Find your next holiday
Filter Holidays
Last-Minute Holidays
Look forward to a holiday departing soon!
Enchanting Festive Breaks
Book early to guarantee your place!
Christmas Markets of Medieval Hannover, Hamelin, Goslar & Cologne
If you’re looking for a unique holiday atmosphere somewhere a little off the beaten track, delve deep into history and enjoy the Germany’s medieval Christmas Markets of Hannover, Hamelin and Goslar. Enjoy time in the beautiful Harz Mountains and, of course, take in one of the German heavyweights of Christmas Market season, Cologne. You’ll be getting a fully-rounded festive experience touring the markets of Medieval Germany.
Tour Includes
- 5 nights hotel with continental breakfast
- 3 evening meals
- Convenient local joining points
6 days from £989pp
Travel Options
Outbound &
Inbound Travel
Outbound
Travel
Inbound
Travel
On-Tour
Experiences
Steps to booking your Holiday
-
Tour Details Find a day-by-day breakdown
of the tour -
Select your Departure Browse the available
departure dates -
Checkout Follow our secure checkout
process to book your place
Itinerary
Please choose your preferred 6 day itinerary
Please note: The Christmas market information provided is correct at the time of publication, and may be subject to change without notice, by the market organisers and local authorities.
Local departure by coach, then to Belgium for an overnight stay.
Advent magic spreads throughout Cologne at this time of year, when the idyllic Christmas markets open their gates to visitors. Festive stalls offer traditional goods and handcrafted gifts. Wonderful spicy aromas of cinnamon stars, baked apples and roasted almonds will fill the air.
Start at the ‘Christmas market in Kolner Dom/Cathedral Square’ with a huge, decorated fir tree. Admire the festive lights over Roncalliplatz, and discover culinary delights and individually made arts and crafts.
Not far away, the rustic ‘Heinzels Winter Fairytale’ Christmas market with old-world charm, dedicated to the legend of the ‘Heinzelmannchen’ (or elves) of Cologne – is situated in the heart of Cologne’s Old Town, spreading over the squares ‘Alter Markt’ and ‘Heumarkt’.
In the centre of the larger shopping areas, the "Market of Angels" on Neumarkt presents itself under a magnificently illuminated starry sky. The illuminated wooden stars in the trees above the market provide a special atmosphere. Relax and browse for tasty food, gifts and arts and crafts.
Next door on Rudolfplatz, young and old alike will enjoy the "Village of St Nicholas", a wonderful experience for the whole family. This market tends to have reindeer and elves and a huge advent calendar.
‘Cologne Harbour Christmas market’ at the Chocolate Museum is located in a picturesque backdrop directly on the river Rhine, right in front of the Chocolate Museum, with snowy white pagoda tents reminiscent of ships’ sails. We leave Cologne mid-afternoon and continue our journey through Germany to our hotel in the Hannover area where we stay for the next three nights.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
We start this morning with an included visit to the quaint town of Hamelin, famous for the Pied Piper tale told to children around the world. The old town centre has been reconstructed with Renaissance and wood-frame buildings; all adding to the fairy-tale atmosphere that brings alive the legend of the piper who offered to rid the town of rats, and ended up stealing all the children!
During the advent season the town is illuminated with the lights from the Christmas market. Taking place in the middle of the beautiful Old Town, lovingly decorated stalls invite you to browse for gifts. Sit back and relax in one of the cosy coffee shops or perhaps visit Hamelin Glassworks where you may have the chance to blow your very own colourful Christmas bauble assisted by the glass blower himself. (Entrances to any places of interest are at own cost).
We return to Hannover this afternoon where you will have the opportunity to explore the shops and Christmas market. Hannover is the capital of Lower Saxony and has had a long and special relationship with Britain since 1714 when Elector Georg Ludwig became King George I of England. Today Hannover offers visitors an array of interesting architecture and museums and a wealth of shopping opportunities with department stores, specialist shops and chic boutiques.
The Christmas market takes place in the historical old quarter around the market church. We return to our hotel later this afternoon arriving in time for our evening meal.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Today we head to the beautiful town of Goslar, located on the north western slopes of the Harz Mountains. This former Free Imperial Town has over 1000 years of history. For centuries it was the favoured seat of government in northern Germany, and at the same time, a centre of Christianity. So much so Goslar was referred to as the ‘Rome of the North’. The view of the townscape with the steeples of the five large parish churches is impressive when viewed from the knoll upon which the Imperial Palace stands.
The many crooked, narrow, cobble-stoned streets in the Old Town are also interesting to explore. From the Kaiserpfalz you will find the impressive Romanesque Imperial Palace opens up to view. In the background is the Rommelsberg Mountain with the ore mines that only closed down as recently as 1988. Since 1992 the mine and the Old town of Goslar have been entered onto UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List.
The traditional Christmas Market on the historic Market Square is a delight to visit. Pretty wooden booths entice visitors to sample the delicious-smelling Christmas delicacies. There will be free time for you to explore the festive market at leisure. Perhaps enjoy a hot mulled wine before returning to our hotel for dinner.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
We say goodbye to Hannover and commence our journey south through Germany, crossing the Netherlands and finally into Belgium. We continue to our hotel for an overnight stay.
Includes Breakfast
Return home.
Includes Breakfast
Accommodation
You will stay for three nights at a 3-star minimum hotel in the Hannover area. Overnight stays in Belgium will be in city-style hotels.
Luxuria Coach
Stylish and modern, state-of-the-art Luxuria is the business class of coaches. Boasting comfort of the highest standard, sink into the deluxe armchair-style seats, stretch out with much more space around you, and enjoy a vast choice of entertainment on your personal touch-screen TV.
Luxuria Features
- Deluxe armchair-style seats with leather exterior, central arm rests* with cup holders, adjustable headrests and retractable calf rests on most seats to give you a more comfortable journey.
*Face to face seats are forward and rear facing with a table and will not have a calf rest. - Every seat has its own, fully interactive, touch-screen TV offering a wide choice of entertainment so you can control what you want to watch and when.
- There’s a selection of double and single seats, including six face-to-face seats with tables, and five single seats which are ideal for passengers travelling independently.
- Plug sockets and USB points at each seat mean you can keep your devices fully charged throughout your journey.
- Onboard toilet.
Departure Dates
