Itinerary – Magical Christmas Markets

Day 1: France – Arrival 
Meet and greet on arrival in Paris. Depart the city with your English-speaking assistant for Strasbourg. Along the way, stop in Reims, in the heart of the Champagne region. Have a private tour of a cellar to learn about the tools and techniques of Champagne-making followed by an introduction to Champagne-tasting. Continue on to Strasbourg and enjoy a three-course introduction dinner with included glass of wine. 

Day 2: Strasbourg 
Enjoy a private guided tour of the city. One of two European ‘capitals’, Strasbourg is the seat of the European Parliament and Council of Europe. Marvel at the breathtaking gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame and the enchanting historic Old Town. Spend the afternoon wandering the picturesque Petite France quarter, visiting museums, and exploring at your own pace.

Day 3: Münster Valley
Depart Strasbourg for Münster, the historic capital of Westphalia and a thriving university town transformed into a winter fairy tale for the Christmas season. Explore the local arts, taste Berawecka bread, wine and warm and of course, the famous cheese of the valley; the Munster. Our tour also includes a local wine shop stop to taste regional wines and Bredele cookies. After the tour ends at your Colmar hotel, you are free for dinner and further exploration of the city.  

Day 4:  Ribeauvillé And Colmar
Another private guided tour as we depart for Ribeauville, one of the oldest medieval towns in Alsace. Nestled between rolling hills of vineyards and the scenic Vosges Mountains, Ribeauvillé is crowned with three towering castles dating from the Middle Ages. Stroll through the charming medieval Christmas market, the air filled with the sounds of the town choir and the scent of fresh gingerbread. Return to Colmar. After a leisurely boat trip along the canals of this “Little Venice”, enjoy the rest of the day in this picturesque Alsace town with half-timbered houses and geranium-decked balconies. 

Day 5: Colmar
Enjoy a private guided visit of the Unterlinden Museum and its remarkable collection of art and historical artifacts, including the famous Renaissance masterpiece, the Issenheim Alterpiece. Spend the afternoon with our guide exploring the local wine route, then return to Colmar to experience the twinkling lights and magical beauty of the Christmas night market.  

Day 6: Eguisheim and Mulhouse
Visit the storybook village of Eguisheim for a taste of traditional Alsatian culture. Stroll the cobblestone streets, browse artisan crafts in the many Christmas market stalls, and enjoy some of the traditional Advent festivities in this beautiful town once voted “France’s Favorite Village.” Continue to Mulhouse, an enchanting city with a unique blend of French, German, and Swiss culture and influences. You’ll find14th-century stained-glass windows, Rhenish-renaissance-style façades, and the scent of cinnamon and chestnuts wafting through the air. This evening, enjoy a warm wine tasting experience.  

Day 7: Freiburg And Ravenna Gorge
Venture again into Germany through the famous Black Forest today with a visit to the lively university town of Freiburg. Sample some striebele at a local bakery, explore the historic squares and see the city’s unique Bächle, tiny streams that flow through the Old Town’s streets in paved gutters dating from the 12th century. After free time to walk the Christmas market, continue to the first and only Christmas market located in a gorge, right under the railway viaduct of the Devil ‘s Valley Railway in the Black Forest Highlands. Enjoy a traditional German dinner here, with schäufele (smoked pork shoulder) and käsespätzle (egg pasta with cheese).  

Day 8: Gengenbach And Stuttgart
Experience the charms of Gengenbach, a picturesque German town famous for its colorful architecture. Enjoy the classic market, Christmas carols, festive music and a delicious Schnapps experience at a local distillery. Next is, Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt, one of the oldest and most traditional Christmas markets in Germany. Browse the hundreds of elaborately decorated artisan stalls with a view of the magnificent Old Castle, savor some hot mulled wine and maultaschen, and delight in the city’s unmatched Christmas cheer. Tonight, enjoy some traditional German music at a local restaurant for our farewell dinner.  

Day 9: Stuttgart – Departure 
Say Auf Wiedersehen to Germany and transfer to the airport for the flight home (or optionally, remain in Germany to continue exploring).