Christmas Market Magic

Escape to Europe in December 2022 and experience two magical itineraries celebrating the most wonderful time of the year.

When it comes to wrapping up warm and enjoying the magical chill of Christmas, there’s nowhere quite like England – and on this seasonal tour of the country’s most festive attractions, we’ll find ourselves getting into the spirit of things in true English style. From London to historic Bath and back again, we’ll experience Choral Evensong services, delve into the traditions of bygone times – and of course, explore plenty of Christmas markets along the way.

From the fairytale spires of Prague to the bustling markets of Dresden and the twinkling Christmas lights of Karlovy Vary, this is a tour that explores the festive traditions, history and Yuletide beauty of Germany and the Czech Republic. And with the chance to discover magnificent castles, delicious local produce and scenic railways along the way, it’s sure to be a trip to remember.

Your Fly & Tour Package Includes:

• Economy class flight from Sydney to London, returning from Prague
• 7 day English Christmas Markets guided holiday with Backroads Touring, London return
• Includes hand-picked accommodation, 10 meals, visit local Christmas markets in the heart of the English countryside plus more
• 1 night 4-star accommodation in London including breakfast
• Domestic flight from London to Prague
• 7 day Christmas Markets: the best of Saxony & Bohemia guided holiday with Backroads Touring, Prague return
• Includes hand-picked accommodation, 9 meals, explore the Striezelmarkt in Dresden – Germany’s oldest Christmas market plus more
• Select transfers
• Airline taxes

Pricing is per person twin share and based on travel 10-23 December 2022

**Single traveller pricing available. Please speak to one of our travel consultants for more details

English Christmas Markets

Tour Highlights:

• Experience the magic of winter in Bath and attend an atmospheric Choral Evensong service at the Abbey
• Visit charming villages and local Christmas markets in the heart of the English countryside
• Enjoy Christmas at Kew: a unique blend of mesmerising Christmas lights and garden trails

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1 - London

Steeped rich history and time-honoured traditions, London is where we’ll meet for the start of our festive journey through England. After settling into our hand-picked hotel, we’ll come together to share a traditional English Christmas dinner with our fellow travel companions. Here’s to a week full of Christmas festivities!

Accommodation: Wellington by Blue Orchid (or similar)

Meals: Dinner

Day 2 - London

After reconvening at breakfast this morning, we’ll take in London’s iconic landmarks on a Christmas-themed city tour with a local guide. Following that, there’s a spellbinding treat in store for us: a visit to Christmas at Kew. When we get there, we’ll follow the illuminated trail through the world-famous gardens, stopping to observe the magical art installations that pepper the trees, buildings and water. Tonight, we have the evening free to admire the capital’s glittering Christmas-light displays, explore the array of gastronomic options or put our feet up back at the hotel.

Accommodation: Wellington by Blue Orchid (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - London – Stratford-upon-Avon

Today, we’ll board the mini-coach and make tracks for Cirencester, where we’ll add to our collection of Christmas presents at the town’s charming Christmas market. Later this evening, an old-fashioned Christmas experience awaits us in Stratford-upon-Avon – where we’ll visit Shakespeare’s birthplace and learn more about the Christmas traditions of the 16th-century. With traditionally decorated houses, mulled wine and warm mince pies – not to mention a short theatre performance – it’s the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit.

Accommodation: Mercure Stratford-upon-Avon Shakespeare Hotel (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4 - Stratford-upon-Avon – Bath

This morning we’ll take in some quintessentially English country scenery and enchanting rural villages as we make our way through the picturesque Cotswolds region en route to Bath. This afternoon, we'll take to the 'Ten Tree Trail' in search of the ten charming Christmas trees strewn throughout the city. Of course, we’ll also take the time to soak up the atmosphere at the award-winning Christmas market before we retire to the hotel for the evening. What a day!

Accommodation: Abbey Hotel (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 - Bath

We’ve a full day to spend in Bath today – and where better to begin than the famous Roman Baths? Here, we’ll receive a fascinating insight into what local life was like 2,000 years ago as we peruse the artefacts and architecture on an audio tour. Later this afternoon, we’ll enjoy a sumptuous Christmas-themed lunch. And after dark, we’ll take our seats in Bath Abbey for a spine-tingling Choral Evensong service.

Accommodation: Abbey Hotel (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 6 - Bath – Winchester

Before we hit the road again, we’ll have enough time to visit the museum at No.1 Royal Crescent – a Georgian house that has been decorated and furnished just as it would have been in the 18th-century. Then: it’s onwards to Winchester, where we’ll pay a visit to the Cathedral’s Christmas market – which is regarded as one of the best in Europe. With over 100 chalets to explore, it’s the perfect place to pick up a gift or two for your loved ones back at home. You’ll be free to stroll the stalls at your leisure before we head inside to enjoy a tour of the magnificent Cathedral itself. Later on, we’ll reconvene to share a delicious group dinner and toast to the incredible time we’ve shared.

Accommodation: Winchester Hotel & Spa (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7 - Winchester – Hampton Court – London

Before making our way back to London, we’ll set our sights on the final festive stop of our tour: the magnificent Hampton Court Palace, which will be bursting with Christmas decorations at this special time of year. Once we arrive in the capital, it’ll be time to say goodbye. Merry Christmas, one and all!

Meals: Breakfast

Christmas Markets: the best of Saxony & Bohemia

Tour Highlights:

• Explore the Striezelmarkt in Dresden – Germany’s oldest Christmas market
• Discover traditional Ore Mountain Christmas decorations with a handicraft manufacturer
• Enjoy the famous spa and thermal springs of Karlovy Vary

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1 - Prague

Our enchanting Christmas journey through Saxony and Bohemia will begin amidst the cobblestoned streets of medieval Prague. After settling into our hand-picked hotel, we’ll get to know one another better over a delicious welcome meal. Here’s to the incredible adventure ahead!

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Bohemia (or similar)

Meals: Dinner

Day 2 - Prague – Melník – Dresden

After a hearty breakfast, we’ll begin with a locally guided walking tour of the city – complete with a visit to the festive Christmas market, of course. After taking lunch at our leisure, we’ll move on to Melník. Here, we’ll dive straight into proceedings with a tour of the hilltop castle – with plenty of time to stroll the grand rooms and browse the 17th-century map collection. The afternoon will see us arriving in historic Dresden, where we’ll enjoy a free evening to explore the city’s gastronomic delights or relax at our hand-picked hotel.

Accommodation: Gewandhaus Hotel Dresden (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - Dresden – Wackerbarth Castle – Dresden

This morning we’ll learn more about a Dresden Christmas tradition on a visit to a local Stollen bakery. The delicious seasonal treat is said to date back to 1329 – when the region’s bakers entered it into a competition organised by the Bishop of Nauruburg. Later, we’ll board a steam engine for a scenic ride along the Lößnitzgrundbahn railway. Our next stop? Wackerbarth Castle, where we’ll gain an insight into the winemaking process on a tour of the vineyards and wine cellar – sampling a tipple or two as we go, of course. We’ll round off the day back in Dresden, where we’ll savour some free time to explore the Striezelmarkt: Germany’s oldest Christmas market. With twinkling lights, bustling stalls and the scent of mulled wine in the air, there’s no better place to soak up the Christmas spirit.

Accommodation: Gewandhaus Hotel Dresden (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 - Dresden – Freiberg – Seiffen – Neuhausen

After breakfast, we’ll bid farewell to Dresden and move on to Freiberg – where we’ll explore the Cathedral of St Mary on a guided tour. Then: our journey will continue as we make tracks to Seiffen, where there’s a visit to a handicraft manufacturer in store. Here, we’ll discover the stories and craft techniques behind traditional Ore Mountain folk art figurines – including delightful nutcrackers, Christmas pyramids and candle arches. Tonight, we’ll dine together at our hotel in Neuhausen.

Accommodation: Schlosshotel Purschenstein (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5 - Neuhausen – Annaberg-Buchholz – Karlivy Vary

At Annaberg-Buchholz, we’ll spend the morning delving into the area’s history at the Ore Mountain Museum – which showcases exhibitions dedicated to mining, the art of the late Middle Ages and the ancient crafts of potters, pewterers and trimmers. In the museum’s courtyard, we’ll find the entrance to the silver mine – where we’ll have the opportunity to gain a unique insight into silver mining history. After topping up our energy levels with a ‘Bergmansschmaus’ (a traditional miner’s snack), we’ll move on Karlovy Vary: our home for the next two nights. This evening, we’ll be free to seek out a local restaurant for dinner or relax back at the hotel.

Accommodation: Boutique Spa Hotel Aqua Marina (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 - Karlovy Vary

Today we’ll step out into the streets of Karlovy Vary on a guided tour before setting our sights on the Hot Spring Colonnade (the home of the gushing Vrídlo geyser) – where we’ll go underground to see how the thermal water is drawn, distributed and regulated. Then: onwards to the Jan Becher Museum, where we’ll learn the history behind Becherovka, a famous Czech herbal liqueur. After a tasting session, the rest of the day will be yours to spend as you please (with the chance to use the spa and thermal springs) before we come together for tonight’s farewell dinner.

Accommodation: Boutique Spa Hotel Aqua Marina (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7 - Karlovy Vary – Pilsen – Prague

After leaving Karlovy Vary behind us, our first stop of the day will be Pilsen. Here, we’ll be lucky enough to visit the Pilsen brewery: where Pilsner Urquell beer was born 175 years ago. After touring the bottling facility and exploring the three brew houses, we’ll round off our tour in the historic cellars – where we’ll have the chance to taste the beer for ourselves. Back in the capital later this afternoon, we’ll say our goodbyes.

Meals: Breakfast

Prices listed are per person in Australian/New Zealand Dollars, based on twin occupancy, including all discounts unless otherwise stated. The offer is subject to availability at time of booking and shown on the lowest inside category available at the time. Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice. Prices/Offers are correct as at  25 May 2022 and can be withdrawn without notice. Cabin categories include prepaid government fees and port taxes unless otherwise stated.  Hotels may charge resort fees not included in this package, payable direct upon check in. Visas are not included.  Airfares are based on economy class flights from Sydney and are subject to the carriers’ flight schedules and conditions, please call us for prices from other cities.Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.