A jolly tour of Germany’s Christmas markets

Christmas is coming, and it’s time to start thinking about Christmas presents. What could be better than a trip to the land of Kris Kringle, the German gift-bringer? TourCrafters’ one-week German Christmas Markets Tour makes it easy for mothers and fathers, grandmas and grandpas, to have a jolly good time and bring home lots of gifts as well.

 

The land-only, escorted tour costs $1,605 and has one departure: December 8, 2013. It includes a hotel transfer from the Frankfurt airport, transportation during the entire tour, 6 nights’ accommodation in 4-star hotels, daily buffet breakfast, tours and excursions, admission to Heidelberg and Neuschwanstein castles, and an English-speaking guide.

 

Christmas is a magical time in Germany, with sparkling lights, decorated streets, and stalls selling hot chestnuts, grilled bratwurst, gingerbread and Gluhwein  (mulled wine) everywhere. Giant Christmas trees and concerts of Yuletide music add to the festivities.  And the markets offer traditional crafts—toys, marionettes, jewelry, pottery, teddy bears and lambskin slippers—all hand crafted.

 

TourCrafters takes in the highlights: Frankfurt, with its 600-year-old market; a sightseeing tour of UNESCO Heritage Site Wurzburg and its historic market; and a tour of the walled medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber and its legendary market.  In Nuremberg there’s a city tour and visit to the Old Quarter’s Christkindlesmarkt, Germany’s most famous Christmas market.  In Regensburg, an ancient city on the Danube founded by the Romans, there are several Christmas markets.

 

Munich combines the atmosphere of a charming historic city with that of a modern metropolis.  Here you’ll tour the main attractions, including Marienplatz, where the Christmas Market started in 1642.  From Munich it’s a short trip to Germany’s winter sports capital, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and a stunning view of the snow-capped Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain. Then it’s on to Neuschwanstein, the definitive fairytale castle built by “Mad" King Ludwig, and Stuttgart to see a winter wonderland on Palace Square and the Mercedes-Benz Museum. The tour ends with the romantic old university town of Heidelberg, where there’s a tour of the picturesque castle on the Neckar River and a Christmas Market spread over five historic squares and—finally—a return to the Frankfurt airport.

 

All prices quoted are per person, double occupancy, and are subject to availability.  Prices do not include transatlantic air fare.  For more information about the Christmas Markets Tour and other holiday packages to Rome and Paris, visit www.tourcrafters.it and click “deal of the week.”  For reservations, call 800-482-5995.