Bavarian Christmas Markets

Your festive vacation begins this morning by meeting the Tour Manager and traveling group at London St. Pancras, joining the Eurostar to Brussels and enjoying a light meal at our Plus class seats. In the Belgian capital, we change trains to travel via Frankfurt to Nuremberg, one of Germany's most magical cities at Christmastime.

Upon arrival in Bavaria 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. Overnight Nuremberg.

• Eurostar Light Meal

Waking in the historic city of Nuremberg, our day begins with a guided walking tour. Among other landmarks, we see the imperial Kaiserburg castle, which overlooks the Altstadt marketplace. There's a unique charm to the city, from the quaint traditional figurines lining the market stalls 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 Christmas markets, where you can wander through twinkling lights, savor mulled wine and delicious treats, and take in the seasonal atmosphere. You may also like to explore the castle or visit the German Railway Museum (both payable on entry). It's also possible to take a special exploration of 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. Overnight Nuremberg.

• Breakfast

Today, we visit another inviting Christmas market. After breakfast at the hotel, an hour's rail journey transports us to the picturesque Bavarian town of Regensburg, renowned for its charming medieval architecture and festive markets. Here, you're free to explore, sample the local cuisine and enjoy the holiday spirit. As you're browsing the markets this afternoon, a local specialty you may like to try is mulled wine made from blueberries or apples.

Regensburg provides an enchanting setting for strolling, especially at this time of year. Among the historic streets is St. Peter's Cathedral, a grand 13th-century building with stunning stained-glass windows. Nestled beside the banks of the Danube is the Wurstkuchl (Sausage Kitchen), which can trace its history of feeding hungry locals back to the 12th century, just after the construction of the nearby Stone Bridge.

In the afternoon, we return to our hotel, where your evening is free to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of Nuremberg. Overnight Nuremberg.

• Breakfast

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

After our scenic journey, we arrive in the historic walled town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. 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. Keep an eye on the chiming clock tower that reenacts a medieval legend each hour. You are free to take in the city's sights and the festive atmosphere of the town's magical Christmas market - or maybe try a sweet local specialty, the schneeball. Translating as "snowball," these fried dough confections are filled with a variety of delicious flavors, including marzipan.

At the end of this afternoon, we are transferred back to Nuremberg by coach. This evening, we enjoy dinner together at our hotel. Overnight Nuremberg.

• Breakfast, Dinner

With picture-perfect squares filled with the scents of the season and charming half-timbered buildings, Bavaria brims with festive charm during the holiday season. Twinkling lights, handcrafted gifts and the Christmas markets' warming food and drink add to the cheerful atmosphere. From Nuremberg to Regensburg and Rothenburg, these three historic and idyllic towns have epitomized the joy of the holidays.

This morning, after our final hotel breakfast, your discovery of Bavaria's Christmas markets draws to a close as we take the train from Nuremberg to Frankfurt. From here, we continue to Brussels, where we join the Eurostar back to London St. Pancras.

• Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal