Magical Cologne & Aachen Christmas Markets

Magical Cologne & Aachen Christmas Markets

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Magical Cologne & Aachen Christmas Markets

4 Days Starting and ending in Belgium

Visiting: Belgium, Cologne, Aachen

Tour operator:

Leger Holidays

Tour code:

mgc

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

0-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

The German Christmas markets are some of the most popular in Europe and with this tour, we’re taking you to some of its best. Starting off this holiday with a taste of Christmas in Cologne, spend a day exploring the many Christmas markets around this beautiful city. You can even include a spot of sightseeing, taking in famous landmarks such as the mighty Dom (cathedral). And, of course, with the trip to the stunning Aachen Christmas Markets, you really will be able to enjoy the iconic festive build up to Christmas in Germany.

Highlights

  • Start off this holiday with a taste of Christmas in Cologne, spend a day exploring the many Christmas markets around this beautiful city

  • You can include a spot of sightseeing, taking in famous landmarks such as the mighty Dom (cathedral)

  • Visit Aachen and discover the charm of the narrow lanes and historic squares and be inspired by almost 2000 years of history

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrive In Belgium

Location: Belgium

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 4-star Globales Post Hotel & Wellness Liège

Local departure by coach, then to Belgium for a three-night stay.

Day 2 : Cologne

Location: Cologne

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 4-star Globales Post Hotel & Wellness Liège

Meals Included: Breakfast


Today we travel to the majestic city of Cologne on our included excursion. Cologne’s history traces back more than 2,000 years when it was founded as a Roman colony. It has since 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.

We return to our hotel this evening.

Day 3 : Aachen

Location: Aachen

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 4-star Globales Post Hotel & Wellness Liège

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today our included excursion takes us to Aachen. Aachen’s historic Old Town is perfect for visitors to stroll around. Here you can discover the charm of the narrow lanes and historic squares and be inspired by almost 2000 years of history. Aachen is widely known as the ‘Cathedral City’ and the ‘City of Fountains’, and owes its national recognition as a spa city to more than 30 hot springs, generating a heat of up to 74 degrees.

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.

Day 4 : Return Home

Location: Belgium

Meals Included: Breakfast

Return home.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Additional Services

    Travel from a wide range of convenient joining points across the UK is included within your coach holiday price; some carry a supplement. Please contact us for our full list of joining points.

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

    This trip includes coach travel from/to a local UK joining point

  • Fully Guided

  • International Travel

  • Meals

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Transport

    Comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach

What's Not Included

Accommodation

You will stay for three nights at the 4-star Globales Post Hotel & Wellness Liège.

Check out our Q&As

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    Yes

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

    Fully escorted by our experienced drivers/crews. And in most towns and cities we either include or offer optional sightseeing tours with expert local guides to help you get the most from your visits.

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    No

  • Is the tour coach air conditioned?

    Yes

  • What type of coach will be used?

    You will travel on either our Luxuria Coach or our Silver Service Coach

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    Some tours carry a supplement for solo travellers, please ask for details if the Single price is not shown

  • Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

    Low

  • Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?

    On Leger Coach Holidays, your allowance is one medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    40 years

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Sole use of your own room on all Single Traveller holidays: means you still get your privacy and time out from the group.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • Battlefield Tours - Will it be possible to visit a particular cemetery whilst on the tour?

    Please contact us and we will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies

Reviews of this operator

Gary White (Google Reviewer)  

Just got back from a...

27-May-2024

Just got back from a holiday with leger holidays to callea spain which my wife done as a surprise for my 60th and wedding anniversary together my wife and i had a great time the coach journey there was excellent regular stops for toilet breaks and a stretch. Our two drivers Geoff and katrina were brilliant serving regular drinks and making the trip pleasant all the people on the coach were pleasant the hotel in spain was so nice the best we've stayed in lovely staff lovely bar the guy at the bar was great really friendly nice room. Overall our journey there and our return journey was brill the only thing that was not good at all was the ibis hotel on the return journey the room was horrible not a nice breakfast not polite French staff. Not really interested in trying to speak some english if i was leger should try and use a different hotel. Once again a big thank you to Geoff and katrina well done guys for making our holiday lovely. Hope to see you on another holiday soon

Will (Google Reviewer)  

I went on the 4...

05-Jan-2024

I went on the 4 countries trip and swiss glacier express and overall it was a great trip. The coach I was on was silver service, it was tidy had nice seats and other accessories such as charging points and headsets which was very handy. The drivers Alex and Dave were fantastic, very kind, funny and respectful throughout the whole trip and a pleasure to talk to. The excursions were very pleasant and all ran very smoothly. The hotels were decent and offered a good service. I overall very much recommend leger holidays.

Sally Matson  

Excellent customer service

10-Jan-2023

Booked our ‘Christmas in Austria & Scenic Trains of the Tyrol’ through George on the customer Helpline. Nothing was too much trouble, everything clearly & patiently explained. He even had permission to log in on his day off to finalise the sale! A charming and helpful young person and a credit to the company.

Euan Donald (Google Reviewer)  

Been on two tours now...

10-Oct-2023

Been on two tours now the “D Day beaches” and “ All Quiet on the Western Front” tour of the Somme and Ypres. Both four days in total, two travelling and two on the site of the various battles. This is outstanding value for money, picked up from Carlisle , Cumbria and literally looked after all the way through the tours. The coaches are great and the accommodation spot on . The guides are very knowledgeable ( Mark Hope brilliant guy)and the bus drivers professional . Absolutely fantastic .

Remon Wanis (Google Reviewer)  

We have been working with...

05-Aug-2024

We have been working with them for nearly a year now as Sussex Airports Taxis, and they offer the best customer service ever. All their customers are always happy when they return from their holidays. We look forward to continuing our partnership for many more years to come.

William Olley (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on a...

21-Aug-2024

I recently went on a coach holiday with this company. Everything was on time but there can be traffic hold ups with jams and roadworks! The coach was comfortable and the driver stopped for rest periods. The hotel was a 3 star close to a spectacular beach and was adequate. The catering was excellent! I went on the excursions included in the package and visited some lovely places.

Gordon Price (Google Reviewer)  

just returned from Italian holiday....

21-Jul-2024

just returned from Italian holiday. It was great spoilt a little by the high temperature even Ledger can't control that. The only real thing to spoil the trip was one of the hotels. The Krystall hotel in Diano Marina was terrible the room was dire with cracks in shower bogged up shower fittings noe control for AC end so on. The food was very poor, limited choice luke warm food on cold plates. After 4 evening meals (3 or four courses) we were only able to remember 2 we enjoyed. Breakfast was poor no bread except for hard rolls. No fresh fruit if you liked cake for breakfast you were good. If this is a 3 star hotel Italian standards have fallen which I don't think they have. Ledger brochure states "some of Europes most fascinating unique hotels" for Luxuria trips. This hotel should be removed from your list at once. The holiday was other wise good I cannot praise your coach crew too to much they were excellent. A highlight of the trip was the return trip through the swiss alps. It was superb and deserves mention in your holiday iteniary description.

Hilary Jackson (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on a...

12-Jun-2024

I recently went on a 4 night tour to Scarborough. Driver was great hotel superb. My criticism is too many destinations crammed into day excursion. Example visit to Flamborough head stop for 1 hour it was teeming nobody got off coach but even if fine pointless. Then on to Bridlington coach Park 1.5 ml from centre. Most people are hard pressed to get to center & back in 1.5 hours pointless. Incidentally if Leger paid a permit they could alight us in the resort. Very bad logistics. On to Whitby with a decent stop should have taken us there & bypassed the other stops. I will not go with them again. I will source a better holiday with excursions to one place only.

Suzanne Maylin (Google Reviewer)  

Having returned from a fabulous...

24-Sep-2024

Having returned from a fabulous tour of Austria with excellent tour guides/ drivers, it's disappointing to say the least that I'm left chasing a return for an excursion that was cancelled. I called Leger 5 days ago and am still waiting in a call back. Leger if you want to retain customers you need step up on service. Good training , good service costs very little, and once embedded in a company produces more income. I don't suppose anyone from Leger will respond to this, but who knows

aled blackshaw (Google Reviewer)  

just returned from a solos...

25-Mar-2024

just returned from a solos break to valkenburg and rhine valley i enjoyed the break overall although both journeys were considerably longer than expected due to several picks ups. I could have done without the 3 countries meeting point excursion to be honest and the lunch on rhine cruise was very basic. The drivers/couriers were efficient and good humoured and provided free lunch vouchers on the ferry which were much appreciated. I probably would book another break with leger but to somewhere a lot closer to home.

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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Leger Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of leger holidays charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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