Discover the magical holiday season in Germany! Immerse yourself in the sights, smells, and flavors of Christmas as we visit multiple traditional Christmas markets in both larger cities and small towns, and savor an array of culinary treats. This itinerary is custom-designed and unique to 水果派AV!
See the Itinerary for additional details on what we鈥檒l see, do, and learn.
This itinerary was custom-designed for 水果派AV to experience the magic of the holiday season in Germany! We鈥檒l immerse ourselves in the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas as we visit several of the enchanting Christmas markets in both large and small towns, and learn a bit about Germany's history, culture, and cuisine.
Depart the U.S. on your individually-booked flights.
Upon arrival in Berlin, make your way to the group hotel. Our time together will start in the early afternoon with introductions and a welcome drink at the hotel, followed by a sightseeing tour of Berlin by coach. Later in the evening, we will enjoy group welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Berlin.
This morning we鈥檒l visit iconic Museum Island in Berlin, which encompasses five large Berlin museums built under the Prussian rulers, and then have a group lunch. We will check out of the hotel and depart on our private motor coach for Dresden. On arrival, we鈥檒l check into the hotel. The evening is free to enjoy your first Christmas Market, and have dinner on your own. Overnight in Dresden.
Today we鈥檒l start with a guided walking tour of Dresden. Dresden is famous for its rich history, stunning architecture, and significant role in WWII. It's known as the "Florence on the Elbe" for its cultural and artistic heritage, particularly its Baroque and Rococo buildings. At the end of the city tour, we get to experience the New Green Vault and the Historic Green Vault, which is one of Europe鈥檚 most legendary art collections and houses a vast array of decorative arts and historical artifacts. Enjoy the Striezelmarkt in Dresden, dating back to 1434, the oldest and most famous Christmas Market in Germany and, most likely, in all of Europe. Lunch is on your own. We will meet later in the afternoon to head to our baking class, where you will learn how to make the traditional Dresdner Stollen or Striezel, a mainstay of every German Christmas feast. Overnight in Dresden.
Today we鈥檒l start with a drive to Mei脽en. Mei脽en is famous for the manufacture of porcelain, based on extensive local deposits of china clay (kaolin) and potter's clay (potter's earth). Mei脽en porcelain was the first high-quality porcelain to be produced outside of the Orient. We鈥檒l take a tour of Mei脽en鈥檚 Porcelain Factory and visit Mei脽en鈥檚 Christmas Market. Lunch on your own. In the evening we will enjoy a wine tasting and dinner at Wackerbarth Castle, which is nestled in the town of Radebeul between Dresden and Mei脽en and is one of Europe鈥檚 oldest sparkling wine producers. The castle was built in the 18th century at the height of Dresden鈥檚 Baroque period. Overnight in Dresden.
Check out of the hotel and travel on our private bus to N眉rnberg. We will take the private coach to N眉rnberg, where you will have the opportunity to stroll through the world famous Christkindlmarkt, and have lunch on your own. We will then continue on to M眉nchen and will have free time to experience the Christmas Market with dinner on your own. Overnight in M眉nchen.
This morning we鈥檒l take a walking tour of Munich, and see the Marienplatz, the Hofbr盲uhaus, St.Peter鈥檚 Church, and more. After the tour, you will have free time to enjoy beautiful wintry M眉nchen. We will meet up for the farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in M眉nchen.
Morning transfer to M眉nchen airport for flights home. Visit the Christmas Market in the airport prior to departure. (More details on the timing you should consider for your flights will be provided when the tour is called a go.)
Auf Wiedersehen und Fr枚hliche Weihnachten!
Led by Gabriele Haulmark, Senior Instructor of German and English and International Education Director, and Ursula Chandler, Professor of German.
Expect to enjoy the enchanting 奥别颈丑苍补肠丑迟蝉尘盲谤办迟别, culinary treats, and a variety of places of historical significance to the fullest!
Movement between cities will be by private motor coach. Within each city and at cultural or historic sites, most movement will be on foot. This tour requires a considerable amount of walking and standing, often over uneven terrain.
You should be prepared to:
Walk a mile or more at a time, and up to five miles per day
Navigate stairs that may not have handrails
Climb in and out of a private motor coach with tall steps
Keep pace with an active group on long travel days
Handle cultural differences, jet lag, and emotional highs and lows
Be a considerate group member: prompt, courteous, and flexible
Any participant who, in the opinion of the tour leader, is unable to safely keep up with the group may be restricted from participating in certain activities.
You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage throughout the tour. Traveling lightly is highly recommended.
Hotels will be tourist class (four-star or superior) and will include private baths, air conditioning, and English-speaking staff.
Registration for Germany 2026: Christmas Markets and Culinary Adventures is now open!
Read the Terms & Conditions and Release & Waiver.
搁别惫颈别飞鈥�the latest information on recommended immunizations from the鈥�.
尝辞辞办鈥�at the International Travel section of the鈥�, including Before You Go, Country Information, While Abroad, and Emergencies.
颁丑别肠办鈥�your passport to ensure that it has at least 6 months鈥� validity past the tour return date. Should you need to renew, visit鈥痶he鈥�鈥痜or instructions.
贬辞濒诲鈥�the dates of December 13-20, but do not book non-refundable airfare until we can confirm that the trip is a go.
This tour needs a minimum of 10 travelers by July 30, 2026 in order to go. But don鈥檛 wait until then to register 鈥� it could fill much sooner! If the tour is a go and spaces remain available, registration will close on September 24, 2026.
This schedule is based on payments ATU must make to tour vendors to guarantee group rates. We highly recommend that you purchase additional trip cancellation insurance at the time of registration to recover your payments should you need to withdraw from the tour.
Tour Price: $4,500 per person (based on double occupancy)
Single Occupancy Supplement: $400
Amount Due: $500 upon registration
Refund Policy: $475 refund if you cancel on or before February 18, 2026
No refund of deposit if deposit is made after February 18, 2026
Amount Due: $3,000 on May 7, 2026
Refund Policy: $1,500 refund if you cancel on or before September 9, 2026
Due Date: September 10, 2026
Refund Policy: No refund unless the tour is full and your place can be resold
Note: All cancellations must be made in writing.
$4,500 per person, based on double occupancy
Single Occupancy Supplement: $400
The program fee includes:
A full-time guide throughout the tour
All accommodations
Breakfast daily and several additional group meals (as listed on the itinerary)
Admissions for all scheduled group activities
Ground transportation during the tour (excluding airport-to-hotel transfer at the beginning)
Gratuities for group drivers, guides, and meal servers
Limited international travel health insurance while abroad
The following are not included in the program fee:
Airfare
Transfers between the airport and hotel upon arrival
Passport and visa fees
Recommended immunizations or vaccinations
Baggage insurance and trip cancellation insurance
Beverages, laundry, dry cleaning, phone charges, room service, or mini bar charges
Tips to porters and hotel maids
Expenses during free time or non-group activities
Lunch and dinner, unless specifically included in the itinerary