Harz Mountains Christmas Markets

Your festive vacation starts at London St Pancras, where we meet the Tour Manager and join the Eurostar to Brussels. During our journey, we enjoy a light meal in our comfortable Plus class seats. We continue to Hannover via Cologne, where we are transferred by coach to Wernigerode.

Situated on the northern slopes of the Harz mountains, this charming town dates to the 9th century and is overlooked by its majestic castle. The winding, cobbled streets are lined with colorful half-timbered houses and, at this time of year, it's brilliantly illuminated and adorned with festive decorations. After checking in, we gather this evening for our first group dinner at our central hotel. Overnight Wernigerode.

• Dinner

After breakfast this morning, we experience one of the highlights of the vacation. A wintry journey aboard the steam-hauled Brocken Railway takes us through snowy forests to the summit of Brocken Mountain, park of the impressive Harz Mountain range. The Brocken railroad weaves a scenic route through the Harz National Park up the summit of the Brocken, providing panoramic views of misty forests, quaint station houses and frozen rivers.

As well as being the Harz's tallest peak, Brocken Mountain is also home to Germany's highest narrow-gauge railway station, where we depart the train. Enjoy free time at the summit to admire the stunning vistas or visit the Brocken House museum to learn about the geology and Cold Way history of the mountain.

Returning to Wernigerode, there is free time to explore its traditional Christmas market before gathering at the hotel for dinner. Overnight Wernigerode.

Please Note - For departure December 3, Days 2 and 3 have swapped around.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our rail excursion today takes us to Quedlinburg, one of Germany's best-kept secrets, where we enjoy a guided tour of the Old Town.

Quedlinburg's Old Town has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, due to having one of the best-preserved collections of medieval buildings in Germany, including its Romanesque church. As we explore this enchanting town, we learn about its rich history, spanning more than 1,000 years. In winter, the town's authentic German Christmas market is held in the Rathaus square, or Marktplatz, overlooked by the Gothic, vine-adorned town hall.

After the tour, there is time to explore the market independently. Sample some local delicacies or sip a mug of hot spiced wine as you soak up the festive atmosphere and browse the colorful stalls to find gifts for loved ones. Returning to Wernigerode, your evening is at leisure to dine independently. Overnight Wernigerode.

• Breakfast

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast this morning, before a day at leisure to explore Wernigerode at your own pace. Railway enthusiasts could take a ride through dense forests on the historic narrow-gauge Harz Railway. Watch the fairytale scenery sail by the windows aboard a real steam engine, hearing the whistle ring out across the snow-dusted landscape.

You could also wander up quaint, winding lanes to Wernigerode Castle - one of the most striking pieces of neo-Gothic architecture in the area - or visit the nearby aircraft museum. Alternatively, take the train back to Quedlinburg, where you can join the Selketal Railway for a seasonal journey through the atmospheric scenery of the Selke Valley.

However you choose to spend the day, Wernigerode's magical Christmas market is sure to entice you. Set in front of the Town Hall, beneath a dazzling Christmas tree, the market offers handmade crafts, festive food, mulled wine and warming hot drinks from its illuminated wooden stalls. Overnight Wernigerode.

• Breakfast

Today takes us to Goslar, another UNESCO World Heritage site. Adorned with more than 1, 500 half-timbered houses, it makes a superb setting for one of the most charming Christmas markets in Germany. Nestled at the foot of the Harz Mountains and older than Berlin, this former Free Imperial city is full of historic architecture, some dating back to the early 16th century.

We set out on a walking tour, discovering examples of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture with our local guide. After the tour, you can explore the Christmas market at leisure. This exceptional market is framed by a man-made forest of Christmas trees and sells a variety of local products including home-baked treats and festive drinks.

Arriving back in Wernigerode, there is time to do some final sightseeing before we gather at the hotel for our last dinner together. Overnight Wernigerode.

• Breakfast, Dinner

The Harz Mountains offer spectacular winter scenery, with snow-dusted forests and dramatic mountains rising above enchanting medieval towns. While exploring this captivating region, we have delved into its rich history and charming culture, while basking in the festive ambience of world-class Christmas markets. From Wernigerode to Quedlinburg and Goslar, historic half-timbered houses, impressive castles and warming delicacies have epitomized the magic of the season.

After breakfast, we begin our journey home. We are transferred by coach to Hannover, where we take a train to Cologne, then to Brussels. From here, we join the Eurostar to London, where you can make your way home.

• Breakfast