Christmas in Europe 2026 Itinerary

One of the unique advantages of this tour is that we will be hubbing from the elegant Victoria Hotel in Basel, Switzerland for the entire week. Unlike many European tours that require travelers to pack, unpack, and change hotels every few days, we will enjoy the comfort of staying in the same centrally located hotel throughout our journey. Each morning we'll step aboard comfortable first-class rail accommodations for a scenic journey to a new Christmas destination, and each evening we'll return to the familiar comfort of our Basel hotel. There is no need to move luggage, change rooms, or worry about complicated logistics—simply relax and enjoy the experience. The trains become part of the adventure itself, carrying us through the winter landscapes of Switzerland, France, and Germany while providing a comfortable and enjoyable way to travel between some of Europe's most celebrated Christmas markets.

Together, we'll spend a week living inside a Christmas snow globe while exploring some of Europe's most beloved Christmas markets by rail.

Depart the United States on your overnight flight to Europe. Sit back, relax, and begin anticipating a week filled with Christmas markets, festive foods, historic cities, and unforgettable holiday memories.

Arrive in Switzerland and transfer to the elegant Victoria Hotel, our home for the entire week. After settling in, enjoy an evening stroll through Basel's beautifully decorated Old Town and Christmas markets.

Travel by rail to Switzerland's charming capital city. Explore the medieval Old Town, festive Christmas markets, illuminated arcades, and traditional Swiss holiday treats before returning to Basel for the evening.

Journey into Germany to experience Freiburg's famous Christmas Market, beautifully situated beneath the city's magnificent Gothic cathedral. Return to Basel after a full day of Christmas festivities.

Spend the day exploring one of Europe's most enchanting Christmas destinations. Colmar's half-timbered houses, canals, Christmas lights, and Alsatian holiday traditions create a true storybook setting before returning to Basel.

Enjoy a relaxed day in Basel. Visit the city's Christmas markets, browse festive shops, explore museums, enjoy Swiss cuisine, or simply soak in the holiday atmosphere at your own pace.

Experience the "Capital of Christmas," home to one of Europe's oldest and most celebrated Christmas markets. Marvel at the city's magnificent cathedral and festive decorations before returning to Basel.

Visit one of Alsace's most charming medieval villages, where Christmas traditions come alive amid cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and festive holiday celebrations.

Transfer to the airport and begin your journey home, taking with you memories of Christmas markets, festive foods, holiday music, medieval cities, and the timeless magic of Christmas in Europe.

✔ One Hotel for the Entire Week
No packing and unpacking every few days.

✔ Victoria Hotel, Basel, Switzerland
A comfortable and centrally located hotel located directly across from Basel's main railway station.

✔ First-Class Rail Travel Included
Relax in first-class accommodations as we travel between Switzerland, France, and Germany aboard Europe's outstanding rail network.

✔ Three Countries, Six Christmas Market Destinations, One Hotel
Experience the very best Christmas markets in Europe while enjoying the convenience of a single hotel stay.

"Together, we'll spend a week living inside a Christmas snow globe—staying at the elegant Victoria Hotel in Basel, Switzerland while journeying by rail through medieval cities alive with ancient Christkindlmarkets, Christmas music, festive foods, glowing lights, and timeless European holiday traditions."

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!