Tour starts in Brussels, Belgium and ends in Wurzburg, Germany.

Day 1. We’ll start our holiday adventure at our centrally located hotel with an introduction meeting to answer any questions and get to know our traveling companions. Then we’ll head out into Brussels, this quintessentially European capital city, to see where the market is and perhaps indulge in a quick appetizer bite before heading to dinner together. Sante!

Day 2. The general structure of the tour is to see the sights during the day then have the evening free for the market, and Brussels has a variety of great options for exactly that. Maybe you’ll ascend into the iconic Atomium, walk your way to a better understanding of Europe in the Parlamentarium, or check out the speedster vehicles at Autoworld. I’ll be perusing the market that night and you’re welcome to join me for a walk around. First mug of something tasty and toasty is on me!

Day 3. Europe’s cultural density is just amazing, and after a short morning drive we’ll have already crossed a border when we stop to check out one of western Germany’s best Christmas market towns and a local favorite of those in-the-know. After lunch we’ll say “auf wiedersehen” to Germany and hop down to one of Western Europe’s great secrets: Luxembourg City. Of course an orientation of this great capital, and a tasty dinner together. We have three nights in this bewitching locale and its Winterlights market, so check out the market right off the bat or pace yourself.

Day 4. Luxembourg is chock full of history and ready to take its place in our minds with a morning walking tour. Add to it in the afternoon with any of the city’s three excellent self-guided walks, find your own path, or come with me on a short ride to the American WWII cemetery, and see the grave of none other than General George S. Patton.

Day 5. The heart of Western Europe is a great place for a free day, and we’ll go over your options, including the beautiful city of Liege (3 hours by train), the adorable village of Clervaux (1 hour), or come with me to a castle ruin in the countryside (1.5 hour). Public transportation is free and easy in Luxembourg. If you’re a WWII buff, a day trip to Bastogne and the Battle of the Bulge is also an option, where you’ll feel the cold truth in the footsteps of those legendary days.

Day 6. We’ll say “merci” and “addi” to Luxembourg this morning and head for France, stopping along the way for an unusual experience of interwar Europe, as they recovered from the first world war and tried to avoid the second. After lunch, we’ll roll with style down to Strasbourg for a taste of the true Joyeux noël. Orientation walk together as we switch our mental language (they’ll still speak English, don’t worry) and a gallic dinner together. Bon appetit!

Day 7. Stay to explore beautiful Strasbourg as you please, or come with me to indulge in the thermal delights of Baden Baden. Exhilarated and refreshed by whatever you chose, I’ll see you in the market where you can help me choose between the Alsation sauerkraut called choucroute, delicately spiced pain d’epices, and a tall mug of mulled wine/cider. (Yes, we will decide that “all of the above” is the right answer and have zero regrets.)

Day 8. We popped into Germany along the way, but it’s time to bring it home and do it right. Endless great holiday options in the country, but I can’t resist beautiful and unexpected Wurzburg. For bonus, on the way there we’ll stop at stunning Heidelberg to tour its famous castle, and of course lively market. By now our evening orientation walk and dinner together may be your new favorite holiday tradition.

Day 9. People’s first reaction to Wurzburg is often “What is that marvelous palace-thing?” That is Marienberg Fortress, one of Germany’s best medieval castles, and we’ll check it out today. Free afternoon to visit the opulent Residenz palace, savor a hearty pork knuckle lunch with a foamy stein of beer, or practice packing for the trip home. We’ll have a last night dinner together and head to the market for a final exam of prost, danke schön, and Frohe Weinachten!

Day 10. Wurzburg is within easy reach of a number of forward destinations or flights home. Frankfurt’s vital airport is just a two and a half hour train ride, plus both Brussels and Berlin are about five hours away on the rails.

Tour itinerary subject to change.