One of the best things about travelling, is the experiences it allows you to have, especially when those experiences are not something we have easy access to on a daily basis close to home. This December (probably the 5th) we are looking at heading to Europe to experience something we don’t have here in Australia – a white winter, and the German Christmas Markets.

Ever since the 1300’s there has been some form of Christmas Markets in Germany especially in the areas around Rothenburg ob de Tauber, Wurzenburg and Bamburg. What this tour we are proposing will do will allow you to travel to Europe, see some of the highlights of Germany’s historical sights at a unique time of year, combined with a long running event that is even today still a unique experience. The Historic wooden and cobbled towns will be dusted with snow, adorned with decorations and lit up late into the night so one can explore the culinary delights of Germany, sample fine German wines, and enjoy the Christmas Markets. A fantastic opportunity for the shopper or those who enjoy experiencing unique cultural events.

For the shopper though you will have the unique opportunity to uncover traditionally made toys alongside their contemporary counterparts, you will find stalls of hand crafted and intricately detailed Christmas decorations, as well as a number of stalls, booths and shop fronts that will selling wonderful sweets, foods and drinks .. some of which are only regularly made during this of the year, and in some cases by tradition only consumed on certain dates!

A perfect winter getaway mixed with a magical taste of Christmas. For those that are considering coming along on this experience you will have the opportunity of getting first class service from your local tour manager plus the tour escort who will journey ex-Sydney (with minimum numbers). You will have the unique experience of attending an evening choral concert at the Benedictine Abbey in Amorbach. You will visit the medieval town of Rothunburg ob de Tauber, as well as Wertheim with its Glass Museum, Miltenburg with is Half Timbered Houses, and more. Then there is the whole Christmas Market experience as you visit a number of markets including Nurembergs fames “Christkindlemarkt”, Wurzburgs Christmas Markets and Kathe Wolfhart’s World Famouse Christmas Village Shop.

Expected land Itinerary:

Day One: Arrive in Frankfurt

Meet and greet at Frankfurt Airport with the specialist tour manager and a transfer to the deluxe coach to start the tour. Drive to Rothenburg ob der Tauber; a beautiful small town with medieval buildings and cobbled streets. Time at leisure to explore the town, take a horse and carriage ride or walk the restored city walls. Dinner in a local ‘gasthaus’ and an overnight stay at the hotel.

Day Two: The Shopping Begins 

Today the serious business starts with a visit to the Käthe Wohlfahrt’s world famous Christmas village shop.  A true cavern of delight full of decorations. In the afternoon and evening 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. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day Three: Wertheim/Miltenburg/Amorbach 

Today travel to Wertheim to visit the glass museum and watch demonstrations of the production and design from the traditional to the modern. Continue to Miltenburg, with its half timbered houses, for a short stop to indulge in the local biscuits and coffee. Onto to Amorbach for an evening choral concert in its Benedictine abbey, accompanied by its famous baroque organ. Return to Rothenburg ob der Tauber for an overnight stay.

Day Four: Wuerzburg Christmas Market 

Morning at leisure to explore and shop or just relax and take in the atmosphere. Afternoon excursion to the Wuerzburg Christmas Market; one of the most atmospheric in Germany held against the historical backdrop of the Gothic St. Mary’s Chapel and the ‘Falkenhaus’ Rococco mansion.  A delightful selection of Christmas goods are on offer here at the beautifully decorated wooden booths. The town hall’s historical courtyard also hosts an artists’ Christmas market. Return in the early evening to Rothenburg ob der Tauber for an overnight stay.

Day Five: Bamberg 

The morning free to explore and shop, or just relax and take in the atmosphere. An afternoon excursion to Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage site, including visits to the town hall and cathedral.  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 ob der Tauber.

Day Six: Nuremburg 

Travel to Nuremberg to take a city tour starting with 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 (Hauptmarkt): In the heart of the old quarter is the setting for the annual ceremony at which the ‘Christkindl’ or Christ Child opens 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, Nuremberg ‘bratwurst’, roasted almonds and ‘glühwein’. Younger visitors can enjoy the ‘Kinderweihnacht’  or children’s Christmas where a magnificent, traditional carousel comes complete with an upper tier, reindeer figures and Santa’s sleigh. Return in the evening happy, full and contented to Rothenburg ob der Tauber for an overnight stay at the hotel.

Day Seven: Depart for Home

Last minute shopping and the last chance to savour a sweet pastry or glass of ‘gluhwein’, before heading back to Frankfurt airport for the return flight home.

At this stage we would need a minimum of 10 travellers to get this tour away, and we would restrict the tour group size to 16, we prefer to keep our groups smaller as not only is it more intimate, but it allows greater access to guides and tour escorts, and allows us to add in the occasional unexpected surprise. So if you think that perhaps you would like to see some of Europe”s most incredible towns, at a time of year when the weather is unlike that experienced in Australia and when one of the worlds most unique regional experiences is available? Then Contact us now to let us know you are interested in coming!

Just call (02) 4421 5577 or e-mail nowra@mytravelexpert.com.au