December 1-8, 2026
Step into a real-life snow globe and experience the magic of Europe at Christmastime. Our Christmas Markets Tour through Germany and France invites you to wander cobblestone streets glowing with twinkling lights, sip warm mulled wine beneath towering cathedrals, and browse rows of wooden stalls brimming with handcrafted treasures and festive treats. From storybook villages in Alsace to grand city squares filled with music and holiday cheer, this journey is designed to capture the nostalgia, beauty, and joy of the season—shared with like-minded travelers who believe the best memories are made together.
- 7 nights of centrally located 4-star hotels
- Breakfast buffet each day
- Private motor coach transportation
- Welcome party
- Heidelberg Castle tour
- Strasbourg city walking tour
- Visit to the Strasbourg Cathedral
- Munster Cheese Factory
- Lunch at the Munster Cheese Factory
- Wine cellar tour and tasting
- Scenic Rhine River sail
- Dinner cruise in Frankfurt
- Rudesheim Christmas Market
- St Goar Christmas Market
- Frankfurt Christmas Market
- Heidelberg Christmas Market
- Colmar Christmas Market
- Strasbourg Christmas Market
- Ribeauvillé Christmas Market
- Riquewihr Christmas Market
- Baden-Baden Christmas Market
Day One: Willkommen to a Winter Wonderland
Welcome to Germany at its most festive. Tonight, as the scent of roasted chestnuts and spiced wine fills the air, we gather together for our very first Christmas market experience in the heart of Frankfurt. Beneath twinkling lights and the glow of the historic Römer square, we’ll get to know one another over a warm mug of traditional glühwein, soaking in the magic of the season before turning in to rest up for the joyful week ahead.
Day Two: Rhine Valley Charm
Today we venture into the heart of the Rhine Valley to discover two smaller Christmas markets—Rüdesheim and St. Goar. Though modest in size, they more than make up for it with storybook charm, half-timbered houses, and beautifully simple holiday décor set against vineyard-covered hills. After time to wander, shop, and soak in the atmosphere, we’ll board a boat and sail along one of the most scenic stretches of the Rhine River, drifting past castles and dramatic riverbanks in true fairytale fashion.
Day Three: Castles & Crossing into Alsace
This morning we bid farewell to Frankfurt—but our time in Germany isn’t quite over. We journey to Heidelberg, where the imposing hilltop castle overlooks the Neckar River and the charming Old Town below. After touring the dramatic ruins and taking in sweeping views, you’ll have time to explore Heidelberg’s Christmas market—perhaps savoring a bratwurst while admiring the castle glowing above the square. Later this afternoon, we continue south across the border into France, arriving in our enchanting new home base: the storybook town of Colmar.
Day Four: Strasbourg – A Fairytale Come to Life
Today we visit Strasbourg, a city that truly sets the standard for Christmas décor. With garlands draped across half-timbered houses and lights twinkling in every square, it feels as though the entire city has stepped into a storybook. We’ll tour the magnificent cathedral and enjoy a guided walking tour through the historic center before you’re set free to wander, shop, and soak in the magic of its enchanting Christmas markets. Truly unforgettable.
Day Five: Flavors of Alsace
The charming Alsace region is known for more than its Christmas magic—it’s also home to delicious cheeses and world-class wines. Today we travel to the town of Munster, where we’ll visit a local cheese producer to see how the region’s famously fragrant Munster cheese is made, followed by a leisurely lunch to savor the results.
Next, we journey along the picturesque Route des Vins d’Alsace, stopping at a traditional wine cellar for a tasting of the region’s celebrated varietals. This evening, we return to Colmar to explore what may just be the cutest Christmas market of all—its canals, colorful houses, and glowing lights creating a truly enchanting atmosphere.
Day Six: Medieval Magic in Alsace
Don’t tell me you’re over fairytale villages just yet—because today we visit two of the most iconic in all of Alsace. First, we head to Ribeauvillé, whose medieval-themed Christmas market takes place only two weekends a year. With costumed performers, old-world crafts, and lantern-lit streets, it feels like stepping straight into the Middle Ages.
Next, we continue to Riquewihr, equally enchanting with its pastel half-timbered houses and storybook charm. Twinkling lights, festive stalls, and the scent of cinnamon in the air make it impossible not to fall in love with these tiny towns that truly come alive at Christmastime.
Day Seven: Elegance & Farewell on the Main
Today we cross back into Germany, where the Christmas décor feels a bit more understated—but no less elegant. We’ll spend the afternoon in the classic spa town of Baden-Baden, strolling its refined market set against grand architecture and wooded hills. Take time to browse the stalls, enjoy a final mug of glühwein, and soak in the festive atmosphere one last time.
Later, we return to Frankfurt for a truly special farewell evening. Dress in your holiday best as we board a dinner cruise along the Main River, dining and dancing beneath the city lights. As the skyline glows around us, we’ll raise a glass and say Auf Wiedersehen to new friends and a week filled with unforgettable Christmas magic. ✨
Day Eight: Farewell & Holiday Wishes
We’ve sipped the glühwein, savored the festive treats, and shopped until we’ve dropped. After one final breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport, hearts full of holiday cheer and memories to last a lifetime.
Wishing you a truly magical holiday season and hoping the spirit of these Christmas markets stays with you long after you return home.
Package Price:
The package price for a single room is $4,500 per person. The package price for a shared room is $3,650 per person. A $500 deposit per person is required at the time of registration and is non-refundable. The final balance will be due on 10/1/26 and will be paid by invoice to Like Minds Travel and is non-refundable at that time. If you are registering with a roommate, but want to be billed separately, fill out the form individually and place each others name in the space indicated. You will be paired in the same room. Like Minds Travel does not pair solo travelers with a roommate. If you find a roommate from the groups WhatsApp chat, we can change your room type up until two months from travel.
Extra nights are available at the host hotel. The cost for a single room is $250 and double is $275. Email extranights@likemindstravel.com and state your desired dates and what tour you are on in the email. Like Minds Travel will add the nights to your final invoice.
Airfare is not included in the package price. Like Minds Travel recommends flying into Frankfurt International Airport. The hotel is a short taxi ride away.
This tour is contingent upon 15 registered participants. An email will be sent once we reach that minimum. If we cancel all deposits will be refunded automatically.
Completed registration is acceptance of our terms and conditions. Please read our terms and conditions.
