We depart St Pancras International by Eurostar to Brussels, before we continue into Germany and the Baroque city of Würzburg. We stay for four nights at the Hotel Maritim, located a few minutes' walk from the city's Christmas Market and the River Main. (D)

We begin our stay in Würzburg with a guided walking tour of the Old Town, which will help you get your bearings. The rest of the day is then at leisure in Würzburg to relax in the hotel or enjoy the city's striking architecture, such as the Dom St Kilian Basilica or the Alte Mainbrücke bridge, which was adorned in the Baroque period by 12 huge statues of saints. Würzburg's crowning glory is undoubtedly the stunning 18th century Residenz palace, which is just a short walk from our hotel and the city's own impressive Christmas markets. (B,D)

Today we take a short journey through Franconia by rail to Nuremberg. Here, we visit the Christkindlmarkt, one of the most prestigious and atmospheric Christmas Markets in the world, with its brightly coloured stalls that radiate from the Market Square in the Old Town with the unmistakable aromas of advent in Germany. Christmas Eve is the main festive celebration in Germany and back at the hotel we enjoy a special Christmas Eve dinner. Why not venture out to experience midnight mass in Bavaria tonight at one of the local churches? (B,D)

Relax at our hotel, which boasts a leisure club, or why not join your Tour Manager on an optional excursion by rail (fare not included in the holiday price) to Bamberg, whose medieval and Baroque Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Christmas lunch and dinner are both included today in the hotel. (B,L,D)

We depart Würzburg, making our way northward through Germany to the Rhineland. On arrival in Cologne we stay for one night at the Four Points Central Hotel, conveniently located close to the cathedral. On Day 6 we retrace our route to Brussels, changing onto a Eurostar bound for St Pancras International. (Day 5-B,D; Day 6-B)

 B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday