Festive Franconia & Bavarian Christmas Markets

Experience the enchanting charm of Germany and Belgium's most delightful Christmas markets, where twinkling lights and the aroma of spiced treats fill the air.

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Experience the enchanting charm of Germany and Belgium's most delightful Christmas markets, where twinkling lights and the aroma of spiced treats fill the air. From the historic streets of Würzburg to the fairy-tale setting of Rothenburg ob der Tauber and the iconic Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, join us for an unforgettable adventure that will leave you filled with festive joy and memories.

INCLUDES

Return Optimum coach travel

Return ferry crossings

Escorted by a Skills Holiday Crew

2 nights bed & breakfast enroute

3 nights half board

Excursions to Würzburg, Nuremberg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber & Liege Christmas Markets

Visit to a Belgian Chocolatier with demonstration and tasting

Day 1

We depart for a Channel crossing, continuing through France and Belgium to our overnight hotel in Germany..

Day 2

After breakfast, we continue our journey in Germany today with a visit to Würzburg for our first Christmas market experience. One of Germany's most enchanting Christmas Markets, you'll find stalls in its picturesque Market Square at the heart of the Old Town, with the Marienkapelle Chapel providing a historic backdrop. The market offers a variety of Christmas-related items, crafts, and treats. From here we continue the short distance to our hotel, where a welcome drink will be served during dinner this evening.

B, D

Day 3

After breakfast this morning we drive south to the walled city of Rothenburg on the Bavarian ‘romantic road’, which has remained largely un-changed for hundreds of years. This small picture-book town, often referred to as the 'Jewel of Germany', is filled with perfectly preserved half-timbered buildings and a charming main square. We include admission to the town's German Christmas Museum, for a taste of festive nostalgia as you discover both unusual and rare Christmas decorations from the 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as " all-time favorites" on the Christmas tree. Afterwards, you can take the opportunity to visit the world famous Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas Village shop offering the worlds largest selection of traditional German Christmas decorations and many unique gift ideas, before soaking up the festive atmosphere and perhaps treating yourself to a nice warming mug of glühwein, at the town's magical Christmas market, dating back to the 15th century and one of the most popular Advent events in Germany.

B, D

Day 4

Today we head to the medieval city of Nuremberg, for a visit to one of Germany's most magical cities at Christmastime where in the Main Market Square you'll find one of the oldest and most famous Christkindlesmarkts in the world dating back to 1530. Explore the old town, the Altstadt, enjoying the brightly decorated wooden stalls, selling handmade traditional decodations, amidst the delicious aroma of original Nuremberg Bratwurt, plus traditional sweet treats such as Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and Spekulatius almond cookies, both highly recommended! Back at the hotel a warming mulled wine and Franconian gingerbread await.

B, D

Day 5

This morning, we begin our return journey as we cross into Belgium and experience a different flavour of continental Christmas markets in Liège. These cherished Wallonian markets are the oldest in Belgium and features the famous Christmas Village, which boasts hundreds of seasonal chalets. We later continue to our overnight hotel.

B, D

Day 6

We begin our homeward journey full of Christmas spirit, but not before one final visit en route to a Belgium chocolatiere for a production demonstration and tasting of the delicious confectionary, plus the perfect opportunity to pick up a few stocking fillers, before boarding the return ferry for the crossing back to the UK.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner

Zum Storch 3*, Schlüsselfeld

Zum Storch

Located in the heart of Franconia, the hotel Gasthof Zum Storch is situated directly on the historic market squareof the town of Schlüsselfeld, close to a local museum and shops around the marketplace. It offers modern comfort in a family atmosphere.

Hotel Facilities

Guest lounge
Restaurant
Bar
Free wi-fi
Lift

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Home Pick-up Pricing Key:

£100.00

£85.00

£55.00

£50.00

£40.00

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

Name	Address	Distance
Alfreton	Bus Station, Hall Street, Alfreton, DE55 7BT
Arnold	High Street Bus Stop, Outside Leisure Centre Car Park, Arnold, NG5 7EE
Beeston	Lace Road, behind Sainsbury's Petrol Station Beeston, NG9 2LA
Bulwell	Aldi (Bus Stop SW12), Sellers Wood Drive, Bulwell, NG6 8GE
Chesterfield	Coach Station, Beckingham Way Chesterfield, S40 1TH
Derby	Bus Station, Bay 27 & 28, Derby, DE1 2AY
Heanor	Market Place, Wilmott Street (Market Square side) Heanor, DE75 7EG
Ilkeston	Wharncliffe Rd, Market Place, Ilkeston, DE7 5QB
Leicester	St Margarets Bus Station, Stand SA, Gravel Street, Leicester, LE1 3AG
Leicester Fosse Park	Leicester Fosse Park, Bus Stop, Fosse Park Avenue Next to ASDA (opposite petrol station), LE3 2LL
Long Eaton	The Green, Outside The Butchers, Long Eaton, Notts, NG10 1HQ
Loughborough	Amber Rooms, The Rushes Loughborough, LE11 5BE
Lutterworth	George Street, Outside Wycliffe Rooms Lutterworth, LE17 4EG
Mansfield	Fire Station Bus Stop, Rosemary Street Mansfield, NG19 6AA
Medway Services	Moto Medway, M2 (between J4 & J5) ME8 8PQ
Nottingham	Mount Street, Alongside the Grosvenor Casino, Nottingham, NG1 6HE
Ripley	Market Place, Express Stand Ripley, DE5 3FJ
Rotherham	Interchange Bay C1/ C2, Frederick Street, Rotherham , S60 1QB
Sheffield	Pond Hill, Opposite Penny Black Public House Sheffield, S1 2BG
South Mimms Services	Welcome Break South Mimms, M25 (J23) EN6 3QQ
Thurrock Services	Moto Thurrock, M25 (between J30 & J31) RM16 3BG
Toton	Tram Stop Park and Ride, Toton Lane Notts, NG9 7JA