Highlights
- Ride the beloved Baroque Carousel at Frankfurt's Old Town Christmas market
- Experience centuries-old festive traditions on Nuremberg's Medieval streets
- Taste genuine Christstollen (fruit cake) at Germany's oldest market in Dresden
- Shop for authentic, handmade Christmas crafts at Berlin's Gendarmenmarkt
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Frankfurt, Frankfurt Christmas Market | Frankfurt |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Nuremberg, Visit Rothenburg & Nuremberg Christmas Markets | Nuremberg |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Dresden, Tour Dresden's Christmas Markets | Dresden |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Berlin, Explore the Highlights & Gendarmenmarkt | Berlin |
| Day 5 | Depart Berlin |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Frankfurt, Frankfurt Christmas Market
Welcome to Germany! Your private driver will meet you at the airport and transport you to your hotel. Take some time to settle in and relax, then head out to the heart of Frankfurt's Old Town, where its well-loved Christmas market is located. A private tour of the market will also give you time to explore some of the city's highlights—the Town Hall, Old Saint Nicholas Church, and quaint Römerberg area are all located within the market. Your guide will take you around the sights and stalls, so you'll soon be fluent in Frankfurt's Christmas customs.
You'll find the lights, decorations, mulled wine, sizzling sausages, and tasty gingerbread that are traditional around the country, but be sure also to sample the local specialty, Bethmännchen cookies made from marzipan and almonds. Don't forget to take your inner child for a spin on the historic Baroque carousel! Savor the atmosphere and shop for a few souvenirs as you make your way around the elaborate stands that make Frankfurt's market one of Germany's most beautiful.
Day 2: Transfer to Nuremberg, Visit Rothenburg & Nuremberg Christmas Markets
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Continue to your next Christmas highlight today, Nuremberg. Along the 2.5-hour drive, your guide will take you to the medieval city of Rothenburg. Packed with medieval architecture and half-timbered houses, its cobblestoned streets make a fairytale-like picture all hung with festive lights. Your guide will lead you through the Old Town—you'll have the choice to visit either St. Jacob's Church or the Medieval Crime Museum, whichever piques your interest—and its quaint Christmas market, the Reiterlesmarkt.
Later in the day, your driver will take you to the Nuremberg Christmas Market, one of Germany's most famous and impressive. The city jealously defends its authenticity, strictly forbidding non-traditional decorations and merchandise. With its old-fashioned carousel, Ferris wheel, and steam train, all in immaculately-preserved medieval surroundings, this market isn't short on charm. Savor traditional treats while your guide explains German Christmas traditions, such as the Christkind (you won't hear much about Santa here). Be sure to admire the array of Zwetschgenmännle, little dolls made from walnuts and prunes purchased by tourists and locals alike to bring good luck.
Day 3: Transfer to Dresden, Tour Dresden's Christmas Markets
Today's transfer takes you 3.5 hours northeast to Dresden, where you'll stroll through the Striezelmarkt—packed with history, Germany's oldest Christmas market has seen people gathering here for almost 600 years. This market is just the start, however—you'll hit at least 10 other markets as you stroll through the main highlights of the city. You'll also have plenty of opportunity to admire the architecture of some of the city's impressive monuments, such as the Semper Opera House and Zwinger Palace, while your guide explains a little of the city's fascinating history.
As you head through the cluster of markets, each with its distinct character, be sure to sample local specialties such as Christstollen. You can't miss the world's largest Christmas pyramid, which dominates the Striezelmarkt at about 50 feet (14.6 m) tall. Enjoy a meal of fresh, hot fare—and who could turn down just one more little piece of gingerbread and a mug of mulled wine? Pay a little extra to keep the mug as a souvenir, then head back to your accommodation for the night.
Day 4: Transfer to Berlin, Explore the Highlights & Gendarmenmarkt
The penultimate day of your trip starts with a transfer just over two hours north to Berlin. Germany's capital hosts over 100 Christmas markets each year, and your tour today will take you to the very best of them. Starting at the iconic Brandenburger Tor, you'll stroll your way past some of the city's highlights while your guide talks you through the historical context of celebrating Christmas in a divided city—you'll see remnants of the Berlin Wall and make a stop at Checkpoint Charlie. You'll also learn about when the wall came down in time for Christmas, finally allowing families to be reunited for the festivities.
Arriving at the Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin's most popular Christmas market, you'll be enveloped in a warm, festive, atmosphere—find a cozy spot and enjoy all your favorite treats. Don't forget to try a plate of Berlin's ever-popular Cold War-era delicacy, currywurst, a tasty bratwurst smothered in a tomato-curry sauce. This market also houses several gourmet restaurants in heated tents, so don't stop at just one snack. The tour concludes here, but your evening doesn't have to—there are plenty of other markets to visit and Berlin's legendary nightlife to enjoy!
Day 5: Depart Berlin
Today marks the end of your Christmas market tour. There's not much action market-wise in the mornings, so head out and do a little shopping or visit an iconic sight like the Reichstag or the TV Tower. Christmas markets tend to open at about noon, so if time allows, sneak in another one or two in the early afternoon—there are several located centrally. Head to the Christmas market at Potsdamer Platz, and you can also have some fun sledding and ice skating at the adjacent Winter World before heading out to the airport to catch your flight. Auf Wiedersehen!
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