Europe’s Three Countries Christmas Markets

Explore the fairytale setting of the Valkenburg Christmas Market with its distinctive illuminated caves and passageways, the unique atmosphere of Aachen in its festive splendour, and the beautiful setting of Bruges.

Friday 22nd – Monday 25th November 2024

Tour Price £615.00
Single supplement: £110.00

o Three nights dinner, bed and breakfast
o Buffet three course dinner
o Buffet breakfast
o All coach travel
o All ferry crossings (meal voucher included)
o Live music in the evenings
o Excursions to the Christmas markets in Valkenburg, Aachen and Bruges
o Escorted throughout

DAY I We set off early this morning to catch the ferry from Dover to Dunkirk, and then journey on to Valkenburg for our three night stay at the Hotel Schaepkens, with stops en route.

DAY 2 Spend a day at leisure in Valkenburg, a fashionable and fortified town situated in the unusually hilly Dutch province of Limburg, and a short walk from our hotel.Valkenburg’s attractions include a castle, museums numerous bars, cafes, and the highlight of the tour – the Valkenburg Christmas Market. The little spa town of Valkenburg comes alive with the advent of its Christmas markets, with stalls uniquely located inside caves protected from the elements and open late into the evening.This is where the Christmas markets are a real experience, where you can walk endlessly in unique and beautiful winter landscapes, where Christmas stimulates all your senses, where Christmas lights are enchanting and where you can have endless fun. Christmas in Valkenburg is a magical affair. Experience it yourself!

DAY 3 Today we head to Aachen in Germany, where the streets and squares around Aachen Cathedral and town hall are transformed every year into a Christmas village.Twinkling lights and the scent of mulled wine and Aachener Printen (a type a gingerbread) will accompany you wherever you go in this unique atmosphere. It’s no coincidence that Aachen Christmas Market regularly makes it into the top ten best Christmas markets in Europe. For such a small city,Aachen is a melting pot of history and cultures, thanks to its unique location on the German border.You might wish to visit the cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its medieval artifacts, including the shrine of Charlemagne, who was buried here in 814 AD. The Rathaus (city hall) is also worth a visit, with the history of Aachen sewn into its very walls – it is colourful, beautiful and boasts an excellent view of the Cathedral.

DAY 4 After breakfast we set off towards home, making our way into Belgium with a stop in Bruges for lunch. Medieval Bruges, known as the Venice of the North, has a beautiful setting and is host to one of the most famous Christmas Markets in Belgium, offering the best of winter products, Christmas gifts and warm gluhwein and snacks.After time to explore here, we continue onto Dunkirk for our return ferry and head homewards, arriving back in the early evening.