Bavarian Christmas Markets

Meet the rest of your group and Tour Manager in the medieval city of Nuremberg, where we spend the next four nights at the Hotel Maritim.

After an introductory guided walking tour of Nuremberg, you are free to visit the Christkindlmarkt, one of the most prestigious and atmospheric Christmas Markets in the world. Its brightly coloured stalls radiate from the Market Square in the Old Town with the unmistakable aromas of Advent in Germany, filling the city with an incredible festive atmosphere.

Also, be sure to admire the city's other attractions. These include the Kaiserburg Fortress, which is the centrepiece of Nuremberg's beautiful medieval architecture - encircled within the city walls of the Old Town - and the Handwerkerhof, or Craftsmen's Courtyard. Located in the middle of the city it is surrounded by the towers and walls of the medieval fortifications. A little town of its own, here you can discover workshops and shops from craftsmen such as pewter workers, glassmakers, engravers, potters, gold and silversmiths, and much more.

• Breakfast

Today we travel by rail to Regensburg. Situated at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers, the town has one of the best-preserved medieval centres in Europe - a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your time here is free to explore and St Peter's Church, Regensburg's landmark is truly unmissable. The church, with its impressive stained-glass windows from the Middle Ages, is the greatest Gothic cathedral in Bavaria and took over 600 years to build. At this time of year, Regensburg also boasts three Christmas Markets, which you are at leisure to explore.

• Breakfast

Leaving Nuremberg by coach we head to the highlight of the 'Romantic Road' - Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Its Reiterlesmarkt is set within a magical townscape of quaint alleys, cobbled squares, half-timbered houses, city gates and medieval town walls. Marvel at Rothenburg's stunning architecture, take a walk along the complete town walls or visit the town's famous Christmas shop, which offers more than 30,000 traditional German Christmas decorations. We enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel tonight.

• Dinner

After breakfast, you are free to make your way to the airport for your flight back home.

• Breakfast