at Place du Marché-aux-Poissons. Overnight Strasbourg (B, L)

Day 5 | Saturday 12 December
Fine Art & Fine Wine
Strasbourg reveals its cultural and gastronomic character in equal measure today. We begin at the Museum of Fine Arts, housed in the elegant Baroque Palais Rohan. Its collection spans the Renaissance to the 19th century, with works by Botticelli and Raphael, as well as Rubens, Van Dyck, Delacroix and Courbet, offering a concise survey of European painting within a grand historic setting. There will be free time to explore the emblematic Christkindelsmärik in Place Broglie. Established almost four centuries ago, it is the oldest Christmas market in France. As we meander through its wooden chalets, the atmosphere makes clear why Strasbourg is known as the Capital of Christmas. Later, we meet our coach and venture into the Alsatian countryside, where vineyards stretch along the lower slopes of the Vosges. This is a region shaped by its terroir and long wine-making tradition, particularly celebrated for its aromatic Gewurztraminer and structured Riesling. This evening we dine at L’Ami Fritz, an 18th-century winstub known for its timbered interiors and longstanding commitment to traditional Alsatian cuisine. A carefully composed menu is paired with local wines, reflecting the character of the surrounding vineyards. We return to our hotel in Strasbourg later in the evening. Overnight Strasbourg (B, D)

Day 6 | Sunday 13 December
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Rothenburg ob der Tauber offers an unusually complete survival of a late medieval imperial city, its fortifications, street plan and architecture little altered since the 15th and 16th centuries. Departing Strasbourg today for Rothenburg, we visit the Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas Museum on arrival, where displays trace the development of festive traditions from the 19th and 20th centuries. After time to check-in to our hotel, we then explore the historic centre on foot, moving through its narrow streets and market squares to the Church of St James. This 15th-century Lutheran church houses the High Altar by Tilman Riemenschneider, a masterwork of late medieval wood carving. Later in the afternoon, we return to the church for a private organ recital, offering a different perspective on the building’s acoustic and liturgical setting. Dinner follows back at our hotel. Overnight Rothenburg ob der Tauber (B, D)

Day 7 | Monday 14 December
Würzburg
Würzburg’s development reflects the power and ambition of its prince-bishops, whose patronage transformed the city into one of the principal centres of Baroque architecture in Germany. Today we travel through the Franconian countryside to Würzburg, pausing en route at the monastery of Oberzell. Here we view the church and staircase designed by Balthasar Neumann, whose work would come to define the architectural character of Würzburg. Continuing to the city, we arrive late morning and begin an orientation walk through the historic centre. There is a break for lunch before we continue with a guided visit to the Würzburg Residence, one of the most important Baroque palaces in Europe. Commissioned in the early 18th century for the prince-bishops, its richly decorated interiors reflect a synthesis of German, French and Viennese influences. In the late afternoon, we visit the Christmas markets set around the town square, where seasonal stalls gather beneath the Marienkapelle. On our return to Rothenburg, the evening is at leisure. Overnight Rothenburg ob der Tauber (B)

Day 8 | Tuesday 15 December
Nuremberg & Salzburg
Nuremberg occupies a central place in the cultural and political history of the Holy Roman Empire, later emerging as a leading centre of the German Renaissance. Departing Rothenburg by coach today, we travel to Nuremberg and begin with a visit to the Germanisches Nationalmuseum, whose collections trace the development of German-speaking cultures from the early Middle Ages to the modern period.
A short walking tour through the Old Town follows, taking in key landmarks before concluding at the Christkindlesmarkt, one of the most established Christmas markets in Europe. There is a break for lunch here, with time to explore the stalls and sample regional specialities. In the early afternoon, we continue by coach towards Austria, pausing en route for rest breaks as we cross into the Alpine landscape. Arriving in Salzburg in the evening, we check into our hotel before dinner at the Pitterkeller, where traditional Austrian cuisine is served in a historic vaulted setting. Overnight Salzburg (B, D)

Day 9 | Wednesday 16 December
Salzburg’s Music Heritage
Salzburg’s cultural identity is inseparable from its musical traditions, shaped by ecclesiastical patronage and its role within the Holy Roman Empire. Our morning begins in nearby Oberndorf, where the ‘Silent Night’ Chapel marks the site of the carol’s first performance in 1818. A visit to the adjoining museum traces the origins and global spread of this enduring piece of music before we return to Salzburg. On arrival, lunch is enjoyed at M32, where expansive views extend across the Baroque skyline to the fortress above, and in the afternoon, we explore the historic centre on a guided walking tour, taking in the Mirabell Gardens, the Getreidegasse and the cathedral precinct shaped by the Prince-Archbishops. We also visit Mozart’s birthplace, now a museum that documents his early life and musical development. The day concludes with time at the Salzburg Christkindlmarkt, where the city’s central squares are filled with seasonal stalls. Overnight Salzburg (B, L)

Day 10 | Thursday 17 December
Salzkammergut & Hellbrunn Palace
The Salzkammergut lake district has long been associated with imperial retreat and artistic inspiration, its alpine landscapes shaping both regional identity and cultural life in Austria. This morning we travel to St Gilgen on the shores of Lake Wolfgang, known as the birthplace of Mozart’s mother. A short visit offers time to take in the lakeside setting before continuing to St Wolfgang. Arriving late morning, we explore the town and its Christmas markets, set against the backdrop of the lake and surrounding mountains. Lunch is enjoyed at the historic Weisses Rössl, followed by time to visit the parish church and view the celebrated altarpiece by Michael Pacher, one of the most important works of late Gothic art in the region. Returning to Salzburg in the afternoon, we then visit Hellbrunn Palace, a 17th-century residence built for the Prince-Archbishops. During Advent, its facade is transformed into a large-scale calendar, with illuminated windows marking the season. A farewell dinner follows at Schlosswirt zu Anif, known for its refined Austrian cuisine, before returning to the hotel. Overnight Salzburg (B, L, D)

Day 11 | Friday 18 December
Departure
Our tour ends today after breakfast, and there will be a group transfer arranged to Munich airport to meet departing flights. (B)