EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS MARKET TOUR

We invite you on an unforgettable journey, one that will fill your heart with warmth and give you true holiday spirit.  Enjoy the feeling of an "Old World Christmas".  The European Christmas Markets have been celebrated for hundreds of years and still today, transform town squares and narrow streets into magical wonderlands.  The Christmas Markets are filled with unique decorative and edible symbols of the season, as well as wonderful cultural events.  Listen to the carolers singing in front of town hall.  Savor the smells of gingerbread, fruitcake, grilled sausages and seasonal beverages.  Visit the many special Christmas Markets of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Czech Republic and Scandinavia.  See the wonderful decorations, listen to the beautiful Advent concerts and visit many special Christmas exhibits.  Take home unique gifts of handcrafted ornaments, nutcrackers, and tinsel angels.  I will share with you places where I have lived, visited and grown to love.  We will gather memories to last a lifetime. 

    

2008 CHRISTMAS MARKET TOUR

GERMANY; BEAUTIFUL FRANCONIA & THURINGIA

BAMBERG, COBURG, ERFURT, LAUSCHA, SESSLACH,

ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER AND NURNBERG!

NOVEMBER 28-DECEMBER 6, 2008

(limited to 15-20 passengers)

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: ERFURT, ONE OF GERMANY'S BEST PRESERVED MEDIEVAL TOWN CENTERS & SPIRITUAL HOME OF MARTIN LUTHER, TOUR OF LAUSCHA GLASS & GOEBEL (HUMMEL FACTORY), COBURG FORTRESS (ART COLLECTIONS OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE, LUTHER ROOMS & THE HUNTING ROOM), THE MEDIEVAL TOWN OF SESSLACH, BAMBERG (GERMANY'S BIGGEST INTACT OLD TOWN WITH A WEALTH OF ART, CULTURE, ANTIQUITIES AND CULINARY DELIGHTS), AND MUCH MORE!

Friday, November 28 -Depart on your trans-Atlantic flight to Frankfurt, Germany.

Saturday, November 29 -Morning arrival in Frankfurt, Germany.  Our deluxe motorcoach will drive us to Coburg situated in the beautiful northern part of Bavaria known as Franconia and on the Burgenstrasse (road of castles).  Coburg, a city which unites art, culture and history, is the former seat of the Dukes of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha whose most famous marriage was between Queen Victoria and her cousin, Albert, son of the Duke of Coburg.  During your week stay, admire the art collections, view the historical medieval centre, follow in the footsteps of Martin Luther or Johann Strauss and enjoy the Franconian-Thuringian cuisine.  Check into the Ringhotel Stadt Coburg for a 7 night stay.  Remainder of the day is free.  Perhaps a visit to the Christmas Market.  Join us this evening for a welcome dinner in our hotel. -

Sunday, November 30 -Depart for Thuringia, a province with beautiful countrysides rich in forests & lakes, exciting cities and a reputation as a treasure-trove with its many crafts.  Arrive in Erfuhrt, a city rich in cultural tradition, the "Rome of Thuringia" & spiritual home of Martin Luther.  During our city tour, see the beautiful medieval town centre, one of the best in Germany, with its wealthy patrician townhouses & restored half-timbered buildings, the towering spires of St. Mary's Cathedral & the Church of St. Severus, the Augustinian Monastery and the Kramerbrucker (The Merchant's Bridge).  Free time to visit the Christmas Market.  Afternoon departure for Lauscha to tour the famous glassworks where beautiful handcrafted Christmas decorations have been made for centuries.  Free time to visit the unique Christmas Market.  Return to Coburg.  Remainder of day is free.

Monday, December 1 -Depart for a full day excursion to the old town of Bamberg, a World UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site, a former capital of the Holy Roman Empire and considered one of the most beautiful places in Europe.  Join un on our tour of the old town to see sights as the Cathedral, the Bamberg Rider, the Old Town Hall, "Little Venice", etc.  Free time to enjoy the Christmas Market and see the many wonderful displays of nativity scenes.  Return to Coburg.  Remainder of day is free.

Tuesday, December 2 -Today we visit the Veste (Fortress) Coburg once the ancestral seat of the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and one of the largest fortress sites in Germany.  Today, the Veste Coburg houses one of the most significant art collections in the world.  Admire the impressive castle system, see the historic Luther rooms, the famous "Hunting Room" and more.  Remainder of the day is free.  Dinner this evening at a local restaurant.

Wednesday, December 3 -Free time in the morning.  Depart mid-day for a guided tour of the Goebel, Hummel factory.  Learn how these high quality porcelain figurines are made, visit a master craftsman's shop and admire drawings by the Franciscan Sister, Maria Innocentia Hummel.  Afterwards, we visit "the jewel of the Coburg region", the medieval town of Sesslach regarded as an architectural and historical treasure.  See the beautiful Franconian half-timbered houses, the Gothic Johannes Church, the three storeyed granary, the 16th century townhall and much more!  After the tour, perhaps enjoy a glass of the town's beer, "Haasenbrau" named after the long time brew master Emil Haas.  Return to Coburg.  Remainder of evening is free.

Thursday, December 4 -Depart to Rothenberg ob der Tauber, famous medieval fairytale town.  After an orientation tour, you will have the remainder of the day to enjoy the town's Christmas Market, and its many sights and charming shops.  Perhaps a visit to the Medieval Crime & Punishment or Doll & Toy Museum.  A visit to the world famous "Kaethe Wolfahrt" Christmas shop or view the 500 year old alterpiece by Riemenschneider is a must.  Return to Coburg.  Remainder of day is free.

Friday, December 5 -Today we depart for Nuremberg, a city famous for its traditional German roasted sausages, gingerbread, toys and the home of Albrecht Durer.  We begin the day with a city sightseeing tour.  Free time to enjoy the city's Christmas Market, the oldest and grandest of them all.  Return to Coburg.  Join us tonight for our special St. Nicholas dinner celebration.

Saturday, December 6 -Transfer via our deluxe motorcoach to the Frankfurt airport for our departure flight back to Chicago.

TOUR COST INCLUDES-LAND ONLY

  • 7 NIGHTS ACCOMMODATIONS WITH PRIVATE FACILITIES AT THE RING HOTEL STADT COBURG.

  • TEN MEALS-BREAKFAST DAILY AND 3 SPECIAL DINNERS.

  • TRANSPORTATION BY PRIVATE DELUXE MOTOR COACH   

  • ALL SIGHTSEEING, TRANSFERS AND EXCURSIONS

  • SERVICE OF A FRIENDLY AND EXPERIENCED DRIVER.

  • PORTERAGE AT HOTELS.

  • ALL ROAD TAXES AND TOLLS.

  • ALL OPERATIONAL AND RESERVATION COSTS.

  • TOUR INFORMATION PACKET.

  • ESCORTED BY PAMELA ANN DIXON, CTC, DS, ACC (bilingual in German & English)

TOUR COST PER PERSON-LAND ONLY

$1725.00 PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY.

AIRFARE

PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR INFORMATION ON AIRFARE SCHEDULES AND PRICE FROM YOUR GATEWAY CITY.  IF YOU WILL USE FREQUENT FLIER MILEAGE, PLEASE CONTACT US TO MAKE SURE YOUR ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TIMES WILL MEET OUR TRANSFER.

 

                       

 

Contact US

Destinations By Dixon
2364 Essington Road
Suite 508
Joliet, Illinois  60435

Phone:

815.439.7999

877.439.7999

Email:  info@destinationsbydixon.com


Home
    Your Certified Travel Counselor   
Travel Request Form

Monthly Specials  Diamond Destinations  Last Minute Values    Bridal Notebook

Travel Extras   The Destination Gazette    Group Travel   Christmas Market Tour    Privacy Policy

 

©  Copyright 2005-2008 Destinations by Dixon, LLC.  All rights reserved.

Website designed and developed by: Tom Rumish Website Development