Experience the festivities of this nation during Christmas time, as you travel from Frankfurt through this delightful region of Germany.

Enjoy stops at the Christmas Market in Leipzig, where you will enjoy a German snack of Bratwurst and mulled wine; in Dresden, where you can sample the Strietzel (local cake); in Annaberg, an ancient miner village of the Erzgebirge region; and in Bamberg, where you will have the opportunity to purchase handcrafted Christmas pyramids directly from woodcarvers.

Visit the oldest porcelain manufacturer where the delicate, handcrafted products found in royal courts are made.

Travel through the Franconian forest to the imperial city of Bamberg, where you can stop for some last minute Christmas shopping.

Schedule Details

Departure Dates:

Seasonal
December 03 and 07

Departure Point:

• 1 - Tryp Hotel, Braunfelsstr./Opelrondell - lobby
• 2 - Intercontinental Hotel, W.-Leuschner-Str. 43 - lobby
• 3 - Intercity Hotel, Poststr. 8 - lobby
• 4 - Frankfurt Airport: Terminal 1, Arrival Level Hall B - Meeting Point

Departure Time:

• 1 - 8:00am
• 2 - 8:15am
• 3 - 8:30am
• 4 - 9:00am

Return details:

Tour returns to original point of departure

Hotel Pickup:

Hotel pick up is not available

Itinerary:

Day 1: Frankfurt - Erfurt - Leipzig (D)
Depart from Frankfurt in the morning and drive eastward to our first stop Eisenach, dominated by the Wartburg Castle. Visit one of Germany's most important edifices of national heritage and see the room, where Luther used to live for many years and spent the last years of his seclusion. Continue via Weimar to Leipzig, where, after checking in to your hotel we will visit one of Germany's largest Christmas markets. The main attractions are located on the historical market square in front of the ancient town hall. Marvel at the 25 yard Christmas tree with its thousands of lights or stroll through the many stalls with handcrafted Christmas gifts from the region. We invite you to a very informal German style snack with Bratwurst and mulled wine at one of the numerous food stalls.

Overnight: Hotel Mercure or similar

Day 2: Leipzig - Meissen - Dresden (B)
In the morning we continue towards  Meissen, where we visit one of Germany's oldest porcelain factories. Founded in the 18th century and being continuously in operation since then, the delicate, always handcrafted products are found in royal courts and celebrities homes all around the world. Meissen is proud to be able to restore or re-manufacture on demand all ever produced designs, as the negative plaster models have been preserved through-out the centuries. See the exhibition hall and the demonstration workshops were all steps of the painting and glazing process is explained to you.  Afterwards we continue onward to Dresden, highlighting all major sights as Zwinger, Frauenkirche, Semper Opera House and many more we check in to our hotel. In the evening we will visit the Christmas market in Dresden, which is named "Striezelmarkt" after the local cake specialty, the "Christstollen" or  "Striezel" Highlights are the more than 16-yard tall Christmas pyramid, and the many stalls, where you can sample the "Strietzel".

Overnight: Steigenberger Parkhotel or similar

Day 3: Dresden - Annaberg - Scheenberg - Plauen (B, D)
Today after breakfast we are heading mostly along country roads to visit two ancient miner-villages, named Schneeberg and Annaberg. These villages are typical for the Erzgebirge (ore-mountains) and actually are the home of the German tradition of woodcarving and Christmas-pyramids. In older times, light – represented by candles - was an important symbol of life and safety for the miners, working in the dark tunnels to retrieve the ore and coal. Thus the woodcarvers combined their deep religious beliefs and used candles to illuminate the pyramids with saints and symbols from the holy night like ox, mule and shepard. The Christmas market in Annaberg is dating back as far as 1510. In Schneeberg, the main attraction, aside of the Christmas market is St. Wolfgang-church with an altar from 1539, carved by Lucas Cranach, the elder. In the afternoon we continue towards Plauen, a city famous for its handcrafted lace. Plauen was founded in the 11th century and since the 16 hundreds an important place for cotton manufacturing. A farewell-Dinner will be served in your hotel.

Overnight: Hotel Alexandra or similar

Day 4: Plauen - Bamberg - Frankfurt (B)
On the last day of the tour we are travelling through the Franconian forest to the imperial city of Bamberg. The city, founded in the 09th century also has a nicely preserved old-town which was declared UNESCO world heritage site a couple of years ago. We will walk through the old town and see the cathedral and the St. Benedicts abbey Michaelsberg. The last impressions of German Christmas markets can be seen as the pedestrian zone around the cathedral hosts the Bamberg Christmas market and you can do some last – minute shopping there, if you wish. On we go through rolling hills of Franconia until reaching your final destination Frankfurt in the late afternoon.

Additional Information

Inclusions:

• Welcome snack at Leipzig
• Air-conditioned coach with WC
• Private facilities in accommodation
• Baggage handling (one piece per person)
• Entrance fee for Meissen china manufactory
• Entrance fee for Wartburg Castle in Eisenach
• Meals as per itinerary (B = Breakfast, D = Dinner)
• All excursions and city tours not marked as optional
• Professional English/Spanish speaking guide throughout the tour
• 3 nights accommodation at first class and tourist superior hotels including tax and service charges

Exclusions:

• Optional gratuities
• Hotel pick up and drop off
• Food and drinks, unless specified

Additional Info:

• This tour must be booked at least 48 hours in advance of your travel date
• Confirmation for this tour will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
• Routes may vary due to weather or other factors
• There is no triple or quad pricing available

Local Operator Information:

Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.

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