Christmas in Europe 2026 Itinerary

November 29th-December 7th, 2026 (OPEN TOUR)

Friday, November 28.         Flights leave from USA for Basel Switzerland (BSL)

Saturday, November 29      Flights arrive from the USA- Evening in Basel Markets             

Sunday, November 30        Train to Zurich- Overnight Victoria

Monday, December 1          Train to Freiburg, Germany Gateway to Black Forest  

Tuesday, December 2         Train to Strasbourg, France

Wednesday, December 3    Basel Switzerland- FREE DAY

Thursday, December 5        Train to Colmar, France

Friday, December 6             Train to Ribeauville France- Victoria Hotel

Saturday, December 7         Checkout after Breakfast, Flights leave for USA  

Our Accomodations:  The Hotel Victoria Basel's history dates back to 1870 when it was built by Mr. Zimmermann on Eisenbahnstrasse as a key link between the city and the main railway station, preserving its original structure, later purchased by the Späth family in 1938, served during WWII as French officers' quarters, and expanded over the decades, becoming a historic landmark offering classic hospitality near Basel's central station, according to its official history. 

Hotel Victoria Basel is open today, offering upscale accommodations near the main train station (SBB) in Basel, Switzerland, with amenities like free WiFi, a bistro/bar, gym, business center, and easy access to public transport, providing modern comforts like air-conditioned rooms, ideal for exploring Basel's sights. 

CLOSED TOUR December 5th-12, 2026 (Munich as HUB)

Saturday, December 5        Flights from USA Arrive, Settle into Hotel

Sunday, December 6          Munich, Marienplatz

Monday, December 7.         Nurenberg

Tuesday, December 8.        Castle Day, Neuschwanstein

Wednesday, December 9.   Salzburg, Austria

Thursday, December 10.     Free Day in Munich, Dachau

Friday, December 11.          Innsbruck, Austria

Saturday, December 12.     After Breakfast, Flights leave for the USA 

What is INCLUDED on this trip?

• 1st Rate 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
• Tips will not be a part of our tour as there will not be a licensed guide or driver 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!