Need to Plan a Trip? Honeymoon? Call the Gurus: 337-453-1932
Need to Plan a Trip? Honeymoon? Call the Gurus: 337-453-1932
Optional Excursions:
Romantic Christmas Market at Thurn and Taxis Palace $49
Optional Extensions:
Christmas Markets of Germany, Switzerland and France
Not Included:
$549 Cancellation Waiver & Insurance of $549 per person
MUST SEE INCLUSIONS:
Be immersed in traditions with a visit to the German Christmas Museum in Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Experience the 600-year-old tradition of Christmas markets across Germany, France and Switzerland.
Hear stories about Lucerne’s Christmas traditions as you explore the Old Town.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Join us for a cozy December journey through Germany, Switzerland, and France, where classic European Christmas markets, historic town squares, and relaxed winter sightseeing come together in one hosted small‑group trip.
You’ll spend several nights across charming cities and towns, with guided walking tours, visits to well‑known and local Christmas markets, and free time to browse shops, sample regional food and wine, and take photos at your own pace. Centrally located hotels, help with logistics, and on‑trip support from Sandra and Nancy mean you can simply enjoy the lights, music, and holiday atmosphere while still feeling prepared, supported, and comfortable in colder weather.
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES:
Stroll the fairy-tale streets of this perfectly preserved walled town, visiting its famous Christmas market and museum filled with year-round holiday ornaments and traditions.
Meander through Colmar’s storybook canals and half-timbered homes, where the “Little Venice” Christmas market offers artisan stalls, lights, and easy access to French-Alsatian holiday cheer.
Enjoy a gentle cruise on Lake Lucerne’s clear waters, taking in snow-capped Swiss Alps, lakeside villages, and festive lights from the comfort of a heated boat.
CULINARY INCLUSIONS:
Explore this UNESCO-listed medieval city with its historic stone bridge and sausage kitchens, where the Christmas market fills the old town square with traditional Bavarian treats and decorations.
You’re on your way with Sandra and Nancy to discover the cozy holiday world of Christmas markets across Germany, Switzerland, and France.
This hosted small-group trip takes you through six charming cities and towns, each with its own festive markets, local foods, and winter lights, all at a comfortable pace.
Rest up on your flight—upon arrival, you’ll settle into your first hotel and start enjoying guided walks, hands-on experiences, and free time to explore as you like.
With everything planned from logistics to weather tips, you can focus on the season’s warmth and making new connections with fellow travelers.
Welcome to the beginning of our “Christmas Markets of Germany, Switzerland and France” tour.
Welcome to Regensburg, a charming Bavarian city in the heart of Germany that comes alive with holiday cheer during Christmas market season.
Since arrival times vary after your overnight flight, there’s no group sightseeing today, so you can settle into your hotel, take a relaxed walk through the old town, or find a cozy café at your own pace.
Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner to share first impressions and soak in the festive lights and atmosphere around you.
Dinner is included.
Join a local guide this morning to explore Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities, walking past the historic Old Stone Bridge over the Danube—the first of its kind—and the ancient Porta Praetoria Roman gate from A.D. 179.
Stroll through the lively Old Town amid the holiday bustle, stopping to taste traditional Bavarian specialties like sausages and pretzels that locals love during Christmas season.
The afternoon is free for you to wander the Old Town’s Christmas markets at your own pace, soaking in the warm gemütlichkeit atmosphere, or join an optional excursion to the Romantic Christmas Market at Thurn and Taxis Palace for extra lights and stalls.
Breakfast is included.
This morning, head into the heart of Franconia to the picturesque walled town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, where you’ll visit the German Christmas Museum to see glittering glass ornaments, nutcrackers, pyramids, and other holiday traditions up close.
Step through exhibits that bring Christmases past to life in a way that’s fun and easy to take in, giving you a real feel for German holiday customs without rushing.
Later this afternoon, continue into the Black Forest region, known for its cuckoo clock makers and Hummel figurines, before settling into your hotel for a cozy dinner with views of the evergreen mountains.
Breakfast & Dinner are included.
This morning, travel to Strasbourg, where centuries of Roman, French, and German influences come together in a unique cultural blend you’ll notice in the architecture, food, and holiday traditions.
Join a guided walking tour of the Old Quarter and the enchanting “Petite France” neighborhood, with its half-timbered houses, picturesque canals, and covered bridges, plus a stop at the stunning Cathedral of Notre Dame known for its astronomical clock and Gothic details—all at a comfortable pace with time to ask questions.
The rest of the day is yours to soak in the magical holiday atmosphere of the “Capital of Christmas,” wandering its grand Christmas markets with wooden chalets, local wines, gingerbread, and lights, or finding a quiet café overlooking the canals.
Later, gather for dinner at a local restaurant to enjoy famous Alsace specialties like choucroute garnie, tarte flambée, or fresh foie gras in a warm, welcoming setting.
Breakfast & Dinner are included.
This morning, explore Freiburg’s Old Town with a choice of locally guided tours designed to suit your interests.
Today is your choice! Join a historic city tour through medieval streets, hearing stories of Freiburg’s past from iconic sites like the Gothic Münster Cathedral to quieter hidden corners—or choose a tour focused on the city’s Christmas heritage, tracing holiday traditions through the historic center.
Spend the afternoon at your leisure enjoying Freiburg’s Christmas markets, browsing stalls with local crafts and treats while feeling the unique cultural mix shaped by nearby France and Switzerland.
Tonight, relax with dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Breakfast & Dinner are included.
Today, spend time in Colmar soaking up its festive fairy-tale charm with twinkling lights, holiday decorations, and cheerful Christmas markets set among half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and inviting cafés.
This is one of those special places many travelers remember and want to revisit, so take your time browsing stalls, sampling local treats, and enjoying the relaxed holiday vibe at your own pace.
This afternoon, head to Lucerne, the “City of Lights” nestled between breathtaking mountains and a beautiful lake, ready for you to explore its festive streets, shops, and scenic waterfront.
Breakfast is included.
This morning, stroll through Lucerne’s Old Town with a local guide as winter’s chill blends with the warm scents of cinnamon and mulled wine, hearing stories about the city’s history amid its festive holiday glow.
Spend the afternoon on your own exploring the Christmas lights and shops in this romantic Swiss gem, one of the country’s top destinations, at whatever pace feels right for you.
Later, enjoy a relaxing cruise on Lake Lucerne with stunning winter mountain views all around, before gathering with your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner featuring hearty Swiss specialties.
Breakfast & Dinner are included.
Your festive journey through the Christmas markets of Germany, Switzerland, and France comes to a close today, leaving you with warm memories of twinkling lights, local treats, and shared moments with fellow travelers.
From Regensburg’s medieval charm and Rothenburg’s holiday museum to Strasbourg’s Petite France, Colmar’s fairy-tale streets, Freiburg’s cultural mix, and Lucerne’s scenic lake cruise, this trip has blended guided discoveries, free time to explore, and cozy group dinners at a comfortable pace.
Now head home with stories, photos, and perhaps a few handmade ornaments to treasure. Safe travels, and we hope to see you on another adventure soon!
Breakfast is included.
Romantic Christmas Market at Thurn and Taxis Palace $49
Experience the beauty and magic of the Romantic Christmas Market at Thurn and Taxis Castle in Regensburg. Begin with the guided tour of St. Emmeram Palace for insight into 500 years in the history of the House of Thurn and Taxis, taking in the medieval atmosphere in the cloister and the Rococo splendor of the palace. Then, take in the festive atmosphere of the enchanting Christmas market in the palace courtyard, gently lit by torches, lanterns and candles. Feel as though you’ve stepped back in time as you make your way through the stalls of festive wooden huts and explore artisan crafts and traditional Bavarian specialties. Experience one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Bavaria.
Colmar at Christmas
Visit Colmar during this most wonderful time of the year. The picturesque town in the Alsace region of northeastern France,
known for its well-preserved medieval and Renaissance architecture, exudes a fairy-tale charm, especially during the holiday
season. Transformed into a winter wonderland by its Christmas markets, festive lights, and decorations, the town buzzes with
seasonal activities. Indulge in the local delicacies, as the Christmas markets are a great place to sample seasonal Alsace
specialties like pain d’épices (spiced bread) or bredele (Christmas cookies). An opportunity to visit Colmar at Christmastime is
not to be missed!
Stroll the fairy-tale streets of this perfectly preserved walled town, visiting its famous Christmas market and museum filled with year-round holiday ornaments and traditions.
Meander through Colmar’s storybook canals and half-timbered homes, where the “Little Venice” Christmas market offers artisan stalls, lights, and easy access to French-Alsatian holiday cheer.
Enjoy a gentle cruise on Lake Lucerne’s clear waters, taking in snow-capped Swiss Alps, lakeside villages, and festive lights from the comfort of a heated boat.
Explore this UNESCO-listed medieval city with its historic stone bridge and sausage kitchens, where the Christmas market fills the old town square with traditional Bavarian treats and decorations.
Drive through the snowy evergreen landscapes of Germany’s Black Forest region, stopping for cuckoo clock shops, cozy villages, and fresh Black Forest cake in a winter wonderland setting.
Walk the timber-framed houses and canals of Strasbourg’s enchanting “Little France” neighborhood, home to one of Europe’s grandest Christmas markets with Alsatian wines and gingerbread.
Day 1 Overnight Flight
Days 2, 3 Novotel Regensburg Zentrum, Regensburg
Days 4 – 6 Hofgut Sternen, Titisee
Days 7, 8 Hotel Astoria Lucerne, Lucerne
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Book Now rates valid until Jun 02, 2026, valid on air inclusive packages only.
Economy air rate and schedule are applicable for groups of 10 or more traveling on the same flights and dates.
The overall activity level of this tour is a level 3. This means you’re an on-the-go traveler. You don’t want to miss a thing, so walking and standing for longer periods of time (2-3 hours) isn’t a big deal. A moderately paced two-and-a-half-hour walking tour, covering several miles, hills, and uneven surfaces, is no problem for you. Walking four miles over the course of a day is very doable, as is climbing into and out of various modes of transportation (tuk-tuk, cable car, zodiac, etc.). You can climb three flights of stairs easily and handle altitudes between 6,000 and 9,000 feet. Expect some longer days with early mornings or late nights balanced with free time to recharge or set out on your own adventure. This level is not a fit for travelers who require mobility assistance devices.
Travel with an average of 37 people (maximum of 44).
*Regensburg Old Town will typically have several Christmas markets within a 30-minute walking distance radius.
**German Christmas Museum is in a historic building, and the rooms and corridors are small and narrow. There are 50 steps to enter the museum with no handrails available. The museum is not suitable for mobility assistance device use.
Some of the most unique sightseeing can mean accessing locations that restrict motor coaches, especially when visiting Strasbourg. Your coach will be parked in a designated area requiring a walk on cobblestones while exploring Strasbourg Old Town.
If you require any special assistance while on tour, please make us aware at time of reservation so the necessary request form can be sent to your attention.
While on tour, even if there is little or no snow, frost and ice are to be expected. Please make sure you wear suitable footwear.
This tour includes most days comprising of full touring with early morning departures and late afternoon arrivals.
The journey from Regensburg to the Black Forest covers 280 miles/450 kilometers and takes approximately 7.5 hours via coach. This travel time includes a couple of hours spent in Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
The journey from the Black Forrest to Strasbourg covers 66 miles/107 kilometers in one direction.
During the festive season, Colmar town center is closed to cars and coaches so that you can stroll around the town in complete peace and safety. Colmar transport authorities provide shuttle buses to facilitate access to shops and Christmas markets.
Due to annual fluctuations on the opening dates of some Christmas Markets and tour scheduling, if one is unavailable on a specific departure, other regional Christmas Markets may be substituted.
Single accommodations are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Single rate subject to change based on availability. Triple rooms are not available.
To complete your tour, we include round-trip airport-to-hotel transfers when purchasing our airfare with your tour. If you have arranged for your own air , we are pleased to provide you the option of purchasing these transfers. Please note that all transfers will leave at pre-scheduled times.
Our transfers will depart from Munich airport for Regensburg; approximate travel time is 1.5 hours (64 miles/103 kilometers) depending on traffic.
Our transfers will depart Lucerne for Zürich airport; approximate travel time is 1 hour (36 miles/58 kilometers) depending on traffic.
Our air travelers will arrive into Munich, Germany airport and depart from Zürich, Switzerland airport.
For air-inclusive reservations, the name provided at time of booking must match your government-issued ID that will be used during travel. Name changes are subject to penalties.
Passports are required for this tour at your expense. Certain countries require that your passport be valid at least 6 months beyond the dates of your travel. You are strongly urged to contact the appropriate consulate for details. Visit www.travel.state.gov for the U.S. State Department for the latest details about passports and visa requirements.
IMPORTANT: We recommend that travelers take a photocopy of their passport and applicable visas. It should be packed separately from your actual passport and visa. We also recommend leaving a copy at home with your emergency contact.
ETIAS visa waiver requirements are anticipated to begin during the last quarter of 2026, for a fee, when visiting a Schengen Area Country. To identify Schengen Area Countries and to complete the ETIAS application, please visit https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en
Collette will provide all necessary information, updates and supporting documents for your travel requirements, including visa and Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETAs), approximately 60-90 days prior to your departure.
