Christmas Markets of Germany Weekend Group Tour

Fly to Frankfurt. Transfer to the hotel and check in for an overnight stay.

Depart Frankfurt and drive east to Eisenach, home to Wartburg Castle. Visit one of the most important buildings of German history and see the room where Martin Luther in only eleven weeks translated the New Testament. Three hundred years before, St. Elizabeth of Thuringia spent almost all her life at Wartburg. Afterwards, the tour continues to a cultural treasure, Weimar, where numerous famous people like Goethe, Schiller, Liszt and Richard Strauss lived and worked. Arrive in Leipzig and visit one of Germany's largest Christmas markets and the 25 yard Christmas tree with thousands of lights. Stroll along the stalls with and see the Christmas gifts from the region. Enjoy a typical German Bratwurst with a glass of Gluehwein (hot spiced wine) Overnight in Leipzig. (B,D)

Continue towards Meissen and visit one of Germany's oldest porcelain manufacturer. Founded in the 18th century and being continuously in operation since then, the delicate and always handcrafted products are found in royal courts and celebrities homes all around the world. See the exhibition hall and the demonstration workshops. the tour continues to Dresden, the capital of the Free State of Saxony. Enjoy a city tour and admire the baroque architecture, the Semper Opera House, the baroque Zwinger and the restored Frauenkirche. Nowadays, it is hard to believe that after the bombing in 1945 the city centre was completely destroyed. In the evening visit 'Striezelmarkt' Christmas market, named after the local cake 'Striezel'. Highlights are the big Christmas pyramid and the numerous stalls where you can taste Striezel. Overnight in Dresden. (B)

Journey along country roads via Seiffen, the centre of the wooden toy industry, to the two ancient miner-villages of Schneeberg and Annaberg. These towns are typical for the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) and actually home to the German tradition of woodcarving and Christmas pyramids. In former times, 'light represented by candles' was an important symbol of life and safety for the miners working in the dark tunnels. The woodcarvers combined their deep religious beliefs and used candles to illuminate the pyramids, decorated with saints and symbols of the holy night. The Christmas market in Annaberg is dating back to 1510. In the afternoon the tour visits Plauen, famous for its handcrafted lace. Plauen was founded in 1122 and since the 16th century has been an important place for cotton manufacturing. Enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel. (B,D)

Travel through the Franconian forest to the imperial city of Bamberg. Founded in the 9th century, it has a nicely preserved Old Town which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the cathedral and the former Benedictine abbey of Michaelsberg. Enjoy some last minute shopping before the journey through the rolling hills of Franconia back to Frankfurt. Upon arrival, transfer to the airport for the flight back to the UK. (B)