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7-Nights German Christmas Markets from $2,695

Trafalgar

OFFER ID 1544804

German Christmas Markets
Travel to the enchanting land of Germany's Christmas markets, sharing the festive season spirit and Gemütlichkeit of the locals amidst rousing oompah music and the spicy scents of Glühwein.


Dining Summary

  • 7 Breakfast (B)
  • 4 Dinner (D)
Be My Guest
  • Berlin: Join Camilla and Elisa in their cozy cafe in Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg for a warm and welcoming evening. Enjoy a traditional three-course German dinner as your hosts share their stories, their passion for local cuisine, and a deeper perspective into this vibrant neighborhood’s history and culture.
Dive into Culture
  • Dresden: Experience the delights of Germany's oldest and most traditional Christmas market - Dresden's Striezelmarkt. The blaze of lights, the scent of mulled wine and Christmas music make this once-in-a-lifetime visit a pleasure for all the senses.
Iconic Experience
  • Frankfurt: Spend the day exploring the sights of Frankfurt.
  • Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Encircled by intact medieval walls, Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of Germany’s best-preserved towns. Wander its cobbled lanes, admire colorful half-timbered houses and see the Old Town Hall and market square.
  • Eisenach: During your visit to Eisenach, see the imposing Wartburg Castle.
  • Erfurt: Take in the dazzling decorations of Erfurt's Christmas Market, set against a backdrop of St. Mary's Cathedral and St. Severus Church.
  • Leipzig: Renowned for its musical and culinary delights, the Leipzig Christmas Market is one of the most beautiful in Germany, with around 300 stalls located on the city’s historic market square. Enjoy its great traditions, which date back to the 15th century, on your orientation with your Travel Director.
  • Berlin: Take in panoramic views of the city from the observation platform of the Berlin TV Tower.
  • Berlin: During a sightseeing tour with your Local Specialist, admire Berlin landmarks like the Tiergarten and the neo- Renaissance Reichstag.
Must-see Highlights
  • Explore Berlin
  • Discover Frankfurt, Rothenburg, Nuremberg, Erfurt, Weimar, Leipzig and Dresden
  • Visit the Christmas Markets of Rothenburg, Nuremberg, Wartburg Castle in Eisenach (Sat/Sun only), Erfurt Weimar, Leipzig, Dresden, and the Berlin TV Tower
  • View the Opera House and Zwinger Palace in Dresden and the Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag Building in Berlin

Whats Included
  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Must-see sightseeing
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Optional Experiences and free time
  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized


7 nights from $2,695 per person

Itinerary
Click here for Full Itinerary Details
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Itinerary Details

Trafalgar Tours: German Christmas Markets

Day 1 - Welcome to Frankfurt
Tame your festive wanderlust with the smells of Glühwein and Stollen on this magical journey that begins in Frankfurt. After checking in this afternoon, join your Travel Director on an orientation tour of the city's dynamic financial center and medieval Römerplatz. Later, join your fellow travelers for a light dinner and drinks.
Accommodations: Sheraton Offenbach
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 - Venture to Nuremberg
Stunning Bavarian landscapes line your journey to the medieval walled town of Rothenburg where you’ll enjoy an orientation walk with your Travel Director past picture-perfect half-timbered houses and the Old Town Hall. Savor a mouthful or two of Schneeballen or shop for gifts at the Reiterlesmarkt before continuing to Nuremberg with its mighty ramparts and St. Sebald’s Church. Our next stop is the famous Christkindlesmarkt where sweet gingerbread hearts hang from the stalls and the famous Zwetschgenmännle prune men pose in all their Christmas splendor.
Accommodations: Seminaris
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3 - Off to Weimar
Embrace hundreds of years of festive spirit at the Eisenach Christmas market* held in the UNESCO World Heritage Wartburg Castle. Ramble past sizzling Bratwurst and steaming vats of Glühwein as you soak up the magical atmosphere. Next on our Christmas wish list is Erfurt’s medieval market – its Weinachtspyramiden is the gateway to delicious aromas of schnitzel, gingerbread and egg punch, enjoyed against the backdrop of St. Mary's Cathedral and St. Severus Church. See the market Ferris wheel and Merchants’ Bridge, the longest inhabited bridge in Europe. Our final stop on our festive foray today is the UNESCO World Heritage town of Weimar, where we dine at our hotel. (*Sat/Sun only)
Accommodations: Leonardo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 - Admire Magical Leipzig and on to Dresden
Feel the festive spirit come alive as you stroll through Leipzig’s Christmas market, where over 300 glowing stalls light up the heart of Marktplatz. Sip warming glühwein, browse handcrafted treasures and soak up centuries of tradition. Then, you’re off to Dresden, the ‘Florence on the Elbe,’ where history comes to life. See the incredible post-war restoration and take in the city’s charm before returning to your hotel. The evening is yours to explore more of Dresden at your own pace.
Accommodations: Bilderberg Bellevue Dresden
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 - Discover the Festive Atmosphere at Dresden Christmas Markets Dive Into Culture
Germany’s Christmas traditions take center stage today as we Dive Into Culture and wander through Dresden’s Striezelmarkt, Germany’s oldest Christmas market. Admire the dazzling display of twinkling lights, handcrafted decorations and Christmas carols. If you’re lucky enough to visit on the second weekend in advent, pay homage to the original Dresdner Christstollen.
Accommodations: Bilderberg Bellevue Dresden
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 - Journey to Berlin
No need for Santa’s reindeer to take you sky-high—soar to the top of the Berlin TV Tower and soak up 360° views of the city. Your Local Specialist will guide you through the stories of East and West Berlin on a sightseeing tour to see iconic landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden, the Reichstag and the sprawling Tiergarten. Don’t miss the vibrant shopping and entertainment scene on Kurfürstendamm, it’s Berlin at its best. In the evening, why not join us for a memorable Optional Experience? Enjoy delicious German food, wine, beer and music in great company before you take a magical drive through the city at twilight. Watch Berlin’s iconic landmarks light up the night sky—a great way to see this remarkable capital.
Accommodations: Catalonia Berlin Mitte
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 - Explore Berlin Connect with Locals
Today is yours to explore Berlin at your leisure, or join an Optional Experience to discover Berlin’s secret past. With your Local Specialist, uncover the city’s hidden history as you visit the Holocaust Memorial, touch a section of the Berlin Wall, and see Checkpoint Charlie. Gain a fascinating understanding of Berlin’s WWII and Cold War past on this guided tour. As your journey draws to a close, enjoy a Be My Guest experience with Luis and Camilla at their cozy cafe, Raum Schwalbe. Over a traditional three-course German dinner, your hosts will share stories about their dishes and inspiration—a perfect farewell to your Christmas adventure.
Accommodations: Catalonia Berlin Mitte
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 - Farewell to Germany
For now, it’s time to bid a festive farewell to our travel companions as we return home filled with magical memories. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
Meals: Breakfast

Featured Destinations
Berlin
Berlin is without doubt the most fascinating city in Germany. Covering around 341 square miles Berlin is a unique landscape. With its numerous parks, lakes and wooded areas it is sometimes easy to forget that Berlin is the capital of Germany. The troubled history of this celebrated capital has for many years attracted tourists from around the world. It is estimated around 80% of Berlin was destroyed during the Second World War; landmarks like the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church stand as a lasting reminder of the mass destruction this city once endured. Perhaps one of Berlin's most famous landmarks is the Berlin Wall, the 'iron curtain' that divided this great city into two halves between 1961 and 1989. The East was governed by communism while the West was allowed to flourish under a democratic capitalist government. Even now, over a decade after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the differences between the former East and West are still very apparent. Berlin has an undeniable air of mystery that has always been and always will be a major draw for tourists from around the world.

Excursions

Berlin: Historic Berlin - 12 Hours

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Berlin: Historic Berlin - 12 Hours

Explore Berlin’s eclectic mix of celebrated architecture, gritty history and edgy culture. Upon arrival at Warnemünde Port you are met by your driver and privately transferred to Berlin centre, where you receive a warm welcome from your guide.

Highlights of your absorbing tour include the impressive Reichstag, complete with its stunning Norman Foster dome and the new home of the German Parliament. Lunch can be arranged for you in the spectacular setting of its roof terrace restaurant*. This afternoon’s touring includes the Brandenburg Gate, together with the spectacularly redeveloped Potsdamer Platz and nearby Checkpoint Charlie, the famous crossing point between East and West Berlin. Time permitting also visit the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, whose ruin stands as a dramatic reminder of World War II. After your visit you are privately transferred back to your ship in Warnemünde.

Highlights:

  • See some of Berlin's most impressive sights including the Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate
Tour Duration: 12 Hours

Tour Can Operate: Morning

Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information

Physical Activity Level: Light

Inclusions:
  • Private transport by luxury car or minivan
  • An expert local guide for 5 hours in Berlin
  • Entrance fees to all sights and museums
  • All taxes
     
  • Exclusions:
  • All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
  • Gratuities

Explore the Cultural Capital with focus on art (Full day excursion)

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Explore the Cultural Capital with focus on art (Full day excursion)

Highlights:

Experience the past, present and future of Berlin through its architecture, monuments and memorials
 
Excursion to be tailored to your interests, be it classical or contemporary art
 
Meet your Berlin expert and upon arrival in town and start with important cultural sites such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Dome, Unter den Linden, and Forum Fredericianum
Explore cultural highlights such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Museum Island for museum visits of your choice such as: 
 
PERGAMON MUSEUM which houses one of the greatest historic works of architecture the Pergamon Altar or the
 
NEUES MUSEUM with Berlin’s Egyptian and papyrus collection, artifacts of Pre- and Early History and other antiquities.  Must see: The Bust of Queen Nefertiti
 
Explore the ScheunenviertEl, Berlin's oldest and best preserved historic neighbourhoods, bustling with commercial galleries, boutiques and Berlin designer stores as well as site specific art hidden in courtyards
 
Optional further visit to other museum collections of interest such as the Jewish Museum, Hamburger Bahnhof- Museum of Contemporary Art, or other

Tour Duration: 10 hours
Tour can operate: Full day
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Light

Inclusions:

  • Private transfer from/to the dock or take the cruise group transfer into town
  • Privately led tour by art expert
  • Transportation by luxury car
  • All taxes
Not Included:
  • Meals
  • Admissions and museum licensing fees (can be prepaid)
  • Tipping at your discretion

Berlin visit with focus on Jewish heritage (Full day excursion)

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Berlin visit with focus on Jewish heritage (Full day excursion)

Highlights:
 
Experience the past and present of Berlin through its architecture, monuments and memorials
 
Meet your Jewish Berlin expert upon arrival in town and start with a visit at the memorial of the ‘Murdered Jews of Europe’ a field of stelae located next to Brandenburg Gate
 
Tour the Baroque city centre of Berlin with its grand squares and boulevards built in the 17th and 18th century under the Hohenzollern Kings of Prussia
 
Walk through the Forum Fredericianum – site of the infamous book burning during the Nazi regime
 
Stroll the ‘Scheunenviertel’, the former Jewish quarter with its narrow alleys, hidden courtyards and the famous ‘Neue Synagoge’
 
Visit memorials and site specific art dedicated to Jewish heritage
See the former Jewish Nursing home turned into a collection point for deportation of Berlin´s Jews
 
See the Reichstag and the ‘Topography of Terror’ located close to remains of the Wall
 
Private guided tour of the Jewish Museum, in the award winning architecture designed by Daniel Libeskind
 
En route back to the port visit the memorial, ‘Track 17’, a deportation ramp at the former Grunewald train station
 
 
Tour Duration: 10 hours
Tour can operate: Full day
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Light

Inclusions:

  • Private transfer from/to the dock or take the cruise group transfer into town
  • Privately led tour by Jewish expert
  • Transportation by luxury car
  • All taxes
Not Included:
  • Meals
  • Admissions and museum licensing fees (can be prepaid)
  • Tipping at your discretion

Explore Berlin with focus history and WWII (Full day excursion)

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Explore Berlin with focus history and WWII (Full day excursion)

Highlights:
 
Experience Berlin´s past through its architecture, monuments and memorials

Day to be tailored to your interests

Experience Berlin´s past through its architecture, monuments and memorials
Day to be tailored to your interests
 
Tour the Baroque city center with its grand squares and boulevards built in the 17th and 18th century under the Hohenzollern Kings of Prussia
 
Explore Pariser Platz, site of the world-renowned Berlin landmark, the Brandenburg Gate
 
Visit important cultural sites such as Museum Island, the Berlin Dome, Unter den Linden, Forum Fredericianum, and the Reichstag
 
See the ‘Topography of Terror’ former site of the Nazi headquarters
 
Stop at the memorial, ‘Track 17’, a former deportation ramp at the Grunewald train station
 
Experience Bernauer Strasse memorial located on the former death strip and see remains of the Wall at East Side Gallery
 
Stroll through the Scheunenviertel, the former Jewish Quarter now filled with memorials and site specific art hidden in courtyards
 
Walk through the ‘Memorial of the Murdered Jews of Europe’
 
See Tempelhof Airport, heart of the Berlin airlift during the Cold War blockade
 
Tour Duration: 10 hours
Tour can operate: Full day
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Light

Inclusions:

  • Private transfer from/to the dock or take the cruise group transfer into town
  • Transportation by luxury car
  • Touring with one of our excellent driver-guides
  • All taxes
Not Included:
  • Meals
  • Optional admissions and museum licensing fees
  • Tipping at your discretion

Highlights of Germany’s Capital City (Full day excursion)

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Highlights of Germany’s Capital City (Full day excursion)

Highlights:
 
Experience the past, present and future of Berlin through its architecture, monuments and memorials
 
Excursion to be tailored to your interests
 
Tour the Baroque city centre of Berlin with its grand squares and boulevards built in the 17th and 18th century under the Hohenzollern Kings of Prussia
 
Visit important cultural sites such as Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, the Berlin Dome, Unter den Linden, Forum Fredericianum
 
Explore recent architectural developments since the Fall of the Wall, such as Potsdamer Platz and the new Government Quarter with the refurbished Reichsstag building
 
Witness Cold War sites such as remains of the Berlin wall, East Side Gallery, the former no-mans land, Checkpoint Charlie
 
Tour Duration: 10 hours
Tour can operate: Full day
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Light

Inclusions:

  • Private transfer from/to the dock or take the cruise group transfer into town
  • Transportation by luxury car
  • Touring with one of our excellent driver-guides
  • All taxes
Not Included:
  • Meals
  • Optional admissions and museum licensing fees
  • Tipping at your discretion

Dresden

Dresden is located along the river Elbe in the German state of Saxony and is known as a center for fine arts and science. Beautiful landscaping along the Elbe can be seen in the Elbe meadows and slopes.


The Altmarkdt (Old Market Square) dating back to the year 1370 has a rebuilt town hall and 18th century Landhaus where the state museum is housed.


Grober Garten Park is the largest central park in Dresden that boasts a zoo and botanical gardens.


The Zwinger is Dresden's baroque showpiece that houses the Old Masters Picture Gallery, Porcelain Collection, and Zoological Museum.


The Frauenkirche Church, Semper Opera House, and Royal Palace are historical monuments that can be seen in Dresden as well.

Weimar

Weimar, Germany, which is 177 mi/285 km southwest of Berlin and can be seen in a day, has a strong connection to Germany's most famous poets and philosophers (primarily Goethe and Schiller).

Though it was never the nation's capital, Weimar lent its name to Germany's government between the world wars (the Weimar Republic) after the new democracy's constitution was signed there in 1919.

Among the sights in Weimar are the Goethe National Museum and Private Residence, the tomb of Goethe and Goethe's Garden House. There's also the beautiful Park an der Ilm along the Ilm River, just south of the city center, which was partly designed by Goethe himself.

Places connected to Schiller include the Schiller House and his tomb in the Historischer Friedhof, where Goethe is also buried. There is also Liszt House (where Liszt wrote his Hungarian Rhapsody) and Tiefurt Palace northeast of the city.

Also nearby is the Buchenwald National Memorial, at the site of a Nazi concentration camp.

Nuremberg
The second largest city in Bavaria, Nuremberg is a glowing testament to medieval culture as evidenced in its historic monuments, Gothic churches and elegant patrician houses. Take a walk around the 13th-century city walls, complete with moats, watchtowers and gateways. Then experience "shopping" as it was in the Middle Ages at the Handwerker Hof, a charming "mediaeval mall". Don't forget to sample the city's famous Bratwürste annd Lebkuchen.

Excursions

Nuremberg: From history to Bratwurst and ginger bread (6 hours)

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Nuremberg: From history to Bratwurst and ginger bread (6 hours)

Highlights:
 
Meet your experienced and fully licensed driver-guide to discuss your interests for the day before getting started
 
Nuremberg was one of the richest and most important 'free cities' of the Holy German Empire, whose golden age, the German Renaissance, produced such illustrious artists as the painter Albrecht Duerer, the sculptor Veit Stoß and the mastersinger Hans Sachs
 
Explore the old town market place and sample traditional ginger bread at the legendary local bakeries before heading to the beautiful Fountain and Church of our Lady as well as Sebaldus Church.  
 
Stroll the alleys uphill to the Imperial Castle, affording excellent views over historic city center and passing Albrecht Duerer house along the way
 
Depending on interest visit sites such as the Nazi documentation centre at the former rallye grounds or the famous room 600 where the Nazi trials were held after WWII
 
End of tour at Altstadt brewery to enjoy a beer and original Nuremberg sausages before heading back to the ship
 
Tour Duration: 6 hours
Tour can operate: All day
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Light

Inclusions:

  • Transportation by luxury car
  • Touring with one of our excellent driver-guides
  • All taxes
Not Included:
  • Meals
  • Optional admissions and museum licensing fees
  • Tipping at your discretion

Frankfurt
Frankfurt is the city of the International Book Fair, the National Library - a city encompassing a variety of publishing houses, libraries and bookshops. In its museums, exhibition halls, and art galleries, Frankfurt displays its distinct style of contemporary and historical art and culture. Frankfurt's highrises form part of the city's identity. The skyline is unique, thanks to its extraordinary architectural blend of tradition and modernity. Europe's largest skyscraper is also situated here, the Commerzbank building. Frankfurt is home to one of the world's finest ballet ensembles. Frankfurt is a metropolis for techno and dance music, which lends the city a reputation of musical magnetism. The city's numerous theaters and theater groups, the opera, and the concert house Alte Oper offer Frankfurt's stage aficionados and lovers of fine arts a comprehensive and diverse program.

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges
11/29/2025 - 12/06/2025
from $2,695 per person *
12/05/2025 - 12/12/2025
from $2,695 per person *
12/09/2025 - 12/16/2025
from $2,695 per person *
12/11/2025 - 12/18/2025
from $2,695 per person *
12/13/2025 - 12/20/2025
from $2,695 per person *


* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Prices Start At
from $2,695 per person
Length
7 Nights
Air City
Call for airfares from your city.
Vacation Rating
Deluxe
Fine dining, on-site bars or lounges and room service with extended hours are characteristic of deluxe establishments. Guest services usually include valet parking, concierge services, baggage assistance and laundry services. Other on-site facilities often include shops and boutiques, full service spas, full fitness facilities with pools and tennis courts. Business amenities may include available up-to-date technology and support staffs available for services. Attention to detail is apparent in the guestrooms which typically have stylish furnishings, quality bedding and bath products and often provide an evening turn down service.
Remarks
Trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discounts. Trip prices and discounts are subject to change. Airfare is additional. Tour prices, dates and itineraries are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. Other restrictions may apply.

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID
1544804

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