DAY 1 — MONDAY, DECEMBER 1

Wheels Up to Wonder

Depart the U.S. on your overnight flight. As city lights fade below, toast to adventure and imagine lantern-lit squares, choir music echoing through alleys, and the scent of cinnamon and pine. Tomorrow, the markets await.

DAY 2 — TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2

Munich’s Old-World Glow (Welcome Dinner)

Arrive in Munich, Germany’s Bavarian capital. A guided walking tour reveals jewel-box Asam Church, the lively Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz, and the medieval-style market at Wittelsbacher Platz with its costumed artisans. Sip your first mulled wine as brass musicians play nearby. Tonight, gather for a Welcome Dinner with your group.

Overnight: 4★ Munich Hotel

DAY 3 — WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3

Rail to Nuremberg: Castles & Christkindlesmarkt

Board a scenic train to Nuremberg, where ramparts crown the Imperial Castle and festive lanterns warm cobbled streets. The Christkindlesmarkt, one of Europe’s most famous, dazzles with stalls of gingerbread, nutcrackers, and handmade ornaments. Dinner is on your own — perhaps try Franconian sausages and beer in a cozy tavern.

Overnight: 4★ Nuremberg Hotel (3 nights)

DAY 4 — THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4

History in Context & Bamberg at Dusk (Dinner Included)

Begin with a thoughtful guided visit to the Nazi Rally Grounds, offering respectful historical context. In the afternoon, a short rail journey takes you to Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage city of crooked lanes, soaring cathedrals, and glowing market squares. Return to Nuremberg after an included dinner in Bamberg.

DAY 5 — FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5

Baroque Brilliance & Fairytale Streets (Dinner on Your Own)

Travel by coach to the Würzburg Residence, an opulent Baroque palace with Tiepolo’s famous frescoes. Outside, enjoy Würzburg’s riverside market. Continue to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, where medieval walls, timbered houses, and Käthe Wohlfahrt’s Christmas Museum make it feel like stepping into a snow globe. Return to Nuremberg for an evening at leisure and dinner of your choice.

DAY 6 — SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6

Baden-Baden: A Spa Day Made for Stories (Dinner Included)

Rail south to elegant Baden-Baden, famed for its spas. Experience the historic Roman-Irish bath ritual at Friedrichsbad, a 17-step journey of steam, soak, and relaxation. (Note: swimsuits required only on Wednesdays & Saturdays; other days follow traditional customs.) Tonight’s included dinner features regional flavors.

Overnight: 4★ Baden-Baden Hotel

DAY 7 — SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7

Strasbourg: Capital of Christmas (Dinner Included)

Cross into France by coach to Strasbourg, where the half-timbered charm of La Petite France and the soaring cathedral set the stage. Your walking tour orients you before free time to explore one of Europe’s oldest and largest Christmas markets, spread across glowing squares. Tonight, enjoy Alsatian specialties like tarte flambée and Riesling at an included dinner.

Overnight: 4★ Strasbourg Hotel

DAY 8 — MONDAY, DECEMBER 8

Sélestat & Ravenna Gorge Finale (Farewell Dinner)

In Sélestat, explore the Humanist Library and exhibitions on the history of the Christmas tree. Visit St-Georges Church with its antique ornaments and St-Foy Church with its dazzling chandelier of glass baubles. Then curve into the Black Forest to the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market, tucked beneath a dramatic stone viaduct. Lanterns shimmer on rock walls and pine trees as carols echo through the gorge. Conclude with a rustic Farewell Dinner beside the market.

Overnight: Black Forest Area Hotel

DAY 9 — TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9

Basel & Homeward with Heart

Travel by coach to Basel Airport for your flight home. Return with gifts in your bags, lights in your camera, and stories to share by your own Christmas tree.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION — DECEMBER 10-11

Freiburg’s Festive Free Day

Add an extra night in Freiburg im Breisgau, known for its cathedral and lively Market Hall. Browse stalls, sample local beers, or take a side trip to Titisee for cuckoo clocks and a lakeside stroll — a gentle exhale before your flight.