Christmas Markets 2026 Itinerary

December 1-8, 2025 (STARTS IN ZURICH SWITZERLAND- ENDS IN MUNICH GERMANY)

November 30     Transition from the USA- Travel to Zurich Switzerland

December 1       Arrival into Zurich- Evening Zurich Markets-Overnight Zurich

December 2       Train to Basel- Evening Markets in Basel- Overnight Basel

December 3       Train to Strasbourg RT- All Day in Strasbourg- Overnight Basel

December 4       Train to Munich- Evening 3 Markets in Munich- Overnight Munich

December 5       Train to Nurenberg RT- All Day Trip, Overnight Munich

December. 6       FREE DAY IN MUNICH, (Free Day you will be on your own) 

December. 7       Train to Salzburg Austria RT- Overnight Munich

December 8        Munich Hotel Checkout, TRANSITION TO USA  

What is INCLUDED on this trip?

• 1st Class Accommodations in the cities we have listed.
• Transportation on the various trains we will travel between countries
• Breakfast will be included each morning
• City Pass Transportation in Zurich, Munich & Basel

What is NOT INCLUDED?

• Lunch and Dinner and Christmas Market snacks are not provided by Spirit of Adventure
• Free Day in Munich you will be on your own for you to determine your course. Wayne will lead a group to the BMW Museum, and Stacey will lead a group to the Dachau Concentration Camp. If you have a desire to see the Castle at Neuschwanstein, you will need to make arrangements ahead of time.
• Tips will not be a part of our tour as there will not be a licensed guide on this journey.

What can you expect at Christmas markets in Europe?

First things first… What are the Christmas markets in Europe like?

Well, there’s no one size fits all answer because each market is different and has its own unique personality.

There are large markets and tiny markets. 

Traditional markets and modern, quirky markets. 

Markets in the city. Markets in the countryside.

The good news is there is a Christmas market for everybody

Here are a few tips to make your first Christmas market trip a success:

·  Bring cash. And by “cash” I mean coins. You’ll need them to use the restroom and it can be a lot faster to pay with cash for your food/drinks. Of course, places will take cards, but have money on hand, too.

·  Bring a backpack + extra bags. A backpack is super handy for storing your clothing layers, your mugs, and any other souvenirs you get. Have an extra reusable bag in there, too…just in case you buy a little more than anticipated. 

·  Plan time to explore wherever you are. Each town, city, or castle is still worth checking out, so veer away from the hustle and bustle of the market and see what the rest of the place has in store for you!

Wear comfortable shoes

You will be walking and standing a lot on your Christmas Market trip. Trust me!

In many cities and towns throughout Europe, the town square in which the markets are held is in a historic district and the streets are almost always cobblestone, and often a bit uneven. If you’re not used to European cobblestones, be warned—they can be an absolute nightmare if it’s icy or covered in a layer of snow. It doesn’t snow as much in December these days, but when it does, things can get slippery fast.

This is not the occasion to wear your cute boots with a heel.

Instead, opt for shoes or boots with good arch support and decent grip. Comfy hiking boots with water insulation are probably your best bet. Some of our personal favorite brands are Sorels, Dansko, Keen, and Merrell!

You will also want to choose shoes that have some level of water resistance. If it snows (*fingers crossed that it does because it is magical!*), you will be walking around in a slushy situation and will want to have at least some protection from water seeping in.

How to Pack

Pack light! Packing light for a winter trip is hard. I get it. 

But rolling a gigantic suitcase over cobblestones and carrying it up and down stairs at train stations is miserable.

You will not regret packing light.

But winter travel means bulkier clothes, so how am I supposed to travel light?

Here are some good tips…

• Pack a foldable duffel bag in your suitcase—if you end up checking your luggage on the way back, you can use the duffel as a carry-on.
• A crossbody bag (or any bag you can keep an eye on) is a good idea—pickpockets love those crowded Christmas markets as much as we do. 
• If you plan to shop a lot, check your options for shipping parcels back home—it might actually be cheaper than checking an extra bag.

Whenever I scroll through Christmas market threads, packing is always a heated topic. And I get it—if you’re coming from a place without proper winters, the cold can be a bit of a shock. But as someone who doesn’t cope well with chilly weather, I promise there’s no need to pack like you’re heading off on a polar expedition.

If you don’t handle winter well, adding a thermal top and leggings is a good idea. But I wouldn’t go overboard packing loads of outfits. If you’re a shopper, you’ll want to leave space for all the goodies you’ll pick up at the markets. You can always rewear your clothes or pick up any missing items on location!