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Bavarian Christmas Markets

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20242025
5 days From £1,449 per person
4.1 stars(9 reviews)
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Embrace the magic of Christmas on a delightful journey through Bavaria’s beloved festive markets, based in the enchanting city of Nuremberg.

Mobility Rating 2

2024 Tour code: ROM25

About the tour

Get ready to be swept away by the charm and romance of Bavaria's Christmas world-renowned markets. Experience the captivating atmosphere of three unique Christmas markets - in Nuremberg, Regensburg, and Rothenburg - each with its own distinct character, and enjoy a wonderful journey along Germany's famous Romantic Road.

We enjoy a guided tour of Nuremberg, the beautiful historic city where we are based, with plenty of free time to indulge in traditional festive treats, shop for unique gifts, and immerse yourself in the joyful spirit of the season.

Highlights

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What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - A rail journey from London to Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt

Our festive holiday begins this morning when we meet our Tour Manager and fellow travellers at London St Pancras before joining the Eurostar to Brussels. At Brussels we change trains to travel via Frankfurt to Nuremberg, Bavaria, one of Germany's most magical cities at Christmastime.

On arrival this evening, we walk the short distance to our modern hotel and get ready to immerse ourselves in the magic of Christmas at one of Europe's oldest and most popular markets. Tonight is free to explore the wonderful market stalls and dine independently. The aroma of grilled sausage, mulled wine and Nuremberg's famous gingerbread is sure to entice you.

Day 2 - Discovering Nuremberg on a guided walking tour

Waking in the enchanting city of Nuremberg, we start the day with a guided walking tour. Among other landmarks, we see the imperial Kaiserburg castle, which overlooks the enchanting Altstadt marketplace. There's a unique charm in the city, from the vibrant figurines to the striking stone sculptures and murals that vividly depict the city's rich medieval history.

The rest of the day is yours to explore the famous Nuremberg Christmas markets, where you can wander through twinkling lights, savour mulled wine and delicious treats, and soak up the holiday atmosphere. You may also like to explore the Imperial Castle or visit the German Railway Museum (both payable on entry). It is also possible to take a special tour through the Old Town, on a beautifully-restored and comfortable stagecoach, once used to deliver post. These delightful horse-drawn tours can be booked online.

Eating out in Nuremberg is a treat. Besides the tasty offerings in the marketplace, there is a range of cuisine to choose from in the restaurants in and around the Old Town - from traditional German food to Italian, French and vegetarian dishes.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 3 - Exploring Regensburg and soaking up its festive charm

Today, we visit another delightful Christmas market. After a hotel breakfast, an hour's rail journey transports us to the picturesque Bavarian town of Regensburg. Renowned for its charming medieval architecture and festive Christmas markets, you're free to explore, sample the local cuisine, and soak up the holiday spirit. Among the historic streets is the Dom St Peter cathedral, a grand building with beautiful stained-glass windows.

As you're browsing the markets this afternoon, a local speciality you may like to try is the blueberry and apple mulled wine. We return to our hotel in the mid-afternoon, where your evening is free to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of Nuremberg.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - A journey along the Romantic Road to Rothenburg

We drive along the breathtaking Romantic Road to the charming town of Rothenburg. The road's name stems from the romantic and nostalgic atmosphere that it evokes as we pass rolling hills, lush forests, and quaint hamlets, experiencing wonderful views of the countryside.

After our enchanting journey we arrive in the historic walled town of Rothenburg, whose full name is Rothenburg ob der Tauber. This small picture-book city, often referred to as the 'Jewel of Germany', is filled with perfectly-preserved medieval buildings. Here you are free to stroll along cobbled lanes, past brightly painted houses and characterful squares, taking in the city's fascinating history, culture and the festive atmosphere of the town's magical Christmas market.  

At the end of an afternoon of exploring we are transferred back to Nuremberg by coach. This evening we enjoy a delicious dinner together at our hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Homeward bound

This morning, after our final hotel breakfast, our magical Christmas holiday draws to a close. We take the train from Nuremberg to Cologne. From here, we continue to Brussels, where we join the Eurostar back to London St Pancras. On our return journey there's time to reflect on our holiday and share festive memories with our fellow travellers.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Please note

Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

NH Collection, Nuremberg

NH Collection, Nuremberg

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Train

Eurostar

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Reviews

4.1 stars4.1 / 5 · 9 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (5)
  2. 4 stars
    (1)
  3. 3 stars
    (2)
  4. 2 stars
    (1)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

Alan

3 stars

Submitted 31 Dec 2023

Generally ok. Hotel was fine and well located but insufficiently staffed for food on the first night after a longs day's travelling. It was also unstaffed for the bar on the last night before a group meal. Trip to Regensburg was ok and trains were well organised. markets were fine but not outstanding.

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear Mr White, Thank you for your review. I'm glad to hear that your tour was ok, but I will make sure to pass your comments across to our Product team so we can review aspects for the future. Kind regards, Sophie.
1 comment

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Mike Stamper

2 stars

Submitted 30 Dec 2023

The main reason for the low score in due to the very poor travelling. Over an hour delay at St P. The change in the arrival area in Brussels. The Same in Frankfurt - racing up and down the platform hoping to get the right train. The homeward journey was as bad due to problems with Channel Tunnel staff. The amazing number on people trying to find a train in Brussels and the total lack of information from Eurostar staff. However the Tour Manager stood out very well trying to make the journeys as smooth as possible although we "lost" him in Brussels on the way home. The two tours to Rothenburg and Regensburg were disappointing. Regensburg markets have shrunk in the last few years, I guess because of the compeitition from the Palace market. Arriving in the town at the planned time was a problem - very small markets in the town and the opening time of the Castle market 0 3 o'clock in the afternoon together with the planned departure at the same time meant a lot of walking in a small town and no chance to see the Castle market. Perhaps travel times in future should be investigated. Rothenburg is a very picturesque but small town and very small markets, the timings meant a lot of walking until 4.00 in the afternoon. Nuremburg was the opposite, very good markets, an informative guided walk and a long list of places to visit. With little time to investigate - but this was a tour for the markets. The hotel was close to the station and the markets, had helpful staff and good breakfasts. The tour Manager deserves much more than a 2 star rating, but the travel of about 12 Hours home, rather spoilt the rating.

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear Mr Stamper, Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. It really is a shame to hear that your tour fell short of expectations. I will make sure to pass your feedback across to our Product team who can review this tour itinerary and the travel for the future. As we choose to go via rail, we will always be up against exceptional circumstances. However, we will absolutely look into what we can do to make this journey go a lot smoother in future, and overall improve this tour. I will make sure to pass your praise across to our Tour Management team for your Tour Manager. Kind regards, Sophie.
Thanks for your reply. I completely agree about rail travel, we have had problems many times over the years. I wonder when Paris will finish their building around Gare d Nord - they've been at it for more years than I care remember ;-)) Mike Stamper
Thanks for your reply. I completely agree about rail travel, we have had problems many times over the years. I wonder when Paris will finish their building around Gare d Nord - they've been at it for more years than I care remember ;-)) Mike Stamper
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Susan Rose

5 stars

Submitted 23 Dec 2023

A truly lovely trip. All places visited very interesting and full of Christmas atmosphere. Rothenburg is so very quaint and beautifully preserved. Highlight of the trip for us was visit to Thurn & Taxis Market in Regensburg, quite magical after dark. The local Germans flock to this market which speaks for itself. GRJ need to rethink train times to and from Regensburg to give the whole group a chance to see that market as it doesn't open until 3pm. We were lucky because we'd been on this tour in 2016 and knew this market wasn't to be missed so our outstanding TM, Graham, made sure we had our own tickets do we could travel back to Nüremburg separately later, along with another couple who trusted our recommendation and agreed the rest of the group had missed out. Graham was truly the best TM throughout the trip and it was proven again when one of our German trains home was cancelled and he rearranged the whole schedule so we arrived, as planned, at St. Pancras.

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear Mrs Rose, Thank you for your review and constructive feedback. That is brilliant to hear! I will make sure to pass your comments to our Product team so we can review these aspects of the tour for the future. I will also pass your praise for Graham to our Tour Management team. Kind regards, Sophie.
1 comment

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Barbara

5 stars

Submitted 20 Dec 2023

Good booking experience and customer service. Excellent t programme to interesting venues and high-quality markets. Amazing response to unexpected rail strike to get us all on a flight home. Only slight disappointment was the housekeeping management at the Hotel, which seems somewhat disorganised, with inexperienced staff. Reception service was very good, however. Would book a similar holiday again.

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear Ms Bannister, Thank you for your review. That is brilliant to hear! It is a shame that your tour was affected by the rail strikes, but it is fantastic that it didn't mar your tour experience! I look forward to seeing you on tour with us again in the future! Kind regards, Sophie.
1 comment

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MKS

5 stars

Submitted 20 Dec 2023

This trip was a great prelude for the holiday season. Snow. Gingerbread. Nutcrackers. Santa. All the ingredients for a very merry holiday and a great trip.

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear Ms Shaw, Thank you for your review and those wonderful photos! That is fantastic to hear! Kind regards, Sophie.
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MKS
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Wendy

3 stars

Submitted 16 Dec 2023

We recently undertook a four night tour of the Bavarian xmas markets. I feel this was too long as the Xmas markets themselves were very similar. It was the location that made the experience. Rothenburg was stunning and what I was expecting although the amount of time there was a tad too long. Everyone ended up on the coach early to keep warm. Regensburg was very underwhelming which was the consensus of most of the party and could be missed off the trip in honesty. I personally would not go again to this location.

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear Mrs McBride, Thank you for your review and those amazing photos! I will make sure to pass your feedback across to our Product team so we can look at altering this itinerary tour for the future. Kind regards, Sophie.
1 comment

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Wendy
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