Valkenburg, Aachen & Cologne Christmas Markets

Today we cross the border into Germany and travel to Aachen to visit the Christmas Market. Every year in the weeks prior to Christmas, the squares and alleys around Aachen’s town hall and cathedral are transformed into a festive Christmas Market. Enjoy free time visiting the many stalls whilst sipping a warming cup of mulled wine and sampling the delicious Potato fritters. Be sure to try ‘Spekulatius’ or traditional Christmas spice cookies.

In order to enhance your tour, you may wish to join an optional half day visit the lovely German town of Monschau, the ‘Gem of the Eifel Region’. Centered on the banks of a small river and overlooked from opposite hillsides by the ruins of a stone watchtower and an old palace, Monschau is a classically pretty town. Linked by a series of bridges, the town’s restaurants and shops lead up to the town centre where a charming church proudly stands.

Spend today in the charming town of Valkenburg. Experience the festive excitement of the Christmas market in the Town Cave (Gemeentegrot); the oldest underground Christmas market in Europe. The ancient galleries are filled with Christmas music and decorated with lights and traditional stalls creating a truly magical atmosphere.

Today we visit Cologne and its Christmas market on our included excursion. Cologne’s history traces back more than 2,000 years when it was founded as a Roman colony. Today it has developed into a beautiful cosmopolitan city.

Advent magic spreads throughout Cologne at this time of year, when the idyllic Christmas markets open their gates to visitors. Festive stalls offer traditional goods and handcrafted gifts. Wonderful spicy aromas of cinnamon stars, baked apples and roasted almonds will fill the air.

Start at the ‘Christmas market in Kolner Dom/Cathedral Square’ with a huge, decorated fir tree. Admire the festive lights over Roncalliplatz, and discover culinary delights and individually made arts and crafts.

Not far away, the rustic ‘Heinzels Winter Fairytale’ Christmas market with old-world charm, dedicated to the legend of the ‘Heinzelmannchen’ (or elves) of Cologne – is situated in the heart of Cologne’s Old Town, spreading over the squares ‘Alter Markt’ and ‘Heumarkt’.

In the centre of the larger shopping areas, the "Market of Angels" on Neumarkt presents itself under a magnificently illuminated starry sky. The illuminated wooden stars in the trees above the market provide a special atmosphere. Relax and browse for tasty food, gifts and arts and crafts.

Next door on Rudolfplatz, young and old alike will enjoy the "Village of St Nicholas", a wonderful experience for the whole family. This market tends to have reindeer and elves and a huge advent calendar.

‘Cologne Harbour Christmas market’ at the Chocolate Museum is located in a picturesque backdrop directly on the river Rhine, right in front of the Chocolate Museum, with snowy white pagoda tents reminiscent of ships’ sails.

Return home.