Winter Magic in Germany

Your train journey to Germany begins. You board at Gare de l’Est for Cologne.
Your hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from the central station and the city centre.

Afternoon free in Cologne: the old town with its Catholic Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Belgian Quarter with its restaurants, souvenir shops and galleries, and St. Michael’s Church.

Every year the Christmas markets, including the oldest one located at the foot of the magnificent cathedral, invite visitors for a stroll during the festive season. Richly decorated, they light up the city centre. Each market has a different theme and is well worth a visit. Art and crafts from all over Europe, high-quality products, delicious culinary treats, and captivating entertainment for young and old alike will make you look forward to Christmas even more. Enjoy a good glass of mulled wine with some pastries, and of course, the local specialty: gingerbread.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Cologne

Early morning departure by daytime train to Nuremberg (journey approx. 4h34).
Arrival in Nuremberg in the afternoon. Your hotel is next to the central station, and you can easily walk to the old town (about a 10-15 minute walk).

A medieval city rich in history, Nuremberg was completely rebuilt after 1945. Today, you can still admire its historic centre spared from the bombings, particularly the old town district as well as the castle and Weißgerbergasse street, with houses dating back to the Middle Ages.

Free time to visit the Christkindlesmarkt, one of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in the world. In the wooden stalls of the “little town of wood and cloth,” you’ll find traditional Christmas decorations, often handmade, and treats such as gingerbread and almond speculoos biscuits.

Don’t miss a visit to the Handwerkerhof artisans’ market, known for its finest local crafts.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Nuremberg. (B&B)

Early morning departure for Stuttgart.

Free time to visit the old town (about a 10-minute walk from the railway station): Old Castle, Collegiate Church towers, and the baroque grounds of the New Palace which provide the magnificent backdrop for the Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt.

In the late afternoon, take a daytime train to Freiburg (Breisgau). Your hotel is conveniently located near the railway station.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Freiburg. (B&B)

You can reach the city centre on foot from your hotel.

Enjoy the festive atmosphere of the city of Freiburg as you stroll through the narrow lanes of the old town and at the Cathedral Market, which transforms into a Christmas market at the end of November.

In the afternoon, you visit the Christmas market in the Ravenna Gorge (shuttle transfer from Freiburg, total duration including round-trip shuttle: 2h45). Discover traditional crafts and festive Christmas music, and sample a wide variety of typical local food and drinks. Experience the unique celebration amidst the wooded hills at the foot of the 40-metre-high Höllental railway viaduct!
Overnight stay at a hotel in Freiburg. (B&B)

Return to Paris by daytime train (journey time 4h20 with a stopover in Karlsruhe).

Extra night on request.