Itinerary Details
German Christmas Markets Escape
Day 1: ARRIVE IN BERLIN, GERMANY Willkommen in Berlin! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)
Day 2: BERLIN Festive Lights & Historic Sights This morning, join your Local Guide for a sightseeing tour of Berlin featuring views of the State Opera House, Museum Island, the Reichstag, Tiergarten Park, and the elegant Ku'Damm. Stop for photos at the iconic Brandenburg Gate, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, and the poignant Holocaust Memorial. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy at leisure, perhaps begin your festive celebrations with a visit to one of Berlin's enchanting Christmas markets, where glowing lights, handcrafted treasures, and steaming mugs of Glühwein bring centuries-old holiday traditions to life. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Discover the historic heart of Berlin dressed in its festive winter splendour. Stop at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, the symbolic heart of West Berlin, whose striking towers stand as a powerful reminder of peace and reconciliation. Visit the vast Holocaust Memorial, a moving tribute to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust, before continuing to the iconic Brandenburg Gate, Berlin's most famous landmark and enduring symbol of unity. Along the way, enjoy the city's festive atmosphere, with Christmas decorations, seasonal markets, and holiday traditions, bringing a touch of Christmas spirit to the German capital.
Day 3: BERLIN-MAGDEBURG-QUEDLINBURG A Dash of Whimsy Depart Berlin this morning and travel to Magdeburg, once the seat of Emperor Otto I and a medieval powerhouse. Enjoy free time to explore its streets, which range from the quaint to the quirky, taking in highlights such as the magnificent Gothic Cathedral, the historic Old Market Square, and Hundertwasser’s colorful and eccentric Green Citadel. Browse Saxony-Anhalt’s largest Christmas market, where festive stalls, seasonal treats, and local delicacies provide the perfect opportunity for lunch. Continue onwards to Quedlinburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval towns and a true hidden gem. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME Glühwein, Germany's beloved mulled wine, literally translates as "glow wine," a nod to the red-hot irons once used to heat it. While cinnamon, cloves, citrus, and red wine form the classic recipe, there is no single version, with each region adding its own festive twist. Served in collectible ceramic mugs that are often unique to each market and year, it makes a great festive souvenir. In Magdeburg, you'll be spoiled for choice, with more than 50 varieties of Glühwein available!
Day 4: QUEDLINBURGFestive Pyramids This morning, join your Tour Director for an orientation tour of Quedlinburg, taking in the highlights of its UNESCO-listed Old Town. Wander among beautifully preserved medieval half-timbered houses lining charming, cobbled streets, and admire the atmospheric Marktplatz, festively adorned with a towering Christmas tree and traditional Christmas pyramid. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure, giving you ample time to further explore this enchanting town at your own pace. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Standing against a backdrop of medieval buildings is Quedlinburg’s giant Christmas Pyramid, an ornate wooden structure that beautifully combines centuries-old German tradition with ingenious 18th-century technology. This multi-tiered festive landmark is decorated with Nativity scenes, angels, miners, traditional figures, and candles. Originally, the heat from the candles powered a rotor, setting the tiers gently in motion. Today, the mechanism is electric, but the magic remains unchanged.
Day 5: QUEDLINBURG Advent City Enjoy a free day in Quedlinburg to discover more of this delightful town. Visit a museum or soak up the Christmas atmosphere as you browse the Christmas market and cobbled streets. Sample local specialties at one of the stalls or in one of the many cafes. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
Quedlinburg is often known as the “Advent City”, and during the festive season it truly lives up to its name. Each evening from 1 to 23 December, the town transforms into a living Advent calendar as a different decorated window is ceremonially opened, accompanied by music, performances, or festive storytelling. On selected Advent weekends, many of the town’s historic courtyards are also opened to the public, each offering its own unique festive atmosphere, from local crafts and traditional Nativity scenes to seasonal treats and live entertainment. Together, these enchanting traditions create a magical Christmas experience unlike any other.
Day 6: QUEDLINBURG-HALLE-LEIPZIG Musical Roots This morning, travel to Halle, a historic cultural city and the birthplace of Handel, composer of the celebrated Messiah. Enjoy free time to explore the city centre, admire the distinctive Five Towers that define Halle's skyline, and wander through the atmospheric Market Square. Browse the festive Christmas market stalls, soak up the seasonal ambience, and perhaps visit the enchanting Arctic Village, known for its Nordic specialities and festive charm. Later, continue to Leipzig, a city renowned for its rich musical heritage and former home to Bach, Mendelssohn, and Wagner. An orientation tour will introduce you to the city's principal sights before the remainder of the evening is yours to enjoy. Perhaps browse the Christmas market and try out the local restaurant scene and sample some of the region's delicious local specialities. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
Leipzig’s Christmas Market is one of Germany’s oldest, with records dating back to 1458. Today, it is also one of the country’s largest, with more than 300 festive stalls spread throughout the historic city centre. As you wander between beautifully decorated squares and wooden chalets, Leipzig’s rich musical heritage is never far away. Each evening during the Christmas market season, brass musicians perform seasonal favourites from the balcony of the Old Town Hall, filling the city with the sound of Christmas and adding to its magical festive atmosphere.
Day 7: LEIPZIGSugar, Spice & Everything Nice Enjoy a free day in Leipzig, discovering more of this vibrant city at your own pace. Wander through its historic streets, soak up the festive atmosphere of the Christmas markets, or visit one of the many museums and musical landmarks that celebrate the city's rich cultural heritage. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Dresden to explore its beautifully restored Old Town and world-famous Christmas markets. Whether in Leipzig or Dresden, be sure to sample local Saxon specialities, from hearty regional dishes to traditional Christmas treats, mulled wine, and festive delicacies served from charming cafés and bustling market stalls. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
German Christmas treats are an essential part of festive tradition. Wonderfully versatile, they make delicious seasonal snacks as well as thoughtful gifts and souvenirs. Marzipan pigs are traditionally given as symbols of good luck, prosperity, and happiness, while the famous Leipziger Lerche is a sweet pastry filled with almond paste and jam, despite its origins as a meat pie made with songbirds. Another festive favourite is Lebkuchen, the spiced gingerbread-like cake once believed to possess medicinal qualities and often baked by monks. No Christmas visit to Saxony would be complete without sampling Dresden Stollen, the region's world-famous fruit bread, rich with dried fruits, spices, and centuries of holiday tradition.
Day 8: LEIPZIG–BERLIN A Festive Farewell Travel through the winter landscapes of Saxony and Brandenburg, where forests, open farmland and charming villages offer a glimpse of Germany's quieter side before arriving in vibrant Berlin. Enjoy free time this afternoon to browse for last-minute Christmas gifts and traditional decorations or indulge in a few festive favorites from the city's seasonal markets. This evening, celebrate the conclusion of your festive journey with a farewell dinner alongside your fellow travellers. (B,D)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
Experience Berlin at its most magical during the festive season, when glittering lights, beautifully decorated squares, and more than 100 Christmas markets transform Germany's capital into a winter wonderland. Join locals as they gather to sip traditional Glühwein, browse handcrafted gifts, and savor seasonal treats, while soaking up the warm atmosphere and cherished traditions that make Christmas in Berlin so unforgettable.
Day 9: BERLIN Safe travels until we meet again!
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
