Heart
of Europe Tours
ANTIQUING ADVENTURES & GRAND GETAWAYS
Antique
Tour >> Germany's Enchanted Christmas
Market Tour
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Germany’s Enchanted
Christmas Markets
December 1 - 9, 2007 -- Lots of
Extras!
 The German Christmas Market is one of life’s little
reminders to slow down and “smell the roses” – in this case the
gingerbread.
Germans have been setting
up wooden stands in town squares, selling holidays crafts, toys and
ornaments, and passing around the mulled wine since the
14th Century. Each market has its own
character. Our tour focuses on the traditional markets of
Saxony and Franconia and includes
a special visit to the state of Thuringia
.
German Christmas markets are an
invitation to celebrate with all your senses. You’ll take in
the soft glow of the evening lights and the dazzling array of
decorations and crafts. If we’re lucky, we'll hear a group of
minstrels or a choir making the rounds. You’ll take in the
unforgettable aroma of roasting chestnuts, sausages and
gingerbread . And a mug of hot mulled wine or local
beer will never taste as good.
The Heart of Europe Christmas
Market Trip is a little different that some of the others Christmas
tours. We don’t farm the trip out to a local tour
operator. We’re with you every step of the way.
We include extras,
like stops at antique shops and expeditions to two
toy-making areas , for example, the famed
Erzgebirge region, known around the world for its magnificent
carved toys and figures, crèches and folk decorations. We’ve
also arranged a special private visit to one of Germany’s foremost
restorers and collectors of antique folk Christmas
decorations, as well as a tour of Christmas manger scenes
in Bamberg, Germany’s "Christmas Creche Capitol."
And to top it off, you will sample the delights of traditional
glassblowing in Lauscha, home of the first Christmas tree
ornament (Kugel). We’ll learn about the history of
glassmaking, ornaments – even marbles -- in this little town, which
is way off the beaten path.
Highlights
- 9 days/ 8 nights
- Easy in, easy out -- Many
flights available to and from Frankfurt
- Airport transfers
- Franconia, Thuringia and Saxony
- Visits to Nürnberg,
Bamberg, Dresden, Lauscha and other special Christmas spots
- Ground travel in comfortable,
chartered Mercedes minibus
- Small family-owned inns and
historic hotels - comfortable rooms with private bath – breakfast
included
- Experienced bilingual guide
with you every step of the way
- Shopping opportunities at
antique shops, markets, larger stores
and workshops
- Includes special Tour of the Creches in Bamberg,
behind-the-scenes visit to 2 family toymaking workshops, visit to
antique toy restoration workshop and briefing, Seiffen Toy Museum
and workshops in Lauscha
- Opt in, opt out – we’ll help
you arrange alternatives to the day’s activities if you’d
like
- Value-added tax for hotel and
resort taxes included
- Background information and
trip materials in advance
- $2785 per person,
double occupancy -- single rooms available
- Tour starts and
ends in Frankfurt
Reserve early to insure that you get a spot on this wonderful
tour. Find out more about German Christmas Markets here. | |
German
Christmas Goodies..
- Christmas ornaments (Kugel)
- Gingerbread
- Christmas pyramids
- Christmas die cuts
- Smokers
- Handwoven straw ornaments
- Glass bead garlands
- Gingerbread spices
- Aromatic oils
- Moravian stars
- Christmas tree candle holders
- Incense
- Wooden games
- Creche scenes
- Christmas tree stands
- Herb teas
- Scherenschnitte
- Christmas tablecloths & linens
- Decorated Christmas candles
- Miniatures
- Beeswax candles
- Stollen
- Matchbox miniatures
- Noah’s Arks
- Bath oils
- Pewter figures
- Magenbrot
- Nutcrackers
- Snowbabies
- Dresdner Pappe
- Decorated stoneware
- Vintage and antique Christmas cards
- Bamkuchen
- Dolls
- Dollhouse miniatures
- Horseshoes
- Christmas lanterns
- Christmas chocolates
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